Millie and Chard, last year's winners of Beauty and the Geek. Photo / Supplied
Millie and Chard, last year's winners of Beauty and the Geek. Photo / Supplied
This week a nationwide call went out for any "geeks" wanting to be on the Australian version of Beauty and the Geek, which will screen on TV3 later this year.
But it seems the show's talent scouts have also been doing a spot of grass-roots recruitment, going straight to thesource of where they think they might find geeks - like Auckland comic shop Heroes For Sale.
Owner Stu Colson got a call from the show, asking if any of his clients would be interested in competing in the reality show-cum-social experiment. He was happy to ask, but not wanting to upset his so called "geeky" clientele, wrote a funny-yet-sensitive message to his customers via his newsletter.
"We have the deepest respect for all our clients and we would never, never, never pigeonhole any of you as mere 'geeks'. However, I have been asked to canvass my customer base for any self-professed geeks, who may be interested in spending 12 weeks on a tropical island with a bunch of hot blondes for the Australasian version of the reality TV show, Beauty & the Geek. First prize is $100k and a car.
"Guys, if this sounds like you, then contact the store and we will pass on the application form. Ladies, if you want in on the action, sorry, you are going to have to enrol for the Beauty side of the competition. During filming, you will not have internet access, though you will be allowed two hours a day to study, in case the tropical island and hot women bore you. And yes, if you are successful, we will hold your [comics] subs for 12 weeks."
Colson told TimeOut he had not had any takers, apart from one guy who doesn't have much of a chance of being picked.
"Having seen his holiday photos from Brazil, he's more of a clubber than a geek. He's probably not what they are looking for."
In each episode of the show, which was won by professional bra-fitter Millie and biomedical engineer Chard last year, the contestants undergo challenges which sees the Beauties find their inner geek and the Geeks the secrets of good grooming.
