And That’s a Wrap on the Pilot of OTN’s New Game Show, ‘Two Truths and a Lie’
Behind the scenes of the show created by students in the Newhouse LA program through Orange Television Network.
Game shows have entertained audiences for decades, with programs like“Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune” being two of the most watched shows on television, as reported by The New York Times. Yet despite their popularity in American culture, the primary viewer demographic for game shows falls far beyond most college students, at age 60 or older.
But this summer, students in the Newhouse LA program got an up-close look into what it’s like to put a TV game show on the air when they created and filmed “Two Truths and a Lie” for Orange Television Network (OTN), and a new game show was born, targeting the Syracuse University student audience.
The journey towards making “Two Truths and a Lie” began on the first day of the Newhouse LA summer 2024 program in May. Robin Howard, director of the Newhouse LA program, pitched the show with Bob Boden, an executive vice president at Entertainment Studios who teaches television, radio and film (TRF) classes at Newhouse LA, and Meg Craig, general manager of OTN.The show was a completely new concept for the program and built from the ground up, from hiring talent to choosing a structure for the show, to finding filming locations and managing crew.
The show’s basic premise: Contestants, who are Syracuse University students or alumni, are asked to run through a series of questions with three answers and asked to figure out which two answers are true, and which one is the lie.
Within a few weeks, TRF students Kayla Black and Jackie Arbogast were hired as co-executive producers, working alongside Howard and Boden to bring the show to life.
Black said she enjoyed the challenge of juggling the accelerated pre-production process with the other tasks needed to get ready to film.
“It was a lot of things I wasn’t expecting … but also then having to keep in mind what our network execs want, what our head of production was looking for, and what my co-producer Jackie needs for cam set up and staging. There were a lot of things in the back of my mind.”
Once they established the show’s structure, Black and Arbogast had to prepare for two days of shooting: one on location where current students and alumni were asked questions about a particular Los Angeles location, and the other in the Syracuse University Dick Clark Los Angeles Program’s new studio. There, the studio host would lead two contestants in battling it out for the grand prize, which consisted of an engraved trophy and a stuffed Otto the Orange doll.
Students Sofia Dixon and Isabella Austin were brought on as writers, with Sophia Moore coming on as assistant director. TRF juniors Erin Flack and Laura Jacobson were brought on as the studio and field hosts, with Elizabeth Gelber and Jack Goodman, both senior TRF majors, as the inaugural in-studio contestants.
After a month of hiring and logistics, shooting began on location in early July, starting at the Television Academy in North Hollywood. The home of the Emmy Awards, the academy is right next door to the Newhouse LA’s home at the Dick Clark Los Angeles Program campus.
Working with students and alumni as on-location contestants, they ended the day filming at Television City, home of the iconic Stage 33, where programs including “The Carol Burnett Show” and “The Price is Right” were filmed.
A week later, the crew entered the Dick Clark Los Angeles center’s sound stage to film the in-studio portion, with edited location footage, new contestants and a new host. Gelber and Goodman were asked by Flack to answer the same questions as the on-location players, in addition to guessing if the field contestant got the answer correct.
“I’ve never been on a set before, so it’s been really cool to experience it in real time with all the lighting and the cameras and different set-ups,” Flack said.
The executive producers had to maneuver filming around phones ringing, microphone issues and loud planes flying overhead—just like what happens on shoots on the TV networks.
Arbogast loved diving head-first into the world of managing crew and dealing with logistics.
“That’s the stuff I enjoy,” she said. “I think that I would be an executive producer again. I love how we persisted in such a quick turnaround… It was a learning experience for me to take someone else’s idea and try to curate it in the way they want it to be.”
On the last day of the summer ‘24 Newhouse LA program, students finally got to view the episode. Rowdy cheers and waves of claps filled the halls of the Dick Clark Center as students laughed watching their friends and peers on screen, as “Two Truths and a Lie” came to life.
The final product—the 30 minute-long pilot episode— aired Aug. 7 on OTN and is available on YouTube. It’s the result of the work and dedication students put in while still juggling classes and internships through their Newhouse LA summer semester.
