Lansing State Journal from Lansing, Michigan • Page 38

www.lsj.com 6D Thursday, October 23, 2003 Lansing State Journal 'Record': Skubick to air show Friday IOF Fli i 1 yfiiyi' Winners are Some politicians seem to thrive on the "Off the Record" format. They've included: Frank Kelley, a Democrat, the retired attorney general. "He was always a gamer," said host Tim Skubick. He's been the show's most frequent guest. I George Romney, a Republican who was governor and U.S.

senator. "He was totally candid," Skubick said. Bill Marshall, a union leader. Skubick describes him as "blustery, but lovable." I Helen Milliken, the wife of Gov. William Milliken.

Her candid comments created a fresh image for a First Lady. Zoltan Ferency, the left-wing Democrat, and L. Brooks Patterson, a right-wing Republican. They had a spirited debate. Richard Headlee, an anti-tax activist.

He was the opposite of the overcautious politicians, Skubick said. "He engaged his mouth before his brain." Some nonwinners Some guests have had less-cheery involvement with "Off the Record" or its spin-off debates: I Two people simply didn't show up. One was Martha Griffiths, former Democratic lieutenant governor; the other was Dick Chrysler, former -SAW" s-- Ifam At-3' .7 Continued From ID the former state community health director, watched it online when he was in Iraq. There's more. "Public radio picks it up," Freedman said.

"Sometimes, newspapers will pick up on something that was said." That power persists, even as TV drifts away from covering politics and government. "We are in a genre that has just about vanished," said Skubick, 58. When "Off the Record" started in 1972, politics seemed hot. A colleague had seen a similar show in North Carolina; he suggested that Skubick then a young Michigan State University grad try the same thing. WKAR instantly approved the idea, which could aim for a high intellect and low budget.

The first show was taped Feb. 2, 1972, in an MSU Quonset hut. For the first 15 minutes, Skubick and three reporters chatted about the week; for the second, they converged on a guest, Lt. Gov. James Brickley.

The Quonset huts are gone now and the Communications Building studio is sophisticated. Still, the format remains the same. So does Skubick. Thin and intense, he looks like he did in 72. "This (anniversary) forced me to go back and look at the old episodes," he said.

"I was much less assertive than I am now." As the Watergate probe expanded, assertive reporting grew. Some of the correspondents Tom Greene and Gary Schuster, for instance savored confrontation. Bill Ballenger then a Republican legislator and administrator was a guest in those early days. "Tom Greene pulled a secret letter out of his pocket," Ballenger said. "That guy was one tough character." Gov.

William Milliken was planning a reorganization and Ballenger sent a confidential memo, discussing specific people. Somehow, Greene had it and read parts on the air. Skubick may not be that confrontational, but he does ask direct questions that are hard to duck. "I have never done a program WKAR Capitol gang: Tim Skubick (lower left) and thexurrent lineup of "Off the Record" panelists gather for a recent group photo at the Channel 23 studio. i 1 1 2kM Republican congressman.

I Another showed up, but didn't go on the air. John Ricardo was then head of Chrysler Corp. When he arrived, host Tim Skubick said, he said Griffiths cato questions. Kolt likes to give his people practice sessions. Then comes stardom, sort of.

Politicians talk about getting quick feedback, pro and con. Correspondents meet viewers in unusual places; Pluta has met them at a deli and on the river-walk. Still, the show has one true star. "He'll dispute it," Pluta said, "but the show takes Sku-bick's personality. It's a pretty unique personality." Off-camera, Skubick is a thin, intense guy who surprises people by referring to them as "babes," "pal," "honey," "partner," "sweets" and such.

"That can be misunderstood sometimes," Pluta said. On-camera, he is a thin, intense guy who fires staccato questions. He's a dark Joe Friday, a terse Mike Wallace; he's also a Lou Gehrig or Cal Ripken the one unchanging force in local television and politics. Contact Mike Hughes at 377-1156 or mhugheslsj.com. tions around.

