BY DC CUEVA
Well, good summer to all of you as we enter the hottest time of the year and the steamiest season of all in the world of MTV Reality. And so far, 2019 has surely offered the good stuff spanning the entire reality spectrum.
In this first half, we've seen Lindsay Lohan have an eventful summer at her Greek Beach Club, #Jalex become a thing of the past in Siesta Key, and controversy finally see the end of a Teen Mom. Another TM alum was a key figure of an eventful Season 2 of Ex On The Beach, while there was also plenty of drama on Floribama Shore. And The Challenge got a much-needed shot in the arm when War of the Worlds brought together familiar veterans with new reality talent from around the world, and produced a worthy & popular champion in a Turkish reality megastar.
Right now, we've just seen the remaining ladies of A Double Shot at Love join DJ Pauly D. and Vinny on the road as Jersey Shore's resident bachelors and bromance head towards determining who is their one. Tonight, Amber, Catelynn & Maci will mark ten years on MTV with a new season of Teen Mom OG, which also sees Cheyenne & Cory roll along with their new lives as parents. And we've seen Kirk & Codi from Floribama Shore go under the ink on How Far is Tattoo Far? as did Kailah and Tony as they joined Snooki & Nico in that famous parlor.
And in two weeks, reality dating TV will enter uncharted territory when Are You The One? welcomes those who are sexually fluid as they encounter the truth booth for the genre's first LGBT-themed season debuting during, of all things, Pride Month. That same week, we'll welcome back some old friends with the debut of 2019's big MTV reboot in The Hills: New Beginnings, as Speidi, Audrina, Whitney and the rest of our Hollywood friends will bring us to their world yet again.
This is the show that started the entire journey of MTV Reality twenty-seven years ago this summer when a formula combining co-creators Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jon Murray's passions for soap operas and documentaries first played out in New York City, and turned into the hybrid of reality TV now commonplace. A trend-setting cast of six diverse Tri-State area natives and a naive young girl from Alabama comprised that freshman class of seven strangers, and helped demonstrate the possibilities of what happens when seven strangers get together in a loft, to see what happens "when people stop being polite and start getting real."
Thirty-one succeeding seasons soon followed, which brought the show to America's greatest cities and to several locales outside the U.S. with enduring personalities, memorable moments and beyond. And when we last left this world two years ago, the show went through a rebranding phase to try and regain public interest in a crowded reality landscape, from a prequel of what would become Ex On The Beach to plenty of Bad Blood... even taking cues from Road Rules. But while those twist seasons introduced us to Cory, Kailah, Tony and social media darling Kim (Tyara's counterpart on Bad Blood), the show at its best lies in the show's original formula first conceived three decades ago.
That's what will be happening as the show will return to its roots in embracing its past, taking full advantage of the present world we live in, and using the power of social media to bring this show to a whole new audience as well. This unique social experiment not only invented a whole genre, it blazed a trail in bringing culturally resonant stories and issues into TV like no other show had done before, as well as the unique experience of adulthood, people coming of age and diverse casts that helped to spark conversation among viewers long before social media.
The next generation of The Real World will begin next week in one of America's greatest cities of Atlanta, GA, host of this year's Super Bowl, a past Olympic host city, and home to a number of notable MTV'ers from the aforementioned Kirk to Nia from the Portland season and Simone of the original AYTO cast. The latest group of seven strangers who have been chosen to join this legacy perfectly fits the show's original premise that it will bring to life again during a most intense and divisive time in our country, just as it was when Season 1 premiered a month after the L.A. riots.
And there will sure be plenty of charged emotions to come during this summer in Hotlanta, as well as the drama and occasional fun and hilarity that we've come to expect from the MTV Reality brand. From sexuality and immigration to race, teen pregnancy and virginity, this is a Real World that bring together both fans of the old school seasons and the socially conscious millennial generation for an experience that, if you're one of the 2 billion-plus users who visit Facebook every day on desktops, mobile and beyond, you'll be glued to it just as it was for previous generations when it aired on TV.
The script of the trailer above of the relaunch of this proud franchise makes mention of, and further expands, one of the most famous opening sequences for any TV program anywhere in the world: "This is the next true story of seven strangers, picked to live in a house and have their hookups, screw-ups, apologies, honesty, voices, opinions, fights, tears, lives streamed exclusively on Facebook Watch. With new episodes every week and content dropping daily, find out what happens when the next generation stops being polite. It's time to get real. Again."
When MTV thought of rekindling the flames of a show that launched the modern reality TV genre, the first thing that must've came to their heads was of how recent seasons strayed away from the show's original premise. They've also thought that, with the world being the way it is right now, of how to make the series and its original concept relevant again during a time where the channel has gone through its own growing pains and of late has become a hot commodity thanks to realizing that scripted fare is best done by other outlets, and returning to what it does best in the reality genre, and with the help of familiar faces for a generation so much tied to their past.
