Winner of every major broadcasting award, including 30 Emmys, Koppel is one of America's most admired television journalists and a member of the Broadcasting Hall of Fame. His honors include two Sigma Delta Chi Awards, the highest honor bestowed for public service by the Society of Professional Journalists. After 20 years on the air, "Nightline" is still considered one of the finest innovations in broadcast news. Acclaimed by peers and public alike, the program has been called "a beacon of responsibility in a frequently irresponsible medium."

"Off Camera" provides an intimate chronicle of the final year of the twentieth century from Koppel's insider's viewpoint. Koppel's vivid narrative traces the significant matters of 1999 - from the Clinton impeachment and the war in Kosovo to the mass marketing of Viagra. He examines such cultural phenomena as our obsession with celebrity and the impact of great theater and overhyped movies. The year's events are set against a backdrop of his lifetime of observations dating back to England where he lived until he was 13.

The forum will enable audiences to hear first hand the voice so respected on "Nightline." Koppel's intelligent, curious, witty and concerned views address in entertaining and thought-provoking ways how the most public events reverberate in our private lives.

Called "the undisputed reigning lion of tough TV interview journalism" by The Los Angeles Times, Koppel also co-wrote the best-seller "In the National Interest" with his friend and colleague, Marvin Kalb, formerly of CBS News.

At the evening forum, Koppel will be interviewed by Robert Siegel, a host of National Public Radio's award-winning newsmagazine "All Things Considered." Siegel brings more than 22 years of distinguished journalistic experience. His honors include the Alfred I. DuPont -- Columbia University Award for excellence in broadcast journalism.

Monday, October 23, 2000

The Kentucky Author Forums are sponsored by the University of Louisville and recorded by WFPL Radio and KET-TV.

10 a.m. ­ Ted Koppel will speak to U of L students, faculty and staff in Bigelow Hall on U of L's Belknap Campus. John P. Ferre', professor of communication at U of L, will lead the discussion. Copies of Koppel's book will be available for sale and autograph. Following the morning session, Mr. Koppel will go on-line with NPR/Washington for a global chat session originating from U of L. The public can visit www.npr.org at 11:30 a.m. EST to chat with Koppel.

Kentucky Center for the Arts 5 Riverfront Plaza, Downtown Louisville

The evening's activities are as follows:

5 p.m. Hawley-Cooke Booksellers book sale and wine and cheese reception provided by Brown Forman, lobby

6 p.m. Conversation with Ted Koppel and Robert Siegel in the Bomhard Theatre

7 p.m. Q & A followed by book signing on Bittners' stage set

A $16 ticket includes the above three events. A limited number of discounted tickets of $5 each are available for U of L students, faculty and staff at the KCA box office --U of L photo ID is required.

8:15 p.m. Dinner with the author, hosted by U of L President John Shumaker and Mrs. Shumaker

A $100 package ticket includes the above events plus dinner with Ted Koppel. (Proceeds go to the nonprofit Kentucky Author Forum, $60 is tax-deductible.)

Tickets available at the Kentucky Center for the Arts, 502-584-7777 (1-800-775-7777)

A taped version of the event will be made available at The Louisville Free Public Library, St. Matthews/Eline Branch, 3940 Grandview Avenue, at 11 am, October 26. There is no fee involved, but those interested must sign up in advance due to limited seating.

WFPL 89.3 FM and the Kentucky Education Network (KET) will record the event for future broadcast.

The Kentucky Author Forum series is produced by Mary Moss Greenebaum and sponsored by the University of Louisville in cooperation with Hawley-Cooke Booksellers; Brown-Forman Corp.; Bittners of Louisville; WFPL, Louisville's NPR Station for News; The Courier-Journal; KET, the Kentucky Network; and the Kentucky Center for the Arts.

624 West Main, Second Floor
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Phone 502.589.2884
Fax 502.589.4334
email KYFORUM@aol.com