Chesapeake goes 'Loud' in new talk show program

CHESAPEAKE

Mark Cox has been running WCTV-48 for 19 years, but the city's public communications director has never had to do a stand-up monologue.

Until now.

"I'm not Jon Stewart," Cox said. "I don't think I'm that funny."

Cox's monologue will be part of a new talk show that premieres on WCTV, the city government's TV station, at 7 p.m. Thursday.

The show, called "Thinking Out Loud," will feature guests, an occasional musical guest and some comedic moments, said Cox, who will be the host.

"It'll be a little more conversational and less formal than some of the other programs we do," said Cox, who is also an anchor on WCTV's news program. "This is going to give us a platform for featuring a wider variety of people and issues."

The first episode of "Thinking Out Loud" will include profiles of six Chesapeake businesses whose employees will sing holiday tunes.

Singer Lewis McGehee will also be there. Cox said he planned to interview "the real Santa Claus" and ask him "whether reindeer really can fly."

Cox hopes to bring some humor to the show but said it will still be "first and foremost a public service program."

"While we hope this program has its amusing moments, I'm not Jay Leno," he said.

Mike Saewitz, (757) 222-5207, mike.saewitz@pilotonline.com