C-SPAN's Lamb thanks Club for early involvement in cable's video venture

C-SPAN executive chairman and founder Brian Lamb thanked the National Press Club profusely this week for helping get the network off the ground, as he talked to a group of 30 Club members and guests at the Broadcast Committee's second "Legends of Broadcasting" dinner on May 12 at the Fourth Estate restaurant.

In the beginning, C-SPAN relied on congressional cameras for a feed of hours House and Senate floor proceedings but had no cameras of its own and did not cover hearings, Lamb said.

When there was nothing happening in the chambers, C-SPAN had nothing to show. Through a deal with Storer Broadcasting, Storer cameras would record Club luncheons and send the tape by bicycle courier to C-SPAN, which would supply the fledgling network with programming, Lamb said.

C-SPAN's first call in show originated from a closet on the 14th floor of the Club, and the first thing that happened on that show was the lights blew out, Lamb recalled.

Today, the Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network has a permanently mounted, remote-controlled camera in the Club's ballroom and a transmission dish on the Press Building roof. Virtually all Club luncheons are carried live.

Reminiscing about the interviews he's done over the years, Lamb said authors were the best guests.

"Politicians just don't want to tell you what they really think," he said. "They can see the headline, as it comes out of their mouths."

Asked about politicians "using" C-SPAN by playing to the cameras, Lamb said, "It never bothered me."

The president who he thought best used C-SPAN was Ronald Reagan, Lamb said. Reagan pressed his aides to set up a telecast where he would be quizzed by young people.

Reagan liked the program so much, he called in to a follow up show where the young interviewers were giving their impressions of the presidential event.

Lamb said he did not know who the "Washington, D.C. caller" was when he punched up the line. He only knew that the control room producer was urgently telling him, "Take the call now."

Responding to a question about what it will take to get C-SPAN cameras into the Supreme Court, Lamb was succinct.

"A bunch of young justices," he said.

Ending the session on a light note, former Club President Mark Hamrick, who has moderated numerous Club luncheons, asked what Lamb would be doing if he were not (using Lamb's words) "commander in chief of periphery" at C-SPAN.

"Radio station owner, disc jockey, drummer," Lamb quickly responded.

After dinner, several members discussed drumming with Lamb.

The next Broadcast Committee "Legends of Broadcasting" dinner is planned for the fall.