I thought thesis is the thing we need to pass to get a PhD. Do we also need to publish a certain number of papers to fulfill the criteria of "original research"?

Thanks!

I'm in the application stage. The supervisor I want most told me that he is available as 2nd supervisor at most. He is enthusiastic about the topic, and would like to give advice even he is not my supervisor. (thought i know he is very busy normally.)

The topic I want to do is rather new. there are another two suitable supervisors in another university but I really don't want to move there.

Do you guys know whether I will get admitted if there is only a 2nd supervisor? I have the impression that the applicant must identify a supervisor before hand?

My plan is to get a 1st supervisor as the nominal 1st supervisor, and the 2nd supervisor as my main resource. Is it viable?

The most suitable supervisor is on his full capacity of PhD students, he can only be my 2nd supervisor. I cannot find a 1st supervisor. And I don't want change university.

Any advice?

How many students one supervisor can have normally?

the most important thing is not how he thinks of you. how the whole audience think of you is more important.

Audience will know that it is him who is not appropriate. you are not the one has problem.

By the way, try to think of something funny to say. humour is often is best weapon against humiliation. you may practice this humour weapon before hand.