MTV and Dan Savage Explore Dating, Sex and Relationships in Savage U, 4/3

MTV today announced that "Savage U," a new original series featuring columnist, author, and co-creator of the "It Gets Better Project" Dan Savage, will premiere on April 3 at 11 p.m. ET/PT. "Savage U" follows Savage and his producer Lauren Hutchinson as they travel to college campuses across the country, taking students' questions and offering a crash course on relationships, responsibility, sex, love and life.

According to press notes, each college they touch down at has its own campus culture, and Dan and Lauren dive deep into those worlds while exploring the "taboo" topics that people don't talk about - and the ones that everyone wants to talk about. From learning how to avoid the "friend zone" or build a committed relationship, to safely navigating online dating and one night stands, to kinks and fetishes, no topic is off-limits and every question is driven by the students themselves. Each half-hour episode, set at a different college, is anchored by an open Q&A session in which Dan and Lauren address anonymous audience questions candidly, but with just enough heart and humor to make the topics a little less intimidating. Dan also provides personal, in-depth advice in one-on-one settings with students who are struggling with deeper relationship issues.

"'Savage U' gives viewers something seldom seen on television before: an honest conversation about sex. Sex is usually portrayed as either completely harmless, so everyone should do it, or unspeakably dangerous, so no one should," said Dan Savage. "This is a real discussion about sex - the good, the bad, and the ugly - with all the risks, the rewards, the fun and the heartbreak that comes along with it. By talking candidly, we're letting our audience make their own informed choices and feel empowered to seek out what's right for them."

"Savage U" features 12 episodes, each one focused on exploring the unique campus culture at a different college, including: the University of Maryland, Ohio State University, East Carolina University, Auburn University, the University of Illinois Chicago, Cornell University, the University of Oregon, the University of Central Florida, Rhodes College, the University of California Irvine, Texas Tech University and Tulane University. The April 3 premiere episode takes place at the University of Maryland. The end of each episode will also drive viewers to an online resource where young people can find answers to their sexual health and relationship questions.

Savage previously anchored the "It Gets Better" special, which focused on the emotional and societal struggles many LGBT youth face. The special aired on MTV and Logo at 11 p.m. ET/PT on February 21, averaging a 1.1 P12-34 rating with 1.1 million total viewers on MTV and delivered a 150% increase over Logo's 2012 time period norm among P18-49 and an 81% jump among P2+. Across both networks, the special reached 3.3 million viewers.

Dan Savage is a best-selling author, TV pundit, and columnist. For more than 20 years, his nationally-syndicated "Savage Love" column has made Dan famous for his ability to answer even the hardest questions with wit and insight. He's penned six books addressing everything from virginity to gambling to gun rights to drug laws. He has also written two memoirs about his life with Terry Miller, his partner of 17 years: one about their decision to adopt, one about their decision to marry. Savage co-founded the It Gets Better Project with Miller in September of 2010. It is now a worldwide movement created to show LGBT people the levels of happiness, potential, and positivity their lives will reach - if they can get through their teen years.

Joining Savage on the road is Lauren Hutchinson, who brings a female perspective to the sex and relationship conversation.

Savage and his producing partner Brian Pines are executive producers of "Savage U," along with Bryan Scott, Lisa Tucker and Deb Savo of Picture This Television. Concept by Dan Savage and Shannon Fitzgerald. Christy Spitzer, Catherine Whyte and Lesley Goldman are executives for MTV. "Savage U" is produced by MTV and Picture This Television LLC.

For more information, visit MTV.com.

Photo Credit: Peter James Zielinski

To post a comment, you must register and login.