UA Student-Run Television Show Prepares for Fall Line-up

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – In October 2001, a group of University of Alabama students came together to produce an independent and volunteer-based talk/variety show called “SpeakEasy.”

They’ll continue to build upon that work with a new season on WVUA 7 starting on Tuesday, Sept. 3, at 11 p.m. The show is designed to not only provide additional out-of-class volunteer television experience to telecommunication and film students, but also as a service to the community.

“The show is a volunteer, non-profit student organization committed to providing quality community news and entertainment for The University of Alabama and Tuscaloosa County,” said Jonard Nelson, creator of the show. Nelson graduated from UA in May with a degree in Telecommunication and Film.

“I got the idea because there wasn’t a show that appealed to students outside of the classroom,” he said. “There’s no grade here. It’s a lot of fun, but we take what we do seriously because we want to get it right and put out a quality show that viewers want to watch.”

After completing their first 12 episodes on the campus cable channel, the group told Lori Cason, executive producer and graduate student, they wanted to approach WVUA 7 about being part of their lineup. The conversations were fruitful and the show was given a timeslot for which they had to sell advertising.

“My position is to make sure everything runs smoothly and that nothing gets broken,” Cason said. “The students are dedicated to this project. They are very determined to learn broadcasting and they’re improving each week. If you look at the first and the last show there’s a dramatic improvement.”

The show has several formats including one-on-one interviews, a panel of guests involved in a forum discussion, and local bands.