"You feel like a ping-pong ball," Hollowell said. Still, politicians keep coming back. Ballenger even crossed over; now, as head of Inside Michigan Politics, he's a panelist. (He's believed to be the only person on the show to go from interviewee to interviewer. At least two others Bob Berg and Matt McLogan went the other way.) Hollowell has been on the show as a party chairman, an insurance-reform advocate and a Secretary of State candidate.

"It does feel a little different as a candidate," he said. "You're feeling a little bit more careful." Still, he feels politicians get their chance. "It's long enough a format that you can make your point. You're not being restricted to a 30-second sound bite." It takes preparation, though. "You don't have to be glib," Kolt said, "but you do have to be sharp.

It's good to rehearse." Human conversation doesn't always deal with ping-pong, stac Semi-cloned At times, Tim Skubick seems to be everywhere, including: TV: Channel 10, Capitol correspondent; also, Channel 23 for "Off the Record," plus occasional debates and other specials. Radio: WWJ (950-AM in Detroit), Capitol correspondent; also, Michigan Radio Network, which goes to 72 stations. I Print: Michigan Information Research Service; also a weekly column in the Lansing State Journal and six other newspapers. I Coming up: His "Off the Record" book is expected Nov. 21, through the University of Michigan Press and Petoskey Publishing.

where I ask, 'What's your position on he said. "I think a question should be very short and to the point." This is the Skubick style, said Rick Pluta, one of the show's panelists. "He likes that very staccato, yes-or-no approach." Hi minium mi in, ii. i win nun i he didn't want questions about Chrysler's financial woes; told that it didn't work that way, he left. I Richard McLellan did go on the show, correspondent Rick Pluta said, but didn't say anything.

He led Gov. John Engler's transition team and kept saying he wasn't ready to comment. "Finally," Pluta recalled, "I said, 'Then why are you here? He said, 'It probably wasn't a good I Sam Fishman, president of the AFL-CI0, had a tough, combative session. He complained that he'd been set up. I Richard Austin, a Democrat and the longtime secretary of state, saw his career fade after a 1994 debate.

"He was very good that day, except for one question," said Robert Kolt, a public-relations expert. On that one, Austin seemed unsure of his abortion stand. His opponent, Candice Miller, mailed 150 tapes of the show, Skubick said, and won. WKAR What hasn't he done? Skubick, pictured here in 1976, ventures into the world of book publishing next month with "Off the Record." That can reach an extreme. "I think some of the questions become pretty personal," Freedman said.

"There are certain people he's much more skeptical and cynical about." Some other reporters join the staccato style, bouncing ques i dJ bbA mr- The Lansing State Journal and Allegiant Air are giving away a dream wedding to Las Vegas. We'll send you and 10 guests, courtesy of Allegiant Air, to Las Vegas for your wedding, where you and your wedding party will enjoy accommodations at the five-star MGM Grand, including their luxurious bridal suite and use of their chapel. Hi AfterHours JZ7i ri BANK 'Franker jiffegiant j4.tr tmenE mum cane nut- 1, Fin Jewelry and lime Pieces Your Wedding Package also includes: His and her Azzi diamond wedding bands from Medawar Frandor Wedding and Bridesmaid dresses from Lett Bridal Shop Tuxedos from After Hours Tuxedo $2,500 in spending money from Flagstar Bank To enter, just pick up the Lansing State Journal, packed with comprehensive news and information, and look for the official "Love in Las Vegas" entry form. Tell us in 50 words or less how he (or she" proposed. The best essay wins.

Drop your entry form off or mail it to the Lansing State Journal. 'fV Lansing State Journal E33SEE TO www.lsj.com wrm kick up me If fl A A Lansing State Journtl at a newsstand near you, or call 377-1020 for. home delivery. yy-yn mm: MM if vuMr y- i "Love In Las Vegas" entry form i Address i City .5 'N. 'rf -ii .7..

State, ZIP. Phone Email Lansing State Journal, 120 E. Lenawee Lansing, Ml 48919 mini i IT i ti jp j.fusj wiin-- wm im i 1 mm K'l.