March 10, 2011 - 12:39am
'The Real World' is seeking Ann Arbor's 'strong personalities'
BY PROMA KHOSLA
It’s official: Ann Arbor is no longer safe. Safe, that is, from the insatiable jaws of reality television and that immovable pillar of morality known as MTV. This Saturday, MTV’s “The Real World” will be holding an open casting call from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Scorekeepers to find stars of the show’s 26th season.
I know I can’t be the first person whose initial reaction to this was surprise that “The Real World” is still on. It’s old enough to be most reality shows’ granddad, but after over two decades, the show has gotten lost in an endless labyrinth of survivors, apprentices, pregnant teenagers and residents of New Jersey.
Producers are hoping to find young people who have had to overcome obstacles—that includes everything from poverty and natural disasters to religious oppression or tragedy.
It’s a noble enough premise, but will “The Real World” live up to the producers’ aspirations? According to the press release, executive producer Jonathan Murray says he’s looking for “people with strong personalities who are unafraid to speak their minds.” Yeah, that’s how some would describe Snooki. Hopefully, Saturday’s batch of future “Real World” cast members won’t fall into the trap of tacky reality TV caricatures. If MTV finds real people, the kind it’s looking for, reality TV could find some redemption.