It's with those in mind that MTV and its new MTV Studios unit asked Facebook to help reimagine the franchise, and also return the show to its roots and to the formula that made the show famous in the first place. The premise that serves as the credo that begun every episode of the series in its first twenty-eight seasons will ring true in telling this true story: "seven strangers picked to live in a house, to find out what happens when people stop being polite and stop getting real." No twist as it was when the show returned for second visits to San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle and for a third time to Las Vegas -- just the drama as it unfolds as naturally as possible among just those seven strangers.
Atlanta is the first new city to host a Real World season in six years, when Portland hosted the season named "Most Controversial" and was one of the three posted for Facebook users to binge-watch along with Key West and Austin, the seasons that introduced us to Johnny Bananas and Wes Bergmann. Springtime filming of Season 33 wrapped just before the controversial law in regards to abortions that have media companies reconsidering their positions of filming in Georgia and perhaps hurting a nearly $10 billion film industry in Atlanta and elsewhere in the state.
And it's not just this one season taking place in the heart of the Deep South -- the relaunch of The Real World also includes two other seasons taking place in Mexico City and in Bangkok, Thailand to take advantage of the global platform of one of the world's most influential companies. In addition to tackling the socially-charged environment in America, the Latin American and Asian versions of the show will also integrate the themes of the local culture and friendship in introducing their parts of the world to everyone in the same global spirit as the most recent Challenge season.
It's true that social media has changed the shows we all love including all of MTV's reality franchises, and it's the move to Facebook that will see The Real World fully embrace this new platform. It will be the only place to see the episodes every week, which sees the show return to half-hour bite-sized ones compared to the now-standard one-hour format of other series. The Real World Dailies will return in the form of daily scene drops leading into the weekly episodes on Facebook Stories and in the FB group where all of its new content will live. And there will be new interactive and communal features that will enable fans to get in on the fun, where fans like you can connect directly with the cast as on other mediums to make this the first truly interactive reality series... and that includes having a say on who gets to be on the show itself.
MEET THE CAST
Cast's Names Linked to Their Instagram Profiles
The casts of every season of The Challenge can vary depending upon what the theme could be when TJ Lavin welcomes them just before competition begins, while any cast of Are You The One can be of anyone of twenty singles chosen to see if they can find their perfect match. For an Ex On The Beach group, it's of which reality castaways and ordinary people can handle the heat of seeing their famous or sometimes not so famous exes, and of which party-hards can mesh well in a house of the global Shore franchise.
Throughout its history, every Real World cast is defined by which seven (or sometimes, more) strangers can gel the most together in them going on this shared journey. Every season has always had its standout castmates: some seasons making their mark as whole, others having one or a few who would go on to greater fame after leaving the house. And often, there are roommates who come to the loft with backstories so fascinating, it leaves an incredible mark on the season and on viewers long after the finale at the end of the season has aired.
Those like Queer Eye's Karamo Brown, Jamie Chung, The Miz and Southern Charm's Cameran Eubanks were first introduced to everyone thanks to being on Real World and have gone on to greater heights afterwards. So have the likes of Johnny Bananas, Ashley M., CT and the countless others who've stayed on MTV to compete on many seasons of The Challenge... and chances are, they'll have some new people to play with. But most importantly, this class of seven strangers have come here to make a mark on the world and on viewers in a whole new platform, staying true to the hundreds of those who came to this series before them, and who are now part of this exclusive club.
There are some traits and issues among the cast that will sure to make this season as relatable to the viewers in the current social landscape as they are to the old school seasons of years past, and will definitely draw in both those who grew up with the series back then and those being introduced for the first time to this proud series. And every one of them has a story to tell.
● MEGHAN MELANCON - 23, Baton Rouge, LA
Meghan is 23 and a sports reporter for CBS affiliate WAFB, and as such got to cover the hometown LSU Tigers on many fall Saturdays and nights in the winter. Her life before roaming the sidelines at Tiger Stadium and in the city's top local TV newsroom was a bit different of being sheltered and going to a private school... and it was only fairly recently that she started embracing her love life: her first kiss was in college, and just last year she landed her first boyfriend..
Above all -- including being one who loves to have donuts and a side order of Dr. Pepper, Meghan is deeply religious in being a Catholic, and who sees God as her greatest love... and she joins with one of his philosophies of preferring to not have sex until getting married -- the latest in a long line of those who abstain as virgins, and will hold on to that status as long as she can before she feels it's time to get married. But with living in a conservative part of the country, she takes offense to homosexuality as well as being pro-life -- both of which will be something to watch, as she continues to also struggle with her looks and admitting to continue to feel insecure.
