This is a true story of seven strangers who are chosen to live in a house and have their lives taped. Find out what happens when people stop being polite and start getting real. “The Real World: Las Vegas.”
Okay, maybe not.
How about – this is an exaggerated story of seven strangers picked to live in a phat pad and have their lives taped and then edited. Find out what happens when people stop being real and start getting ridiculous. “The Real World: Las Vegas.”
Now that is more like it.
I am a religious watcher of the first reality program that aired on television over 10 years ago. At that time the idea of “The Real World” was so fresh and new. Seven young adults, all from extremely different backgrounds, living in a house together outside any setting that was normal for them.
Now, when I tune in at 10 p.m. on Tuesday nights to watch “The Real World” in Sin City, I see seven people who seem typecasted and fake, it actually makes my stomach hurt.
I can remember tuning into “The Real World: New York” (the first season) and watching Southern, young and naive Julie interact with older city slicker Eric.
I can also recall the constant bickering between Kevin and all the other members of the house about important issues on race and ethnicity. Those situations were real (okay, maybe I should say more real) It was people learning about people outside their elements.
Viewers watched seven strangers adjust and learn from each other by overcoming biases and growing into more open-minded individuals. Now I am burdened by the unimportant and immature situations of “Real World: Las Vegas.”
Who cares whether or not this season’s vixen – or shall I say slut – Trishelle, wants to hook up with Stephen or Frank or Brynn for that matter? I sure as hell don’t.
Being the devout “Real World” fan that I am, I must say that I am disappointed with this 12th season in Las Vegas. Isn’t the title of the show “The Real World?” Never have I watched any reality-based television show that is further from real.
There was a time when “The Real World” was an escape from my own reality. I could delve into other peoples lives for 30 minutes (well, more like 18 minutes, you know MTV and all those commercials), and actually appreciate the cast and their “real life” issues. Even If I could not relate, I could sympathize.
For example, how could you not be moved by the story of HIV positive Pedro Zamora on “The Real World: San Francisco?” Or when Amaya fell in love with Colin on “The Real World: Hawaii,” I was feeling the heartache with her. You could not help but feel for Amaya, regardless of how ridiculous she was.
The idea of “The Real World” was captured in seasons one, two and three. Congratulations to the peeps at MTV, for catching real life issues about ethnocentrism, racism, and the disease HIV.
But now I have complete animosity when I watch what was once my Tuesday night guilty pleasure.
What ever happened to the San Francisco or Boston seasons, when flirting and maybe a small kiss were the most scandalous events that took place?
Now we have love triangles and girls making out with girls. I think that the producers of “The Real World” have really lost their focus.
So, I have made a pact with myself. Despite my past obsession with the “The Real World,” I have decided to distance myself this season. I am taking a stand. I will not be sucked in by sleazy hook-ups and unintelligent people. I will wait for a day when the producers and casting directors realize that hooking up with every person in your living situation is not real.
MTV lost a dedicated fan with this cast, but maybe they will be get back on the right track with the next season, I hope.
Amanda Stutevoss, a senior broadcasting and journalism major, is editor in chief of the Campus Times. She can be reached by e-mail at astute4@aol.com.
