Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 16, 1991 TAG: 9104160151
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: NF-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Tammy Poole
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It is a lot of fun and a lot of hard work, too, say the first group of hosts on "Fuzzy Logic" - a local television show aimed at kids ages 10-12. The show, which premiered April 4, airs once a month at 5:30 p.m. on WDBJ, Channel 7.
"When you see somebody on TV, you form an opinion about that person - whether you like or dislike them. And I don't like that," said host Livi Cullather, an eighth-grader at Hidden Valley Junior High School. She said her classmates have been teasing her since she appeared on the show.
Amy Sullivan, a ninth-grader at Hidden Valley, said being on television seems to make people think they can be critical of the person because he or she is in the public eye.
"Just keep a smile and don't let it bother you," she said.
Livi and Amy, along with seventh-grader Chris Obenshain, taped Fuzzy Logic's introduction and narrated segments shot and written by WDBJ staffers. Videos produced by Hidden Valley pupils made up three segments of the 30-minute magazine-style show.
The school's segments were on sibling rivalry, fashion and kids' most embarrassing moments at school. Livi, Amy and Chris aren't new to video - they produce a short video report of announcements, called the "Eagle Report," shown daily in conjunction with the nationally distributed "Channel One" news report.
Amy and Livi are the regular co-hosts of the report; Chris fills in whenever one of them is unavailable.
"We didn't even know each other before the `Eagle Report,' " said Livi. "We are much better friends now."
While a newcomer to the "Eagle Report," Chris is no stranger to television. He does commercials and said he wouldn't mind being an actor when he grows up. He even has an agent to help further his acting career.
Why is the show called "Fuzzy Logic?"
It is based on a computer term, said director Mike Pettit. "Fuzzy logic is the newest computer software technology," he said. It allows a computer operator to be a little less precise in some areas of operation.
The staff at Channel 7 was pleased with the response it has received from some parents and schools, said Kay Hall, WDBJ programming director. The Hidden Valley pupils appeared relaxed in front of the TV cameras, she said.
They may have looked calm, but they said they also were nervous about appearing on TV.
"I felt excited," said Livi.
Amy said she got butterflies in her stomach just thinking about it. "I remember saying, `We're going to be shown across how many counties?' " she said.
Chris said it didn't bother him because of the commercials he has done. "I like it. It's fun and if my career takes off, that's fine with me," he said.
All three pupils said they believe the experience will help them in their careers.
"This will look real good for us," said Amy. "It will be one of the best things for me in college."
Being in a real television production compared to the "Eagle Report" was a lot more professional, Livi said.
Hosts of the show do not get paid for the experience, but they do receive a T-shirt from the TV station, Hall said.
"After the show people called me all weekend saying `I saw you on TV,' " Livi said.
Chris said his favorite part of the show was the segment entitled "Stuff," because he learned things he didn't know.
The hosts of the May edition will be pupils from Sandusky Middle School and Heritage High School, both in Lynchburg.
WDBJ welcomes information or ideas for the show. The address is "Fuzzy Logic," WDBJ, P.O. Box 7, Roanoke, Va. 24022-0007.
by CNB