Instead of hooking up behind closed doors, about 200 UA students auditioned yesterday for a chance to put their dating and sex life in the national spotlight.
"Big Man on Campus," a Warner Bros. reality TV show created by the people behind ABC's "Bachelor," held casting calls at the Tucson Marriott University Park hotel to find the "best and brightest guy" and the 25 girls who will compete for his attention.
Producers were looking for big personalities, said Luke Conklin, the casting producer.
Cody Brown, a history sophomore, said when he went in for the interview, it was very clear that the producers were looking for "loud" people.
Brown, who got a second one-on-one interview, said he made it past the first cut by speaking whatever was on his mind.
"I told them I like butt sex," he said.
Brown's personality, which won him a second on-camera interview, was exactly what Conklin said has made the UA one of the top site picks for the show.
"Today was great," Conklin said. "There were some great personalities. There were some great-looking people."
The UA is one of three universities being considered for the show. The guys who waited in line yesterday said they were confident the UA would be picked because of the girls.
"This is the best school to choose 25 girls from," said Alex Kane, a fine arts freshman.
Kane, who was out at 10 a.m. to audition for the show, said he thinks it would be "sweet" to be on a reality TV show because he's seen fan clubs form for people on similar shows.
"How cool would it be to have a fan club just for dating 25 girls at the UA?" he asked.
Ashley Reynaga waited in line yesterday afternoon to try and seal a spot among the 25 girls who will be selected to go on dates with the big man on campus.
But Reynaga, who admits she's obsessed with reality TV shows, including "The Bachelor," said she wasn't trying out for love, for friends or for hook-ups; she wants to stir up some excitement on the show.
"I think it would be fun to cause all the drama," she said.
Brown explained he auditioned for the opportunity to hook up with girls and for the fame.
"I'm looking to take over 'Dawson's Creek,'" he said.
Erin Northrop, a communication freshman, said she hopes she gets the chance to befriend 25 new people.
"These 25 girls you'll know for the rest of college," she said.
Neal Babcock, a criminal justice sophomore, said he knows he could be the big man on campus because his "mom says I'm a catch."
His friend, Kirk Jacobson, a business economics sophomore, said he would make a great "big man" because he would make people laugh.
"I'm a ham," he said.
Ashley Eden, a public administration sophomore and senator-elect for the Associated Students of the University of Arizona, was filling out an application early this morning even though she had not planned to audition.
She had come to support a friend and producers convinced her to tryout.
But "I'm not a reality-show type person," she said. "I'm not competitive when it comes to boys and drama."
Tara Deubel, an anthropology graduate student, didn't try out for the show because she said while it would be fun for some people, she doesn't agree with the show's premise.
"I'm not supportive (of the show) on college campuses because I'm for women's rights," she said. "(The show) gives too much power to men."
Sharon Kha, UA spokeswoman, said the UA has already had a number of conversations with the producers of the show to ensure that whatever is filmed will be in line with the UA's code of conduct.
While no official agreement has been struck between the two sides, there could be a good match, Kha said, as the producers have said there will be no episodes with drugs, underage drinking or nudity.
The university would not receive money from the show unless the producers chose to use facilities on campus.
"They are treated basically like any outside vendor," Kha said.
The school and students featured in the program will be chosen by July, Conklin said.