It's lights, camera and action atop our own university as MTV is slowly wrapping up filming on the third floor of the Student Union.
???Not known to be shy in front of the lens, MTV has once again has set UB up as the backdrop for one of their latest reality shows, The Association.
???Replacing on-campus fraternities and sororities with our student government and accompanying magazine, Visions, MTV and executive producer Leslie Pullman have set forth on capturing all the juicy college campus government drama.
???"It's been wonderful," Pullman said. "Especially with Visions, I mean almost every single reality show cliche works here. The Real World: Vegas had Trishelle, The Association has Anna Oakes."
???Premiering this fall right as students are strolling into their dorms, Student Association President Peter Grollitsch has some big expectations for the series.
???"Everyone upstairs has been coming up with new material," Grollitsch said. "I mean, it can't be any worse than that time Brian and I worked as John Travolta's dreadlocks on Battlefield Earth."
???While Grollitsch may lay low behind the scenes, Pullman sees something special in the head cheese.
???"He has this star quality about him. He's hilarious. Every time he's on screen he has this Seth MacFarlane eminence about him," Pullman said.
???With the semester coming to a close alongside the political careers of the current Student Association government and Visions itself, a good portion of the show is already being laid out on the editing table.
???From the preview trailer revealed to the local media this week, The Association seems to rely heavily on drama filled-episodes with all of the characters lacking personality and heart.
???"When Pete told me about holding onto some stupid paper's money, I thought it was brilliant. I mean imagine the storylines between the two. It was just an easy way to get some of the more performance-challenged actors onto the show," Pullman said.
???In one of the extended scenes shown to the media, the cast of The Association seems to have a bet in which the loser has to wear green corduroys one day a week for the rest of the semester.
???The reality show seems to be striving for believability and bringing a piece of UB to everyone across the country.
???"Well for our big two part episode, Grollitsch and [SA Treasurer] John Martin went on a road trip using some extra student money to some of the biggest universities across the Midwest. The main goal was to try and find some models for the spring semester fashion preview," Pullman said.
???As for the ultimate goal for the cast, Martin seems to see this as a springboard for something bigger.
???"I really hope my band makes it after this. We sound like a mix of O.A.R., Dave Matthews and awesome," Martin said. "Put it all together and you have the John Martin Trio."
???Pullman remained tightlipped about the season finale, but most gossip sites are reporting that T.I.'s final performance before his incarceration is actually going to be at UB SpringFest to coincide with The Association/T.I.: Road to Redemption tie-in.
???Amateur cell phone cameras caught Grollitsch being shown the consequences of his lifestyle by hip-hop's heavyweight and tearing up just a bit.
???And the celebrity guests don't end there.
???"I didn't realize it, but we had the director of Wrong Hands make an appearance. He was great, professional and hilarious," said Pullman.
???Celebrity guests alongside some college dramatics are sure to bring UB to audiences across the country.
???"This might be one of the best reality shows we have ever produced," Pullman said. "Imagine a mix of The Hills and From G's to Gents, and you have The Association."
*April Fool's Issue Disclaimer - The content of this article was published as a "joke" and may contain invalid or false information.
