In case you haven't been watching Real World: Hollywood, do yourself a favor and spend this weekend catching up on every episode. After reaching a total creative and casting nadir with Real World: Denver, I thought the series was dead. It no longer seemed relevant or remotely fascinating. I stopped watching, and for the first time in ten years, completely missed an entire season (Sydney). But then came Hollywood. I had to watch it because that's where I live. Little did I realize that this new season with its revamped format would serve as the return to form that this franchise has so desperately needed. Yeah, there've been some good later seasons (I enjoyed Key West and San Diego), but the truth is that ever since Vegas, the storylines had become tiresome, and the cast members boring drunks who merely drone on for episode after episode about stupid hookups made when stupidly drunk.
This time around, the drama has felt bigger, better, and more riveting. The entire saga of poor Joey, the livewire addict who went from Incredible Hulk to rehab specialist, was more fascinating than most anything else on TV this spring. Plus, actually getting a cast with real career goals (even if they are in entertainment) makes a huge difference. There actually does seem to be a relatable through-line to the season: how to get your ass in gear when everything around you is tempting you to do otherwise. The show is relevant again (for the time being).
That's not to say it's without its old charms. Take, for instance, the clip above the clip here (obnoxiously, MTV doesn't allow the clip to be embedded in blogs). Sarah, one of the most judgmental girls in the house, gets a bit too tipsy at dinner, and well, vomit ensues. Ah, but the best part isn't the puking (although, it's pretty good). The best part is her vitriolic rant at the very end of the clip. To paraphrase her, "Probably shouldn't have been drinking. Probably shouldn't have been puking all over the sidewalk."
Nevertheless, a photocap of Wednesday's show after the jump...
"William, I'm a very direct woman. If I do not get a goodnight kiss, and please understand that I have controlling interest in Denver Carrington, I shall fire you all on the spot and replace you with a boyfriend that will approve of the kiss."
"And he was like 'You can't wear short shorts to court' and I was like 'What you talking about?' and he was like 'It's indecent,' and I was like 'I wore this to my grandpa's funeral.' Anyway, I blew him and it was all settled."
"Don't you get it? I'm improvising AWKWARD SILENCE!"
"Hi. I'm Nick. And my head is PERFECTLY ROUND."
"See? It's like a pea! Or the sad Zoloft ball!"
Kim: "Welcome to the house! Just don't be ghett-oww or anything."
"Well the big news is that we have new STDs that we'd love to share with you."
"TAKE US. ACCEPT US. MAKE US MARGINALLY FAMOUS!!!"
Shaggiest couple in Real World history?
"Wow, you're so much lighter than Janelle."
i miss Greg.
NOT.
hb
I've been finding that the Real World has been almost unwatchable for a couple of seasons now. Peering into the lives of drunken whores and manwhores with no futures just isn't as fun as it once was.
On the other hand I have been loving the RWRR Challenges and the next one looks like it'll be amazing. Their trying to make it more like survivor so the place where they'll be staying in Panama has no electricity. They'll have to get drunk and hook up in the wilderness. Also Kenny is coming back. I love his faux-macho personna. Dave from Hollywood will also be on it.
B-Side you should do a blog post about the RWRR Challenges trying to become Survivor.
Here's the info on it: http://vevmo.com/f187/real-world-road-rules-challenge-panama-2008-a-1692/
I can see why Sarah would get so upset about someone taking a blurry, cell phone pic of her puking. What if something like that were to get on the internet?!?!
MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY, RWD.
It's nice to see theyve replaced Greg with....Greg.
Also, nothing goes with mexican food like Jager. mmm
I really like the girls in the house this season unlike Denver (COLIE) and Sydney (oy Trisha). Sure Sarah can be a little preachy, but isn't it refreshing to have someone with a relatively normal perspective on what's going on? And yeah, it makes it all the more entertaining when she embarrasses herself just like everyone else.
Is anyone else starting to hate Will? He almost tries harder than Dave to be cool. I'm glad the girls called him out on his lame puppy love shtick, and he was a jerk to the new chick.
P.S. Not to ignore the slur explosion at Greg. TERRIBLE.
I don't hate Will, but I think he has some growing up to do. He flirts with sanctimoniousness, and when he stole Riva from Greg (despite how lame both Riva and Greg were), that was pretty shady. Then the things he said to Greg were also bad. But overall, I still like Will, and I like that he has drive and ambition (or so we're lead to believe).
Sarah's hilarious. She actually seems pretty smart and good with analysis, but she's immature and judgmental too. We all are judgmental, but she does it in a way that's particularly grating. Still, whereas once I hated that about her, now it just cracks me up. Whatever it was she said about Will ("Probably should be ____. Probably should be _____") was an instant classic. I only wish I remember what it was.
Hey Bside,
I've been reading you since your tvgasm days, and it was the greatest discovery ever to find this blog... which I found about 2 months ago, and I've been lurking ever since.
Anyways, I had to fill you in on the Sarah quote (though I don't have it down exactly), I believe it was "Probably shouldn't be wrestling another girl when you have a girlfriend. Probably shouldn't be on top of a girl when you have a girlfriend."
The latest episode of the season definitely won me over (I gave up on Sydney too after the Denver debacle, though Isaac won me over in the end), I do find the immaturity of Sarah (and the rest of the cast) totally hilarious and her judgmental nature is so over-the-top, its fun to watch just to find out when reality will hit.
Being in your 30's watching this show just makes you feel better about not being them and not being in your 20's.. which I appreciate.
Okay, back to lurking.
my favorite bitch this season is Charna.
hb
They should have let Charna move in as one of the replacement roommates. Better yet, she could just randomly be placed in a future season.
This season is crazy with all of the old RW alums popping up. Have the producers ever let that happen on a previous season? You'd think it would hinder their goal of making the show more "real" like the old days.
I think it was inevitable that RW alums would be seen in a season taking place in Hollywood. I imagine quite a few of those people go to Hollywood thinking they will have a career (aside from being on the Challenges) but end up "networking" in bars. What surprises me is that we haven't seen more of them lurking in the background trying to extend that 15 minutes.
Why does Dave ALWAYS do confessionals sitting at an angle? Why does he think he's too good for a head-on confessional? Even The Chosen One did them sitting straight forward!
Sarah is a bit preachy, but seriously it is good to see that some people on that show are not total whores/drunken/idiots and have some type of plan for their life. Although I never miss a Real World season even when they are really bad so yes I do enjoy the whoring/drunken/idiots as well.
Does Will own any shirts that don't advertise Detroit or a Michigan school in some way?? What's up with Janelle, does she just want some more camera time?
What is up with all the other casts hanging out? Once you are on one of these shows you immediately move to LA and hang out together? Someone please explain this to me, I don't get it?
It was so funny that guy brought home Riva and the blonde skank! LOSERS!!
Hey guys, Greg, aks Brody, is selling his behind to any willing male buyer in South Florida. Here is a link to his "rentboy" site.
Some player, huh?
Hmmm, there's no real evidence that this is Greg. Someone just put up a random pic from MTV.