USC Students Launch New Game Show More Than Friends
The student-run television station Trojan Vision is producing a game show that tests the boundaries between platonic and romantic love.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Friendships
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Students at the University of Southern California have developed a new game show titled More Than Friends for the campus station Trojan Vision. The production challenges experts to identify whether participants are romantic partners or just friends.
Why it matters
The project explores the complexities of human connection through a lens of deception. Students aim to test the subtle distinctions between platonic and romantic love using a structured game show format.
The production currently offers a $100 Dulce gift card for winning participants. This initiative is part of a curriculum that has been taught for 11 semesters.
The players
Trojan Vision
Trojan Vision is a student-run television station located at the University of Southern California that provides hands-on broadcast experience.
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private research university in Los Angeles that hosts the student production team behind More Than Friends.
The details
The game show features a relationship expert and follows a format that includes physical challenges and a question-and-answer session. Students pitch their show concepts anonymously at the start of each semester, with executive producers overseeing teams in marketing, casting, audio, and camera departments.
Timeline
October 11, 2026: The casting announcement post for the game show was published.
Culture Shift
This project reflects the broader shift toward digital-first student media that prioritizes viral social media engagement. It demonstrates how campus productions are adapting traditional formats to reach larger audiences via platforms like Instagram.
Local students and followers can participate in the show's casting process or engage with the content on social media. The production offers a tangible way for aspiring media professionals in Los Angeles to gain experience and compete for prizes.
The takeaway
This student-led initiative highlights how academic extracurriculars are increasingly mirroring professional entertainment production models. Aspiring producers can learn from their approach to anonymous concept pitching and multi-department collaboration.
Further reading
Learn more about the dynamics of modern social connections in the Friendships section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Trojan.
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