Host Brian Unger from the television show "How the States Got Their Shapes" was recently in the Tug Valley area filming an episode that will premiere at 8 p.m. on the History Channel 2 on Saturday, Oct. 6. The show will feature several local residents and locations.

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Rachel Dove-Baldwin

Staff Writer

WILLIAMSON - The History Channel “Hatfield’s and McCoy’s” blockbuster mini-series was thrust into the spotlight Sunday evening, as star Kevin Costner walked away with an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a mini-series or movie for his portrayal of Devil-Anse Hatfield, beating out his Hatfield and McCoy co-star Bill Paxton who played the part of Randall McCoy; Woody Harrelson (Game Change), Clive Owen (Hemingway and Gellhorn), Idris Elba (Luther) and Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock: A scandal in Belgravia).

Tom Beranger who portrayed Uncle Jim Vance in the Hatfield and McCoy mini-series was the winner in the best supporting actor category.

The producer of the mini-series that tells the story of the famous feed, Darrell Fetty, along with local historians Bill Richardson (WVU extension Professor) and Fred Armstrong will be appearing on a panel to discuss the making of the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s History Channel production on Sunday, Sept. 30 in Charleston.

The event is being sponsored by the WV Historical Society beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the Archives and History Library at the WV State Capitol’s Cultural Center. Fetty, who is a Huntington native, will speak for approximately 15-20 minutes, followed by a panel discussion and will also receive questions from the audience. Richardson and Armstrong were two of the historians who provided information for and who appeared in the companion documentary that was narrated by actor Kevin Costner and was featured on the History Channel.

On Saturday, Oct 6, the television show “How the States Got Their Shapes” will air an episode about the State of WV that will include residents of and locations within the Tug Valley area at 8 pm., on the History Channel 2. The episode features numerous contests between descendants of the Hatfield and McCoy clan, casting a more light-hearted atmosphere on the world’s famous feud. The show will feature a game show like contest between those participating in the games, and a pair of re-enactors dressed as Randall McCoy and Devil-Anse Hatfield.

The show is known for addressing issues of history and geography in a fun and entertaining way. Host Brian Unger and the HSGTS crew filmed their episode in Williamson, Matewan, Logan and Eastern Ky. during the Hatfield-McCoy Reunion Festival that was held in June of this year.

For more information on any of the above listed events, you may contact Richardson at 304-235-0370 or by email, bill.richardson@mail.wvu.edu.