Now it's Senator Cable Guy

In Greenfield, he commands the 7 p.m. time slot, right after ''Polka with Joe." In Holden, he follows two hours of ''Christmas with The Duttons." Needham residents can catch him at 10 p.m., immediately following ''Getting to Know Your Finance Committee."

The voice is unmistakable. So is the profile. But the setting is strange. No podium on the Senate floor. Just a cutout of Boston's skyline and a woebegone basket of flowers on a little caf table.

Senator Edward M. Kennedy, one of the best-known figures in American politics, is now hosting his own community-access cable show, and he fits in perfectly amidst the weird, wacky, and unfailingly earnest.

Kennedy's show, ''Capitol Perspective," is equal parts C-SPAN and Rosie O'Donnell and vaguely reminiscent of "Wayne's World." The gushing introductions, the missed camera cues, the lapses into senatorial speak -- it's a half-hour of homespun policy chat with the third longest-serving senator in United States history.

And it is broadcast in all its fuchsia-toned glory in 158 communities across the state. Just listen for the kettledrums and cymbal crashes at the start of each episode.

''We are here today to highlight the need to give back to our veterans, every day, 365 days, 52 weeks a year," Kennedy says in one episode, leaping enthusiastically into the uncontroversial.

Thomas G. Kelley, Massachusetts veterans' services secretary, and Alan Bowers, chairman of the board of directors of the Disabled American Veterans, seated across from Kennedy, nod in agreement.

''Thank you for S.50, and your cosponsorship," Bowers says, referring to veterans' benefits legislation.

Kennedy nods. He smiles.

''Not only cosponsorship," Kennedy says. ''We want to get this passed."

The liberal lion is the anti-Bill O'Reilly and not just ideologically. He is friendly. He looks warmly at his guests. He never fires pointed questions.

Episodes typically end with on-camera handshakes, along with profuse thanks for appearing on ''Capitol Perspective" and compliments that sound a bit like congressional resolutions.

''Dave, thank you for joining us today," Kennedy tells state Education Commissioner David P. Driscoll, at the end of his half-hour. ''Congratulations on this year's improved MCAS scores."

Kennedy grasps Driscoll's hand. ''Massachusetts is fortunate to have you," Kennedy says. ''And I'm enormously grateful for your presence here today."

Bowers and Kelley get the same treatment. ''Alan and Tom," Kennedy says at their end of their episode, breaking into a smile. ''Time's gone on too quickly. And thank you again for joining us today. Massachusetts and the nation are fortunate to have two such respected leaders fighting for our veterans."

The show, taped monthly at Emerson College, is decidedly amateurish. Kennedy misses camera cues. He snaps on his glasses to read off cue cards. He turns questions into stump speeches.

Guests, including Driscoll, Kelley, and Mayor Thomas M. Menino, sometimes find themselves nodding through impromptu lectures on the federal budget process or a sudden ode to public school teachers.

''Highly motivated, highly dedicated, highly committed individuals that go into teaching," Kennedy tells Driscoll, who signals his assent with a nod. ''And yet they have to be the counselor. They have to be in some places the doctor, the nurse, for these children that are coming in. They have to be a parent to these children."

Political junkies will find the show a gold mine. Did you know, for example, that Driscoll was the youngest of 10 children or that his favorite teacher was Irving Nieman, his math instructor at Melrose High School? It's true, according to episode number 2.

On the same show, Kennedy also reminisced about his own schoolboy days. He paid tribute to Reggie Nash, who ''made history come alive" at Milton Academy, with lessons about the Constitutional Convention and the ''horses that Benjamin Franklin couldn't get hooked up and so therefore there were different meetings taking place and compromises were taking place in terms of our Constitution."

In an interview this week, Kennedy said he is planning episodes on black history and other topics. He said he started the show to better communicate with the people of Massachusetts. He also admits it's great fun to be the host of his own little half-hour of television.

''It's been a kick," Kennedy said, vigorously denying any aspirations to further television stardom. ''We're glad to do it, we like it, and it's fun. And we look forward to the future."