Blue Ridge Public TV Nominated for 2 Emmys

I tend to grumble a lot about local public television's shortcomings, but some of what it does has real value, as is obvious in today's Emmy Awards nominations. Blue Ridge Public Television is nominated for two Emmys for shows it has produced, including one in the community service category.

Nominations are for "Virginia in the Civil War: A Sesquicentennial Remembrance," a Bud Robertson-produced documentary developed with Virginia Tech's well thought of Center for Civil War Studies and for "Job Quest." The latter is in the community service category. Emmys, given by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences will be awarded June 5. The nominations are for the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter. Winners compete nationally.

Robertson was not included in the Ken Burns documentary "The Civil War" a few years ago and many--including Robertson--thought that an unforgivable slight. Some speculated that Robertson's tendency to pronounce some "r" words with a "w" led to the omission. One might consider this documentary his answer.

"Job Quest" is a show for those seeking jobs and has won an EDGE Award from the Association of Public Television Stations, as well as other awards. It is a monthly series with heavy local emphasis.

Robertson of Virginia Tech, well known nationally as a Civil War historian, was the executive producer of the three-hour Civil War documentary. He had a long-running weekly commentary on local public radio. He and William Davis, director of programs at the Tech Civil War center, wrote the script.