ARCH 17.2005
George Oliphant, mvt uJ V and recent graduate of University of Colorado-Boulder, goes on location to interview students.
with the exception of six and a half hours interspersed throughout the day. Those slots are filled with original shows such as Stand In, which features famous artists such as Nas and Marilyn Manson who take over a classroom to teach. The network also airs reruns of old MTV favorites such as Road Rules and The Tom Green Show.
Jess Leggett, a 25-year-old graduate student at St. Louis University, watches mtvU a few days a week, when she's passing by TVs on campus or flipping through channels in her apartment. She says watching mtvU is a sort of "give and take." The programming is still geared toward the younger college student, but she watches the music videos and reruns of shes she started watching in her undergraduate years. "I like that exposes us to other bands besides what's on MTV or VH1—out of the mainstream," she says. "I see a lot of smaller bands that aren't too major labels and don't get a lot of promotion."
MtvU may be of reverting back to the old ways of MTV, when the network was a pioneer on the music scene rather than a follower of what's already hot, says Roberta Schwartz, assistant professor of historical musicology. During its first decade, MTV was responsible for bringing hip-hop into the mainstream with Yol MTV Rap$, as well as heavy metal with Headbangers' Ball. But aside from its influence on listening trends, Schwartz says MTV was groundbreaking because until its creation, there was really no such thing as a music video. It revolutionized television for an entire generation; she
says it created an identity for Generation X. She says today's MTV, which places its emphasis on programming, is a result of the novelty of music videos wearing off.
As for mvtU: "Will they get back to playing videos? Yes. Will they have the same impact? I don't think they can," she says.
Defining a generation the way MVT did may not be possible for mvtU, but Friedman, general manager, says he can still try to understand its audience. But he says he doesn't pretend to know what college students want to see on a network dedicated to their interests. He's 35-years-old and graduated from college more than a decade ago. Still, the network claims to have its finger on the pulse of college students. This knowledge comes from a mass of on-campus interns and traveling, fresh-out-of-college VJs who report back to the corporate staff on their target audience: what's in their stereos, what they're doing outside of class, even what causes they're supporting. Friedman says the network tries to stay relevant to college students by getting constant input from the interns and directly from viewers. He calls college students trendsetters who are always "ahead of the curve" and that their openness to new things is reflected in mvtU's programming. "We worship at the altar of our audience."
pworthy@kansan.com
Want to bring mtvU to campus?
E-mail Carlo diMarco at carlo.diMarco@wtaffs.com
By Jessi Crowder and Chris Tackett
Sand doesn't go there!
I was talking with this girl I like and she asked me about one of my friends and if he was cool. I kinda got the feeling she was interested in him, which would suck. Or am I just overreacting?
a
Jeff, junior
**Chris:** It all depends on the tone and context of the conversation, but I think when a girl you like girl starts asking you about your friends, especially the handsome ones, your chances of hooking up with her start looking pretty bad. Don't give up yet, but don't let yourself get stuck being just friends with a girl you like just so she can get you to set her up with him. That's not good for your soul. Painful stuff.
Jessi! I think it sucks and you're overreacting. There are plenty of other girls who'll go for you and—get this—they won't give a damn about your friend! To get over your feelings for her, ask yourself, "Why like someone who doesn't like me?" Works every time.
Sometimes I am like to surprises my guy by stopping by without telling him I'm coming, is this rude or am I OK?
a
-Kaitlin,Junior
Jessi: Unless you're stalking him or trying to catch him in the act of something, I think unannounced visits are fine 'n dandy for those who enjoy surprises. If you're with someone who doesn't go for spontaneity, then I'd withhold the random visit.
**Chris:** Assume it's rude until he does it to you. That will never hap pen, because it's sneaky and rude.
a
I set spring break I have having really hot sex on the beach with a guy I met, but a few days later, I got a really bad infection from the sand. Is there something I can do to keep this from happening a second time? Sandy. senthannone
**Chris:** Are you sure it was just from the sand? Do you hear that sound? It sounds like an unknown case of the clap! Get it, clap, sound, get it!
Jessi: So you got "sandy-giny disease." That's a mega-bummer, especially on spring break. Sand in your naughty parts is unhealthy because it has the ability to not only tear the condom, but also cause tiny abrasions in your vagina or burnhole, predisposing you to infection and STDs. Although sex on the beach is a darling idea in theory, it's really a pain in the ass... literally.
Got a burning question? E-mail us at bitch@kansan.com
03.17.05 Jauplau
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