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Virginia C apitol C onnections, Fall 2015 27
In today’s fast-paced, high-tech world,
we’re constantly bombarded with media
messages everywhere we go. But what ends
up passing for news these days is often
just a bunch of repetitious soundbites and
exaggerated headlines.
This Week in Richmond is a public
television program that captures first-hand
perspectives of state legislators and other
decision-makers from around the Capitol.
It is hosted by state capitol veteran David
Bailey, produced by Blue Ridge PBS,
and recorded live to tape in Commonwealth Public Broadcasting
Corporation‘s Capitol Studio in the General Assembly Building.
With This Week in Richmond, viewers get a non-partisan, in-depth
look at current events, developments and decisions coming out of the
Capitol each week through complete, unedited interviews with the
people who are making Virginia‘s government work every day.
From budget cuts to regulatory affairs, the program spotlights the
latest happenings at the General Assembly while it is in session. During
the rest of the year, it provides timely insights and behind-the-headlines
analysis about taxes, education and other matters that are critical to
people across the Commonwealth.
Originally airing weekly on Blue Ridge PBS during sessions and
then once a month the rest of the year, the half hour program started out
focusing on issues of greatest importance to the southwest region of
Virginia. It quickly expanded to cover issues that affect all Virginians,
and it now airs weekly throughout the year on various PBS stations and
other outlets around the state.
Since its inception, This Week in Richmond has hosted a
veritable who’s who of movers and shakers connected with Virginia
government—each with their own unique perspective on what‘s
happening at any point in time.
From the leadership in both chambers and the executive branch,
to agency heads and cabinet members, to the clerks of both the Senate
and the House of Delegates, to current and former governors and first
ladies, to Virginia members of Congress, the show has given viewers a
chance to hear directly from a wide range of the most influential people
behind the scenes.
Some of the shows feature a unique mix of perspectives and others
revolve around a common theme. For instance, one show featured the
three colonels—from three different branches of service—who serve
in the House of Delegates. Both the viewers and participants enjoyed
the experience so much that there have even been requests for an encore.
For its guests, the show is an increasingly rare opportunity to
expound on the issues that matter to them the most in an easy going
and relaxed atmosphere.
For viewers, it’s an equally rare opportunity to get a glimpse of
the people and personalities behind the positions through complete and
unedited conversations.
As one viewer said, “The main thing I like about the show is that
the host doesn’t constantly interrupt the guest or interject his own ideas
about the subject. He lets his guests talk.”
As with other PBS productions, This Week in Richmond depends
on the generous support of its underwriters to help produce, direct,
tape and distribute the program throughout the year. People and
organizations who believe in the importance of transparency in state
government, as well as having week to week coverage of what goes on
at the Capitol, provide the funding needed to make each show possible.
ThisWeek in Richmond thanks them—and the show participants—for
all that they do.
If you want to stay informed about the most current issues facing
our Commonwealth—from the point of view of those who are making
government work here inVirginia—this is the show you need to watch.
If you want to get your message out to your constituents—and
all Virginians—to keep them informed about the issues that are most
important to them, this is the show you need to be on.
Check your local listings for dates and times for the show on
stations across the state. You can also check out past programs that are
available on demand at
Whether you’re a participant or a viewer, you can cut through all
the other media noise out there and stay informed each week with a
straightforward, detailed report about what’s going on here and now in
Virginia’s Capitol. Simply put, you are cordially invited to relax, pull
up a chair, and be our guest—for This Week in Richmond.
Sarah Alderson is an award-winning freelance writer who also
works in the Senate broadcast control room during sessions and
the Capitol Studio throughout the year. She can be reached at
This a shortened version of an article that originally appeared in
theWinter 2013 issue of Virginia Capitol Connections Quarterly
Magazine.
Be Our Guest —for This Week in Richmond
Blue Ridge PBS -WBRA (Roanoke, Lynchburg)—Fridays at 7:30 p.m.,
Sunday at 2:30 p.m. • Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Southwest Virginia PTV
Monday at 6:30 a.m. & 8:30 p.m. • Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. • Friday at Noon
WCVE 23.1 (Richmond)—Sunday at 9 a.m.
WHTJ 41.1 (Charlottesville)—Sunday at 9 a.m.
WVPT (Harrisonburg)—Tuesday at 5 p.m.
WHRO-World (Norfolk)—Tuesday at 5 p.m. • Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
Norfolk’s Neighborhood Network, TV-48—Sunday through Tuesday,
12 noon • Wednesday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m.
Weekly show information is on Facebook—THIS WEEK IN RICHMOND
All shows are archived here: V I E W I N G
S C H E D U L E
V