Southeastern Channel to broadcast program on romantic communications
Contact: Rene Abadie
Date: June 6, 2012
HAMMOND – A Southeastern Louisiana University televised program designed to help people communicate in their romantic relationships will air on the university's cable television outlet, the Southeastern Channel.
Originally produced as a Department of Languages and Communication telecourse, "Communication in Romantic Relationships" will be re-broadcast as a non-credit program at 10 p.m. every Saturday night starting this Saturday, June 9, through the month of December.
The program is hosted by Suzette Bryan, former associate professor of communication and a certified Emotional Intelligence trainer. Bryan co-authored the book "Scripts and Communication for Relationships" with Jim Honeycutt of LSU.
In the 30-week series, Bryan presents methods and techniques designed to improve relationships, and the show explores theories and concepts of how romantic relationships intensify and dissolve. Among the topics covered are love versus friendship, expectations in a relationship, the different types of love, who we are attracted to and why, development of relationships, the one-night stand or "hook-up," mate selection across cultures, and long distance and cyber relationships.
"The program is a popular one," said Rick Settoon, general manager of the Southeastern Channel. "Students who have taken the class and watched the program report they have actually improved their romantic relations, with some resulting in marriages. We also received positive feedback from viewers who thought it was fascinating."
"I believe the program resonates with viewers because at some point everyone has been or will be involved in a romantic relationship," said Bryan, a communication consultant in St. Tammany Parish. "We have a natural desire to connect with others, but not everyone does it well, as evidenced by the high rate of divorce and relationship dissolution."
The show includes studio interviews with couples involved in a variety of relationships. Principles are illustrated with movie vignettes and taped segments of participants discussing how the concepts presented actually relate to real-life experiences.
Bryan said her main goal is for viewers to gain an understanding of themselves and how they relate to others, consequently improving their communication skills.
"This should ultimately lead to more satisfying relationships," she said.
The award-winning Southeastern Channel airs on Charter Cable and can be seen on Channel 18 in Tangipahoa, Livingston and St. Tammany parishes and on Channel 17 in Washington Parish. A live 24/7 webcast can be viewed on the channel's website www.southeastern.edu/tv.
