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, which was inspired by the 1973 PBS documentary series An American Family, is the longest-running program in MTV history and one of the longest-running reality series in history, credited with launching the modern reality TV genre.
The series was hailed in its early years for depicting issues of contemporary young-adulthood relevant to its core audience, such as sex, prejudice, religion, abortion, illness, sexuality, AIDS, death, politics and substance abuse, but later garnered a reputation as a showcase for immature and irresponsible behavior.
Following Bunim’s death from breast cancer in 2004, Bunim/Murray Productions continues to produce the program. The 28th and most recent season, set in Portland, Oregon, premiered on March 27, 2013, and ended its first run on June 12, 2013. An upcoming 29th season, set in San Francisco, California, is currently in production, and is expected to air in 2014.
The series has generated two notable spin-offs, both broadcast by MTV: Road Rules, which lasted for 14 seasons, and the reality game show The Challenge, which has run for over 20 seasons since 1998. The Challenge is mostly cast-contestant dependent on both The Real World and Road Rules, as it combines contestants from various seasons of both shows. Coordinating the series with its spin-off, MTV alternates between airing seasons of The Real World and The Challenge and ends out seasons of both shows by showing previews for the upcoming season of the other.
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Follow the lives of two competitive cheerleading squads and their fierce, hardworking coaches, Lexington Kentucky’s Dunbar High School coach Donna Martin and her daughter, Ole’ Miss head coach, Ryan O’Connor. While Donna pushes her team to new heights to return Dunbar to its former glory of reigning champs, Ryan is fighting to earn the respect of her peers, her collegiate team and her mother.
A fast-paced reality show that follows several incredibly busy and ambitious Manhattan women. Watch as they balance envious social calendars, challenging careers, and motherhood, with the hustle and bustle of the big city all around.
12 contestants under the age of 18 compete in a modeling competition to win a full scholarship to FIDM in California, a full sewing and crafting studio from Brother, a feature in seventeen magazine, and $25,000 to start their own line.
Ten aspiring creature creators competing to out-imagine one another in a series of challenges where they build everything from mechanical characters to whimsical beasts, bringing high-end creature designs to life. The contestants compete for a prize worth up to $100,000 including the opportunity for the job of a lifetime – a contract working at the world-renowned Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™.
A singing competition where celebrities compete with each other but with one particularity: their identity is hidden by full masks. The British adaptation of the worldwide hit.
Fred and the team roll out the red carpet and polish the silver for celebrities who are looking for love with unsuspecting members of the public.
A musical talent show, in which contestants showcase their talent and the viewers are the judges, voting through an application during song performances.
I Survived a Zombie Apocalypse is a horror-themed game show set in the future after a nationwide epidemic has transformed most of the country’s population into ravenous zombies. The contestants have to survive in the Monroe Shopping Village and need to work together to secure their makeshift base as they try and avoid any contact with the flesh-eaters. Anybody still “alive” after seven days is then rescued and sent to a tropical quarantine zone as a reward.
Michael Carbonaro is a magician by trade, but a prankster by heart. In “The Carbonaro Effect”, Michael performs baffling tricks on unsuspecting people in everyday situations, all caught on hidden camera. Everyone is left stunned and delighted, even though they have no idea what just hit them.
Mother/daughter duo Karen Laine and Mina Starsiak transform dilapidated properties in and around their hometown of Indianapolis. Karen’s legal background and Mina’s real estate knowledge help them secure diamonds in the rough, then they enlist demo and construction help to get the houses rehabilitated on budget and transformed into stunning homes.