The Real World
...ormal lives. It's tough to be a student when people on the street walk up to you and tell you why you're a jerk. "I think in a few years there will be Reality TV Anonymous self-help groups," New Orleans' cast member Melissa Howard told a reporter shortly after the show wrapped. "Hi my name is Melissa and I'm a victim of The Real World." 2 The "Virginal" Roommate Character M.O.: Wide-eyed and pure, this character is nauseatingly nice and proudly naοve. Often possessing strong Christian values, he/she has a tendency to get emotional and/or preachy. Examples: Julie (New Orleans), a devout Mormon who says no to sex, drugs and caffeine. Julie (New York) Elka (Boston) Jon (Los Angeles) Getting-the-part tip: Wait until marriage. The "All-American Male" Roommate Character M.O.: With freshly-pressed khakis and a toothy white grin, this character looks like he stepped straight out of a J. Crew catalog. Usually quite boring and often named "Mike," he becomes less generic when he drinks. Examples: Mike (London) Mike (Miami) Colin (Hawaii) Sean (Boston) Jamie (New Orleans) Getting-the-part-tip: Wear your favorite fraternity shirt when making your audition tape. The "Gay" Roommate Character M.O.: Ummm, must we be clearer? Examples: Danny (New Orleans) Ruthie and Justin (Hawaii) Dan (Miami) Genesis (Boston) Pedro (San Francisco) Stephen (Seattle) (at least according to Irene, anyway ) Getting-the-part tip: If you're gay-flaunt it. MTV casting agents love dipping into controversy, so don't be afraid to jump out of the closet, both hands in the air. The "Instigator" Roommate Character M.O.: This character derives pleasure from others people's pain. Two-faced and bored, he/she pits the roommates against each other by spreading vicious rumors. A favorite tactic? Entrusting the most insecure member of the cast. Examples: Justin (Hawaii) Montana (Boston) Beth (Los Angeles) Puck (San Francisco) (If he fits anywhere, it would be here.) Getting-the-part tip: Claim to be a sucker for controversy. The "Pretentious Poet" Roommate Character M.O.: A practitioner of experimental music and/or spoken word, this character carries around a well-worn journal and spends a lot of time alone to "think." Examples: Kaia (Hawaii) Jason (Boston) Kevin (New York) Mohammed (San Francisco) Getting-the-part tip: Adopt a faraway look while making your audition tape, and speak in a stream-of-consciousness beatnik style. The "Ethnic" Roommate Character M.O.: Though there's almost always more than one non-white character per season, this one is intent on making his/her heritage a constant issue. Heated fights about racism ensue. Examples: Melissa (New Orleans) Kameelah (Boston) Kevin (New York) David (Los Angeles) Getting-the-part tip: Refer constantly to your "roots," and, if possible, wear ethnic garb. The "Drama Queen" Roommate Character M.O.: This is the girl everyone loves to hate. Demanding, attention-starved and deliciously bitchy, she makes a paper cut seem like a life-threatening disease. Examples: Amaya (Hawaii) Flora (Miami) Irene (Seattle) Getting-the-part tip: Whine, cry and stomp profusely. The "Playah" Roommate Character M.O.: This character often goes clubbing without his roommates for fear that they'll cramp his style. The result? Hoochies parade in and out of his bedroom at all hours of the night. The virginal roommate is disgusted. Examples: Syrus (Boston) Teck (Hawaii) David (New Orleans) Eric (New York) Getting-the-part tip: Bring your little black book. 3. Executive producer John Murray (a former news documentary reporter who developed the show with soap opera producer Mary-Ellis Bunim) calls the show "a crazy chemistry experiment that can explode in your face, or make great TV." We say that The Real World involves both. Having already become MTV's highest rated series, more than 35,000 people applied for Real World-dom last year alone. As for next year's season (which will air in 2001), the casting has already begun for the show: an anniversary season to be shot in New York City. (UPDATE: The deadline has passed, but keep checking The Real World site for the casting call dates for the next season!) The casting call The mail-in application Option No. 1: The Casting (cattle) Call In New York it was at the Palladium. In Omaha it was at the local college. In San Jose it was at Six Flags. MTV holds casting calls across the country in its quest for seven perfect strangers. To find out when MTV will be in your area, you can either watch TV (do they ever stop showing those Real World marathons?), or go to MTV's casting site. What you can expect when you get to the casting call: 1. Get there as early as possible. After waiting a good 2-plus hours (depending on your location), you will be given an application that will ask some standard and not-so-standard questions, such as your name, age, and "fantasy date." Other questions include: "Have you ever been arrested?" "Have you ever hit anyone?" "Describe your first love," and "How important is sex in your relationship?" It will also ask you to rate your participation in activities such as cooking, cleaning, shopping, sleeping, reading, drinking (alcohol), laughing and partying. 2. You'll be given a number, then told to wait some more in another line until your number is called. 3. You'll be called into a room (or hallway) where two or more people (MTV reps) will be sitting behind a table. There may or may not be a video camera rolling. The interviewers will ask you a few questions (not unlike those on the application), and you'll be forced to try and be witty and "real" while spitting out your most embarrassing moment or describing your last date. 4. Two-to-four minutes later, you'll hear something like, "Thank you very much." It could be less than that. If the interviewers then say "goodbye," take the hint and go home. However, if the interviewers then say "we'd like you to come back for another interview later today/tomorrow," then celebrate--you've made it to the next round. If the interviewers say "please remove your clothing," then paydirt! You'll make millions on your sexual harassment suit. 5. Wait until they call you back. Option No. 2: Mail in a tape If you don't live near a major theme park, shopping mall, college or internationally renown nightclub, never fear. Besides, who has time to wait in line at the Outlet Center when you can just send in a tape? With a mail-in application, all you've got to do is send a 10-minute tape showing why you'd be a good candidate for The Real World. This mail-in application process is a lot tougher than it seems, so here are our tips for making a tape that will display your best qualities: The biggest mistake people make is to just sit down without any forethought and just record a stream of consciousness babblethon. This usually spells certain doom. So think about what you want to talk about, practice it, and run it by some friends. Be as creative as possible. MTV pleebs have to watch thousands of these things, so at least keep them awake. Creativity doesn't necessarily mean that you have construct elaborate sets; just that you talk about things that are different and interesting. Tell them a story. Talk about your school, your goals, your boyfriend, your girlfriend (or, better yet, your boyfriend and your girlfriend). Tell them about how you helped save the rainforests during your summer vacation, how you handed out food to the homeless last year, how you were homeless last year. Shock them if you can. Charm them. Disgust them. Whatever you do, casting directors say, "Be real." (duh) Be as entertaining and outgoing as possible. Remember, you are going to be on TV and will be giving tons of confessionals to a videocamera, ...