Reality Unveiled

Welcome back to The Expressionist Magazine

Back in the 1970s and 1980s, there was a television craze that swept through America.  For this was the era of the ever addicting game show.  Millions of viewers would tune into their favorite show, play along with the participants and hate for the hour to end.  Game shows have since come and gone, faded out like an old pair of Vidal Sassoon jeans.  

It seems that nowadays reality television is what most households are tuning in to watch.  America was introduced to reality programming back in 1992 with MTV’s The Real World.  The show was considered to be just a documentary and not really classified as reality television.  Experimental in nature, The Real World was about seven young people from various lifestyles, cultures and backgrounds who were all brought together as roommates.  The show proved to be so successful, that it is now in its 21st season.  Each season launched a new cast of members into a new city, along with a new set of struggles, crushes and secrets.

Former cast member Glen Naessens spoke with The Expressionist recently about his experiences being on the second season of The Real World, Los Angeles.  Naessens said “fear” is what prompted him to audition for The Real World.  As an amateur film maker, Naessens learned that he had to be in front of the camera if he ever wanted to professionally direct.  Naessens admitted that at the time he was “living on the edge.”  He had a band called Perch, just had gotten his B.A. and was interested in pursuing a career in the movie industry.  At first Naessens was rejected at his Real World audition, but his luck soon changed after he was asked to replace cast member, David.  Naessens said it was a little difficult trying to adjust to his L.A. house at first.  Friendships amongst the roommates had already been established.  He felt, too, that the mood of the house was very conservative, especially with roommates Jon, a religious, aspiring country singer and Irene, who was employed by the LAPD.  Season Two of the Real World was much quieter and more tame than its successors.  

The Real World, according to Naessens, is all about bringing conflicting personalities together, especially during his season. He claims that MTV’s mission with the show was to make sure “things would happen” by bringing in very different and strong willed personalities that year.  Naessens took away a lot from his experience on reality television, including the friendships he made with fellow cast members, in particular, Beth Anthony.  He also has had the opportunity to make friends with other seasons’ cast members and even got to hang out with one of Real World’s most hated cast members, Puck.  Strangely, Naessens feels he even formed a mutual respect with the infamous cast member.  Naessens also had many favorite memories to recall, including the time when he and his housemates were urged not to have a huge party, but had one nonetheless without notifying production.  ”That was great,” remembers Naessens.  

If Naessens had a chance to do The Real World all over again, would he?  ”Sure, I would love to see those of us with families share a town and have to deal with our kids going to school together and all the challenges that family life and marriage entails.”  Sounds as if Naessens has an idea for a new reality series.

This former reality television star feels that in addition to MTV’s The Real World, Survivor made reality programming huge.  In 2002, a group of “regular, everyday” people were exiled to a remote, exotic island where they were forced to live off flora and fauna and  form alliances against one another in hopes of winning a million dollars.  Most people believe that Survivor launched reality television.  Naessens continues on to say how much a fan he is of the show.  ”At my house, we do ‘Sushi Survivor Thursday,’ so I look forward to it.  I get a couple sushi rolls, a Victory Golden Monkey beer and just sit and enjoy that hour of paradise.  Love it…love it…love it.”  

Reality television has been compared to living in a fish bowl.  Naessens tells us what it felt like to have cameras in his face 24/7. “It was awkward and very challenging to establish deep relationships.  Somethings in friendships should only remain among two people and not the world.”  Reality television not only makes its’ cast members feel exposed and vulnerable, but has also given some an outlet for romance.  The Bachelor and The Bachelorette are two of the better known reality love shows, not to mention the countless other dating reality series on channels such as VH-1 and MTV.  Old fashioned romantics may wonder, is this what finding love has come to in this modern age?  Others criticize that reality television has become too graphic and may be pushing the envelope on America’s morals.  After all, there is plenty of “in your face” drama such as the inevitable fist fights, sneaky romantic trysts and those naughty little alliances.  Cast members not so private sexual escapades are taped for the world to watch and intimate phone conversations are listened in on by millions.  But, perhaps, these are the very things that keep us watching reality television.  Without the drama, what would reality programming be?  For it’s this kind of drama that validates to most viewers that there are other people in the world who face the same set of problems in life that they do.  Heartache, broken secrets, jealousy, addictions and identity conflicts.  It is these struggles that reality television viewers find, comforting. Reality television even allows us to see celebrities in a more humble light, with shows such as Celebrity Fit Club and Celebrity Rehab.  After all, celebrities  have problems, too!

Naessens says that for him, reality television has taught him many valuable lessons.  Most importantly being that “you really don’t know a person until you’ve spent time being in their shoes, pants or bed!  We all have masks that we wear, but behind each person there are layers of special and not so special desires and regrets.  I choose to tap into desires and encourage people to do what they’ve always wanted to do.  Every time I see The Real World, I think, wow, how hot all the women are!  Then, I think, if I ever did a (Real World) challenge, could I hang with any of these new Real Worlders.  But, I always remember that there’s way more to these people than what we are all seeing…and that’s exactly what I experienced last year at the 20th reunion in Los Angeles.  What a blast!  I am so glad I went.”

Naessens concludes that he is very happy The Real World is still going strong today and refers to it as ” a special show.”  In fact, he feels it could be an educational tool to parents.  ”Parents should watch The Real World to stay in touch with the world their kids keep hidden.”  Americans’ lives may not be as private as we believe them to be.  Voyeurism is oddly exciting, other’s dramatic struggles and conflicts are consoling to our own and exposing what we do behind closed doors can be educational.

And to those who think themes or ideas for potential reality shows will inevitably come to an end, think again.  A new reality series springs up virtually everyday, with another one on its coat tails.  In fact, I think I heard something about the bachelor’s dog is looking for a love match.  Calling all french poodles!  Well, this may not really be the next reality show, but then again, one can never be too sure.

 

*Please check out Glen Naessens’ site, www.klausthered.com