The streaming wars are about to stop being polite and start getting real.
ViacomCBS is reviving “The Real World” for streaming service Paramount Plus. The venerable reality TV franchise will be part of the March 4 launch of the service, which is effectively a rebrand of existing streamer CBS All Access.
The initial installment of the rebooted franchise will see the cast of the first season reunite for “The Real World Homecoming: New York.” The multi-episode reunion will be shot in the same loft where the series’ first season was filmed. Original housemates housemates Becky Blasband, Andre Comeau, Heather B. Gardner, Julie Gentry, Norman Korpi, Eric Nies and Kevin Powell will reunite for the project, which is being produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and Bunim/Murray.
“The Real World” premiered in 1992 on MTV and ran through 2017. The series broke ground in the reality docu-drama format and in representation on TV, dealing with issues such as the HIV epidemic.
“MTV’s The Real World has been credited with creating the Reality TV genre and was one of the first series that tackled important and yet unrepresented topics of the time, from HIV/AIDS, Race, Gender, Orientation and Religion,” said Chris McCarthy, president of MTV Entertainment Group. “With Paramount+ being the home to so many global reality hit franchises, it seems only fitting to bring back the franchise and cast that started it all.”
Sitarah Pendelton-Eaglin, Candida Boyette-Clemons and Nadim Amiry are serving as executive producers for MTV Entertainment Studios. Jonathan Murray, Julie Pizzi, Erica Ross, Kevin Lee and Trish Gold are executive producers for Bunim/Murray Productions. Jacob Lane is co-exec producer. George Verschoor serves as consulting producer.
