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
Seven chefs from across America face each other in culinary battles each week until only one is left standing. This chef will battle the three iron chefs: Bobby Flay, Masaharu Morimoto and Michael Symon.
The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice, sometimes shortened to An Extra Slice is a British television show made by the BBC and filmed at The London Studios as a spin-off from the reality TV hit series The Great British Bake Off which airs on BBC One.
Each week, host Jo Brand is joined by three different celebrity Bake Off fans. Jo shines a spotlight on the good, the bad and the soggy bottomed from the week’s episode with chat, unseen footage from the BBC One show and an interview with the week’s eliminated baker.
The studio audience are challenged to bring a bake in from home from the week’s baking theme, be that bread, pastry, or cakes, and viewers are invited to share photos of their efforts too.
From friendships to romance, Judge Geordie will see Vicky Pattison drive around the country solving Britain’s relationship problems.
Children lip sync pop songs in celebration of their favorite artists.
An investigator and a historian seek to uncover information about Nikola Tesla’s mysterious life and inventions.
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?
The Great British Sewing Bee is a BBC Two television reality television programme in which amateur sewers compete to be named “Britain’s best home sewer”. A spin-off of the format of The Great British Bake Off, the programme is presented by Claudia Winkleman.
Hall of Fame professional wrestler Steve Austin invites eight elite athletes to his ranch each week to compete in head-to-head battles until only one is left standing. That man or woman then takes on Steve’s personal obstacle course, the Skullbuster, for a chance to win $10,000.
Ten eligible men or women selected by a blue-ribbon panel of matchmakers compete in four pageant-style rounds to win the heart of a mystery suitor whose identity is concealed from them.
Follow the passionate, volatile and hot-and-bothered-staff at Lisa Vanderpump’s West Hollywood mainstay SUR. Lisa balances her motherly instincts and shrewd business sense to keep control over this wild group of employees as they pursue their dreams and each other while working at her “Sexy, Unique Restaurant.”
