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By Phoebe Bronstein

Daily Bruin Contributor

So Mike’s graduated. The “Mike & Ben Show” has recently hired some new faces and writers since the spring to keep the show and its viewers on their toes.

First airing in January of 2000, the show was created by Sean Heckman, its original producer, Mike Pesses and Ben Larson. The show featured Pesses and Larson, who had absolutely no objections to having the show named after them. Much of the humor was based on the creators’ aim to be different.

“The show will never be conventional because we’re not conventional people,” writer and producer Price Peterson said.

Now seven seasons later (one quarter counting as a season), the show’s still going as strong as ever. Although the show has lost one of its main men, it will keep the same name and, according to Larson, after he graduates it will still be called the “Mike & Ben Show.”

The show features diverse sketches such as improvisation, prank and candid camera skits, and they are now adding musical numbers and animation.

“I’m a big fan of reactionary-based comedy,” says Larson. “Not so much pranks though, but getting people involved in the skits, like placing men in secret service suits break-dancing on Bruin Walk.”

Most of the sketches are scripted, and the writers try to avoid the “Saturday Night Live” format, which features recurring characters. However, Peterson says, they are interested in adding musical guests to the show in the future.

“We are constantly bringing on new faces. It’s an open door policy,” says Peterson.

Even though the show contains potentially offensive content, both Larson and Peterson feel that it is necessary to cause some kind of controversy.

“We want to push the envelope (and) show equality of people of all different backgrounds and races,” Larson said. “We want to satirize everybody and everything so no one feels left out.”

Although some people are offended, Larson maintains that this kind of comedy is a result of the show’s diversity and interest. They believe that in representing or satirizing certain cultures, they involve them in the show, allowing people to relate to their jokes.

The crew has a good time whether the audience does or not. Sitting around on Monday nights, the cast and crew get together to watch the show after about two weeks of working on an episode.

Both Larson and Peterson agree that they do have a blast making the show and hope that the viewers enjoy it as much of they do.

“It’s a passion of mine,” Larson said. “I’ve enjoyed doing it and will enjoy doing it until I graduate!”

TELEVISION: The “Mike & Ben Show” airs Monday through Thursday on the UCLA Network, channel 29 on campus, at 10 p.m. Their Web site can be seen at www.uclatv.com/mikeandben/index.asp.