“The Hook-Up,” the new dating show filmed at Texas A&M University-Commerce by Radio-Television students is under way. Under the direction of Dr. Robert Sanders and Dr. John Mark Dempsey, both professors in the Department of Mass Media Communication and Theatre, RTV students have created a show that is not only entertaining, but has put their skills to work.
“The Hook-Up” follows a potential dater, who gets the chance to win a date from a line-up of three contestants. Through three rounds, the dater narrows the field down to the final winner.
After a few months of planning, construction and filming shows, Michael Krenek, who shares hosting duties with Katie Horton, said the show is doing well and he feels like it is growing to where the students want it to be.
“The important thing is everyone from the crew to the guests seems to really have a good time,” Krenek said.
Katie London, casting director for “The Hook-Up,” tries to reach out to organizations on campus and have them refer singles to her, but has also had individuals approach her for themselves as well as friends.
“The experience is quite fun,” London said. “There are some students who really want to play a part in the show.”
RTV students look for someone who is willing to have fun and isn’t afraid to laugh at themselves, especially since the majority of the show is ad-libbed and not controlled by script.
The one thing about the “Hook-Up” that makes it interesting are the game’s rounds contestants take part in to win a date.
Events have included hoolihoops and also having contestants play Twister.
“We made three dudes play Twister,” Krenek said. “It walked the fine line between entertaining and painfully awkward.”
Krenek also said student participation has been great and thinks the show contestants could also take an additional direction.
“We just hooked up one of the cheerleaders and of course all of our contestants are students, but some faculty and staff might want to be hooked-up. The rumor on the set is that a UPD officer is looking to come on the show. How wild would that be?”
Krenek also said he heard the show’s last daters were hanging out, but no engagement announcements have been produced.
The next show will be at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 31 on cable channel 3 and will also rerun at the same time Tuesday, April 1.
Anyone interested can e-mail Krenek at mkrenek@leo.tamu-commerce.edu and will then be contacted by Katie London to answer a few questions.