A conversation With... Episode Archive

"I may not always be right, but I will work at the job." That's what Fred Harris told the family of Robert S. Kerr as he prepared to run for the United States Senate after Sen. Kerr's death in 1964.

Harris learned the value of hard work as the son of a sharecropper in depression-era Walters, Oklahoma. Known as one of Oklahoma's hardest working state legislators, he defeated legendary OU football coach Bud Wilkinson to earn a place in the U.S. Senate.

During his tumultuous career in Washington, Harris became a champion for science, civil rights and the Great Society programs of President Lyndon Johnson while his opposition to the Vietnam War cost him the support of many in his home state. Nationally popular and a close friend of the Kennedy family, Harris ran for President twice, but left politics by the age of 45.

This month, Fred Harris discusses his life and career with Dick Pryor in the new OETA production, "A Conversation With....Fred Harris."

Never a stranger to controversy, Harris talks about his political rise and fall, the turbulent 60's, "Potomac Fever," the changing face of American politics, and his "second career" as an author and college professor. "A Conversation With...Fred Harris" is a revealing interview with one of Oklahoma's most accomplished and discussed public figures, premiering April 13th at 9:00 p.m. on OETA.

He was a newspaper reporter, Marine and farmer from rural Oklahoma. Toughened by the depression and sharpened by World War II, he became the state's first Republican governor, a U.S. Senator, and an eyewitness to history during a time of American political and social upheaval.

Former governor Henry Bellmon discusses his life, battles and philosophy in the broadcast debut of OETA's historic new series, "A Conversation With..."

Hosted by Dick Pryor, "A Conversation With..." shows you famous and noteworthy Oklahomans as you have rarely seen them: up-close, straight-forward and personal.

During this one-hour, exclusive OETA presentation, Bellmon discusses how he entered public service and transformed Oklahoma politics. Among other topics covered are his reflections on his two terms as governor, education reform, integration, Watergate, Richard Nixon, and his years as a U.S. Senator, including his politically unpopular vote on the Panama Canal.

She was there at the beginning of rock and roll, and she's still going strong. From the time she was young, Wanda Jackson wanted to be a "girl singer." She regularly sang on a radio show in her hometown of Oklahoma City while in junior high school and had her first hit record by the time she was 17.

Wanda sang country songs until Elvis Presley encouraged her to try a new form of music called rockabilly - a combination of country, rhythm and blues, gospel and swing. She toured with Elvis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Buddy Holly and became the "Queen of Rockabilly" and the "First Lady of Rock and Roll." In April, 2009 this music pioneer and native Oklahoman was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

OETA's "A Conversation With...." series begins its new season as Wanda Jackson discusses her life and career with Dick Pryor on "A Conversation With...Wanda Jackson," premiering October 6th at 9:00 p.m. on OETA.

As an 8th grader in McAlester, George Nigh announced he wanted to be Governor. And, he achieved his goal - by the age of 35. That's just part of the story of the remarkable career of George Nigh - one of the most influential Oklahomans in state history. Armed with a quick wit and keen political skill, Nigh was famous as the "good guy" who wore a white hat, and became the first Oklahoma Governor elected to successive terms.

During the hour-long program, Nigh talks about the repeal of prohibition, expansion of the state highway system, economic development and tourism, the collapse of the Penn Square Bank, making "Oklahoma!" the official state song, his life in politics and much more.

Governor Nigh discusses his six decades of service to Oklahoma with Dick Pryor on A Conversation With ...George Nigh.