The Real World

I sit on the edge of the couch with my body tilted slightly forward and my elbows resting on my thighs. My wrists hold my head up as my eyes glaze at the bright box before me. I hear a distant voice calling my name but I shut it out as I am truly engaged in my TV program. My special time is on Tuesdays at en o'clock. The selected channel is fourty-four, MTV. The show aired is MTV's "Real World." This show is not played with actresses and actors. It's not your everyday TV show episode where problems are solved in thirty minutes. Instead MTV's staff puts seven strangers under one roof and films day and night as these individuals deal with real life problems as they simultaneously attempt to live with each other. It is all real. The concept is simple; a group of people filmed at all times of the day without a script. One may easily think that a show of this style solely requires ample finances. Money is needed for the time-consuming auditioning and selection process that is done among millions, the purchase and expense of maintaining the house, and additional travel expenses to get the cast too and from the city, and around-the-clock film crew. However, as simple as this concept may be, this show is original in it's nature. The first of it's kind, the "Real World" is quite a difficult task for a producer to undertake by himself. It takes a full staff and plenty of editing to achieve the quality episodes that are aired. There are three major components to this show; the idea of the show, the people behind the scenes, and the strategic editing that displays the conflict that arrises among the "Real World" cast that grasps not only my attention but the attention of million across the globe.

The main idea of the show remains the same from season to season and this is why the show has maintained it's popularity. Seven strangers are selected and placed in a beautifully furnished home in a large city. Series have already been taped in New York, Miami, Boston, Seattle, London, Los Angeles, and the new cast is in Hawaii. On their first day, the cast members meet each other and pick out their rooms. MTV provides them with travel to the city, roommates, and a job to work at during the season. The job for this season is to work at a place called Localmotion. Localmotion is a clothing store as well as a cafe. The job of the cast is to attract shoppers and visitors to the cafe. If they attract fifty people, they earn five hundred dollars which they split among them. If they attract one hundred people, they earn one hundred dollars each. Half way through the season they will be allowed to take a trip anywhere in the world that they desire. This season, Egypt has been chosen as the destination to visit. During these two months, things get pretty hot and heavy. Just imagine three girls and four guys all in their early twenties living together. It is inevitable that things are bound to occur. Fights will arise and love affairs will heat up the set. The show is nevertheless intense and addicting, drawing the viewers including myself to become devout "Real Worlders."

A necessity in addicting viewers is the staff because they are the backbone ensuring a successful show. The people behind the scenes are the "Real World" staff members. These are the people that make it possible for the show to maintain such high ratings. Their first job is to find the right cast that includes a good mix of personalities. They must pick individuals that compliment each other as well as upset each other in order to create a successful show. To do so, the staff goes through millions of tapes and personal interviews. After they have chosen their cast, the second task is to choose the right city. A city that is not known by any of the cast members is essential. Thirdly, a large enough house is needed to have holding capacity for the camera crew and the cast members. After all this business is settled, the cast arrives and the cameras start rolling. The footage taped is edited and re-edited until a perfect tape is made. Each episode highlights an issue. This may be conflict among two cast members or a social problem involving a "Real World" issue. After involving over hundreds of individuals, a successful and attention grabbing show has been made.

What is it that really makes the "Real World" as successful as it has been? It is truly the opportunity that viewers are granted of an inside view into another human being's life. I truly enjoy all of the individual cast members' differences. I, among millions of other viewers, can identify with some of the cast members. I can always relate to at least one of the cast members. It might be the way the cast member is dressed, the music they like, or he values they believe in that draws me to watch episode after episode. Tension among the cast also adds excitement to the program. It is when conflicts arise that the viewer gains insight as to how each cast member views the problem. This allows viewers to better understanding each cast member. This is not to say that cast members, sometimes out of character, shock the audience. As each show draws to a close, suspense is felt because I wan to know what is going to happen next. This is what has made Tuesday's at ten o'clock my weekly ritual of observing the "Real World."

Drawing an individual's attention and maintaining their interest is not an easy task. Therefore the making of the "Real World" has a lot of preparation involved. This includes the time and thought involved in the idea of the show, the efforts of the staff behind the scenes during taping, as well as the tireless job of editing hours and days of footage to display the characters in a light which will draw many, including myself, to make me unavailable on Tuesday evenings.