Tag: Real World

By Me, MTV, Musings, safe sex, Strong Words, TV36 Comments

Update on MTV’s Real World Condom/STD/Pregnancy Contract Stipulations!

CorinaWrites

In June, I wrote an article called “Does MTV Provide Condoms for Reality Show Castmates“? I’m still curious as to the answer, but I’m not sure what else to do towards discovering the truth. Ultimately I would like some answers straight from MTV, but I don’t think I’m high enough on the blogging food chain for that! I have come across some new information, though, that has me even more intrigued…

Earlier this week, the Village Voice posted an article titled “We Have Obtained a Copy of MTV’s Standard Real World Cast-Mate Contract“. They posted the entire 30 page monstrosity, which, not surprisingly, basically asks participants to sign away every right they have. After reading the contract, and pondering the general nature of MTV, reality shows, advertising dollars, etc, I’m considering a disturbing conclusion: MTV wants participants to have unsafe sex. Or at least doesn’t mind, because it benefits their ratings.

As I write this I’m astounded by how naive it sounds to presume that they wouldn’t want the drama, and how conspiracy theorist it sounds to presume that they are hoping the cast members suffer the consequences of unprotected sex. I thought perhaps the reason was that MTV didn’t want to be liable for the efficacy of condoms that they provided, but details in the contract specifically eliminate that concern. So at this point it seems like…

Pregnancy scares are good for sucking in more viewers! STD symptoms make for great teaser previews of next week’s episode! The emotional ramifications of any cast member suffering the consequences of unsafe sex is generally dramatic, and therefore great television, hooray!

I’m not even arguing with all that – it is dramatic, intriguing television. But I promise it can still happen even if you provide them with condoms and encourage them to use protection. Condoms aren’t 100% effective, and people (especially drunk people) don’t always use them 100% correctly. Hell, at this point I would just be happy to see a Trojan commercial between breaks. If you can have castmates just “happen” to crave delicious Subway sandwiches, they can also “happen” to crave a ribbed for her pleasure before hopping into bed. Plus it’s not like these are emotional condoms, acting as a barrier to prevent promiscuity, hurt feelings, misunderstandings, and embarrassment. All of those things (the basic tenets of reality TV, perhaps?) are still available in abundance!

Click “read more” at right to see direct quotes from the contract, and images of the actual document… Continue reading “Update on MTV’s Real World Condom/STD/Pregnancy Contract Stipulations!”

By Me, Lists, MTV, Musings, Strong Words, TV1 Comment

In Defense of Reality Television

CorinaWrites


Reality TV is really, really easy to dislike – we all know this. I’m pretty tolerant of craptastic shows, movies, etc, but there are some that even I can’t handle. I’m talking to you, Teen Moms, Toddlers & Tiaras, and Real Housewives of any city! But I can’t take the high road, because I indulge in other pieces of reality TV trash like Jersey Shore, any competition show on Bravo, and my new favorites, the storage unit auction shows.

So yes, it’s easy to compile a list of all that’s wrong with reality television. But I’m not going to front like I’m too classy to enjoy the MTV Real World/Road Rules even though there hasn’t been a new season in like 5 years Challenges. Here are my top 5 fave things about reality shows, and the people who are on them:

1. Reality television is like the best psych experiment ever

Back in college, my pursuit of a BA in psychology led to many observation scenarios. You try to stay as removed from the subjects as possible, often behind a two-way mirror, lest you contaminate the environment you’re attempting to observe. Now, though, I can observe a huge variety of human behavior from the comfort of home! Maybe I’m wondering what it’s like to be a real estate agent in New York, or a Gypsy in the UK, or a cheerleader in Texas. Or, maybe I’m curious about how people react to losing large amounts of weight, having their car repossessed, or having pranks pulled on them.

One click of the remote and I have hundreds of two-way mirrors that I can peek through. Reality TV is also appealing to anyone that is nosy about basically anything. You can see inside people’s bedrooms, watch them break down mentally and then pull it together again, or get a voyeuristic thrill from seeing the Real World roomies strip down beneath the sheets. It’s like having a universal key that opens any diary you see! Continue reading “In Defense of Reality Television”