The Monitor spoke recently with Judy Corrao, producer and host of The Judy Corrao Show. Corrao is a former Second Ward City Council Member who  helped create MTN. The Judy Corrao Show can be seen on Wednesdays at 9 pm on Channel 16. Tell me about your show. We look at art, politics, public policy. Public policy is the cornerstone of the show. We try very hard to interview people who are not always interviewed on broadcast television. You were involved in the formation of MTN; could you talk about that and why you think public access television is so important? I think public access is just critical in a society that values communication as much as we do. When you have millions of dollars in broadcast media there has to be place where ordinary people can get their message out, and public access is that place. I am very pleased to have been part of developing public access in Minneapolis. Could you talk about how long you've been doing your show and about the importance of the crews that have helped you make your shows over the years? Our show is as old as MTN is; we began our show about 9 months after MTN started. We have a show only because of the incredible volunteers in our crew. They are the backbone, the lifeblood of what makes our show possible. You will not have a show, no matter how good your message is, if you do not get volunteers to work with you. The volunteers that we have had over the last 20 years have made the world go round. And the MTN staff also makes the world go round. That combination is potent and powerful. We are entering the 21st year of MTN as an organization. What are your hopes and dreams for public access TV in Minneapolis? Over the past twenty years, MTN's contribution to the culture and continuity of the city of Minneapolis has grown. When I began here so few people even dreamed about putting their views or their message on TV. Now, MTN's channels, showing such a broad spectrum of messages by so many diverse groups, beautifully reflect our city. When I come here to use the studio I see and feel that a very important part of the community is here. I think that MTN is going to continue to play a pivotal role in our community. Any words of wisdom you have for people starting out in public access? First of all, just do it. Don't say, "Oh, my goodness I don't know how to do this," - I still don't know. Everybody has a story, you have a story, and it's worth telling it to other people. Talk to other people who believe in your message and see if they want to help you. Then come down to MTN and get trained. The staff at MTN is by far the best crew I have ever worked with. They are going to help you produce your show. Anything else you'd like to add? I just think this is by far one of the most interesting things that I do in my life, and that MTN has made such a valuable contribution to what goes on in our city.