It may not have the gravitas of a Tony Jones at the helm but On Topic, a new series of TV programs to be made locally, aims to take the same in-depth look at Mountains issues in a Q and A style format.
Filming of the first of 10 TV programs takes place at the Fairmont on Friday and everyone is welcome to join the audience.
The shows will be moderated by the president and vice-president of the Regional Business Chamber, Vent Thomas and Dianne Davis.
"I'll be Tony with a 'y', she's Toni with an 'i'," said Thomas.
The 10-program series is a joint enterprise between the chamber and Nick A'Hern's independent production house, 3Sisters.TV, which broadcasts online.
The germ of the idea came up at a meeting of various tourism and business operators, when Mr Thomas raised the possibility of a TV show.
Mr A'Hern was keen but didn't want to do the standard type of program involving interviews with individual businesses. Rather, he wanted to engage the community; the Q and A format seemed ideal.
The first show will look at marketing the Mountains and the panel includes Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle, manager of the Christian Convention Centre Shelley Taylor, who spent 10 years working with Tourism NZ, Chris Cannell from Hotel Blue, Bill McCabe who is on the board of the Blue Mountains Accommodation and Tourism Association, and Ken Corbett, former chairman of the Tourism Industry Council of NSW.
It has the backing of a major sponsor, Fitzgerald Swan Real Estate at Leura.
Ms Davis said the idea was to "address issues that impact our region with a focus on business. It's a way to express views and share ideas."
Mr A'Hern said the "real objective is to not only create discussion but to bring people together so we can really work as a community".
While questions for the first program have been compiled by the chamber with input from its members, local residents will be invited through social media to submit questions for future shows.
Seven of the 10 programs will have a business focus, but three will deal with social issues - such as how to engage youth in the Mountains.
Two shows are being filmed on Friday. To be in the audience, be at the Fairmont in Leura by 9am for the first program (filming from 9.30-11.30am) or at 1.30pm for the second (filming from 2-4pm).