Whether you are a diehard fan of "Antiques Roadshow." a TiVo-obsessed devotee of "Austin City Limits," a persistent bidder on wildlife prints during the annual auction or even someone who hasn't watched public TV since outgrowing "Sesame Street," the folks at Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10 want you to tune in at 9:30 tonight because they firmly believe the fast-paced new show they are unveiling will include something to pique your interest.

It's called "TV MKE."

"We saw there really wasn't a sort of homegrown Milwaukee show that featured the people around town," producer Peter May said. "This is a town full of interesting people."

Sandy Maxx, a radio personality for WMYX (99.1 FM) will host the program with help from actor Mondy Carter.

"Sandy has a bit of a history with public television," May said. "She's a volunteer. She's over at Miller Park. She's sort of known around town. She's a great Milwaukee booster."

Maxx says she met the producers at Miller Park, where she serves as the Brewers' in-game scoreboard hostess. May met Carter when he edited a film that Carter acted in. "It was the best part of the movie," May said of his collaboration with Carter. "I produce television shows and corporate videos and I've hired him to do some funny scenes and he's a joy to work with."

Maxx and Carter, who also works on the MPTV show, "Outdoor Wisconsin," developed an instant rapport.

"In our first coffee chat about 'TV MKE,' we figured out that we both went to Marquette and we clicked from there," Maxx said.

May said that all of the people involved with the project are Milwaukee supporters.

"Just about everyone on the show has that in common," he said. "We all like it here. It's a great place to live and we sing its praises."

Said Maxx, "I adore Milwaukee and I truly believe this city has so many undiscovered and under appreciated places and personalities. I am thrilled to be able to help bring those stories to life. I really believe viewers will enjoy finding out more about their own city and will want to see more."

"TV MKE" episodes will be themed. The basis for tonight's pilot is "Location" -- a choice that seemed obvious to those working on the show.

"This is the pilot for what we hope will become a regular series in the world of television," May said. "The pilot has a slightly different purpose. Other shows through the season will be strictly entertainment. The pilot is for convincing people with checkbooks that this is a worthwhile venture. It gives people a taste of what the show can be."

According to Maxx, this episode contains "stylish, fast-paced segments that give viewers access to multi-million dollar Milwaukee homes, the inside of Mitchell Airport's traffic control and Mayor Barrett's recent international travel snaps."

But May and Maxx both said the highlight of the show is an Oak Creek minister who can be considered a "human GPS."

"He has 1,200 maps of the world committed to memory," May said. "He found he had a unique gift. When he was young he looked out the window of the airplane on the way to San Francisco and knew all the names of the streets. It's a special gift he had."

Maxx also was floored by the man's skill.

"You can literally call this fellow, tell him what intersection you're at in nearly any American city and he can give you specific and accurate directions to get you where you want to go, whether it's your hotel, your favorite restaurant, or back home to Milwaukee," she said. "You've got to see it to believe it."

As for future shows, both May and Maxx said the possibilities are endless.

"There are so many well-known and unknown Milwaukee treasures to showcase," Maxx said. "Just think of your favorite things about Milwaukee. Tell a friend about one of those things -- a statue or a building, for example -- and why you think it's great. Your friend will likely say, "Yeah, but you know what my favorite is?" and tell you another cool thing about our city. The idea is to have a conceptual theme for each show to link a variety of topics, people and places to, so it won't ever be a totally obvious path."

May says that he hopes that the show will be able to solicit ideas from viewers when the show gets going.

"We want to do things on art, do things on entertainment, on business people, new businesses," he said. "The theme of the show allows us to do any darn thing we want to do. Anything will fit into this format. We're very excited for the next show."

"TV MKE" airs tonight at 9:30 p.m. on MPTV Channel 10 and will be simulcast on MPTV HD.

10 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by OMCreader on July 26, 2006 at 7:15 p.m. (report)

Nance L. Schick said: I went to high school with Sandy. She had tons of personality and sincerity then, and I am so glad to see that she continues to grow in these areas. If you are just getting familiar with her, I am sure you will love her as much as I and her longtime friends do! Congrats, Sandy! You're already making me want to visit Milwaukee again! Nance L. Schick, NYC nschicklaw.com theboamagalog.com

Posted by OMCreader on July 23, 2006 at 11:53 p.m. (report)

C.J. Conner said: I am an up and coming artist who has secured a solo show at the Milwaukee Ale house in Sept. through November. My paintings have been nagging at me to be taken out oon the town and seen- HOW CAN i GET THE WORD TO ART ADVENTURERS? SINCERELY, c.j. cONNER

Posted by OMCreader on July 20, 2006 at 1:40 p.m. (report)

FU-MKE said: SNORE! ZZZZZZZZZZ! SNORE!

Posted by OMCreader on July 17, 2006 at 2:25 p.m. (report)

Michael D. said: Happy Birthday to Sandy Maxx!

Posted by OMCreader on July 13, 2006 at 3:09 p.m. (report)

Michelle Tennant said: I went to high school with Sandy and she rocked then too. You go girl.