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Most college students don’t expect to see their parents during classes, let alone in the same dorm room. But, for 20-year-old Philip Marino Jr., that was just the beginning.
In April 2005, the production company behind hit shows like "Fear Factor" and "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" decided to return to school for the ABC Family series "Back on Campus." The show features four Drexel students who go to college with their parents.
Philip Marino Jr. and his father, Philip Sr., both of the 1500 block of Shunk Street, were chosen for the show because of their distinct personalities and because Philip Sr. had never attended college – a specific requirement for the participating parents.
Beginning April 8, eight half-hour episodes will air back-to back each week at 10 p.m. for a month. Along with watching the show’s debut, the Marinos plan on giving family and friends a sneak peek of future episodes.
"About a hundred people are coming to the house for a party," wife and mother Lisa Marino said, adding Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut St., also received episodes in advance. "We’re glad they have copies so the college kids can watch it, but we want people to see the real episodes and watch it on TV."
"When we heard the idea for ‘Back on Campus…’ from [production company] Endemol USA we knew it would make for one of the most unique and interesting reality shows," Mina Lefevre, ABC Family executive director of programming and development, said. "After all, college is probably the most exciting and intense time for a person and adding your parents into the mix is bound to give you the funniest, most embarrassing and heartwarming moments and we feel we captured all that in our show."
Philip Jr.’s road to reality TV began when a Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity brother gave him a publicity card for the show. The engineering student’s interest was piqued when Endemol USA visited Drexel in search of candidates.
"Most of the focus was on my dad because he didn’t go to college," Philip Jr., now a sophomore, said of the interview process.
Philip Sr., who works as a wholesale distributor at Seventh and Christian streets, hadn’t set foot in a classroom in more than 30 years. During filming, he experienced a semester of college to its fullest – from a grueling course load to serving as the university’s mascot, The Drexel Dragon. He also rowed with the crew team, appeared as a guest on the student-run radio show and partied in Panama City with his son during spring break.
While some parents used the show to further their education, Lisa said her husband did it for the experience, seeing it as a chance to bond with his son. When filming began, parents were offered scholarships to continue their education at Drexel. While tempted, Philip Sr. declined, as he is kept busy being the father of five, as well as helping prepare meals for St. Monica’s father-and-son program in his free time.
Almost a year after being strapped to microphones 24 hours a day for a month straight while living the college life, the father-son pair will get to see themselves on television for the first time.
"We’ve seen the commercials already," Lisa said, "but I can’t wait to see the episodes because my husband is crazy and funny."
