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.
All Episodes
You May Also Like
Swamp People is an American reality series that was first broadcast on History on August 22, 2010. The show follows the day-to-day activities for several Cajuns living in the swamps of the Atchafalaya River Basin who hunt American alligators for a living.
The program’s latest season, its fourth, ran from February 14, 2013 to July 18, 2013.
Husband Kody Brown, along with his three wives — soon to be four — and their combined 13 children, attempts to navigate life as a “normal” family in a society that shuns their lifestyle.
MTV will conduct a social experiment on modern love with the new series Are You the One? – helping 10 women and 10 men find their perfect match.
These hopeful romantics participated in a rigorous matchmaking process using a unique dating algorithm created to help quantify compatibility. The result? Recommended matches for the 20 singles with the goal of meeting the perfect partner. Using this technology, 10 ideal pairs have been identified and will ultimately come face-to-face with their true match – the catch is that the results were kept a secret from the singles. Throughout the course of the season, each of the potential lovers must uncover the mystery of their “soul mates” identity.
A cast of young women, who recognize that their outrageous behavior has hindered their relationships, careers and lives, are brought together in a beautiful mansion. They claim they want to change, but will living together help them move forward and turn their lives around – or will chaos rule?
Hidden deep in the wilderness of Alaska is the toughest town in America: McCarthy. Only 42 residents brave the extreme conditions. They are mavericks, trailblazers, risk takers and rabble rousers, all trying to escape their past by surviving at the end of America.
Team Jonathan vs. Team Drew. The Brothers get two teams built of various skills (contractors, designers, realtors) & have a series of competitions, each week sending home a competitor. The final man (or woman) standing takes the title of Brother vs. Brother.
Robert Van Winkle, better known as rapper Vanilla Ice, demonstrates his expertise in real estate and home renovation by renovating a house along with a team of handymen.
Living history show presented by Fi Glover. Six celebrities travel back in time to the relentless graft of Victorian Britain.
A paranormal investigation team hunt for ghosts in asylums, sanitariums and mental hospitals in this reality series.
Six of America’s brightest entertainers come together to compete and showcase their talents with breathtaking and unique acts – featuring skills they did not even know they had.