The Newhouse LA program and OTN plan to shoot the next episode during the Spring 2025 semester.
Lizzy Calvo is a senior in the magazine, news and digital journalism program at the Newhouse School.
Bridging Coasts and Building Careers
Syracuse University’s programs in Los Angeles allow students to explore their dreams in the entertainment world.
A look at a map would suggest that Syracuse and Los Angeles could hardly be more distant. But for many Syracuse University students, the experience of living and learning in LA—the sunny entertainment capital of the world and an epicenter for culture in every form—is an integral part of their college journey.
Through the University’s Dick Clark Los Angeles Program, students have opportunities to explore the industries that interest them, expand academically and get a taste of life on the West Coast. They learn from industry professionals, gain hands-on experience in internships and connect with a huge and supportive network of accomplished alumni. Syracuse’s study away programs in LA allow students to experience the best of both worlds: a close and supportive community and extraordinary access into the expansive educational and professional opportunities of LA.
In Training for Sports Journalism
“Los Angeles has every sport—as much as it’s known for Hollywood, it’s also known for sports,” says Luke Backman ’25, who is majoring in broadcast and digital journalism in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and aspires to a career in sports broadcasting. “I knew this would be a great opportunity.”
One of the most impactful aspects of his Newhouse Los Angeles experience has been the sports production class he is taking with seasoned sports media executive Jeff Proctor. “This has been the greatest class I’ve ever taken. Professor Proctor has connections everywhere—he’s done Clippers games, Lakers games, the Angels, boxing—and he brings in the greatest guests,” Backman says. “This course has given me a whole new perspective on sports production and really helped me understand the industry.”
Backman took an internship with MSM Productions, an Emmy Award-winning production company known for its sports-related storytelling, which complements his classroom learning with professional experience. “MSM Productions is doing the best of the best, the biggest of the biggest. This is an amazing place to be for someone who wants to be in sports media.”
Backman has also appreciated the community fostered in the LA program. “The Los Angeles program does a really great job making everyone feel included. We do events together—we toured Warner Bros.—and we have dinners together. I’ve made so many new friends and it really feels like a family,” he says.
To Live and Learn in LA: The Newhouse LA Experience
If I had to sum up my experience in Los Angeles during the Syracuse University Dick Clark Los Angeles Program—which houses the Newhouse LA program—with one phrase, it would be “more than worth the price of admission.”
As someone who was born and raised on the East Coast, I always wondered what it would be like to live in Los Angeles. Before committing to Syracuse University, I was even interested in attending schools like the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles. The Newhouse LA program allowed me to spend a semester in a city I might never have had the chance to live in otherwise, and now, I have roots here that will extend far beyond my time here this semester.
From the moment I arrived at the Los Angeles International Airport, I felt as if I was in a totally different world than Syracuse—and that was OK. There is no doubt that there was a transition period. From the time difference to the lowest temperature being in the mid 50s in January (although no complaints there), I knew immediately that I wasn’t in Upstate New York.
Instead of living in a South Campus apartment, I was treated to a beautifully modern apartment in Burbank with amenities like pools and a gym, among other things. And although certain buildings on the Syracuse campus —like Newhouse—are stunning in their own right, the Los Angeles program campus is brand new and has a premium feel to it. Syracuse University does an excellent job of providing everything a student needs to feel as comfortable as they would feel on campus and it’s very much appreciated.
Of course, it would only be a vacation if it weren’t for the classes. I took seven classes this semester, which is definitely more than most students. But if I had to choose the most memorable courses, it would be the sports production and acting classes.
As somebody who is interested in going into the sports media field, the sports production class—part of the Newhouse LA sports media communications program—was right up my alley. Taught by Jeff Proctor, a former producer at CBS and Fox Sports, the class was all about what goes into producing a sports broadcast.
Arguably, the best part of the class was the field trips, including outings to see the Los Angeles Lakers and the G-League’s South Bay Lakers. We got a behind-the-scenes look at the production truck and the work it took to produce live sporting events.
In some cases, we even got to do a pregame report from the field of play that was fully produced by the same professionals that produced the game. For those interested in sports television and broadcasting, that class alone is worth the trip to Southern California.
