Lee Pitts: Host talks about the move from cable TV to broadcast show
Published: By Elysa Batista
Date: Posted September 18, 2009
It's like moving from the back page to the front page.That's how Lee Pitts describes the move of his longtime talk show from cable to broadcast television.
"I'm so happy to finally get on the next page of the TV show," Pitts said, after taping his first four shows. "I'm turning the switch on."
Starting Sunday, Lee Pitts Live will move from Comcast's MyTV8 to FOX4.
Moving on up
It's not prime time.
But it is the right time, Pitts, 48, said of the show's new channel and time slot at 8:30 a.m.
"In the past, it had crossed my mind on numerous occasions to make the show available to a wider audience," said Pitts, adding that the right opportunity hadn't come along before. "I just wanted it to be the right time and place for my television show."
Through the years, Pitts said, he "got tired of people coming up and telling me, ‘I have to go to a relative's home to watch your show.' "
There is a demand for his show, Hodges University President Terry McMahan said.
"I think it's excellent for Lee," McMahan said. "He has a quality program and has been around for a long time. He's done it (the show) in a way that brings in the whole community. I believe he will have a good following."
Cheryl Gonzalez, Florida Gulf Coast University director of Institutional Equity and Compliance, agreed.
"I'm so excited. It shows the relevance and the need for the program," Gonzalez said. "It shows it's good for the community -- not just black people but the entire Southwest Florida region."
The move to FOX4 also will mark the start of Lee Pitts Live's 18th season on the air.
"We are very happy to add ‘Lee Pitts Live' to our station lineup. Lee always has relevant guests and topics on his program. We congratulate him on 17 years of programming and look forward to having him on FOX4," station General Manager Judy Kenny said.
Surviving the naysayers
The buzz is a long way from the show's humble start 17 years ago.
Pitts has heard the naysayers through the years. He heard them say his show wouldn't even last a year.
"I understood their logic at the time," said Pitts, who recalled the harsh forecast for his then-fledgling show.
Pitts got into the talk show circuit quite literally by accident.
The Birmingham, Ala., native received his bachelor's degree in Business from Talladega College and a master's in Economics from Clark Atlanta University.
He went on to become a vice president with Wachovia Bank.
"It was my banking job that brought me to Southwest Florida," Pitts said.
A love for swimming led to him writing and publishing several articles on water safety, creating a learning-to-swim DVD "Waters: Beginners Swim Lessons for Adults and Children with Lee Pitts" and subsequently establishing an inner-city youth swim school in Fort Myers in 1990. He also appeared on the local talk-show circuit to promote water safety.
One of those appearances led to Pitts guest-hosting for a show, and later a station manager offered him his own program.
"I had no intention of that happening," Pitts said.
So, with no television training, Pitts said he had to rely on his banking and business experience — and his personal motto: "Those who say it can't be done are usually interrupted by those who are doing it."
The saying became the motto for the show, originally named "Up Close with Lee Pitts," which focused on issues and the people that affected Lee County's minority community.
Yet, what made the show unique and able to survive, Pitts said, is that it "was never about discussing minority issues on every show.
"It was bringing on different minority groups, to talk about topics that are germane to everybody. We're not just talking about race topics," Pitts said. "That's the difference in our show ... I can mix it up."
As for the name change, Pitts said that happened soon after the show began when several members of the media misnamed the program "Lee Pitts Live" during a live political debate it hosted.
"I was upset," Pitts said.
The name stuck and, as the show grew with the community, so did its roster of guests discussing issues facing Southwest Floridians.
"The show has evolved," Pitts said. "Now we are a show for all the community and it's going to continue to be that way."
New place, old style
As to what viewers can expect to see on the new show, Pitts said some things will be different, including a new studio set.
But he said what drew viewers in — the show's grassroots approach to tackling issues — will remain constant.
"First of all, they can still expect the straight-ahead honest type of program that they've gotten used to," said Pitts, who added there will be more celebrities, as well as community residents who are having an effect on Southwest Florida.
Viewers will see even more shows that will center on community topics, such as the economy and unemployment.
But the show won't be tied down to the television studio.
"Lee Pitts Live will be out in the field more," he said. "There will be times when I'll have the camera and we'll go out and do some shows."
Pitts said the show's original move from Fort Myers to Naples 10 years ago made him become more aware of all the great people in Collier County.
The show will be filmed in Punta Gorda and will be seen on FOX4 throughout Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry, Glades, Desoto and Sarasota counties.
The fact that the show will be centrally located for everybody, he said, will allow guests from all the surrounding counties to make appearances.
"I see the show as a regional show," he said, adding he won't be favoring one county over another and that no one will be left out.
All that's left now is to start the adventure, Pitts said.
"It's getting crazy," he said of the weeks leading up to the show's premiere. "People are saying, ‘don't forget us.' "
More importantly, Pitts said both he and the show are re-energized.
"This new territory, this new opportunity is a positive move for the show," he said.
ore about Lee Pitts Live visit www.leepittslive.com or watch the show at 8:30 a.m. Sundays on Fox4.
