Sydney Life

What is it with Sydney University and reality TV?

Sydney's Latest Contribution to Reality TV: Max from BB

I've uncovered a very unusual trend. It seems that Sydney University is to blame for the continual recruitment of "talent" to random reality shows.

Please send all letters of complaint to:
Professor Gavin Brown
Office of the Vice-Chancellor & Principal
A14 - Main Quadrangle
The University of Sydney
NSW 2006 Australia

No, I'm only joking. But seriously! D'oh... even my words have been sapped up by Channel 10 :-(

It seems that the University of Sydney is a breeding ground... well that sentence is true as it stands. I think I'll start a new sentence. No point ruining a perfectly good sentence. It also seems that the University of Sydney is a breeding ground for reality TV "celebrities". I've done my research and have discovered a shameful history of collusion between USYD and reality TV:

1. Australian Idol - As far as I'm aware, the first series of AI held Sydney auditions in the University of Sydney Union Wentworth Building and finalist auditions were held in the Seymour Centre.

2. Big Brother - I believe auditions for one of the earlier series of BB were also held at the Wentworth Building.

3. Tim from BB - Tim Brunero, runner up in the last series of BB, is a graduate of Sydney Uni and was a director on the University of Sydney Student Union board. His lovable sensitivity, left-leaning politics and conversational ability won him hearts. His hair however did not.

4. Max from Ralph's Cafe - The latest USYD Reality installment! Max used to work at Ralph's Cafe (down in the Arena Sports Centre on campus - which, by the way, has probably the best coffee on campus) before he decided to make an appearance as an intruder on BB. His BB profile (see, I told you I did my research!) states: "My first honest reason why I want to take part in Big Brother is so that I can be recognised around Australia and to get all those ladies to love me." Eeek. Someone please hand me a bucket! Who actually says that... and means it?!

5. The Chaser Team - I believe the boys from The Chaser are all ex-Sydney graduates. Don't quote me on that but I have an unnamed-but-close-to-the-family source New-Idea-style.

6. Associate Professor Catherine Lumby - As head of our Media and Communications and author of several books, Catherine Lumby, is a bit of a campus celebrity. She regularly appears in news and current affairs to argue against constant censorship calls from stupid MPs (like her recent stint on Today Tonight). I also believe she's been asked to advise teams in the NRL on how to treat women with respect after the Bulldogs scandal. Lumby gets big nods. That is until you learn that she's worked with the producers of BB... but on ensuring rules are in place to deal with situations like sexual harrassment. An admirable cause, so I'll forgive her for contributing to the BB epidemic. I think some night clubs in Sydney could do with some Lumby advice!

7. Dr Clio Cresswell - I have to say I am a cult follower of Dr Cresswell, senior lecturer in the Department of Maths and Statisics. The author of a book on mathematics and sex (who would have thought?), Dr Cresswell is the kind of maths teacher you wish you had in Year 12 before you decided to drop maths all together... She also made an appearance on Beauty and the Beast, a talk show in the 90s hosted by shock jock Stan Zemanek.

Can anyone else think of any other Sydney and Reality TV links? My sources have been used up!