``California Connected'' to Showcase Unprecedented Forum Featuring Four Former California Governors and an Interview with Governor Schwarzenegger for Its Premiere Thursday, Feb. 19, at 10 PM.

Entertainment Editors/Business Editors/Political Writers/T.V.

Writers

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 2004

Exclusive "Can California Be Governed?" Panel Discussion To Feature

Former California Governors Brown, Deukmejian, Wilson and Davis; Lisa

McRee Conducts One-on-One Interview With Governor Schwarzenegger

The third-season premiere of California public television's innovative, witty and award-winning newsmagazine "California Connected" will bring together an unprecedented gathering of four former California governors--Jerry Brown, George Deukmejian, Pete Wilson and Gray Davis--for an exclusive roundtable discussion, as well as host Lisa McRee's one-on-one interview with current Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. This very special "California Connected" edition entitled "Can California Be Governed?" will be broadcast statewide simultaneously on 10 of California's PBS stations on Thursday, Feb. 19 (10-11 p.m.). The interviews take place at KCET studios in Hollywood.

McRee will discuss the after-effect of last year's recall election with the five governors and what makes the state particularly difficult to govern, in addition to probing what steps can be taken to bring California and its economy back from its current challenges.

Later in the episode, "California Connected" explores the group that is spending the most money lobbying Sacramento--our cities and counties--and how their lobbying dollars (also known as tax dollars) are outpacing the lobbying efforts of groups like the gaming industry, teachers, prison guards and automobile manufacturers.

"Last year's gubernatorial recall not only renewed interest in politics statewide, but also raised many questions about our future," explains McRee. "I'm looking forward to talking to our newest governor who's looking at our state government with fresh eyes, and our former governors who have so much perspective to share, lessons they learned the hard way. This is a great opportunity to talk about ways we might make California better."

"We'd like to take credit for the sudden interest in state politics and the workings of Sacramento. But that would be ludicrous," says Executive Producer Marley Klaus. "Nonetheless, we're thrilled to start our third season at a time when people are starting to realize their own power to make a difference and that what goes on at all levels of government should matter to them personally."

Each governor will bring his own particular perspective on the Golden State's challenges and solutions to this special "California Connected" show.

Democrat Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown served as governor from 1975-1983. Turning down the governor's mansion and limousine for a rented apartment and state-issued Plymouth, Brown led the drive for energy efficiency, sponsored labor laws to protect farm workers and championed the hiring of minorities and women in his administration.

Republican George "Duke" Deukmejian, (1983-91) was elected governor after having served as a legislator and Attorney General. He also appointed 1,000 judges--including the (then) majority of the California State Supreme Court and was an early advocate of tougher sentencing laws.

Pete Wilson, Republican, (1991-99) served in the U.S. Senate and was Mayor of San Diego before being elected the 36th Governor of California. He encountered a budget impasse in his first term that forced the state to operate without a budget for 61 days, but when he left office, the state had a surplus. Wilson pushed hard to reform workers' compensation laws in order to keep businesses from leaving the state.

Gray Davis, Democrat, (1999-2003) worked to improve the state's K-12 education system while increasing access to colleges and universities. Davis presided over 2001's controversial energy crisis with its rolling blackouts and skyrocketing power costs. He worked to build up the state's infrastructure and protect California's unique environment.

Recently elected Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has pledged to restore California's power and influence, overhaul education, resolve the current severe fiscal crisis without raising taxes, and to end "politics as usual" in Sacramento.

"California Connected" is co-produced by four PBS stations--KCET-Los Angeles, KPBS-San Diego, KQED-San Francisco and KVIE-Sacramento--but is broadcast statewide through a unique collaboration with KEET-Eureka, KIXE-Redding, KOCE- Huntington Beach, KRCB-Rohnert Park, KVCR-San Bernardino and KVPT-Fresno.

Beginning this season, there will be an audio version of "California Connected" available to air on public radio stations statewide, including KPBS-FM (San Diego), KQED-FM (San Francisco, Sacramento) and KPCC-FM (Pasadena). The radio program will also be available via streaming audio on the show's Web site at www.californiaconnected.org. The "California Connected" audio version is produced by KPBS; KQED runs the show's Web magazine.

Since its creation, the show has garnered numerous awards. In 2003, awards included two Golden Mikes, two Aurora Awards for a News Magazine/Interview, a Gracie Award (American Women in Radio and Television), three Northern California Emmys, one for Best Current Affairs Program and another for Best Reporting on Government, as well as honors from the Association of Capitol Reporter and Editors TV Public Service for In-Depth Reporting.

"California Connected" is executive produced by Marley Klaus. Michael Schenker is the executive line producer and Deborah Clark is the senior producer. Joyce Campbell is the series production executive for KCET. The series is close-captioned and available in Spanish through the Second Audio Program function.

The series is funded by The James Irvine Foundation, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Annenberg Foundation and welcomes its newest partner, The California Endowment.