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.
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The colorful crew at Gotham Garage overhauls an eclectic collection of cars and trucks, trading up to a showstopper they can sell for big bucks.
A raw look at three teenage pregnancies and the effects it has on their families as everyone prepares for the arrival of the babies.
A stylish group of San Antonio sophisticates with Mexican heritage try to balance their social lives and the demands of raising a family. But, it’s their shared experience of facing the ongoing challenges of American culture, while still finding ways to honor their heritage and traditions, that bonds these ladies with a connection that runs deeper than friendship.
Jo Frost, a modern day, tough-love “Mary Poppins” is placed with families in need of guidance or care. She spends an extended period of time with a family, observing their issues and then, using a series of her own tried-and-true methods, offer solutions. Problems can range from discipline to sloppiness or anything in between.
Jimmy Carr hosts proceedings as the 8 Out of 10 Cats crew take over the words and numbers quiz.
Jump in the cab with some of the men and women behind the wheel of monster road trains and reveals what life is really like on the wide-open road. Highly dramatic, often humorous, Outback Truckers reveals the true blue heart and soul of Aussie trucking.
I Survived a Zombie Apocalypse is a horror-themed game show set in the future after a nationwide epidemic has transformed most of the country’s population into ravenous zombies. The contestants have to survive in the Monroe Shopping Village and need to work together to secure their makeshift base as they try and avoid any contact with the flesh-eaters. Anybody still “alive” after seven days is then rescued and sent to a tropical quarantine zone as a reward.
