Wichita Sitcom Pilot Debuts Friday on PBS Kansas

The pilot for Wichita Madhouse, a new locally-produced sitcom, airs this Friday at 8 p.m. on PBS Kansas (KPTS). Directed and written by PBS Kansas executive producer Jim Grawe, this independently-produced television show stars real-life Wichita TV personalities Anthony Powell and Sierra Scott as a divorced couple who continue to live together because neither wants to give up the house.

“Each tries to drive the other out. I thought that would create possibilities for different characters and constant conflict that might be funny,” Grawe said.

The 24-minute-long pilot is intended to fill up the traditional half-hour timeslot used by most situation-comedies. Whether the pilot will lead to a full series is unknown.

“That’s kind of unclear. It depends on the public’s reaction,” Grawe said.

The show is filled with a bevy of local television talent. Powell worked at KSN as a news anchor before moving to PBS Kansas. Scott has hosted shows or anchored broadcasts at KSN, KSCW and PBS Kansas. Longtime Wichita Eagle columnist Bonnie Bing plays Scott’s mother, retired KAKE anchor Susan Peters portrays the nosy neighbor and former Heavy Pork co-host Shawn Rhodes is Powell’s boss.

Grawe said Julie Sanders plays the wise-cracking housekeeper and Steve Brosius portrays Powell’s younger, good-for-nothing brother. Other actors include Adam Knapp, Bob Thomas, Joan Ginest, Todd Guetersloh, Beth Bower and Mary Lou Phipps-Winfrey.

Grawe said the idea of creating a sitcom started as a private joke between he and Powell. Now it is a reality thanks to the support of the other members of the cast and crew.

“Sierra (Scott) was key in helping it come to fruition. She was always very enthusiastic and helped make it happen,” Grawe said.

Director of photography Ben Laffen and Grawe operated as the core of the production crew through much of the production. Filming the pilot was a tougher ordeal than anticipated, Grawe said.

“It was a real challenge shooting it last year because of the pandemic. I was hoping to have it finished last summer. We spent about 25 hours shooting, spread over several shoots. I probably spent about 25 hours editing it,” Grawe said.

The crew experimented shooting with multiple cameras but it proved problematic. Eventually, they settled on using one camera, but making it appear like three cameras were used, said Grawe.

Grawe said that if people like the pilot, everyone in the cast and crew would be enthusiastic about making more episodes. He has already written a script for the second episode.

“I tried to write the second script to make it more efficient to shoot. It wouldn’t require as many shoots in as many locations. It wouldn’t require everybody being there at the same time. We ended up having a lot of actors involved. We shot everything on a Saturday or Sunday,” Grawe said.

Wichita has a long tradition of locally-produced creative television shows, including Santa’s Workshop with Henry Harvey, KAKE’s Kaleidoscope and Major Astro on KARD and KAKE. Grawe said PBS Kansas has been producing more and more local programs recently, with more big documentaries in the works.

Viewers who miss the live show Friday will be able to watch the pilot on YouTube.