Box 7, Folder 11, Document 27

Box 7, Folder 11, Document 27

Mm Lith
ee TELEPHONE CALL IN SHOW ON VITAL ISSUES

NELSON PRICE, Executive Producer
BEN LOGAN, Producer 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 420, New York, New York 10027 Telephone: 212/663-8900

EDWARD M. JONES, Director of Programming
DEL SHIELDS, Host

ROLE OF THE GUEST ON NIGHT CALL

The basic idea of NIGHT CALL is to get callers and the guest into
down-to-earth dialogue in a way that helps the audience participate
in the discovery of new information, new ideas, new understandings.

The role of the guest is dual:

1. At the beginning of the program the guest enters into a
brief and informal conversation with the host, Del Shields,
to sharply focus and clarify important points. Because
this section sets the give-and-take pattern of question
and answer for the entire show, it is essential that this
be an exchange between the guest and host, not a capsule
summary of points by the guest.

The key word in the NIGHT CALL idea is the word "Conversation."

2. The next step comes four or five minutes into the show when
the host takes the first call. The caller puts his question
or comment directly to the guest. Here again the idea is an
exchange between caller and guest. If the guest keeps his
answers short and sharply focused, the caller can respond with
new questions and ideas. Thus, we begin to achieve what the
audience is really looking for -- the chance to hear an average
person putting his questions, comments and concerns to the
expert, almost as in normal face-to-face conversation.

Some guests, fearing important points will be overlooked, tend

to unwrap several ideas at a time in the early part of the show.

We have found that audience interest and caller response is much

higher when the guest deals with one idea at a time. The natural
progression of the show soon moves us on to new ideas.

At three points in the program -- every 15 minutes -- there is a break
for station identification. The guest stays on the line during these
breaks.

Released in cooperation with the Broadcasting and Film Commission,

National Council of Churches, and the National Catholic Office for Radio and Television(NCORT)
Produced by TRAFCO/ Television, Radio and Film Commission of The United Methodist Church,

Harry C. Spencer, General Secretary,