Dartmouth Television introduces new show
Hanover may be just as frigid and isolated as the rest of rural New Hampshire, but this town does boast many of the trappings of civilization, including – surprisingly – its own television show.
Dartmouth Tonight, the main project of Dartmouth Television, blends a talk show, sketch comedy and a news program — it even features a studio audience. Originally, Dartmouth TV focused more on news programming, reporting on campus events such as guest lectures. The current project began last fall when members of Dartmouth TV decided to turn their focus more toward entertainment.
“It’s basically a hybrid of everything that would ever entertain a college student,” Edwin Felix ’15 said of the show. Felix is both the president of Dartmouth TV and the host of Dartmouth Tonight.
Two episodes of the show are available for viewing on YouTube so far – the premiere episode from spring 2012, and a second episode from this past fall. The show is also broadcast live on DarTV. The show opens with a Saturday Night Live-esque comedic monologue and segues into a compilation of interviews, comedy sketches and current events references. Each show lasts roughly half an hour. Past Dartmouth Tonight guests include unofficial College mascot Keggy the Keg and past Dartmouth Idol finalist Emily Liu ’12.
Dartmouth Tonight is entering the scene at a time when film at Dartmouth is experiencing tremendous growth. The Year of the Arts, the opening of the Black Family Visual Arts Center, and the creation of Dartmouth’s first student-run production company, Stories Growing Films, have all created plenty of opportunities for students to get involved in film on campus.
Felix is excited about the hands-on opportunities that the show ushers in. “[Dartmouth Tonight] gives comedians, cinematographers, screenwriters and entertainers a means to actually work on an actual television show,” he said. “The main goal is to give people TV experience.”
Alexander Hurt ’16, Dartmouth Tonight’s photography director, has had a positive experience with the show. He got involved when the show sent out a campus-wide blitz during fall term. “I really like the energy of the kids,” he said.
Both Felix and Hurt see Dartmouth Tonight as a representation of the Dartmouth experience.
“I think what makes the show is the student body,” Felix said.
Hurt was also enthusiastic about possibilities for growth. “I hope that more people come to watch [the show]…it really highlights what’s great about Dartmouth,” he said.
The first two Dartmouth Tonight episodes are available for viewing on YouTube. You can contact Dartmouth Tonight through their Facebook page or by blitzing “Dartmouth Television.”