COLUMBIA, S.C. - Lights! Camera! Action! A tiny Statehouse office turns into a brightly lit television studio each Tuesday morning as House Speaker David Wilkins hosts an interactive news conference designed to give the media and citizens greater access to state government.

"I think of myself like Johnny Carson," deadpans Wilkins as he settles his lanky frame into a tall director's chair for the seventh rendition of "This Week in the House."

The Greenville Republican hosts the live, 30-minute show, a cooperative effort of ETV and the South Carolina Press Association.

In its first weeks, Wilkins has turned mundane matters of legislation into tidbits he titles "fun facts;" he offers historical anecdotes of South Carolina's more-than-colorful legislative history; and he spins chatty, down-home interviews with talkative personalities from the House and Senate.

He's invited both Democrats and Republicans to take part in the verbal sparring matches.

"A pancake may be flat, but when you turn it over, it's always got two sides," said House Minority Leader Rep. Harry Ott, D-St. Matthews, who appeared earlier in the session. "We have a responsibility to tell the other side of the story."

The twist of cables running out the door of Wilkins' corner office offers the only hint a TV production is underway. Outside, lobbyists and lawmakers keep up a constant buzz as House and Senate deliberate.

"Our goal is to expand the ability (of the media) to cover the Statehouse," explains Bill Rogers, executive director of the South Carolina Press Association.

Reporters from across the state who can't get to Columbia call in on a special phone line to question Wilkins and the lawmakers on the show, he explained. Anyone can watch the show at 11:30 a.m. on ETV or its Web site.

"Everybody benefits by the information getting out," Rogers said.

Ensconced in a corner chair of the elegant teal green office, Rogers relays queries reporters have emailed him in advance. Reporter's calls are also taken, adding a lively, unscripted note to the show.

Topics have included the state budget, limiting lawsuits and Gov. Mark Sanford's plan to offer tax breaks to parents who want to choose different schools for their children.

"Just look into the camera," Wilkins advises guests Rep. Laurie Slade Funderburk, D-Camden, and Rep. Nikki Haley, R-Lexington, freshmen lawmakers and two of the House's 14 female legislators. Both women chuckle at the speaker's television tip for getting a question from the sidelines, but looking straight into the camera when offering their answers.

Queried by Wilkins about their experiences in the House, Haley talks about how all freshmen lawmakers "who want to make a difference have to get out there and do it," and find legislation of interest to them.

Haley and Funderburk each said the show gave them a chance to be in the spotlight, which often falls on Statehouse leaders.

"It's a great way for people to hear about the ideas the freshmen have. It was a great opportunity," Haley said.

ETV President Moss Bresnahan said he has no numbers to report how many viewers are tuning in to the show, but interest has prompted a potential twin on the Senate side with a Thursday show hosted by Senate Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston.