Laughter is the best medicine and Dr. Stichter makes house calls

Las Cruces is a long way from Burbank, but what Johnny Carson and Jay Leno did for national TV, local host Sam Stichter is working to do for viewers here.

Stichter said the show has built an audience of about 25,000 viewers since debuting April 18. He agreed to answer some questions about it.

Bulletin: What was the motivation to start the show? 

Stichter: My producer, Chris Soular, who is also the owner and operator of the Las Cruces Channel, was looking to do a uniquely local late-night TV show using a "Tonight Show" style format that features an opening monologue, interviews with guests on the couch and entertainment segments on each show, including local musicians/bands, magicians and artists. 

Bulletin: When did the show start, and how do you keep it going?

Stichter: The first show aired Saturday, April 18. We keep it going by building awareness of the show on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Comcast/Xfinty Channel 98 and by word of mouth. Each show has grown in viewership. Our Aug. 15, 2020 was our most-viewed show with more than 25,000 viewers!

Bulletin: Who has been, in your opinion, the best guest you’ve had on so far, and why?

Stichter: While all our guests gave been great, I truly enjoyed having country singer Frank Ray on the show. He was very willing to do an interview segment, sing several songs and even participate in a "skit" that featured him singing a song. Just an all-around nice guy who, although he's had some major success in the country music industry, is still very humble and wants to entertain the people of Las Cruces.

Bulletin: Who would you like to have on who has not agreed?

Stichter: While most everyone we have contacted has agreed to be on the show, we are still working on getting former WBA Light Middle Weight Champion boxer Austin "No Doubt" Trout. We are hoping to have him on the show to promote his next fight. We would also like to have Las Cruces country singer Bri Bagwell on the show. 

Bulletin: What are your criteria when choosing your guests?

Stichter: We look for a variety of people. Some are known in the Las Cruces area as entertainers, politicians, business owners, etc. Some are people who have a great story or an interesting profession. Our main criteria is that when viewers tune into the show, they will be entertained by the guests on the show. 

Bulletin: What’s your job history? 

Stichter: From 1993 - 2002, I hosted a TV show in Reading, Pennsylvania (my original hometown), called "Community Calendar." It featured local guests from the city and county who were promoting events that were coming into the area, such as the Shriner's Circus, sporting events, fairs and carnivals, etc. In 2000, I received my certification in education. I taught for two years in Reading, PA as an elementary school teacher while continuing to host my TV show. In 2004, I moved to Las Cruces to teach at Las Cruces Public Schools. Today, I'm a computer science teacher at Lynn Middle School. I received my Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from NMSU in 2019. I have taught at NMSU in the past as an adjunct instructor. 

Bulletin: What are some typical questions you ask your guests?

Stichter: Some typical questions include: What is your connection to Las Cruces? Were you born in Las Cruces? How long have you been (acting, singing, performing, etc.)? When and where are you going to performing next? What got you into (politics, magic, business, etc.)? Where are some of the places you (worked, performed, visited, etc.)? What is your motivation?        

Bulletin: What’s the craziest thing that’s happened on the show since it started airing?

Stichter: When we first started planning the show in February, the plan was for me to have a sidekick. Then COVID-19 hit and we realized that we couldn't have somebody on the show next to me due to social-distancing protocols. As we were getting to ready to air our first show in April, everyone in the community was rushing to the stores to get toilet paper, hand sanitizer, etc. I decided that I was going to bring a roll of toilet paper on the show with me as a joke. My wife, Bonnie, said, in reference to the toilet paper, "Is that your sidekick?" I grabbed a Sharpie and drew a "happy face" on the side of the roll of toilet paper and gave him the name Scott. "Scott" now appears with me on every show and the guests often talk to him. 

Bulletin: What platforms and/or cable providers do people need to watch the show?

Stichter: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube (Search for Las Cruces Channel). Also on Comcast/Xfinity Channel 98. New shows air Saturday nights at 9 p.m.

Bulletin: What are your top three goals in doing the show?

Stichter: To continue to feature the "movers and shakers" of Las Cruces on each show, tTo offer a variety of entertainment segments each (avoid being stale and predictable) and to entertain the great people of Las Cruces during a time that entertainment choices in the area are extremely limited.         

Bulletin: What else should our readers know?

Stichter: I write my own opening monologue, including my own jokes, which can be very challenging, and all of the interview questions. I sometimes ad-lib based on the guests and their reactions to certain questions. I have been asked to sing along with guests and dance, I give it my best, but I don't do either well. My students at Lynn Middle School think it's pretty cool when I show them clips from the show.

To contact Stichter, call 575-202-0616