Seven weeks after the end of The Oprah Winfrey Show, its Chicago replacement, Windy City Live, is filling Oprah’s well-traveled shoes nicely.
The hour-long show on the ABC affiliate for the Chicago market recently broadcast its first episode. Its hosts, Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini, interview guests and offer insight on movies, health, pets, news, sports, politics, fashion, entertainment and other hot topics for local viewers. The set includes a live, 50 member studio audience.
“The beauty of our show is we are not regimented to news and only news,” Chiaverini said. “Ratings are released every day so we can see segment-by-segment what works for our viewers.”
Warner added, “We have a whole hour to have fun and let the show breathe. The viewer at home gets to enjoy it and doesn’t feel so rushed.”
The show is targeted to 24-to-54 year olds and its audience is mostly female. In addition to Warner and Chiaverini, its contributors are Ji Suk Yi, Roe Conn, Mark DeCarlo, Billy Dec, Nina Chantele and Hank Mendheim.
Since it has taken off well, the show has a long-list of people who want to come on-air, and it’s currently booked about two weeks out. They aim to tell stories that haven’t been told, from fun to inspiring to informative, Warner said.
“We don’t have to be one thing,” she added.
According to executive producer Marlaine Selip, the staff is diverse and since everyone offers their input, Windy City Live is able to highlight a wide range of topics and opinions for its viewers.
“I try to realize what I’m going through is what the mom at home is going through,” Warner said. “Relateability and likeability are very important.”
Although the program focuses on local stories – including information on happenings in the 88 suburbs that surround Chicago – it is also open to national stories that affect the city.
One topic they’re especially interested in is philanthropy, including charity events and making sure they are out in the community as much as possible.
“We want to shine a light on Chicago,” Selip said. “The show is a work in progress. I’m really happy with where we’re at: serving the community, settling into a rhythm and giving you a place to bring guests. This show gives the town a way to boast.”
Making the Pitch
Standing out from the pack is the way to get noticed in the inboxes of the show’s staff.
“What’s the hook?” Chiaverini said. “Give me the hook. What makes your story unique?”
The staff is occasionally open to meetings but the best way to pitch is via e-mail and it’s important to be as concise as possible.
Keep in mind that the show is already booked two weeks in advance, and also note that if they’re bringing a guest on for an interview, they like to coordinate a pre-interview as far in advance as possible.
Supervising producer Cindy Patrasso says it’s important to target pitches to the appropriate person – either individual producers or segment producer and booker Emerald-Jane Hunter, who will pass pitches on to the appropriate person.
Patrasso also mentions the importance of full disclosure when it comes to interviewees that are paid endorsers of products.
The staff is interested in items for its Cool Stuff segment, which highlights products it gives to the studio and online audience. They also would like to hear about companies willing to sponsor makeover projects, home redesigns and things that get the co-hosts and crew out in the community.
Their social media channels are reviewed by Yi on a consistent basis, so it’s OK to use Facebook as a way to pitch an event. Pitches can get lost on Twitter and they rarely have time for phone calls, so the staff says it’s best to e-mail. Follow-ups can be directed to Hunter.
“It sometimes takes someone shining a light for us to see the story,” Selip said.
Contact Information
Windy City Live
190 N State St
11th Floor
Chicago, IL 60601-3302
312-750-7150 (phone)
312-750-7199 (fax)
@windycitylive
Facebook Page
Val Warner, co-host
@val_warner
Ryan Chiaverini, co-host
@RyanWcl
