Flattery or infringement?

It has been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. And how!

While at an academic conference last fall, Rich Higgason, MCC-Blue River humanities division chair, was asked by a fellow community college employee what MCC-Blue River was doing to communicate to its students, faculty and staff. One of the many boastings Higgason offered was Blue River’s To the Point.

Higgason highlighted the show’s wit and charm, written and produced by video production coordinator Sean Kitchell, its snappy delivery of pertinent information, the fun atmosphere it promotes on campus and its handsome, beloved host, geology instructor Ben Wolfe. Higgason directed the inquirer to MCC’s website to watch past episodes of To the Point.

Little did Higgason know that the information would get back to College of DuPage’s speech and communications faculty, Chris Miller. Located on the outskirts of Chicago, College of DuPage is a two-year institution with 30,000 plus students - 30,000 students who now have access to “That Beepin’ Show,” which is a knock off of Blue River’s To the Point.

DuPage’s “That Beepin’ Show,” imitates Blue River’s show from the Talk Soup style to the 44 kilohertz tone and color bar interruptions. Miller liked To the Point so much he “borrowed” the ideas Kitchell and Wolfe “borrowed” from others.

The producers of To the Point want to know what you think? Watch the pilot episode of College of DuPage’s “That Beepin’ Show” and then tell us if it’s flattery or infringement?

College of DuPage is kicking off the fall semester with a live version of “That Beepin’ Show” on August 18, 2010, featuring Ben Wolfe as a very special guest, confirming that we at To the Point should be flattered, and we are, by sending a thank-you note along with a cease and desist order (not really).

Be sure to watch “To the Point” this season at http://mcckc.edu/brpoint .