Original 'Studio C' cast members will launch their online comedy network, JK! Studios, in January 2019. (Justin Hackworth)
Since announcing their exit from BYUtv's 'Studio C' in August, all 10 original cast members have been busy preparing to launch a new online comedy network,JK! Studios.
Mallory Everton, Adam Berg and Stephen Meek described what it was like to be part of 'Studio C' — a family-friendly sketch comedy show — and how their new venture differs from their previous work.
Original 'Studio C' members Adam Berg, Mallory Everton and Stephen Meek are picturedon the BYU campus Sept. 21. (Lexie Flickinger)
The members recalled some of the rituals and traditions the team had developed over the years, like singing 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen every week before filming.
“We would pick a phrase from the show and cheer together before each show,” Everton said. “ It was to help us loosen up and remind us to have a good time.”
In addition to Everton, Berg and Meek, original 'Studio C' cast members Matthew Meese, Whitney Call, Stacey Harkey, James Perry, Jeremy Warner, Jason Gray and Natalie Madsen joined the sketch comedy show in 2012 after meeting in Divine Comedy, another BYU-based sketch comedy group.
Meek said he and his fellow comedians once performed an early show for just two people — Madsen’s parents.
“So we’ve come a long way since then,” Meek said.
Everton said one of her favorite 'Studio C' memories was when Gray performed an impression of Quorum of the Twelve Apostles member Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf in front of Elder Uchtdorf, his wife and a large audience.
“Elder Uchtdorf stood up during the show and clapped. Jason is very, very good with impressions,” Everton said.
The original cast members have been preparing the launch of JK! Studios, an online digital comedy network, with five new shows to be released in January 2019.
JK! Studios will launch with the release of five new shows in January 2019. (Justin Hackworth)
“I don’t think we could have pulled it off if it wasn’t 10 of us together,” Meek said.
Before JK! Studios, members of 'Studio C' were planning for their futures individually. Everton said she had plans to move to California to continue her career in comedy.
“We kicked around the idea (JK! Studios) for a long time, but we just didn’t have the confidence to pull through with it. But it happened, and it’s happening fast,” Berg said.
Berg, Everton and Meek talked about the flexibility and potential with JK! Studios.
JK! Studios, unlike 'Studio C,' will include not only sketch comedy but sitcoms, podcasts and reality shows. “No one will watch anything (else) ever again,” Meek joked.
Berg also talked about a sitcom the members of JK! Studios are currently working on.
“I’ve never seen anything like it before. It’s going to be really fresh. The comedy feels very unique to me,” he said.
The shows will be of varying lengths with room to grow. The members plan to pivot and tailor each show to make sure they provide content viewers would like to see.
As the cast members work together on their new journey, they share a unified vision for JK! Studios.
“A lot of people gravitate towards 'Studio C' because they think there’s some sort of magic behind it, and I would just say that it’s just us as a group. It’s our friendship. And that unity translates on screen,' Meek said. 'JK! Studios is still us and will continue on a lot longer.'