WCAX Unveils Its Own

Late Night Sat. Show

Look out, Letterman! Look out, Leno! Look out, SN Live!

Vermont's Channel 3 is about to have its own version of the Late Show. And it starts this Saturday.

To Be called "Late Night Saturday," Channel 3's ambitious entry is a new late night variety/talk show, hosted by entertainer Tim Kavanagh. Like the network late night shows, the program will showcase local celebrities, guests and musicians, including comedy sketches and other entertainment.

The entire show will be created by Vermont and area writers, filmmakers, comedians, actors and marketing professionals, all volunteering their time to help revive local TV.

Late Night Saturday or LNS is the brainchild of Kavanagh, a sales representative for WCAX-TV and a local actor. He is well known on Vermont's theater scene for his work in improv comedy and stage productions.

For the past two years, Kavanagh has been assembling the LNS team, and recorded a pilot episode last fall. After pitching the idea to WCAX owner Peter Martin, he got the green light. Now, under the direction of Kavanagh's Samson Productions, LNS is set to premier on Saturday, Sept. 23.

The 30-minute show, airing at 11:30 p.m., on Saturday nights will be recorded live in front of a studio audience at Champlain College's Alumni Auditorium.

Students from Champlain will be an integral part of the production of the show by learning how to edit, write and produce local programming while shadowing trained LNS staff. LNS is a collaboration between Champlain College and WCAX. Students in the Media Communications program will be required to complete the Late Night Saturday Video Practicum course.

Regional entertainers such as Jennifer Hartswick, the Starline Rhythm Boys, Abby Jenne; author Joseph Citro, and local funnymen Reverend Nathan Brady Crain and Rusty DeWees are a sampling of the talent for the first few episodes of the season.

Late Night Saturday is planning for a 32-episode season, according associate producer Jamie Polli.

For more information visit www.latenightsaturday.com.