I’d watch the show even if I didn’t have to. I work for The Santa Barbara Channels, the nonprofit that runs Channel 21, SB’s culture, arts and education TV channel on Cox. Mainly I do marketing for them, but occasionally I find myself behind a camera. So there I am giving a count down and cuing host David Starkey at the beginning of most episodes of The Creative Community.
As David says, The Creative Community is a video archive of SB’s writers, poets, artists, musicians, actors, filmmakers, and other creative people in our community. The first episode I worked on featured Bill and Cheri Steinkellner who wrote for Cheers, one of my favorite sitcoms. I was hooked and have worked on every in studio episode since. Other notable guests have included Nobel Laureate Walter Kohn, who garnered one of only two of the shows hour-long episodes. The other sixty-minute show went to Andrew Davis, director of Hollywood films such as Holes—another favorite of mine. Author Erica Jong was the only non-local guest we’ve had, because she happened to be in town speaking at the Writers Conference. Other Writers Conference stars who’ve appeared on the show include Perie Longo, Barnaby Conrad, and Ernie Witham.
Being a writer, poet, playwright, and musician himself, David has his finger on the pulse of SB’s creative community, which makes him the perfect host. I’ve peered at David through the viewfinder of a camera for two and half years now, and seen him mature as an interviewer and relax as an on-air personality. He claims to be recognized wherever he goes.
A few shows were shot on location in places like SBMA for the migrant workers photo exhibit (I edited that episode), and a special at the home studio of painter, and Creative Community set and lighting designer, Ray Cirerol. Most recently, David took a group of poets out to Anacapa Island to do readings for the show.
With a wealth of talented guests, a now seasoned host, and over a hundred episodes in the can, it’s no wonder the show has won a few awards, both national and regional. First place national awards from the Alliance For Community Media went to interviews with Mike deGruy (2006) and Mary Rose Betten (2007), and a first place Western Access Video Excellence Award went to an episode with Annie Crawley.
Sample clips from The Creative Community are available on YouTube, or you can tune into Channel 21 Mondays or Thursdays at 4 pm, Tuesdays or Wednesdays at 10 pm, Saturdays at 6 pm, or Sundays at 11 pm, and see for yourself. You don’t have to watch it, but I sure recommend it.
