[ScreamShatter]

The Real World is a reality television program on MTV originally produced by Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray. First broadcast in 1992, the show is the longest-running program in MTV history.[1] Following Bunim’s death from breast cancer in 2004, Bunim/Murray Productions continues to produce the program. The twenty-first season, which is set in Brooklyn, premiered January 7, 2009, and is currently airing.[2] A twenty-second season, set in Cancun, Mexico, is scheduled to air in 2009.[3]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Real_World

Season # Location Year(s) Aired
1 The Real World: New York 1992
2 The Real World: Los Angeles 1993
3 The Real World: San Francisco 1994
4 The Real World: London 1995
5 The Real World: Miami 1996
6 The Real World: Boston 1997
7 The Real World: Seattle 1998
8 The Real World: Hawaii 1999
9 The Real World: New Orleans 2000
10 The Real World: Back to New York 2001
11 The Real World: Chicago 2002
12 The Real World: Las Vegas 2002-2003
13 The Real World: Paris 2003
14 The Real World: San Diego 2004
15 The Real World: Philadelphia 2004-2005
16 The Real World: Austin 2005
17 The Real World: Key West 2006
18 The Real World: Denver 2006-2007
19 The Real World: Sydney 2007-2008
20 The Real World: Hollywood[1] 2008
21 The Real World: Brooklyn[2] 2009
22 The Real World: Cancun[3] 2009


http://www.realworldhouses.com/

------------------------------------------------

I realize just by saying "The Real World" that everyone is going to have an opinion. But whether you’re amazed the longest running reality show is still filming, are a former fan who hates the current show format, or are a newer fan of the show, the point is that The Real World has filmed in some amazing cities and had some amazing houses.

So what were your favorite seasons?

Where would you like to see the show go for Season 23?

[ScreamShatter]

To answer my own questions:

1) I really liked the orginal seasons up to New Orleans. Chicago was okay...and the current Brooklyn season is actually really good. The current season has returned back to the shows orginal format of "real people with real stories." It's pretty cool.

2) Season 22 is in Cancun. I believe Season 23 will probably be Washington DC, Atlanta, Montreal, Toronto, or maybe "Back to the Bay" since it is the 20 year anniversary of Pedro. I wouldn't mind seeing it go back to San Fran...as long as they pick quality cast members.

[Steely Dan]

my favorite real world memory was when i was out drinking with some friends at a bar in chicago and some of the real world people came in with their camera crew. right away they started getting taunts from the customers in the bar, and soon people starting throwing shit at them and the verbal insults got more nasty until finally the real world people just left in disgust.

good times.

[Strange Meat]

Two phenomenon here... One was that they created 'dead spots' where they went, as in, a lot of regulars stopped going. The other was the sect that wanted to be like them, so they would follow them around.

I used to work at a bar that they used to go to a lot, and, we'd always laugh at anyone who would even mention the real world, let alone those who took pictures of themselves in front of the real world house (now a wine bar, I think)

[urbanlife]

I remember a couple years ago Real World was scouting locations here in Portland, but met some tough opposition from the neighborhoods, and then I haven't heard anything else about it since.

I basically watched it from Miami to New Orleans, then got tired with the show. Occasionally when I had MTV, I would try to catch a couple episodes to see what the house looks like.

I did watch a little bit of the Hollywood one because most of the people on it were so stereotypical that it became a joking conversation between some of my friends.

[ScreamShatter]

Yea -- people were brutal to them in Philly too. I heard stories of the locals throwing stuff at them as they walked down South St.

And of course, the Brooklyn people faught to keep them out of Brooklyn. But whatev...I stick by this new season...it's actually fairly interesting...not a drunken wild mess like the past 10 seasons or so.

http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/the_real_world_cancun/2008_Sep_30_casting

It seems they are looking to expand out from just being a show about partying. I think it would be great if they became relevant to social commentary again.

[ScreamShatter]

I remember a couple years ago Real World was scouting locations here in Portland, but met some tough opposition from the neighborhoods, and then I haven't heard anything else about it since.

I basically watched it from Miami to New Orleans, then got tired with the show. Occasionally when I had MTV, I would try to catch a couple episodes to see what the house looks like.

I did watch a little bit of the Hollywood one because most of the people on it were so stereotypical that it became a joking conversation between some of my friends.

They have looked into Portland, Minneapolis, Atlanta, DC, Dallas, and Baltimore. And I thought they had looked into some Canadian cities too...but not sure which ones.

[PhillyRising]

I stopped watching the Real World after the Philadelphia season.

San Francisco was still the best season because of Pedro.