The acting was taught by former actress Barbara Deustch. Prior to this semester, I had never taken an acting class, nor did I have any interest in doing so. However, I’m so happy that I did. Barbara started us off with improv exercises and by the end of the semester I was performing a scene from the 1992 film “A Few Good Men” in front of a large audience. I always thought acting was an innate skill, but this class taught me that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Outside of classes, I interned with Fox Sports as a features intern over the semester. Getting to work in one of the major sports channels was really cool and I got to meet producers as well as talent for studio shows such as “Speak” with Emannuel Acho, Joy Taylor and others.
When I wasn’t working on classwork and internship responsibilities, there were tons of things to do in Los Angeles. The program offered many events for us such as movie premieres, outings to a Los Angeles Dodgers game and more. We also did some community service by doing a beach clean-up at Santa Monica beach.
Without a doubt, this has been the best semester of my college career, and I am so glad I took a leap of faith to travel across the country for this program.
Dhani Joseph will be a senior in the fall in the broadcast and digital journalism program at the Newhouse School.
LA Story: New Space, Sports Program Expands Experiences in Los Angeles for Newhouse Students
A celebratory toast and ceremonial cutting of a ribbon marked the formal opening of the new home of the Newhouse School’s program in the entertainment capital of the world.
Joined by family members of the late Dick Clark ’51, students, faculty, staff, leadership, alumni and friends gathered to dedicate the new Syracuse University Dick Clark Los Angeles Program location in the North Hollywood district of Los Angeles. Newhouse LA will be based in the University’s new home.
The gleaming new space housed in the shiny, glass-enclosed office building is the result of an extraordinary gift from the Kari and Dick Clark Foundation to significantly expand the University’s presence and impact in the entertainment field.
“We’re celebrating a truly transformative, generous gift from the Clark Family, so that’s number one,” said Robin Howard, director of the Newhouse LA program. “What the gift allows us to do is really provide expanded programs, to be very creative with the programs that we offer now, to offer students from the school the most robust, experiential learning opportunity that we possibly can. That’s what we’re celebrating today.”
The new location is a hub for all things Syracuse in Los Angeles and offers Newhouse LA students a fresh space filled with innovative classrooms, offices, studios and more. It’s a short walk to the Metro station, and a bustling neighborhood filled with restaurants, theaters and housing options, adding to the student experience.
Students in the Newhouse LA program take classes taught by entertainment industry experts while also getting valuable experience through internships and networking events.
“By coming out to Los Angeles, [students] are not only able to take courses that relate to their own industry, as well as what’s happening here in L.A., but they are also exposed to wonderful job and internship opportunities that often lead to full-time jobs after graduation,” said Newhouse School Dean Mark J. Lodato.
The Spring 2024 semester also marks the launch of the Newhouse LA sports media communications program. The program provides production and marketing classes tailor-made for students working to become sports media professionals. It will also offer internship opportunities at a sports media company.
The sports media communications program is open to broadcast journalism, public relations or television, radio and film majors. The goal is to expand access and connections in Los Angeles to a new set of Newhouse students.
For broadcasting and digital journalism junior Vincent Zakian, one class alone made the cross-country trip more than worth it. He’s taking a sports production class at Newhouse LA with Jeff Proctor, a veteran sports media producer.
“We’ve gotten a lot of great experiences,” Zakian said. “Professor Proctor has introduced us to [a lot of] different people that can help us in our careers. That’s been amazing. It’s been really career focused which I appreciate.”
Dhani Joseph is a junior in the broadcast and digital journalism program at the Newhouse School
University Officially Opens New Building for Syracuse University Dick Clark Los Angeles Program (In Photos)
Celebrating the enduring legacy of a well-loved alumnus, members of the University community marked the official opening of the new location of the Syracuse University Dick Clark Los Angeles Program in North Hollywood, California on Saturday, March 2.
Along with family members of the late Dick Clark ’51, students, faculty, staff, leadership, alumni and friends gathered to dedicate the University’s new home in LA, the result of a gift from the Kari and Dick Clark Foundation to significantly expand the University’s presence and impact in the entertainment field.
