Springs resident to tell her story on talk show

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Sep 26, 2002 | by Warren Epstein

Heather Gemmen doesn't want fame.

The local mom says she accepted an invitation to be on a nationally syndicated talk show because she wants to give hope to people stuck in situations they think are hopeless.

"I'll be talking about how my husband and I chose to keep the child I conceived through rape," says Gemmen, who's the children's book editor at Cook International in Colorado Springs.

She leaves today for Los Angeles to appear as a guest on "Rob Nelson," a new talk show that airs locally at 2 p.m. weekdays on KXTU/ Channel 57 (channel 7 on Adelphia.) She doesn't yet know when her taped segment will air.

Gemmen was in Grand Rapids, Mich., when she was raped. The daughter resulting from the attack is now 7.

"She's brought us such joy," she says. "It shows that you can make something good out of a bad situation."

"Rob Nelson" producers learned about Gemmen's story from a book about abortion that had recounted the couple's difficult choice and thought she'd make a fine guest for one of the first shows.

"Rob Nelson," which promotes itself as "Donahue" for GenXers, is one of several new syndicated shows airing in Colorado Springs.

As usual, KXTU and KXRM/Channel 21 are bringing us the most new syndicated programs.

NEW ON KXTU:

"Life Moments" (10 a.m. weekdays) - A reality show about women who are facing their greatest and most empowering challenges.

"John Walsh" (3 p.m. weekdays) - The host of Fox's "America's Most Wanted" helms his own talk show.

"Starhunter" (4 p.m. Sundays) - A sci-fi series about a swashbuckling bounty hunter who prowls the galaxy looking for trouble.

"WWE AfterBurn" (5 p.m. Sundays) - Yet another Smackdown pro wrestling series.

"She Spies" (11 p.m. Sundays) - A cheesier version of "Charlie's Angels."

KXTU also will have syndicated episodes of "The Hughleys" (4:30 p.m. weekdays), "Just Shoot Me" (10 p.m. weekdays, 9 and 9:30 p.m. Sundays), "Change of Heart" (11:30 p.m. and midnight weekdays), "Providence" (6 p.m. Saturdays, midnight Sundays), "Profiler" (7 p.m. Saturdays) and "M*A*S*H" (10 and 10:30 p.m. Sundays).

NEW ON KKTV/CHANNEL 11:

"State Police" (11:05 p.m. Saturdays) - A drama series that re- enacts true stories from the files of state police agencies throughout the United States.

"Livin' Large" (12:05 a.m. Saturdays and 11:45 p.m. Sundays) - Imagine a cross between "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous" and MTV's "Cribs."

NEW ON KXRM:

"Celebrity Justice" (4 p.m. and 12:35 a.m. weekdays, 2:30 p.m., 12:35 a.m. and 1:05 a.m. Sundays) - I guess it was just a matter of time: a show about the divorces and legal woes of the rich and famous.

"She Spies" will jump stations on Saturday and air on KXRM at 3 p.m.

KXRM also will air syndicated episodes of "That '70s Show" (5:30 p.m. and 11:05 p.m. weekdays) and "Will & Grace" (9:30 p.m. every day).

NEW ON KOAA/

CHANNELS 5&30

"Caroline Rhea" (10 a.m. weekdays) - The comedienne hopes to fill Rosie O'Donnell's shoes with her new show-biz-focused talk show.

"Who Wants To Be a Millionaire" (3 p.m. weekdays) - A new syndicated version of the hit ABC game show.

"Pyramid" (3:30 p.m. weekdays) - Donny Osmond hosts this new version of "The $20,000 Pyramid."

"Dr. Phil" (4 p.m. weekdays) - TV therapist Phil McGraw's advice- centered talk show.

"The Wall Street Journal Report" (5 a.m. Saturdays) - This news show gives a financial-news roundup as well as trend news and interviews with top money managers.

"The Chris Matthews Show" (5:30 a.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m. Sundays) - The MSNBC commentator gives his take on the news.

"Shannon Sharpe One on One" (10:35 p.m. Sundays after Broncos games) - The Bronco player gives his post-game analyses.

"Broncos Tonight" (10:45 p.m. Sundays after Broncos games) - Denver Rocky Mountain News columnist Adam Shefter gives his take on the game.

"Air Force Football With Fisher DeBerry" (11:15 p.m. Sundays) - Falcon coach DeBerry does his post-game deconstruction.

KOAA also will air an edited, syndicated version of "The Larry Sanders Show" at 12:05 a.m. Saturdays.

NEW ON KRDO/CHANNEL 13

Syndicated episodes of "Dharma and Greg" at 6:30 p.m. weekdays, and 10:35 and 11:05 p.m. Saturdays.

As usual, "Monday Night Football" will wreak havoc on the KRDO schedule, pushing "The Drew Carey Show" back to 12:05 a.m. and "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" to 12:35 a.m.

PERSONNEL FILE

Former KKTV weekend sports anchor Jessica Delich, one of my favorites in our market, has left to be with her fianc in Alaska. She's been replaced by Jesse Kurtz, who's growing on me.

Former KOAA/Channels 5&30 weather guy Josh Nathan recently took a weather forecasting job at the CBS affiliate in Palm Springs, joining former KKTV anchor Angela Holdsworth. Small world.

Nathan tells me he had planned to leave KOAA to attend graduate school in California, but when he heard about this plum job opening, he had to go for it.