Saint Louis University has tried to start something new: a TV
station with shows run by the students. Life at SLU TV (SLU TV) was
to have shows due out last semester, but was unable to because of
cable problems with Charter Communications.
“We weren’t on last semester because of Charter Cable. We were
ready, they were not. But, we’re getting back up on our feet, more
energized than ever. It’s going to take a lot of work, but we’ve
got the students, the talent and the resources,” said Andrew
Chappelle, the president and general manager of SLU TV.
SLU TV is supposed to be broadcast on channel 18. However, some
students on campus still cannot get the channel, due to programming
problems with Charter. Chappelle has sent a letter to, and set up a
meeting with, Argyle Wade, director of Housing. Chappelle is
adamant about getting SLU TV out to the students on campus. In his
letter he wrote, “Entirely too much of the students’ money goes to
fund KSLU ($20,000 per year) for it not to reach those paying
students. Entirely too much time and effort has gone into original
student programming for SLU TV not to be available for the campus.
This situation is completely unacceptable.” With Chappelle
advocating students, the shows will hopefully be available
soon.
Currently, only three shows can be seen on channel 18, which is
not available in all apartments and residence halls: The Bottom
Line, 4 Eleven and Why the Rush? The Bottom Line is a news show
like “Weekend Update” on Saturday Night Live, and ideally will
become more like the show with some added sketch comedy. It airs
every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and is hosted by Christine Campbell and
Kevin Grooms.
4 Eleven is a hard news show for the more serious news-oriented
students that recently debuted. Why the Rush? was shown last
semester and was about rushing for a sorority or fraternity.
Chappelle plans on having a full schedule for SLU TV sometime in
February. The new schedule will include Queer Eye for the SLU Guy,
a takeoff of the popular show on Bravo.
“Tim Cosentino is our SLU guy, and he will receive clothes from
Rag-O-Rama, a haircut from Papillon and a facial,” said Bridget
Verrette, features director of SLU TV. “We will then teach him how
to cook and he will prepare a meal for his date and then they will
go out to Vito’s for dessert.”
Another show is Trading Small Spaces, which will be like the
show Trading Spaces on TLC.
“We are looking forward to finally getting to do all of our
shows,” said Campbell, vice president of SLU TV.
True Life: I am Running for SGA President is a show that will
follow the candidates around campus.
“This program will give the students the chance to get to know
the candidates better,” Verrette said. The SLUper Sports Show is a
sports show that should be out sometime in the next few weeks.
Verrette has just interviewed another co-host and the show will
feature sports at SLU with a few nationwide sports as well.
SLU TV, when it is fully up and running, will be broadcasting
Monday 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday 6 to 7 p.m., Wednesday 5 to 8 p.m.,
Thursday 6 to 7 p.m., Saturday 12 to 2 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. and
Sunday 9 to 11 p.m. KSLU’s DJs have priority in scheduling, which
is why many shows are at an odd times.
