No need to wait for Saturday night to get your fix of sketch comedy.
On Thursday (April 29, 2010), Temple’s student-produced variety show Smash Television recorded its fourth episode. Performed before a live studio audience, the SNL-style production features sketch comedy acts, stand up routines, musical groups and other entertainers, mostly drawn from the Temple student body.
This most recent show was hosted by Temple psychology major Tyler Grady, who is fresh off a run as a contestant on Fox TV’s American Idol. In addition to original sketch scenes, the show offered performances by the Latin dance team Esencia Latina; the a cappella group the Broad Street Line; Grady’s band, the "Wailing Waters"; and stand-up comedian Doogie Horner, as well as a film short by Andrew Reynolds and Roman SantaCroce.
Creator Scott McClennen, a film and media arts major and former SNL intern, established the show to showcase Temple’s diverse range of student talent, while giving broadcast majors and other students an additional outlet to build their skills. McClennen and co-producer Kimberly Burnick scout for performers themselves, scouring entertainment publications, attending open-mic nights and staying tuned to word-of-mouth to find eligible performers in and around the Temple student body.
“There are a lot of talented people out there,” said McClennen. “That’s really one of the missions of the show, to bring these entertainers to the surface.”
“The show is open to anyone who wants to be part of it,” he added. “We hold open auditions and encourage everyone to come out.”
The show’s presence is growing from all standpoints. Last week’s production brought out a studio audience of more than 70, and the cast and crew has grown from a core group to more than 80 students who manage every element of the production.
The show is a direct outgrowth of McClennen’s long-time interest in sketch comedy, which hit its height last fall when he had the opportunity to work on NBC’s venerable late-night production at 30 Rockefeller Center.
“It was my dream since seventh grade to be in that building and see how it works,” he said. “I worked my tail off, and so much of what I learned I’ve brought back to Smash. Learning what it takes to put together an entire show in six days was really amazing.”
Now as he approaches his senior year at Temple, McClennen is working to build the show’s audience, a goal he hopes will be aided by the planned opening of Temple’s new television station later this year.
“Our plan is to continue this into next semester, and hopefully beyond,” said McClennen. “Our absolute dream is to do this live on TUTV. The more we do the show, the more we discover our formula and our pattern.”
Clips of the show will be posted online in the next few days at the show’s website, www.templesmash.com.