<< News >>

DETROIT -- Al Roker, America’s meteorologist on NBC’s “Today” show, visited the Drug Enforcement Administration office in downtown Detroit on Thursday in support of his new TV series to be filmed exclusively on location in the Motor City.

The new TV series will feature six episodes and will give viewers a first-hand look at one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Spike TV will air the new series beginning in April 2008. Al Roker Entertainment, Inc. will produce the show.

“I’ve done a documentary a few years ago on the methamphetamine trade and so I worked very closely with the DEA then and was struck by the dedication of these officers and all the training they have to go through,” Roker said.

“I don’t think anybody really knows what goes on with the DEA. Nobody gets to see. Nobody gets to know. We need to see this. What they do is vitally important.”

Spike TV was provided with exclusive access to go along with a group of special agents and task force officers as they did their jobs in the ongoing battle against illegal drugs. All types of cases will be featured on the show from street level dealers to international drug traffickers.

Roker is the creator and executive producer for the new TV series. “I’ll be putting everything together, overseeing it, we help to put the team together, been here working with the DEA and with the crew shooting the show,” he said. “By the way, it takes about 150 hours of videotape to edit down to the one-hour show.”

President Nixon created the Drug Enforcement Administration in 1972. The government organization employs about 11,000 men and women in various positions. The DEA’s operating budget for the fiscal year 2008 is $2.3 billion.

“We looked at a number of DEA offices – they’ve got 86 here in this country and around the world,” said Roker. “There was something about this group here in Detroit that just kinda stuck out. So we ended up here.”

Viewers who watch the show will see undercover missions, doors being busted down, drug raids and the complex relationship those DEA special agents have with informants.

“They’re going to get a completely immersive experience,” he said. “They’re going to find out what it’s like to be in on a drug bust from the planning to surveillant drug busts that have arrests. They will see what people have never seen before.”

A number of TV networks placed bids for the show. Spike TV was very interested in being the host station for the new series. They made a commitment for episodes before others did, according to Roker.

 

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

Al Roker makes an appearance at the DEA office located in downtown Detroit.

 

PHOTO ©AMERICAJR.com

AmericaJR.com's Jason Rzucidlo meets Al Roker at his Detroit appearance.

 

We want your opinion...

Post on our Message Boards