The Real World

I remember the first time "The Real World" hit the airwaves back in the summer of 1992. I had just graduated from 8th grade and I use to watch it with one of my older siblings, who had graduated from college. It was so cool to watch a TV show with real people and no scripts. You always wanted to tune in next week to see what happened next. In retrospect, the first Real World in New York wasn't that exciting. The thing was it was a new concept, when you compare it to how many reality shows are on the air now. That's the other thing, the show was more real back then. The more the years go by, the less chance for getting people on the show who will not put on an act. The first Real World cast did not know what to expect. They did not have seasons of other members to learn from. They really experienced it. I was so skeptical of the second season (L.A.) because of the first one. You can't beat the first one. It did. It didn't beat it because it was a cooler cast, but rather because it was more interesting. After all David was the first Real Worlder to be kicked off the show. The years kept coming and when season 5 came around (Miami) they decided to add a new element, working together. Over the years, the job or duties have changed. They all have to partake, which gives more of an opportunity for good ratings. I liked the 6th season (Boston) because not only is that where I am from (well around there) but I was currently living in Boston during the taping of the show.

Over the years many crazy moments have happened on the show. Each show can be known for at least one character, and I do mean character. Whether people are really being themselves or totally acting, its not 100% real because editing it performed and people are displayed in a way to get ratings. You could have someone who might drink more than the rest or have sex more than the rest, but all they might focus on is that. You obviously did it, but it may be displayed like that's all you ever did. Then by the last season (San Diego) the cast members know exactly what they are getting themselves into. That doesn't mean they are prepared for dealing with the life of being taped 24/7, but they know what the show is all about. I haven't liked all the shows.

My thoughts on the seasons are:

1- New York: This one was cool because it was the first one. They didn't have reference on what to expect.

2- L.A.: All right. Dominic was my favorite on the show and we got to see someone kicked off.

3- S.F.: All right. If it weren't for Puck, it would have been pretty dull. Unfortunately, one of the cast members (Padro) has since died of AIDS.

4- London: Pretty boring, other than when Neil's tongue was bitten off.

5- Miami: First one where they had to work together and this one was a refreshing change from the previous one. This one had quit a few heated moments.

6- Boston: I basically liked it for where it was filmed and less for the show itself.

7- Seattle: Had allot of interesting episodes. I wasn't totally crazy about the cast, but it worked.

8- Hawaii: Can be summed up in Nudity. lol. Also in like the first episode a girl almost drinks herself to death. Wow.

9- New Orleans: This one wasn't bad. It was right near Mardi Gras. It was decent.

10- Back to New York: We already did N.Y., was it really needed to do it again? The thing that kept this one good is Coral. I hated her with a passion. She continued to be her great self on other MTV experiences.

11- Chicago: This had a pretty decent cast and one girl trying to carry on Hawaii's nude torch. lol. There were some good heated arguments on this show.

12- Las Vegas: I really didn't even get into this one too much, even though it was one of the crazier ones. They were in Vegas after all. All they did on this show was drink and have sex. So I guess great for ratings. lol.

13- Paris: Allot better than the first European experience. Hard to follow the Las Vegas cast, but it was pretty good.

14- San Diego: This was the last one and I really got hooked in. Mostly because of Frankie, I thought she was cool. The show for the most part was very interesting and allot of stuff took place. It's the one cast I could really say may have had theirs problems, but got along really well with each other. A bunch a people, I could see myself hanging with.

Well, we will wait for the Philly cast to wrap up. The longer this show runs the faker it will get. They also push for the ratings and try and get people together who won't get along. It can be a good show to check out, depending on the cast and the stuff that's roles their way.

I was still in high school during the first season of The Real World, so I don't really relate to it, but the second season took place duing my first year of college and was part of the whole "college experience", I guess.

In any case, those couple of early seasons really bring back memories. I loved the second season, because at the time the show was more of what it pretended to be. They found several unique individuals, threw them all together and people got to see what happened. Or at least that's what it seemed like.

