If you have seen all the Thursday night "Must See TV" reruns to the point of passive memorization, it's time for you to go out! Instead of seeing Rachel and Ross kiss for the infinite time, why not make use of your brain this summer and attend an interest ing, fiercely intelligent and provocative video series touching on serious issues in today's society?

The VideoTENSIONS series is a showcase of national and local video artists featuring current and sometimes controversial issues such as the environment, gays and lesbians, and family values.

This year's theme is focused toward a youth-oriented forum for, by and about youths, according to Vikki Dempsey, director and curator of VideoTENSIONS.

The films are from both high school and college-aged youths, Dempsey said.

This is the fifth year the series has been shown. It was originally slated to air during the regular school year, but there was no funding available.

Then, before the summer of 1992, the University of Arizona Summer Session came in and donated "summer money," she said. Currently, the UA Summer Session, College of Fine Arts and other campus departments, as well as Hotel Congress and other community orga nizations, help fund this annual program.

The idea behind the VideoTENSIONS program is to "discuss issues that are a reality," and to provide exposure and diversity to the public, Dempsey said.

A range of different views is chosen to create a balanced screening, offering attendees different viewpoints of the issue at hand.

This year's series was chosen due to the growing trend of youth-produced media.

"It's big in high school ... teaching media arts and literacy, learning to question what's seen on TV," Dempsey said.

Youths are becoming savvy to what television is about and are not taken in, she said.

So far this summer, the series has provided audiences with VideoGRRRLS, about angry young women discovering their independence and "grabbing men by the balls," and VideoQUEER, about gays and lesbians in today's society. VideoQUEER is one of the most popul ar showings.

This Thursday, the series presents VideoDADDY, with special guest Mark Taylor, showing a video concerning the issues of "family values rhetoric," and family domestic abuse, Dempsey said.

Most of the presentations are short, averaging about 15 to 20 minutes, allowing the showing of about six videos per night.

The series has four more shows this summer including such topics as VideoGLORY (July 4), VideoREPLAY, where the audience gets a chance to curate the show by filling out ballots and voting for their favorite selection from the past five years, and VideoLOC AL, designed for local Tucson videographers, not seen anywhere else.

VideoTENSIONS shows a new subject every Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. in Modern Languages 350. The showings are free.