I liked Miami, Seattle, Boston, New Orleans and Chicago as well.

I hated Back To New York because all the women were mean, miserable bitches.

London was a boring season.

[Burgh15]

Definitely a lot of great cities on that list. I liked Seattle, New Orleans, Back to NY, Paris, Sydney, and Hollywood. I'm amazed it has been on so long.

[Soaring_Higher]

They should have season 23 in Mumbai, Islamabad, Tehran or at least Cairo...

now that would be real interesting

:yes: :yes: :yes:

[10023]

San Francisco was still the best season because of Pedro.


No, SF was the best because of Puck. Asshole but entertaining.

That one chick on London was pretty hot, but I don't remember much about Real World seasons and haven't watched since the late 1990s.

By what stretch of the imagine are Key West and Cancun "the real world"?

[bw87a]

I would love for the season to come to Louisville during the Kentucky Derby and all of its hype! I think it would be awesome and has the potential to be very scandalous.

[krudmonk]

By what stretch of the imagine are Key West and Cancun "the real world"?
Cancun happens to be an actual city, not just the strip of resorts.

[galaca]

And of course, the Brooklyn people faught to keep them out of Brooklyn. But whatev...I stick by this new season...it's actually fairly interesting...not a drunken wild mess like the past 10 seasons or so.

http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/the_real_world_cancun/2008_Sep_30_casting

It seems they are looking to expand out from just being a show about partying. I think it would be great if they became relevant to social commentary again.

i've heard they're going to be returning to the "drunken wild mess" format with Cancun.

[alexjon]

Seattle and Hawaii were my faves, for sure. SF was good, too.

[BTinSF]

By what stretch of the imagine are Key West and Cancun "the real world"?

The same stretch by which the house they were living in in SF was "The Real World".

[PhillyRising]

The same stretch by which the house they were living in in SF was "The Real World".

...but the SF cast actually dealt with a real world situation with Pedro dying of AIDS. This was before the cocktails came out, so watching a young twenty something man dying before your eyes was a bit of an eye opener for most of the MTV crowd at that time. Pedro and his partner also had a committment ceremony while on the show.

Most years...it's just a bunch of kids getting drunk, laid and causing silly drama.

[DFW LUV]

SF was a classic season. Quit watching after Seattle. Show turned to s*** starting in '99. Or maybe I just outgrew it.

[the urban politician]

I stopped watching the show after San Francisco.

They all seem like a bunch of whiny little brats.

My favorite seasons were the first two, especially the first season. I honestly think that was the first time I had ever seen an openly gay person on TV.

Anyhow, I'm too old for Real World now. Perhaps if they added people who weren't in their post-pubescent late teens/early 20's on the show, we could finally see something other than idiots getting drunk, hitting on their roommates, and walking around in speedos.

[jcchii]

saw some of 12 in vegas

[NYCLuver]

I only really started watching from Seattle, though I saw some of Miami as well. my favorite seasons were New Orleans, Back to New York, Chicago, Brooklyn.

After Chicago, I watched some of Las Vegas, some of Denver, some of Paris, some of Key West, but I couldn't really stand the other seasons, I wish Sydney would of had a better cast because Sydney is such a great city, but I just couldn't bring myself to watch it.

[LucasS6]

It's all about how old you are, I think. I'm 28 and was first interested in the LA season (I was 12-13 at that time, about the perfect age for that type of show), and it carried over to the San Francisco season- the NY season felt like ancient history, something way before my time. I couldn't tell you anything about London or Boston, though, and all I could say about Miami is there was a cracy, cracy chick on it.

I remember Seattle because of that dude hitting that clinically insane girl (very funny) and the opening episode skinny-dipping in Hawaii. I saw a couple episodes of New Orleans and from the second NY season to like Denver I paid absolutely no attention. To be honest, I didn't even know they had San Diego, Philly, or Key West seasons at all. Then my current girlfriend watching the Soup tipped me off to the rest of the seasons, although I've never seen an episode. Just outgrew it, I guess.

[urbanlife]

actually the first couple episodes of Key West kicked ass because I remembered that hurricane.

[sofresh808]

^^I started watching with Boston and Seattle (I was 10) and I think I gave it up after Philadelphia (18?). I liked how it showcased urban environments, often showing the diversity of life to middle american kids. It did get formulaic by the end, and they often casted eye candy over brains in later seasons too, but I'd be lying if I didn't say the show didn't influence much of how see the world today. (Slightly pathetic, but Im also on here on a friday night,haha) Also who can say they dont enjoy a good occasional cat fight?