The expansion of the SULA Semester, a vibrant example of the University’s commitment to Study Away, includes new space for offices, classrooms, studios, additional academic programs, faculty and internships. It is home to LA programs for the Newhouse School of Public Communications and the College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Newhouse LA Student Spotlight: Taylor Chaiken
This semester, I am working as a wardrobe assistant to a celebrity stylist, as well as a fashion PR intern at CLD PR. This has been such a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I could not be more grateful for. Adjusting to the LA culture has been extremely easy for me and beyond exciting. I have been given the opportunity to follow my dreams of furthering myself and expanding my career in the fashion industry, and am lucky enough to be in such a great position for life after graduation. It is definitely not easy balancing two internships, all while taking 12 credits, but the staff and opportunities are so phenomenal that I wake up excited every day. I highly recommend every Syracuse student to take advantage of this opportunity and all of the experiences that come with it.
Taylor Chaiken is a senior majoring in communication and rhetorical studies at the School of Visual and Performing Arts and minoring in public communications at the Newhouse School.
Extraordinary Gift Ensures Dick Clark’s Legacy Lives on in Expansion of Los Angeles Program
One of Syracuse University’s most famous graduates, Dick Clark ’51 started his broadcast career in Central New York and grew to prominence in Philadelphia as host of “American Bandstand.” But it was Los Angeles that offered the greatest opportunity for the visionary who would become legendary for building an entertainment empire that launched countless careers.
“LA remains the center of the broadcast industry, and Dick always wanted to support young people hoping for a career in entertainment,” says his wife Kari, explaining the reasoning behind the Kari and Dick Clark Foundation’s Forever Orange Campaign gift to significantly expand the University’s presence and impact in the entertainment field. Soon to be named the Syracuse University Dick Clark Los Angeles Program, the expansion of the SULA Semester includes new space for offices, classrooms, studios, additional academic programs, faculty and internships. The expansion aligns with one of the strategic priorities of “Leading with Distinction,” the University’s new academic strategic plan which seeks to make study away and study abroad opportunities more accessible to all undergraduate students.
“When Dad moved his company to LA, it flourished,” says Clark’s daughter Cindy, who graduated from the Newhouse School of Public Communications in 1986 and built her own successful career in television and film production in LA. “The expansion of the SULA program is a continuation of my father’s commitment to fostering new talent in the entertainment business. Seeing how the sausage really gets made—it’s just an invaluable experience.”
“Dad was always of the mind that nothing beats a practical hands-on experience in this business,” says Clark’s son RAC, who has produced thousands of hours of live event and entertainment programming and created Lion’s Heart Entertainment in LA. “You get to be in the belly of the beast.”
Fund Named After Larry Barron ’87 Aims to Carry on Late Alumnus’ Legacy of Helping Students Make Connections in Media and Entertainment Business
A new fund named after the late alumnus Larry Barron ’87 aims to carry on the TV executive’s legacy of connecting students aspiring to work in the media and entertainment business with key industry professionals for mentorship, networking and internship opportunities.
Two students will be chosen each year as part of the Larry Barron Fund for Mentorship (LBFM) program, which will include a four-day trip to Los Angeles for meetings, meet-and-greets, tours and other activities to connect recipients with established media and entertainment executives.
Applications for the inaugural LBFM recipients are due 6 p.m. ET on Nov. 30. Those selected will be notified by Dec. 15, 2023, and the trip to Los Angeles will take place March 11-14, 2024, during spring break.
Barron died in 2020. The fund was organized by his longtime friends Carl Weinstein and Scott Bergstein, both 1988 graduates of Newhouse.
“We are very grateful to Larry’s friends, colleagues and Syracuse University for all their efforts to make LBFM a reality to honor our son,” said Barron’s parents, Roberta and Hal Barron.
Barron’s prolific career included producing or consulting on hit shows including CBS’ “The Amazing Race,” “Paradise Hotel,” which aired on Fox, and “America’s Next Top Model,” which aired on multiple networks. He was co-creator and executive producer of Fox’s “Couples” and VH1′s “What Chilli Wants.”
