Students Run TV Station AtU. of Penn

Prime-time television watchers at the University of Pennsylvania can now add another sitcom, "Menage a Quad," to the viewing schedules, The show is broadcast on UTV, the University's only television static and possibility the only entirely student-run station in the country.

While UTV produces its own news--coering both campus and Philadelphia events-Station Manager Daniel Lieberman, a junior emphasized week that "we're more than video newspaper." The station also produce a variety of sports, entertainment, and instructional programs.

Begun in 1975 as a video club, UTV grown to be a full-fledged broadcasting system reaching three to four thousand student Lieberman said.

Viewers receive UTV, which airs from p.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday through Thursday on Channel 13, using special cable hookup for their television sets. These are available in only some of the undergraduate dorms according to Lieberman.

"Cable companies and T.V. personalities in the area are getting involved" with UTV said Programming Director Linda Simensky a sophomore. "They're helping us raise money, and they're willing to help us fine jobs."

Most of UTV's funding comes from the Student Activities Council and from advertising. Lieberman said. The members shot the film own American Express commercial on campus, which the company paid them $1,000 to air, he added. "We had students saying, don't you know who I am?' like the real commercials."

There are no faculty members of UTV Lieberman said. "We're all doing this extra curricularly; we're not part of the Communications School," he added. "We have editorial discretion, but we can cover things that you couldn't in the Communications School because they're worried about formal structure."

As of last week only two episodes of "Menage a Quad" had been shot, Lieberman said "It's been a little slow, because we've had to build a set in the station." Simens explained.

The premier was aired at Smokey Joe's popular UPenn bar, which had sponsored the first episode, said Steve Tirpening, the sitcom's director. The second episode will be shown "soon"

"Menage" is the story of two freshmen Frankie and Howard, assigned to room together in the Quad, one of Penn's freshman dorms. But there has been a mistake--Frankie is female.

Simensksy said that each episode features as well-known Penn personality in a cameo appearance. In the premier, Penn President Sheldon Hackney played a hot dog vendor.

Also on UTV are "Visions," a program or which student filmmakers show their work and discuss it, and "The High-Rise Ranger," which is "rather like the Galloping Gourmet," Simensky said.

The premier was aired at Smokey Joe's popular UPenn bar, which had sponsored the first episode, said Steve Tirpening, the sitcom's director. The second episode will be shown "soon"

"Menage" is the story of two freshmen Frankie and Howard, assigned to room together in the Quad, one of Penn's freshman dorms. But there has been a mistake--Frankie is female.

Simensksy said that each episode features as well-known Penn personality in a cameo appearance. In the premier, Penn President Sheldon Hackney played a hot dog vendor.

Also on UTV are "Visions," a program or which student filmmakers show their work and discuss it, and "The High-Rise Ranger," which is "rather like the Galloping Gourmet," Simensky said.