Published: March 24, 2009 11:42 pm      

Black Jack’s steakhouse to be featured on Travel Channel

Black Jack McCanless’ Steakhouse and Saloon opened early Tuesday to serve lunch to the film crew of Travel Channel’s “Great Weekends.”

Normally only open for dinner Monday through Thursday, owner Rick Hocker received a call at around 10:30 p.m. Monday night from the show’s producer, making reservations for lunch and to film at 12:30 on Tuesday.

With staff still in the kitchen, Rick had to work hastily to find an available crew and waitstaff to volunteer for the following morning. He even found workers to clean the sidewalks and inside of the building.

“This is the exposure that downtown Corsicana deserves,” said Hocker hoping the pouring rain would stop and not impede the filming.

Delayed by the rain, the crew along with host Samantha Brown, showed up later than planned, soaked and tired. Before ordering, Sam was kind enough to answer questions and pose for photographs.

“We have been in Ft. Worth filming a debutante ball. I was born in Texas, and wanted to show what it would be like to grow up here. I try to show the extraordinary lives of ordinary people.” She said her producer set up the lunch plans at Black Jack’s.

With house musician David C. Young setting up to play as the cast and crew ordered lunch, Black Jack’s relaxed and sunk into the down home ambiance that attracts people in the first place.

The new season of “Great Weekends” starts in May and the Dallas episode on which Black Jack’s will appear will run sometime between May and September.

“Great Weekends” airs Saturday nights at 10 p.m. on the Travel Channel.

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On the web: www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Samantha_Brown

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