Student reactions vary on new UTV program

One of them left the room after a few minutes, another said she was bored, while another student said she loved it. Students had varied reactions to last night's Mix and Mate dating gameshow on University Television. Although the students' opinions of the show were mixed, they all agreed that it was not overly sexual or degrading. "Why do people automatically assume that sexual innuendos are insulting towards women?" said College freshman Natasha Friedman, who said the show was "boring." In last night's episode, contestants of Mix and Mate were asked questions about the names of their penises, and discussed sexual activity relating to bananas, paintbrushes and whipped cream. The show consisted of a female student "bachelorette" asking questions of male student "bachelors." Engineering freshman Steven Moseley said that sex is what makes dating games interesting, and that it can be a funny part in other nationally televised game shows. He said he laughed at certain parts of the show, although he said that the UTV production was unoriginal in its presentation of sexual motifs. Moseley said that the Mix and Mate is not as good as Studs -- a syndicated television game show that matches couples. "The show is a little too low-budget," said College freshman Danial Bennett. "I don't see why they need to put this stuff on television." College sophomore Karyn Peiser, who watched last week's episode, said she thought the show "was kind of interesting to watch," and that it "was fun to see the different people who are on the show." Peiser said she thought the hosts "did a good job," although she said she did not like the contestants as much. "It was sexual, and it seemed a little overboard," Peiser said. "But I didn't mind it. That's the way people think sometimes." Other students said they found the contestants interesting and humorous. "I love the show. It's kind of interesting to see people your own age, people making fools of themselves," College sophomore Jennifer Shreiner said. "I did like bachelor number two. I'll watch it again." Host and producer Michael Rosenfield, a College sophomore, said the show's goal is to make students laugh. "To us were just having fun," Rosenfield said. "We hope the viewers laugh with us. That's the whole point of the show." And UTV Publicity Manager Daniel Schorr, a College sophomore, said the show is one of the television stations newest efforts. "As it goes along, the producers will get new creative inovations and it will grow with UTV throughout the year," Schorr said. "The producers and staff work very hard to produce the show." Last night's episode of Mix and Mate will air again tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. on UTV.