[rockyi]

By what stretch of the imagine are Key West and Cancun "the real world"?

By what stretch of the imagination is "the Real World" the real world?

[Jeeper]

By what stretch of the imagination is "the Real World" the real world?

+1

[urbanactivistTX]

I wonder how they choose the cities for the show... how many unrealistically hot young people they see when they visit?

Austin is definitely the only city that's fit enough in Texas for TRW. But how did they hide all of the homeless people???

[Jdawgboy]

I wonder how they choose the cities for the show... how many unrealistically hot young people they see when they visit?

Austin is definitely the only city that's fit enough in Texas for TRW. But how did they hide all of the homeless people???

I think they just did some editing LOL. I was down on 6th street with friends when they would go through with the camera crew filming shots, heck we were walking behind some of the people that were on the show one night walking back to the real world house and remember the camra crew rushing by with their bright lights and stuff.

[mind field]

I think this season is pretty good. they have an interesting mix of people from very different backgrounds. A mormon virgin, an iraq war veteran, post op transgendered chick, latin gay guy, san fran punk chick, black good looking prissy chick, plus a boring white dude, and boring white chick.

RW: Hollywood was HORRIBLE. So stereotypical.

[BnaBreaker]

The Real World is such a ridiculous show, particularly the more recent seasons. But it has been a guilty pleasure of mine since I was 9 or 10. Yes, I've watched every season of The Real World since it began. Sad, I know. It's my one real television addiction.

[Trantor]

They should have season 23 in Mumbai, Islamabad, Tehran or at least Cairo...

now that would be real interesting

:yes: :yes: :yes:

or in a Rio de Janeiro favela.

[ScreamShatter]

i've heard they're going to be returning to the "drunken wild mess" format with Cancun.

I spoke with 2 casting directors yesterday and they are definitely not looking to return to the "drunken wild mess" format. Here is what he said:

"The US went through an obsession with Paris Hilton and Britney, and our show reflected the phase." He then hinted that they believe a new phase is starting as reflected by hipe for politics this past political cycle.

Personally, I would love to see the Real World become relevant for social commentary again. That would really be a cool twist and a true reinvention.

[futuresooner]

RW Key West was quite real. They were delayed because of Katrina, left for Rita, but Wilma chased them down in Fort Lauderdale.

They should pick Atlanta as their next city. The next season to be filmed, Cancun, was actually chosen between it and Panama City Beach.

[novawolverine]

I don't know what's taken them so long to get one filmed in DC. If they had one in Philly, I don't buy the crime argument very much.

[TexasBoi]

Austin is definitely the only city that's fit enough in Texas for TRW. But how did they hide all of the homeless people???

I disagree. I think Dallas would be a nice city for it. Have them live in Oaklawn or the West Village or somewhere. Plenty of places they could use.

My favorite season was Hawaii by the way and Seattle is right behind it.

[lawfin]

my favorite real world memory was when i was out drinking with some friends at a bar in chicago and some of the real world people came in with their camera crew. right away they started getting taunts from the customers in the bar, and soon people starting throwing shit at them and the verbal insults got more nasty until finally the real world people just left in disgust.

good times.

Thats fantastic.....do you remember which bar?

[initiald]

Cancun happens to be an actual city, not just the strip of resorts.

Didn't they already make that a movie or something? Real Cancun or something?

[SpongeG]

8 The Real World: Hawaii 1999

is hawaii a city?

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

Did anyone ever see that episode of Mission Hill that satirized The Real World and its perception in the neighborhoods that host it? Pretty spot-on...

The series has just become clichéd to the point where I'd venture to guess not one original thought is uttered during all the filming. Plus, after Chicago, they've been averaging nearly two seasons a year-- not nearly enough time for excitement to build. I started tuning out around Las Vegas, which, probably not coincidentally, was when I graduated from high school (source of their target demographic). IMO, the allure and novelty of The Real World ends when you get closer to the actual real world.

I remember Seattle because of that dude hitting that clinically insane girl (very funny) and the opening episode skinny-dipping in Hawaii.

Her name was Irene, and she had Lyme disease. Apparently, Stephen now has a male partner, so she was also pretty spot-on.

[ScreamShatter]

Her name was Irene, and she had Lyme disease. Apparently, Stephen now has a male partner, so she was also pretty spot-on.


Interesting about Stephen! I liked Irene a lot. That was actually a good season.


---

I really hope we see some really deep characters in upcoming seasons.

