The Real World is an original MTV show. It has been on 18 seasons, to review all 18 seasons in one short article is to not do the show justice, but I will give it a whirl to the best of my ability. I have watched most of the seasons and will give you a quick overview of the show and a short rundown of a few of the seasons to give you an idea what you Will be tuning into.
"This is the true story of seven strangers picked to live in a house and have their lives taped. Find out what happens when people stop being polite and start getting real." This is the voice over at the start of each episode. Except Seattle where it was not seven strangers but seven people because two of the roommated knew each other.
Real World is a show about seven young people living and working together. The casting folks at MTV always pick people from differing educational, racial, economical,or religious walks of life. Of course it is all done to increase conflict and make for interesting viewing. There is usually a homosexual person or two and a strict Christian or on one season a Mormon. Very rich young kids who have never had to do their own washing or cleaning up, and disadvantaged kids who go wild with all the freedom and attention. The house is the other big cast member. It is always spectacular, an old bank, a loft, on the water, wild colors and tons of amenities. Always worth tuning in if only to look at the house.
It all started in 1992 on Real World: New York. The seven lived in a loft in Manhattan. In this first season all the cast members try to live out their own personal dreams, a hip hop singer (Heather B.), a model (Eric Nies), a poet (Kevin Powell). Partying always leads to strain and the first season suffers from it most obviously because it was the first season.
Season 3 introduced us to two roommate who are a couple of the best known Real Worlders, AIDS activist Pedro Zamora and David "Puck" Rainey. Pedro was the first opening gay man living with AIDS on a national television show. It got the young people viewing Real World to see the people behind the disease. Puck was a foul mouthed, unkempt, bicycle messenger. He caused the most drama and became the target throughout the season.
Season 8 Real World Hawaii included a bisexual Ruthie Alcaide and homosexual Justin Deabler. It was the first time the Real World cast included more than one non-heterosexual roommates. Tow other seasons, Chicago and Philadelphia went on to follow in those same footsteps.
Real World: Chicago was taping on September 11th and taping was stopped. The house guest were also allowed to watch TV to watch the reactions of the world to the terror attack. Each Season goes on vacation but because of the travel restrictions the Chicago cast were not allowed to leave the country and took their vacation in New England.
Two seasons of Real World have taken place outside of the US, one in Paris and one in London. The Paris season is said to have had the lowest US viewer ship.
The Key West cast was forced from the house because of hurricanes. Parts of season are taped as the huddle in hotel rooms or hotel lobby's waiting out the storm, or in the mini van as they attempt to move to a safer location.
The current season is Real World: Denver. The house where this season was filmed sold 1 December for over 3 million dollars. The typical conflicts are continuing to occur with one spoiled brat, one guy who wants to sleep with two of the girls and they are throwing themselves at him, one gay guy and an uptight Christian guy who is expanding his horizons. Oh! And lots and lots of alcohol.
I hope this review will help you decide to watch Real World on MTV. A guilty pleasure. Reality TV, for the voyeur in all of us!