Current TV, which has made a habit out of hiring former elected officials to host its programming, is adding a current one to its lineup. The channel says that it has tapped California’s Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom to host a weekly program, starting in May.
Newsom drew national attention as the Mayor of San Francisco, a position he leveraged into the Lt. Governorship. During his years as mayor, from 2001-2006 Newsom was married to former prosecutor Kimberly Guilfoyle, now host of Fox News’ “The Five.”
His new program will be called “The Gavin Newsom Show,” and will feature interviews with “notables from Silicon Valley, Hollywood and beyond.” Mia Haugen, a former CNN producer, will serve as EP.
Newsom will not be leaving public office, and will be paid a salary by Current, although it will be donated to charity, according to Brian Stelter.
“Gavin Newsom is a courageous leader who has boldly seized every opportunity to create positive social change,” commented Current TV Chairman and former Vice President Al Gore in a statement. “First as a successful entrepreneur, then in his role as Mayor of San Francisco, and now as Lieutenant Governor, Newsom touches many worlds – business, politics, entertainment and activism. We are honored that Current TV will be bringing his curiosity, intelligence, insights and enthusiasm to television.”
More information in Current’s announcement, after the jump.
CALIFORNIA LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM HEADLINES NEW WEEKLY SERIES ON CURRENT TV
‘The Gavin Newsom Show,’Debuting in May, To Be Executive Produced By Former CNN Worldwide Producer Mia Haugen
New York, April 18, 2012 – Gavin Newsom, the sitting Lieutenant Governor of California, will launch a weekly show for Current TV called “The Gavin Newsom Show” beginning in May.
The hour-long talk show will have a decidedly California touch as Newsom interviews notables from Silicon Valley, Hollywood and beyond. “The Gavin Newsom Show” will be executive produced by Mia Haugen a former executive at The Street, Forbes and CNN.
“Gavin Newsom is a courageous leader who has boldly seized every opportunity to create positive social change,” commented Current TV Chairman and former Vice President Al Gore. “First as a successful entrepreneur, then in his role as Mayor of San Francisco, and now as Lieutenant Governor, Newsom touches many worlds – business, politics, entertainment and activism. We are honored that Current TV will be bringing his curiosity, intelligence, insights and enthusiasm to television.”
Gavin Newsom was elected as the 49th Lieutenant Governor of the State of California on November 2, 2010. His top priorities are economic development and job creation, improving access to higher education, and maintaining California’s environmental leadership. In 2011, Newsom worked with a variety of stakeholders to create a comprehensive economic blueprint for the state of California. Newsom came from a successful background in the private sector, starting 17 small businesses and creating more than 1,000 jobs, and local government, having served as both Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco and, before that, as a County Supervisor.
Before joining Current to executive produce “The Gavin Newsom Show,” Mia Haugen was Executive Producer at TheStreet, a Top Ten rated business and financial news site. Previously, Haugen spent three years as Managing Editor at Forbes, where she focused on growing video content as well as expanding multimedia content. Prior to her time with Forbes, Haugen spent more than a decade running business news at CNN Worldwide. Haugen is a graduate of Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Communications.
For more information, exclusive videos, and conversations about “The Gavin Newsom Show,” go to http://www.current.com/shows/GavinNewsom. Fans can join the conversation on Facebook or Google+, and they can follow “The Gavin Newsom Show” on Twitter @GavinOnCurrent.
About Current Media:
Featuring “The Young Turks with Cenk Uygur,” “The War Room With Jennifer Granholm,”“Viewpoint with Eliot Spitzer,” “Full Court Press: The Bill Press Show” and “Talking Liberally: The Stephanie Miller Show,” Current is dedicated to providing insightful news and analysis of important issues – and digging deep into real stories to uncover how they affect real people. “Vanguard,” the network’s Peabody Award-winning documentary series, shines a light where other networks won’t dare and boldly explores provocative subjects – opening minds, sparking conversations and forming deep connections with its viewers. The Peabody-and Emmy Award-winning television and online network was founded in2005 by Al Gore and Joel Hyatt, and features the very best in news, analysis, and political commentary. To get Current TV at home or to find the channel on your cable system log on to www.current.com. Fans can also follow Current on Facebook and on Twitter at @Current for regular updates.