It's nearly time to rock on

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For better or worse, Nebraska gets some prime time love Tuesday, when the hourlong premier episode of "Tommy Lee Goes to College" airs at 8 p.m. on NBC. The Motley Crue drummer spent several weeks at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln last year filming the reality TV show. The Journal Star chatted with one of the cast members, UNL physics Professor Timothy Gay. He's taught at the university for 12 years, but in that time, he's never had a student quite like Tommy Lee.

Professor, people around here are starting to get all hyped about this Tommy Lee show. Are you at all nervous about how you'll come off on it?

"No, I'm looking forward to it. I've always been a big fan of Motley Crue."

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Tommy Lee (left) and UNL physics professor Tim Gay hold copies of each other's books. (Courtesy photo)

Tommy Lee (left) and UNL physics professor Tim Gay hold copies of each other's books. (Courtesy photo)

Yeah, but what about the camera adding 10 pounds?

"Seeing that I've gained about 20 pounds in the last five years, 10 more pounds isn't too big a deal."

What was your favorite moment of the whole Tommy Lee experience?

"I think when he introduced me to his tutor (Natalie Riedmann)."

The hot tutor, you mean?

"Yeah, the hot tutor."

So be straight with me, did the guy actually learn any physics?

"Um … well, he only got a C on his assignment. But he didn't flunk, so he must've learned something."

Give me the pluses and minuses of potentially making Tommy your TA (teacher's assistant)?

"Well, the plus would be we'd probably get a lot more students into the physics program, but he might spend some of the class talking about things other than simple harmonic motion. The biggest problem with having Tommy as a student was you could never be sure if he was cheating on a test. He has so many tattoos. He could've have had a crib sheet on his arm and you wouldn't know."

When in a moment of melancholy, is there a particular passage you turn to for wisdom from the rocker's book "Tommyland"?

"Absolutely. The opening chapter."

Can't say I've read the book. How's it start?

"It's where he's having a conversation with his penis. I had him sign a copy of the book and he gave it to me."

Briskly moving on. Football players are always listening to music to get fired up before a big game. Have you started listening to Motley Crue before a big physics lesson?

"That's an extremely good point. I've been doing a project with (Husker) football strength coach Dave Kennedy and I've noticed a distressing amount of Blue Oyster Cult and Red Hot Chili Peppers being played (during workouts). We need to get some more Motley Crue in there. I'll work to get that in there this season."

You said you're been a big fan of Motley Crue. What's your favorite song?

"Oh, ‘Girls, Girls, Girls.' No question."

Do you have any tats like Tommy, and if you don't, where would you get one and what would it be?

"I almost got a tattoo when I was in college, but I didn't. If I were to get one it would be on my forearm and it would be an anchor with the word ‘Mother' under it."

So you probably have TL on your speed dial now?

"Uh, no, but I have his producer on the speed dial. They're calling all the time."

Who are you going to watch the first episode with?

"His tutor. (He laughs) No, probably with my family. But if the tutor wants to come over, she is welcome."

— Brian Christopherson