For Meghan, it's the living environment she's about to enter that will be her biggest challenge yet: "When people don't like you, don't act like you or have the same beliefs, you're not supposed to be friends with them. Going and living in a house with seven strangers that I don't know if I'm gonna get along with... yeah, it's gonna be 100%."
● DONDRE RANDOLPH - 25, Houston
This 25-year-old comes to Atlanta from Texas as a 2017 graduate of the University of Houston who's an engineer in project management. But he is anything but that person who looks like that MTV loverboy Malcolm at first sight: as someone who comes from a solidly red state - and whose home state produced two Presidents with the same surname, Dondre is a Republican who also sides with our current resident in the White House and who agrees with some of his policies, including being a advocate for the second amendment despite losing a brother in a shooting years ago.
And to add more to this backstory, there's a particular aspect about him that makes him unique. Dondre is also pansexual and gay, and is on a journey of coming out to everyone and finally revealing who he really is to everyone in his inner circle of family and friends. As he states in the videos, "I like having sex with men and women... men more. I never really officially came out to anybody except my mom."
The bio in his Instagram profile @DearDondre describes this man as "The most compassionate @$$____ you'll ever meet." And as he writes in the IG photo that revealed this new journey of his into The Real World, "I wanna thank God for this opportunity, so surreal to believe I got this opportunity after watching this show as a kid. This will be the best f_____ season ever!!!!!!!!"
● ARELY AVITUA - 21, Joplin, MO
Arely is a 21-year-old from Joplin, MO who became a mom while she was in high school, and who has an adorable 4-year-old son who she devotes so much time to. She looks at the relationship she has with her kid Adrian as the most important in her life right now despite still living amicably with her ex-boyfriend, and who is still trying to find herself while also going to college and having two full time jobs. She says, "Getting pregnant at such as young age... everything that I do is for him."
Arely also happens to be a dreamer, and who had no idea that she was undocumented until she was 16... and last summer. she and others from her local section of the Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda traveled to Washington and visited the White House. As she notes, "If it wasn't for DACA, I wouldn't be able to work or I wouldn't been able to go to school. We're constantly living in the fear of something bad could happen that could take away DACA and my parents could be taken away... I could be taken away and I'd be sent back to Mexico."
As she's about to spend a couple months away from her son for a few months, Arely is ready to finally have some time to herself and experience what she's been missing: "I feel like I never really got to experience a lot of the things that most people have, and I feel like I haven't been able to kind of find out who I am." And fittingly for a season based in the Dirty South, if you love hip-hop you have someone to love in this cast and be jealous of at the same time: last year Arely got to meet up with both G-Eazy and NF.
● JUSTIN BLU - 26, Atlanta
Though his roots are down in Miami, FL, 26-year-old Justin is one of the handful of Real World'ers who actually live in the same city where a season is filmed. He is juggling several roles as a student at Georgia State University, an entrepreneur and having a long-distance relationship... but most importantly in being a leader, a mentor, and most especially being an advocate for the African-American community. He says, "Many people don't have positive representation or positive examples, so I feel it's very important for me to be that and uphold that."
As someone who sides with this community, Justin feels a strong connection with the African-American Community in a city where they are the majority, and is committed to keeping up with them too: "Culturally, I'd say I gravitate to black people the most. I'm for the progress and liberation of my people. I'm not against interracial marriages, though I don't think it's for black communities. I'm very passionate when it comes to black progress." And both his Instagram and YouTube channel is devoted solely to offering thoughts and visuals concerning them.
But it's what's been happening in recent years that Justin found his calling and his life's purpose: "In my life, I've had various times where I've been pulled over or have been questioned by officers. They knew that I was innocent. From there, I've started reading a lot more about the legal system and racial injustice. It's important to work towards making an impact while I'm here on this earth."
● YASMIN ALMOKHAMAD - 27, New York City
27-year-old Yasmin is of Syrian and Armenian descent who was born in Russia, immigrated to the U.S. at age 3, and who's a teacher at a youth detention center, a model who supports body positivity and an artist who grew up in Seattle but now resides in New York. For someone who should feel right at home with one of her favorite things to do, Yasmin says, "When people first meet me, they actually think that I'm probably gonna be a bitch just because of how I look on the surface. Like, 'Who's this crazy slut girl that's like naked all the time and talks about sex a lot?'"
As an openly pansexual feminist who feels that expressing herself is her best quality, Yasmin adds, "I feel like there's a lot of representation of my cultural background, my diaspora and people who like me. I have a lot of identities in one: I was raised Christian, but culturally I was Muslim, then I'm queer." And it was when she told her conservative mom that she was lesbian that caused a fallout in her family, but has emerged out of that ordeal a stronger lady.
