Tucker logs 500 'Valley Press' shows

By Jodie Mocciaro
University Relations student-intern

Mass Communications and Journalism Professor Jim Tucker hit a milestone late last year when he marked his 15th anniversary as host the PBS television show, "Valley Press."

Each week, Tucker and guests have addressed political issues of interest to the Central Valley, California and the nation on the KVPT Channel 18 program.

He has established a reputation for being fair to both political parties and taking a bipartisan view on political issues, said Jerry Lee, station manager.

"Jim is an extreme professional and has great credibility," said Lee.

Tucker has hosted such guests as California legislators, members of congress, the Governor of California, the state's treasurer, the vice president of the United States and a member of the British House of Lords.

He said his most memorable guest was former vice president Dan Quail, who arrived at the downtown Fresno TV studio with an entourage of Secret Service members as well as a 100-member press gallery that followed him to every location.

"His appearance on the show gave good insight to problems of the times," said Tucker.

More than 10,000 people watch "Valley Press" weekly.

"I try to be as knowledgeable as possible on as many topics as possible," said Tucker, who reads four newspapers a day to keep up to date on a range of issues.

In preparation for each show Tucker spends about five hours a week researching the topics and about five hours preparing a script of questions.

Tucker has been a faculty member in the Mass Communication and Journalism Department for more than 35 years, 12 of which he was department chair. He retired in 2003 and participates in the Faculty Early Retirement Program.

Valley Press airs Thursdays at 7 p.m. on Channel 18 and again at 10:30 p.m. on Fridays.

See Fresno Bee story