Brian Moffitt stared into a hallway mirror at Access Sacramento's T Street television studios and cinched his tie.

"This is my dressing room," Moffitt said, with a hearty laugh heard many times on this Tuesday.

In a few minutes, Moffitt, host of the new local public access show "Good Work Now!" on cable Channel 17, would be back in front of the cameras on a tiny soundstage, helped by a volunteer crew, to tell viewers how they can get back to work.

Quiet on the set. "Good Work Now!" is on the air.

The show's goal is simple: an "in-depth discussion that could help people find a job, improve morale and productivity," he said.

"It occurred to me that we spend most of our conscious day thinking about or doing work," said Moffitt, organizational development manager for the city of Sacramento. "But there's not a single program that focuses on work issues."

Episode by episode – on a recent Tuesday, the ninth and 10th programs of a 13-show run were being taped for airing on May 10 and 17 – he's changing that.

"I think we've got a niche. I feel like we're doing a community service," Moffitt said. "There are so many angles where this show can go. Everyday work stuff – we want to bring that into the living room. Whatever keeps you up at night is a topic."

Moffitt has been able to address a wide range of topics during the show's debut season by tapping into his extensive network of city and regional officials, human resources professionals, career counselors and other experts built over nearly a decade of work for the city.

Topics range from workplace wellness to surviving layoffs to career reassessment.

This month, well-being is the focus. "Those who are laid off, survivors – they're doing all they can do to make their way through this transition," he said.

Guests and Access Sacramento officials talk about Moffitt's extensive contact list, but also say his enthusiasm for the project is just as convincing a selling point.

"He's taken the concept and run so far with it so quickly," said guest Kristin Mortensen, manager of the city of Sacramento's career development and wellness program, after the taping.

"He's really trying to find who would be a great resource for the viewer," Mortensen said. "He has topics that connect to real people."

A telegenic host, with a close-cropped goatee, stylish suits and a conversational interview style, Moffitt, 50, keeps the show simple. With its low-lit set, large table and single guest format, the show nods to PBS' Charlie Rose.

And its low-key polish has earned it a plum 7:30 p.m. Sunday time slot.

The first "Good Work Now!" episode aired in February, but Moffitt developed the idea last summer drawing from twin streams: a career in human services and human resources – first in San Diego and now Sacramento – and collegiate studies in radio and television broadcasting.

Moffitt's concept quickly drew the attention of Ron Cooper, executive director of Access Sacramento.

"He had a very specific vision in mind. He had a network of folks with training and employment skills that he could draw on and it was timed perfectly in terms of the economy," Cooper said. "It's a very different world out there. People are holding onto their jobs if they have one, seeking them out if they don't."

Moffitt draws no pay from the show. Like other Access Sacramento volunteers, he pays small membership and workshop fees to learn about television production and present their programming to viewers.

And Moffitt has taken advantage of the opportunity, Cooper said.

"He's his own best advocate. The show stands out because of his enthusiasm," Cooper said. "It's one thing to have expertise. It's another to share it."

Call The Bee's Darrell Smith, (916) 321-1040.