Ed Sardella says he didn't retire when he left the 9News anchor chair three years ago. "I simply changed my television interview assignments.

"Instead of 90-second sound bites, I have a full half-hour to ask questions of guests and talk about important issues."

Sardella hosts Let's Talk, aired regularly on 12 of the Denver area's community access cable channels. And producers have set up a Web site that allows viewers to peruse past shows and learn about upcoming programming. The news program features one interview a month; each local outlet determines how often the program is aired.

Some Greenwood Village residents probably consider Sardella a close member of the family: Let's Talk is aired at 10 a.m. daily and four nights weekly. (Do some families have a dinner place setting for Sardella?)

Sardella works closely with producer Dominic Dezzutti and co-coordinators Rich Assmus (Arvada) and Kit Lammers (Lakewood) to determine show content. The Arvada and Lakewood channels have been closely involved since the program premiered in 2003; the half-hours are taped at the Lakewood studios.

"It's definitely a meeting of the minds," Sardella says. "We're aware that our subject matter is for government access programming, so we don't go after fluffy material or seek individuals who are in the entertainment business.

"But we don't shy away from legitimate personalities, like The Fan's Irv Brown (the March subject)."

Sardella notes Brown's major impact in high school and college athletics, refereeing and sports radio. Using the Brown interview as an example, Sardella admits there are times when Let's Talk could run longer. "We've also had programs on local water issues that were fully covered in 30 minutes."

Sardella is aware that some programming produces equal time requests. "We have former Gov. Dick Lamm scheduled in the near future. I would imagine his comments about the immigration issue would provoke some controversy."

Upcoming in April is former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, and Colorado Rockies General Manager Dan O'Dowd is also on the schedule.

While Sardella's no longer in the 9News anchor chair that he occupied for more than 25 years, he still closely follows local and national TV news. And he doesn't particularly like what he sees, remaining as critical today as he was while working full time in television news. As managing editor of the newscasts he anchored, Sardella regularly clashed with 9News co-workers over content.

"Too often we put stories on the air that were not the kind of news I thought should be part of a newscast," Sardella says. "These stories were not by strength nor did they hold my interest as a newsman."

He now regularly monitors the local 10 p.m. reports for his job teaching a TV news writing class, sponsored by Gannett Broadcasting, operators of 9News and KTVD- Channel 20.

"Local news keeps moving in the entertainment-type direction. And the national newscasts are producing more fluff material. The best example of this national trend can be found on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, which seems to be concentrating on popular culture."

On a more personal front, Sardella had a health scare last October, suffering a heart attack.

"It was considered minor because I got help right away," says the 66-year-old. "But as any doctor will tell you, a heart attack is not really minor."

Sardella underwent a hospital procedure to remove some blockage after feeling serious pain in his left arm. Since then, he's started working out as a hedge against it happening again.

"I've lost the necessary weight and I'm really into cardiovascular exercise on a regular basis."

'Let's Talk'

• What: A one-on-one interview show hosted by Ed Sardella

• When and where: New interviews appear monthly; they air at various times on 12 of the area's community access cable channels

• On the Web: www.letstalk8.net

saundersd@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5137

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