MTV's most recent edition of "The Real World," set in New York, was one of the more introspective, culturally aware editions in years. There were still some drunken nights but it was largely a more sober cast that was more interested in playing pranks on one another than causing any real trouble or debasing themselves on camera. The season also paid more attention to social issues, from a transgender character to a soldier recalled by the U.S. Army.
Some may have found this season boring, but I thought it was one of the best editions in ages. Too bad MTV is going back to the Las Vegas tone for "Real World: Cancun" (10 tonight).
This time the gang lives in a luxury hotel on a Mexican beach, so you know wild things will happen, even though their collective job -- something the last cast didn't have -- is to interact with spring breakers.
Characters include Bronne ("Like the paper towel," he says), who mentions he was once a nude model in the Penn State art department; tatttooed ladies' man Joey and sweet but dim C.J. who just doesn't understand when his girlfriend back home gets upset that he cuddled the night away with a roomie who has a crush on him.
Jonna and Derek (the gay roommate) actually worked together before the show, which may be the first time any "Real Worlders" were not strangers at the start of the show. Ayiiia was voted onto the cast by Web surfers at MTV.com.
In tonight's episode, someone writes a white board: "I love my roomies ... so far." You know that's not gonna last.
Posted
Jun 24 2009, 01:15 AM
by
Rob Owen