The one that everyone always bags on, London, was also a favorite, as was Miami. But with each passing season, the ratings grubbing Mtv execs pushed more and more for the formulaic tripe that we see now. All the people are as attractive as can be, and the show centers around sex, drinking and what looks like scripted melodrama (probably because the producers encourage certain kinds of behavior through subtle suggestions). I enjoyed Hawaii on some levels, but at the same time it was the ultimate undoing of the series. The sex, drinking and extreme weepy melodrama of this season got such huge ratings that every season since has tried to copy it. As a result, they have gotten progressively worse.

I couldn't wait to see them do The Real World in Chicago. But when I finally got to see it, it was just like the others: trying to be like Hawaii.

I also dislike the single organized job that everyone has to do together now. I don't recall the early seasons having this.

If you want to see how great this show could be, watch season 2 in reruns.

In the real world there are no unattractive people; poor people; bad furniture; small apartments or overweight people. In the episode I watched they had a huge apartment and all the people looked attractive and physically fit. Their furniture looked brand new, colorful and they all have nice new clean clothing. I kept wondering where the real world was during all of this. I never see them do laundry, wash dishes, cook, watch TV, go to work or anything else that happens in the real world. It seemed like they spent the entire time talking about how emotional everyone else was and how they like/disliked them for whatever reason...

I just watched an episode where they went to a human rights thing and they spent some time talking about how they're spreading awarness and how cool it is. I guess they assume that the average person watching this show isn't bright enough to figure out that other people have rights, so they have to tell them. I wouldn't go to it based on the fact that these guys from "The Real World" are going to it; now that I think of it; I wouldn't go even if they weren't there.

I guess I just think this show is kinda stupid, so to get back at it; I'm never going to watch it again. Yeah. I rule.

Whenever I think about this show "Real World", I always think about the locations of the show: Boston, Chicago, Hawaii, Las Vegas, London, LA, Miami, New Orleans, NYC, Paris, San Francisco, Seattle. All of these cities are very exciting cities, but there is a problem here.

All of the mentioned places are regarded as high-profile cities, world class cities, international cities, EXPENSIVE cities. These are the cities which are shown in "bold print" on world maps. These are the cities where "nightlife" is booming. These are the cities where tourists flock for vacations. These are the cities that are shown on television all the time. These are the cities which are fast-paced. These are the cities where the "action" is. These are cities which will never be classified as "boring".

However, there is more to geography, and more to life, than that. If this show is supposed to be called the "Real World", give people just that. What about having the "Real World" take place in these types of places:

¨ Cheyenne, WY ¨ Binghamton, NY ¨ Savannah, GA ¨ Columbia, MO ¨ Dayton, OH

Or, if you want to take the international route, how about these places:

¨ Sussex, England ¨ Nice, France ¨ London, Ontario (as opposed to London, England) ¨ Cork, Ireland ¨ Perth, Australia

The idea here, is that all of these places are not regarded as the "world class" places like NYC or Paris. These places are slower-paced. These places don't have the "nightlife" that Chicago or Hawaii has. Tourists do not flock to these places like they do to San Francisco or Vegas. However, these "other" cities are special in their own way. They give you a look into what life is "really" like, without all the hussle and bussle.

Why has the "Real World" NOT taken place in lesser-profile places? It's on MTV. MTV appeals to Generation X'ers with short attention spans who want excitement and action-packed locales. They will not get action in Little Rock, Arkansas, nor will it keep their attention.

Also, how can early twenty-somethings who are just getting started in life afford to live like royalty in these high-priced places?

Perhaps I'm too critical. Perhaps I'm not. MTV is not exactly intelligent television like PBS or the Discovery Channel. The "Real World" is not going to appeal to people in their 30's and beyond. Even though others have discussed the other putrid aspects of this show, I felt that the location issue should have been addressed.

The Real World is the classic of all reality t.v. Survivor or Big Brother doesn't compare to this. I am so addictive to the show. It is so cool watching them party, and have a great time, and yes fight.This is just a great show to watch, and keep up with cast members. For those of you that watch Big Brother, I would highly suggest The Real World.