Sidewalks’ creator and executive producer Richard R. Lee becomes an unexpected on-air personality
Actually, if the truth is to be known, Richard, who was born in San Francisco, always wanted to co-host his beloved talk/variety series, but his creative talents as producer, director and editor were strongly needed behind-the-scenes.
Richard made several cameo appearances on Sidewalks, but never in a regular hosting position until the 9th season after he and co-host Cindy Rhodes anchored a Sidewalks Mini-Christmas Special together. After doing more episodes the following year, the two found they had good chemistry together in front of the camera, and soon, Richard became Cindy’s regular on-air partner.
“Hosting Sidewalks or any other TV projects was never in my plan. I’m enjoying the experience,” he says on his first time hosting. “I’m planning to do more on-air work in the future with the next phase of Sidewalks.”
In addition to being a regular host, Richard also produces and edits the TV program and is the chief webmaster of SidewalksTV.com.
Richard’s other on-air appearances, outside of Sidewalks, were KCRT Television’s NewsReel series, Update Special: 2002 Olympic Torch Relay, Festival by the Bay Highlights, 2001 Election Night Results, and the live productions of Juneteenth and Cinco de Mayo ’98, ’99 and 2000 celebration specials. In 2005, Richard was an announcer for the Comcast Game of the Week basketball coverage. In May of 1999, Richard and Cindy Rhodes were the MCs for Richmond’s and El Cerrito’s “Sister Cities” multicultural festival.
Besides directing Sidewalks, Richard is the director for The Languages of Sound and Movement (an award-winning cultural arts and dance program), Monk King Productions’ West County High School Football and Basketball specials, and a number of episodes of a locally-produced talk show entitled Anaya. Additionally, Richard is an occasional director for various Contra Costa Television’s (CCTV) programs, including the medical advice series, Ask The Doctor. Richard has also worked at several broadcast and cable stations in the San Francisco Bay Area, including KTVU (Fox), KRCB (PBS), KFCB (Ind.) and KCRT (Ind.).