I know everyone always says "why haven't they done DC, Atlanta, Dallas, etc?" But the producers have been trying to keep the show going by reinventing it slightly. They are doing more seasons and needed more locations -- they didn't want to run out of cities anytime soon so they went to smaller locations like Key West and Denver.

[emathias]

They should have season 23 in Mumbai, Islamabad, Tehran or at least Cairo...

now that would be real interesting

:yes: :yes: :yes:

Yeah, for three of those four they could spend half the show explaining how they're going to get the gay cast members out of prison

[Steely Dan]

Thats fantastic.....do you remember which bar?

unfortunately i don't , but it was somewhere on lincoln in LP, or maybe it was clark, i just can't remember. i've spent so many drunken nights in so many different chicago bars that my memory of an entire decade of my life is more than a bit fuzzy.

[MolsonExport]

since when is Hawaii a city?

[Strange Meat]

since when is Hawaii a city?

You realize the type of people who watch this show, right?

[initiald]

Did anyone ever see that episode of Mission Hill that satirized The Real World and its perception in the neighborhoods that host it? Pretty spot-on...


So I'm not the only one who watches Mission Hill.

[urbanlife]

So I'm not the only one who watches Mission Hill.

Oh I loved that cartoon, I wish it would of been able to do more than one season though.

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

^ Yeah, same with The Oblongs.

[CONative]

Interesting about Stephen! I liked Irene a lot. That was actually a good season.


---

I really hope we see some really deep characters in upcoming seasons.

I know everyone always says "why haven't they done DC, Atlanta, Dallas, etc?" But the producers have been trying to keep the show going by reinventing it slightly. They are doing more seasons and needed more locations -- they didn't want to run out of cities anytime soon so they went to smaller locations like Key West and Denver.

Smaller locations like Denver? Umm....there were a number of cities smaller than Denver that had their own seasons. Las Vegas, Hawaii, Key West, New Orleans, and Austin are all smaller metros than Denver that had their own seasons before Denver. I see your point about larger cities not having their own season, but Denver isn't small. A lot of it has to do with "it" cities and unique cities too. I heard Denver was selected because of it's well-known night life in LoDo (where the Real World house was located) and the popular single scene...since Denver was consistently at the top of every list for "best place for singles".

[ScreamShatter]

Smaller locations like Denver? Umm....there were a number of cities smaller than Denver that had their own seasons. Las Vegas, Hawaii, Key West, New Orleans, and Austin are all smaller metros than Denver that had their own seasons before Denver. I see your point about larger cities not having their own season, but Denver isn't small. A lot of it has to do with "it" cities and unique cities too. I heard Denver was selected because of it's well-known night life in LoDo (where the Real World house was located) and the popular single scene...since Denver was consistently at the top of every list for "best place for singles".

Good point.

Typically, the Real World sticks to Coastal cities or "hot spots". The majority of people who watch the Real World are actually midwestern and southern. So for a while they tried to select cities that those people would dream about visiting. Anyways, that is why they haven't selected many midwestern or southern cities...at least that is what I remember reading in an article a while back.

[novawolverine]

A lot of it has to do with certain vibes that places have. Even though DC is often high on the "singles" list too, Denver is one of those cities that is seen to have a "hip" vibe to it, it's in the mountains and it's somewhat unknown to a lot of people. Different places have it for different reasons. I think outside of the bigger cities, those are the ones they like to go after, the ones seen as fun for young people.

I do think that if it's about nightlife and the single life, DC and Atlanta seem to be places they would want to go in the future that they haven't been to before and are larger.

[SnyderBock]

I realize just by saying "The Real World" that everyone is going to have an opinion. But whether you’re amazed the longest running reality show is still filming, are a former fan who hates the current show format, or are a newer fan of the show, the point is that The Real World has filmed in some amazing cities and had some amazing houses.

So what were your favorite seasons?

Where would you like to see the show go for Season 23?


Fake = Reality Show... How does this equate?

[SpongeG]

it doesn't use fake people

[ScreamShatter]

Fake = Reality Show... How does this equate?

Yea - I don't think that is a very fair statement at all. Don't get me wrong the show has had it's ups and downs. But it also was very relevant in the early 90s in terms of bringing social issues to the forefront of discussion.

http://www.connexion.org/rssitem.cfm?src=2&tabnum=0&subtabnum=0&q=0&p=0&id=146704

That link will take you to a movie that is coming out this year about Pedro. Tell me how that equates to "fake = reality show."

[urbanlife]

it doesn't use fake people

editing makes fake people.

[ScreamShatter]

editing makes fake people.

They do edit to tell a story, yes. So that is a fair point. But I don't think all the cast members have been fake...some have real depth to them.