BYUtv's "Studio C" will host its first live-stream taping Friday, June 19.
Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox and other notable Utahns, including Steven Sharp Nelson of The Piano Guys, magician Stuart Edge, the Roberts brothers of Bored Shorts TV, and video bloggers Ellie and Jared Mecham, will be in the studio Friday.
"It’s family friendly content," said cast member Matt Meese. "That’s been the vision of 'Studio C' from the beginning is that it’s this clean, family friendly show, so ... a lot of people feel like it’s a fun thing to be a part of, to come and watch and bring their families."
Fans of the show are invited to watch the live stream at watchstudioc.com on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The event will feature two new sketches and take viewers behind the scenes for the first time.
"You’re going to see sketches, and that will be really fun, but you’re also going to see a machine in the works," said cast member Whitney Call.
"Studio C" began as a sketch comedy show on BYUtv in 2012 and is now in its sixth season. The cast is made up of 10 actors, with nearly 100 crew members helping produce the show.
The group's YouTube channel rocketed to popularity in the past year, with 174 million views and nearly 400,000 subscribers. Its video "Top Soccer Shootout Ever With Scott Sterling" received over 10 million views in 10 days.
"Sketch comedy does really well with YouTube, I think, because it’s all broken down into bite-size pieces," Meese said. "It doesn’t require a lot of commitment, and it’s easily shareable. I think that the show is what it is because of YouTube."
While the show tapes in front of a live audience in Provo, 93 percent of those who apply for tickets are denied because of limited space. Meese said the team has always wanted to live-stream an episode and realized that YouTube could make it possible.
"If it’s successful, it’s something we’ll probably definitely do again," said cast member Adam Berg. "It’s quite an experiment in our minds. "
Fans watching online will be able to interact with the cast on social media. There will be giveaways throughout the night, and the cast will answer questions from Twitter.
"It’s a chance for us to thank all the fans who have been so good to us," Meese said. "It’s just a little way of saying, 'We love you, too.'"
Those who are unable to watch the live stream can find a recording on the "Studio C" YouTube channel after the event. "Studio C" airs on BYUtv Monday nights at 8 p.m.
Email: cpotter@deseretdigital.com