Commentary
I used to be a big fan of “The Real World” and “Road Rules” series on MTV. At one point, it was my goal to make it onto either show, preferably the “The Real World.” But, after “The Real World: Austin” I was exhausted. The show, and MTV as a whole, had become a caricature of what it had once been.
I don’t know when it happened, but “The Real World” went from a show that tried to break down social barriers into a show where everyone gets drunk and sleeps with each other. I felt like a husband who doesn’t get any fulfillment from his relationship and decides that he wants a divorce.
When I gave up “The Real World” I subsequently gave up “Road Rules” and the “Real World/Road Rules Challenge”—for those who don’t know, that includes “The Gauntlet,” “The Duel,” etc.
By mid-2006 I had completely weaned myself off of MTV. It was fairly easy with MTV showing less music videos and more shows like “Laguna Beach” and “The Hills.”
I “accidentally” watched “Real World Awards Bash” which led to me watching “The Real World: Hollywood,” but since then I have been completely MTV-free.
Well, until now.
I was at home one night. It had to be around 10:30 p.m. and for some strange reason MTV was on my television and not just any regular MTV show.
It was “The Duel 2.”
I was fiddling around on the Internet, so I was half-watching the show. But, the longer the show was on, the more I began paying attention. Once again, I was hooked and I have been watching it for the past three weeks.
I just can’t get enough.
I liken it to eating Krispy Kreme donuts—those donuts have to have crack in them—you start by eating one and before you realize it, you’ve plowed through 13 of those bad boys.
I feel dirty for watching this show.
It hasn’t changed at all, in fact it’s getting worse—more booze, more debauchery, more sex—but I just can’t get enough.
The next season of “The Real World” will be in Cancun and I wonder if I’ll be able to go cold turkey again.
If I can’t, I’ll just lay back and let the drug take its course.