Each Wednesday and Thursday night Curt Smith hosts "Talking Point" on WROC Television, Channel 8, Rochester, New York's CBS affiliate. Debuting in 2000, the series airs on WROC's 11 p.m. "News 8 Now."

The program features Smith debating issues with prominent Upstate New York personalities. Regular sparring partners are former State Senator Richard Dollinger and former Monroe County Democratic Party Chairman Ted O'Brien. Issues include politics, foreign policy, education, the economy, culture, and sports.

Rick Dollinger was born in Rochester, graduated from the University of Toronto, and got his law degree at SUNY Albany. He became a Boston-area reporter, returned to Rochester, and in 1987 became a Monroe County legislator. Dollinger was an influential New York State Legislative Senator (54th District) from 1993-2003. Interests include health, energy, and telecommunications. Dollinger led the effort to prevent convicted felons from changing their names in prison. He now practices law with the law firm of Barrett, Greisberger, Dollinger, Fletcher, Peartree, and Tallon, specializing in civil litigation, personal injury, and employment law.

Ted O'Brien is a partner in the Rochester law firm of Harris, Chesworth, and O'Brien. Talk about all in the family: Ted is his family's 15th lawyer! O'Brien is a lifetime Monroe County resident. He got his B.A. and Ph. D. degrees from Union College and Syracuse University, respectively, in 1979 and 1982. O'Brien brings to "Talking Point" a lifetime of political skill. As Democratic leader he slashed the Republicans' Monroe County legislative edge. In 2001, he initiated the successful Supreme Court campaign of Judge Joseph Valentino -- a race many thought a Democrat could never win. O'Brien now represents a variety of business and individual clients.