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
British version of the reality competitions series that sees young entrepreneurs compete in several business tasks, attempting to survive the weekly firings in order to become the business partner of one of the most successful businessmen.
Zak helps a young filmmaker, and survivor of a brutal attack, who has become obsessed with spirits that allegedly haunt a hotel in Seguin, Texas. And later, he gathers compelling evidence of a possession at Birmingham’s Sloss Furnaces
Power & Ice introduces viewers to the brave men who maintain and build the remote and rugged Alaskan power grid. The series follows three fiercely competitive line companies as they battle freezing temperatures, devastating storms and zero visibility to bring power to people whose lives depend on a constant flow of electricity. The highly skilled employees of Alaska Line Builders, Electric Power Constructors and City Electric will compete for the life-threatening big-money jobs found only in the 49th State. These men work in a dog-eat-dog world, but they get a charge from putting their lives on the line.
At the Sacramento County Jail, incarcerated women fight the power and one another as they try to make the best of life — and love — on the inside.
Follows a group of successful and educated women who are connected to the world of medicine in Atlanta, including doctors and wives of doctors. Whether delivering babies in Louboutins or rushing off to galas in Buckhead, these women do everything with style, drama, and of course, southern flair.
Status and strategy collide in this social experiment and competition show where online players flirt, befriend and catfish their way toward $100,000.
Comedians and lifelong friends Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse share their personal and hilarious life experiences while travelling around the UK fishing for elusive species.
Love Island will see a stunning cast engage in the ultimate game of love, as they land in a sunshine paradise in search of passion and romance. Each of the glamorous members of the public will live like celebrities in a luxury villa, but in order to stay there, they will not only have to win over the hearts of each other, but also the hearts of the public. Can true love win out on Love Island or is it all a game? Caroline Flack, introduces us to the cast of hot, young singles who have come looking for a summer of love and romance. The winners will leave the island with £50,000 in six weeks’ time but to get their hands on it the singles will need to go the distance.
Journeys to the tops of the treacherous Everest Himalayan Mountains, highlighting the work of a rare breed of pilots who put their lives on the line to save those facing certain death. Featuring exclusive access to a group of diverse helicopter pilots as they manage emergency calls during the climbing season as well as intimate interviews with them and their loved ones.
