Carson City Crossfire gets new name, returns to airwaves after 10-year hiatus

With political flame throwing at an all-time high, there has indeed been something missing from the Carson City air waves lately.

Sure, civility doesn't make the headlines these days, but what happens when two people can disagree, throw in some hilarious zingers at themselves and each other and still remain long-standing friends when the studio lights go dim? 

Welcome to Capital CrossFire 2.0., a program that will return to the Carson City airwaves after a 10-year hiatus.

Hosted by Carson City residents Shelly Aldean and Karl Neathammer, the twice-monthly program will broadcast via Access Carson City Television channel 226 and on Carson Now. The first taping will be June 19. The show will feature Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell and Barry Smith, executive director of the Nevada Press Association. The program will be an analysis of the 2013 Nevada Legislative session. 

Much like its seven-year run on public access TV in the late 1990s through 2003, the program will feature political heavyweights and newsmakers from across Nevada. 

Among its past guests during its first run were Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn, then U.S. Congressman Jim Gibbons and Nevada Archivist Guy Rocha. The show also featured its share of journalists, publishers, educators, administrators and more than a few gadflies. 

Viewers for the re-branded 2.0 version should expect the same caliber of guests plus a few surprises too, said Linda Ritter, who serves as the program's executive producer. 

"They can argue and disagree and at the end of the day, they're great friends," said Ritter, former city manager for Carson City and, as of late, serving as interim executive director of the Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Viewers may remember — and those new to the show — will surely see these two have differences of opinion. Yet they'll remain respectful and have a good time explaining their points of view."

Capital Crossfire will also be Carson City centric, too, with guests invited to discuss timely issues of the day affecting policy at the local level. 

Is it going to be free from acerbic disagreements between its hosts? Absolutely not says Aldean. 

"Karl and I agree on some things and disagree on others. We've never been bashful about being candid with one another but we temper our comments with a twist of good humor," she said.

Aldean, a former Carson City Supervisor, current member of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and successful business woman, leans moderate. Karl is four-time decorated Vietnam veteran, former Justice of the Peace Pro Tem for Carson City Justice Court and leans "classical conservative." The two were known for their on-air political disagreements. 

In one program dealing with the planetary walkway at Western Nevada College, Aldean called Neathammer a "gaseous giant." The phrase forever stuck, as Neathammer likes to remind Aldean from time to time. 

Neathammer recalls a moment following that particular program when a woman approached him in the supermarket, telling him how much she liked Aldean and that he'd better leave her alone.

It's the kind of friendly needling that made the original Carson City Crossfire unique to the area and why it is returning to the airwaves. 

A show like this in Carson City is needed now more than ever given the extreme polarization that has put the rest of the city, state and country in ego and anger-fueled suspension. The program will bring its own brand of humor meant to diffuse rather than infuriate. 

"It's something we haven't seen in a while given the current political climate. It’ll be nice to bring it back," Aldean said. 

"There will be a balanced approach in our show. We won't be making political statements as much as we will be allowing our guests to voice their opinions without fear of retribution," said Aldean.

Neathammer adds: "Everyone will probably expect some kind of agenda. We honestly don't have an agenda. We will produce a show that will be entertaining and informative. Will there be shots? Of course and I expect Shelly to put me in my place every time and vice-versa." 

Check back with Carson Now for the date and time of the first show.