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(December 14, 2000, Gazette)
Grenfell talk
show a hit
Dave and Lars are ready to entertain.
By Jim Gash
SPARK Correspondent
Students at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College in Corner Brook might
have thought they were witnessing a miracle last Friday afternoon
– the return of John Lennon. The legendary ex-Beatle was
interviewed on the 51-minute Friday Lunch Hour Show with Dave
and Lars, the college’s very own interactive talk show.
Lars Davidson and Dave Elliott (along with co-producer Brent
Greenham) have come up with this innovative way of strengthening
student awareness and togetherness at the Corner Brook campus.
As opposed to a campus newspaper or a campus radio station, Mr.
Davidson and Mr. Elliott have found that the most effective way
of creating a close-knit, well-informed student body is by allowing
all students to participate in the communication process.
“Here at Grenfell, the direct approach works best,”
said Mr. Davidson, alluding to Grenfell’s 1,100 students.
So what exactly happens on the show at Grenfell’s Student
Centre cafeteria every Friday afternoon? Last week’s show
featured several guests, a never-ending stream of improvisational
comedy, and several audience giveaways. The contests and spontaneous
humor kept students in their seats as they listened in on enlightening
interviews with Grenfell Student Union president
Jade Mahoney and “Professor of the Week”
Dr. Ken Jacobsen.
“We interview one professor a week in the hope that students
will get to know that person on a more personal level, thus making
him or her more accessible to the student body,” said Mr.
Davidson. “This is a great opportunity to open things up
in the university.”
With one show a week and only a small number of professors at
the college, the hope is that students will quickly become familiar
with a diverse group of faculty members. The interviews offer
insight into the professor’s background and personality,
and the light-hearted banter makes for an attentive audience.
Dr. Jacobsen, for example, admitted that he was chosen as “Professor
of the Week” because he was the only professor in his office.
The audience applauded as Mr. Davidson and Mr. Elliot probed
into Dr. Jacobsen’s participation in the recent strike action.
They asked him about the game of road hockey that he and other
professors played on the picket line and about his new-found
addiction to Tim Horton’s crullers.
Jade Mahoney, the student union president, informed the audience
about campus affairs in the aftermath of the strike, her meeting
with Memorial president Dr. Axel Meisen, and her five-toed socks.
Students were further entertained by the hosts’ in-depth
interrogation of a guest posing as rock superstar John Lennon,
though the guest himself repeatedly announced he was not the
former Beatle.
The show’s producers said the feedback from the show has
been incredible. Mr. Davidson, Mr. Elliott and Mr. Greenham are
quick to share the credit. They say the show would not be possible
without the help of sound technician Elizabeth Pullin, “best
girl” Dana Puddicombe, “our girl Friday” Jen Thornhill,
the “man with a thousand faces” Greg House, and, of
course, Grenfell’s maintenance staff. And who could forget
the canine contingent? “Buddy Holly” entertained the
audience with enthusiastic tail-wagging and obedient devotion
to his masters.
One might think the show came about through the college’s
theatre program. While both Mr. Davidson and Mr. Elliott have
acting experience and the show’s set was contributed by
the fine arts department, the hosts stress that the show is put
off by students only. They receive no financial support from
the university and don’t have a budget. They said the strength
of student involvement from the entire Grenfell population is
what makes the show great.
In the future, Mr. Davidson and Mr. Elliott hope to have a prime-time
Christmas show, and more giveaways. They also hope to make contact
with the Memorial campus in St. John’s. Mr. Davidson and
Mr. Elliott would like to see their ideas spread across the province
to bring the entire university closer together.