Movie adds to Fresno writer’s film credits

Those of you who read the credits for television movies probably spotted the Hallmark Channel offering “Living Out Loud” was written by Fresno’s Pamela Wallace.

The local screenwriter came to national attention with her script work for the 1985 Harrison Ford movie “Witness.” Since then, she has written many scripts, including a string of movies for the Hallmark cable channel over the past few years such as “Straight From the Heart” and “Meet the Santas.”

“They came to me and wanted a breast-cancer movie. But it was not to be totally about the illness. They wanted to show how a whole family is affected. How it brings them together,” Wallace says.

She certainly did that with the story of a woman, played by Gail O’Grady, who must fight the war with cancer. Wallace created a very realistic family around that character to make this more than just another cable illness-of-the-week production.

Wallace accomplished that by talking with friends, doctors, nurses and others who have had to deal with cancer. She also did a lot of reading, which revealed how cancer affects an entire family.

“The thing that struck with me was all the women I spoke to had amazingly positive attitudes. It really did seem to empower them, they were stronger having gone through the battle. That was a very important theme to get across,” Wallace says.

“Living Out Loud” was produced in January 2008. The plan was to have the film ready for Mother’s Day that year. But, there was not enough time to hit that broadcast target. That is why it took so long for the film to reach the small screen.

In the meantime, Wallace has been busy writing and producing movies. She is trying to raise the funds to make a teen horror movie that her son, Christopher Wallace, wrote.

“Living Out Loud” will air again at 9 p.m. Friday and 9 p.m. May 17 on the Hallmark Channel.

Who’s listening

Talk radio is the new big trend in Fresno. KMJ (AM 580) was the longtime king of the radio hill as the lone talk/news local station. Then KYNO (AM 1300) decided to test the chat waters in September. The former Jack format was dumped in late March to make way for more talk on what is now KMJ (FM 105.9) And, smooth jazz fans heard a sour note when KJZN (FM 105.5) became the latest contender in the radio talk battles.

Winter ratings by Arbitron, a leading monitor of radio listening habits, show the battle for fans of talk radio remains a one-sided battle. KMJ posted a 9.6 share, among listeners 12 and older, for the time period of January-March.

A share is a percentage of the local market who tunes in a radio station. That was good enough for a decisive first-place finish.

KYNO did no better in its second ratings book. In the fall, KYNO posted a 0.4 to tie for 36th place. The local talk station earned a 0.5 in the most recent ratings.

Because KMJ FM didn’t go on the air until late March, the recent ratings are for the station while it still had the Jack format. Spring ratings will judge that move.

The numbers also support the decision by KJZN to dump the smooth jazz format. That format earned KJZN a 0.9 share.

Special honor

“Live with Regis & Kelly,” the syndicated talk show that airs at 9 a.m. weekdays on KFSN (Channel 30), will honor Shawna Kilbert as part of Friday’s Mother’s Day edition.

The Clovis woman passed away in late March after a 21/2-year battle with cervical cancer.

The mothers were selected from nominations by the public. Kilbert’s name was submitted by her best friend Suzanne Motte. This will be the first time the show has paid tribute to a mom after her death.

Part of the TV honor will have the television show making one of Kilbert’s wishes for her family come true, which will be revealed Friday during the telecast.

On the air

The episode of “California Gold” that focuses on Fresno Hmong farmers airs at 9 p.m. today and 7 p.m. May 18 on KVPT (Channel 18).

Winter Arbitron radio ratings

Percentage of the local market who tunes in to local radio stations 6 a.m.-midnight daily; ages 12 and older:

1. KMJ (AM 9.6)

2. KOND (FM 7.0)

3. KBOS (FM 5.8)

4. KLBN (FM 5.1)

5. KSKS (FM 5.0)

6. KMGV (FM 3.6)

7. KJWL (FM 3.4)

7. KSEQ (FM 3.4)

9. KJFX (FM 3.1)

10. KFSO (FM 3.0)

11. KFRR (FM 2.9)

12. KRDA (FM 2.7)

13. KALZ (FM 2.6)

14. KWYE (FM 2.4)

15. KSOF (FM 2.3)

16. KRZR (FM 2.1)

17. KFJK (FM 2.0)

18. KHGE (FM 1.6)

18. KKBZ (FM 1.6)

18. KVPW (FM 1.6)

21. KAAT (FM 1.5)

22. KLLE (FM 1.3)

22. KHIT (FM 1.3)

24. KCIV (FM 0.9)

25. KHTN (FM 0.8)

26. KOKO (FM 0.7)

27. KABX (FM 0.5)

27. KYNO (AM 0.5)

29. KWRU (AM 0.4)