Yasmin comes to Atlanta having been through so much, and is looking forward to grow while on her own: "I think that I have struggled a lot with feeling loved by my family when I was younger because I was so different from everyone And they really had a hard time understanding why I was the way I was. Learning to love myself has been a really hard process. I'm really proud of the person I am... I'm here to grow."
● TOVAH MARX - 26, Phoenix
Tovah just moved to Scottsdale, AZ from San Diego and, like anyone who lives on the West Coast, loves to have that carefree, independent spirit who loves to have fun and to dance. From wearing a Santa beard in the club to having blood all over her face for Halloween, those who've seen her Insta stories know that she's someone who never takes herself too seriously, even with the odd dance move that might not score her a bartender job but nonetheless produces some laughs..
But beneath this confident, outgoing and energetic personality is a 26-year-old who's been through a lot. Tovah went through severe trauma as a teenager, including a turbulent relationship with an abusive boyfriend and a depressed cousin of hers committing suicide a few years ago. But out of the toughest time of her life came a passion for helping foster children, serving as a Child Protective Services caseworker and is eyeing towards opening a foster home herself to help those kids in need.
Like anyone who went onto The Real World for an experience as pure and simple during those early years, Tovah comes to Georgia for the opportunity just to be on her own and to learn something about herself, maybe even more: "I want to grow as myself, and I want to learn to be independent. I'm just hoping to meet lifelong friends, people that I grow with, people that I connect with, and maybe a boy (laughs)... no I'm just kidding, I don't know."
● CLINT WRIGHT - 28, Potterville, MI
28-year-old Clint from a small town outside Lansing, MI was that user who won America's vote, and like anyone who calls mid-America home is one who loves to hunt, fish and ride dirt bikes in the open. This farm boy is a welder in a family farm that's lasted a century and is in line to eventually take over this business whenever his grandpa or his dad decide to step away from the grind... one that only those who work outside the big cities know: long, hard, and for the family.
Clint describes himself as a hopeless romantic, but being in a town of 1,000 the options for girls are fairly limited and would have to resort to a trip to the college town nearby to land that girl... but after he let two girlfriends get away from him when he got cheated on, "Every single day, I want just to be in love. That's honestly been my fantasy, like, my whole life and in Michigan. I just don't know if my type of girl is there."
During the campaign, Clint discussed the importance of respect regardless of wherever anyone comes from, but he's also been through some growing pains. He got expelled from high school, spent his 21st birthday behind bars and was on probation for a time, but he's cleaned up his act to get ready for break out of the small town bubble and dive into a whole new experience... not to mention having over 130,000 Instagram followers too. As Clint states, "I just want to do me."
Clint, Tovah, Yasmin, Justin, Arely, Dondre and Meghan are about to embark on a journey hundreds of those have gotten to live through on seasons that have aired since their childhoods, and are about to experience for themselves. The original, old-school style of the show in its simplist form which hooked generations of viewers will return to everyone during an age when just about every TV show of your past is coming back like we're in a constant time machine.
Like most other casts, this year's class was chosen from different parts of the country and walks of life, and have backgrounds that differ quite a bit. And of course, this season will take place amidst the backdrop of a most intense time in our country: a turbulent time in Washington in the third year of Trump's America, and people in virtually all parts of our society on edge of what could happen next. And this season surely won't shy away from bringing up the issues we are all talking about, and it's the stories of these people that will guarantee us plenty of drama.
Sure, this season won't be airing on the MTV channel itself, but for longtime fans of the show, those who love social media, and the growing section of the American population who just rely on streaming for their home entertainment, this season of The Real World is something to not miss. Now it's time to begin reciting that familiar manifesto all over again: "This is the true story..."
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With the return of The Real World, this longtime MTV Reality fan will plan to do live commentary on episodes each week as usual on my DCNOW live hub at @DC408DxNow on Twitter, but with the season streaming on Facebook for now plans are that there will not be the traditional Pulse of the episodes that cover the social media reaction to them as it would be for shows airing on the channel itself... but I'll be planning on doing regular reviews of the episodes on here during the summer, plus other posts on the show, the new season of Are You The One? and much more.
The season 33 premiere of Real World will be this Thursday, June 14th, at lunchtime in the East and as the work day begins out West. But because of a coincidental timing of the scheduling of the first episode, it will fall a day before my traditional annual summer vacation... therefore, I'll be delaying my watch party by one day to Friday, June 14th, and during the rush hour drive up to Northern Nevada for Reno Weekend, for which wide-ranging social content from The Biggest Little City in the World to follow the first act. Enjoy the season that's to come...
- I AM DC
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