"Rewind" with Anna Davlantes

Given all what's going in Chicago lately, I guess there's a need for another public-affairs program (one show can't cover it all...)

WTTW is debuting a new review-of-the-week show this Friday night at 8:30 p.m., aptly titled Rewind. The new program is hosted by WMAQ-TV anchor and reporter Anna Davlantes.

Though the program plans to be somewhat similar to Chicago Week in Review, which airs Fridays at 7:00 p.m., a stark difference is instead of notable media people appearing to talk about the issues of the week, Rewind's panelists are basically everyday people. Panelists are urged to apply through WTTW's website.

In an e-mail to the Trib's Phil Rosenthal, Davlantes stated that Rewind is going to be different from other public-affairs shows by targeting a younger audience who may be shutting out "certain content". At the end of each show, the panelists are invited "to talk about an issue, they feel, was under-reported, misreported or missed altogether by the media. Again, it's a chance for people to have a voice. That's the focus."

Rewind is part of a Friday night local programming block for the popular PBS station, which includes Review, The Friday Night Show (both under the Chicago Tonight umbrella), Check Please, and now Rewind.

It's a good alternative for those who don't want to see Howie Mandel do anything (besides host Deal) or watch lame, worn-out network programming on this lackluster night, which includes need-to-expire fare such as Everybody Hates Chris, Wife Swap, and Supernanny.

Did you know?: Rewind was the title of a Fox sitcom in 1996 starring Scott Baio, which never got on the air.