In 1992, MTV created The Real World, widely understood to be the beginning of reality television in the U.S. Now embarking on the 20th season of The Real World, can you believe it? Which MTV’s Real World was your first? Each show introduces a cast of seven strangers and films their every move, only airing the fun, juicy, interesting parts. The Real World casts chose to be on the show for the experience and not so much exposure. Early cast members didn’t consider becoming major TV stars, they were interested in living in a decked-out house, meeting people from different walks of life and using the vehicle to promote their causes. In more recent seasons, cast members have “Hollywood dreams” and most move into the entertainment world once the show has concluded.
History:
In 1991 Jonathan Murray and the late Mary-Ellis Bunim were working on a scripted soap opera for MTV, which would feature unknown actors living together. The fledgling network quickly realized that the budget for such a show would be more than they could handle, and prepared to cancel the project. Murray and Bunim then shared an idea they were working on for Fox called "American Families," a documentary-style program inspired by the 1973 PBS film, "An American Family," which followed the trials and tribulations of the Loud family. With an estimated budget of $87,000, MTV signed off.
