Al Smith on One to One

On a special two-part edition of One to One , veteran journalist Al Smith offers his reflections and reminiscences about his 33 years as host of KET's longest running public affairs program, Comment on Kentucky, and his years of observing politics and public life in the Commonwealth. The program, hosted by Bill Goodman, airs Sundays, Nov. 4 and 11 at 2/1 p.m. CT on KET1 and Tuesdays, Nov. 6 and 13 at 7:30/6:30 p.m. CT on KET2.

Although more widely known as a broadcaster, Smith edited, owned, and published weekly newspapers in Kentucky for more than 30 years. He came to Kentucky in 1958 after 10 years as a reporter and editor on two daily papers in New Orleans. After growing up in Florida and Tennessee and serving in World War II, he attended Vanderbilt University.

A former head of the Appalachian Regional Commission in the Carter and Reagan administrations, Smith is one of the founders of Leadership Kentucky and has headed several other statewide groups, including the Kentucky Press Association, the state arts and oral history programs, a governor's council on education reform and the Shakertown Roundtable.

Since 1974, host Al Smith and his Comment on Kentucky guests -- reporters, newspaper editors and the occasional professor -- have provided a deeper insight into the inner workings of Kentucky political, educational, agricultural and business affairs.

"Al is such a respected journalist," Goodman said. "And he has become a good friend and mentor. I hope this One to One reflect just how much we will all miss him."

One to One is a KET production, produced by Bill Goodman and Cindy Asher. Following the broadcast, One to One is available for on-demand videostream viewing at www.ket.org/publicaffairs/onetoone.htm and podcasting at www.ket.org/rss.