Memoirs of a Couch Potato

I want everyone to bow his or her heads in respect for the pioneer of reality shows-MTV’s “The Real World.”
Debuting in 1992, “The Real World” was the first of its kind to give viewers a glimpse of what can happen when seven people from seven different walks of life interact which each other, which usually ends in tears, or someone getting so drunk they have to be admitted to AA.
My first experience with “The Real World” started in San Francisco (1994, third season). Although I was only 8-years-old, word spread quickly that there was a gay dude on the show with AIDS. Not knowing about either subject, I watched in amazement as Pedro Zamora dealt with not only being gay before it became mainstream, but deal with a disease that not only took his life, but now rapes the black community.
During season two (Los Angeles), Tami decided to have an abortion. Seeing she and her cast mates go back and forth over the subject not only humanized the problem, but also talked about it in a language I could understand.
“The Real World” did not dictate what you should do. It presented the options and showed you both sides.
Like many other products of a small country town, I didn’t have access to the counter-culture such as the one MTV showed. In its prime, “The Real World” was not only a venue of entertainment, but also a learning experience for the viewer as well as the cast members.
Sadly, by season 11 (Chicago), “The Real World” had gone straight to hell. No longer were colorful, compelling, interesting cast members chosen, instead, members were chosen based on a stereotype: the angry black guy, the gay guy, the closed minded Midwesterner, the Asian chick, the alcoholic white girl with an eating disorder, the black diva and the college frat boy.
In a television world where only ratings count, “The Real World” has shifted from an enlightening experience to a very bad acid trip. Now, seasons begin with hot tub action, liquor and a modern witch-hunt to find out who fits what stereotype. By the end of the first night, Becky has hooked up with Trevor and Susan while Kareem and David get into an argument over how David can like other men.
Which leads me to thinking about the title. If anything, “The Real World” should be changed. There is nothing ‘real’ about the lives these people are living. No rent. No bills. No real problems. I would love to see an episode where Tyrone gets in trouble for spending the rent money on weed or the housemates have to decide whether to pay the light bill or water bill. We might as well have Aneesa bring her 3-year-old daughter with her.
Who am I kidding, I saw the previews for the next season and I am in heavy anticipation. The dialogue goes something like this:
“You’re gay.”
“You’re black.”
“I don’t feel safe here anymore.”
You think I am going to pass up another show just because it does not feed my mind? I have books for that.