Barron also served as senior vice president at Fremantle Media before launching his own production company, Larry Barron Entertainment, in 2013.
He graduated with a dual degree in television, radio and film from Newhouse, and management and marketing from the Whitman School of Management. While in school, he was a disc jockey, station manager and general manager at student-run Z89 (WJPZ-FM).
Barron helped to lead the station on its transition to FM radio, a critical period in WJPZ history. In 2012, he was named part of the first class of inductees into the WJPZ Hall of Fame.
Weinstein and Bergstein fondly recalled Barron’s enthusiastic outlook, infectious personality and a capacity to make “everyone feel truly special.”
“His ability to inspire, connect and mentor young people was superhuman. The entertainment industry is full of people who were touched by Larry,” Weinstein and Bergstein said in a joint statement.
Many worked with Barron, some worked for him and others got their first break because of him.
“Larry instinctively knew that getting a start in the competitive business of media and entertainment would require not just smarts and hard work, but a little help from established professionals in the business,” Weinstein and Bergstein said. “It is fitting that Larry’s legacy of mentoring will live on through this program.”
Barron started his professional career at CNN before moving to Los Angeles to pursue his passion of becoming a television producer and focusing on content formats including pop culture, reality TV and game shows.
But Barron took his love for Syracuse University wherever he went, his family and friends said. He stayed deeply involved with the University through his life, especially through Syracuse University Los Angeles (SULA) and the Newhouse LA program.
“Larry Barron’s steadfast commitment to Syracuse stretched from his days as a student and leading WJPZ to mentoring the next generation of leaders in media and entertainment,” Newhouse School Dean Mark J. Lodato said.
“We are thankful for the partnership with his friends and family that has resulted in this tremendous opportunity for Newhouse students,” he added. “What an appropriate tribute to Larry’s dedication to the University.”
Embrace The Magic of LA
Hi! I’m Peipei Liu, a TRF senior. From the moment I stepped foot in LA for my SULA summer semester, I knew I was in for an unforgettable experience, which has captured my eyes to the wonders of the entertainment industry. By taking the course The Art of Producing, I gained a deeper understanding of the role and responsibilities of a producer. Through engaging discussions, hands-on projects and guest speaker interviews, I expanded my knowledge of producing and honed my skills in creative aspects of producing across pre-production, production and post, which laid the foundation for my future career development. I highly recommend taking this class! While interning at Partizan Entertainment as a production intern, I witnessed the creative process firsthand when assisting industry professionals. Currently, my fellow interns and I are working on our final project, coming up with a commercial pitch. LA is an interesting place to explore, from museums and beaches to a wide variety of cuisines. The diverse and vibrant cultures contribute to the entertainment industry, which has become my inspiration for growth and creativity. I will miss life here!
Peipei Liu is a senior in the television, radio and film program at the Newhouse School.
Elizabeth Gardner ’18: Creating Content for the Academy of Country Music
If you tune into the 16th Annual Academy of Country Music (ACM) Honors broadcast Monday night on the FOX television network, Elizabeth Gardner ’18 hopes you’ll appreciate her work. She’s not a performer or presenter, but Gardner played a crucial role in putting the show together—writing the script that will guide host and four-time ACM Award winner Carly Pearce. This is Pearce’s third time hosting the ceremony and Gardner’s third year writing the script.
“The first year I wrote it, ACM Honors wasn’t televised so it was just a live in-house event,” says Gardner, ACM’s senior manager of content and editorial. “Last year, it was televised on FOX, and this year it’s returning to FOX. So, it’s really exciting to see my work on national television.”
Gardner started at ACM as an intern during her senior year in college, while attending Newhouse’s Syracuse University in Los Angeles (SULA) program. The television, radio and film major decided to spend her final semester away from campus so she could immerse herself in the TV/Film industry. She says she’s been inspired through connections with successful alumni and she credits her Newhouse professors, and Bob Boden in particular, with providing real world lessons and inspiring her to get out of her comfort zone.
Editor’s note: Though her role at ACM includes responsibilities for scripting shows like the ACM Honors Ceremony, Gardner is not a member of the striking Writers Guild of America.