Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

MTV looking for “Real” people

Looking for fifteen minutes of fame?

Bunim/Murray Productions [BMP] will be holding an open casting call for upcoming seasons of The Real World and Road Rules at Jillian’s Boston tomorrow; from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Jillian’s Boston is located at 145 Ipswich Street, behind Fenway Park.

Anyone between the ages of 18 through 24 is eligible, provided that they bring a recent photo and form of picture identification. Participants need not be United States citizens, or enrolled in college.

“We’re really enthusiastic about people from diverse backgrounds, who have a perspective they want to share with others,” said Jason Horowitz, BMP’s senior casting coordinator, explaining what characteristics are ideal for potential cast members. “There’s no standard profile – we’re always looking for new perspectives.”

At the auditions, attendees will be divided into groups of ten and given a topic to discuss, as casting directors look on. Participants are not given a choice of which show they will appear on, should they be chosen.

“There’s no guarantee that we’ll get to see everybody,” warns Horowitz. “We encourage people to head out early. But unfortunately, there will be situations where 600 people show up, and we can’t see them all.”

The Real World and Road Rules are generally considered the pioneers of the “reality television” trend. On The Real World, MTV’s longest-running series, seven strangers live and work together in the heart of an American city. Recent locations have included New York, New Orleans, and Honolulu. As is customary, the settings for the yet-to-be-filmed seasons of both shows have not been revealed.

On Road Rules, a Real World spinoff, a six-member team travels to various locations around the world and lives in a Winnebago, while accomplishing “missions” – which often include bungee-jumps and sky dives. The most recent season of Road Rules, set in Morocco and Spain, introduced a concept borrowed from Survivor, in which the team was forced to vote off a member.

Many Real World and Road Rules alumni have gone on to careers in the entertainment industry. Examples include Real World New York’s Eric Nies, who hosted MTV’s The Grind, and Real World Seattle’s Rebecca Lord, who is now a successful musician. Others, such as Lord’s Seattle housemate Irene McGee [who was famously slapped across the face by another cast member] have gone on to denounce the show.

“Some people find out who they really are by appearing on the shows,” explains Horowitz. “Others don’t have the same experience.”

Despite the criticism of former cast-members like McGee, Horowitz still feels that the shows offer a worthwhile opportunity.

“You get to find out how you react to certain situations, and to learn more about yourself through meeting other people,” he says. “And you get to live in a really ‘phat’ pad.”

As over 30,000 people audition for both shows every year, Horowitz admits that the odds are hardly in anyone’s favor. But, he says, “It’s still worth a shot.”

“We do take thirteen people every year,” he says. “These people are shocked and surprised, and very happy at the same time. And there’s a very good chance that at least one person from the Boston casting call will be chosen.”

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