With the merger of those two mini—networks, though, the independent station seemed poised to make a comeback locally with KTUD, channel 25 over the air and channel 14 on Cox Cable (disclosure: KTUD and the Weekly are owned by the same parent company). The former UPN affiliate rebranded itself "Vegas TV" and announced plans to focus on locally created and targeted programming.
Such programming is still in the works, however, although vice president and general manager Julie Neil says that the station will launch original, Vegas—centric shows sometime soon, and may look into syndicating them to other markets. Early evening and daytime hours are now filled with typical syndicated fare, but during prime time, when every other local station runs network programming, KTUD has old episodes of shows like Gunsmoke, Charlie's Angels and Streets of San Francisco. It's not exactly cutting—edge stuff.
To get the real flavor of old—school, on—the—fly local TV, you've got to tune in overnight, when the airwaves are given over to paid programming. It's not just your standard infomercials, though—local personalities including wrestling instructor Buffalo Jim, lounge singer Tony Sacca and car salesman the Chopper all have shows on KTUD in the wee hours.
These shows have rudimentary production values and stars often completely lacking in charisma, but that's the nature of their charm. Who can resist Philadelphia native Sacca, who looks and sounds like Rocky Balboa, awkwardly interviewing Z—level celebrities and singing his self—penned theme song, "Las Vegas, the Greatest Town Around"? Pro wrestling aficionados have to love Buffalo Jim's complete disregard for coherent camera work in pursuit of capturing as many fake—looking body slams as possible. Both fans and detractors of perky Mix 94.1 morning personality Mercedes shouldn't miss her eerily bug—eyed delivery as host of realty infomercial Homes on TV.com, especially the awesome blooper reel at the end of each episode. And gardening enthusiasts will learn little about gardening but lots about stilted conversation from appropriately named host Flower of Vegas Garden Homes.
If the powers that be at Vegas TV really wanted to capture an underserved local audience, they'd can the third—rate reruns and move Chop, Flower, Buffalo Jim and the rest of their paying personalities into prime time, and do their best to lure lawyer/talk—show host Ed Bernstein away from KVBC and former horror—movie introducer Count Cool Rider out of retirement. Those bizarre and unforgettable local personalities, complete with their utter conviction that they belong on TV (after all, they are paying for the privilege), make for captivating viewing, and in the absence of any programs with real budgets or ambitions, could give Vegas TV the identity it so desperately needs. They could learn a thing or two from Weird Al.