Irony...

On the RW/RR Challenge: The Gauntlet 3, Tyrie had to leave suddenly due to a family emergency. The next day, the immortal TJ Lavin announced the Rookies would be getting a replacement player. Jogging in from the distance, sand from the beach kicking in the air behind him, strode MJ from RW: Philadelphia. The Rookies were ecstatic, the Veterans hearts sank. This could have been a game changer. Unfortunately, all I could think about was how MJ must have literally had nothing else going on in his life at the time.

The ironic thing about the Real World is that the people who go on the show are actually leaving the real world to be a part of this franchise. Most of the time, they are students who seem to be more than willing to either put off finishing school for a semester or just abandon it completely for their 15 minutes of fame. In the beginning stages of the show, when you went on the Real World, you were just putting your life on hold for the unique experience, then would continue on. But the nature of reality tv has certainly changed that. Now, most of the cast mates are in it for the long haul, dreaming of a career in acting, modelling, or music. Or, if they are smart, a career doing Challenges. Oh, can they dream big!

Has anyone noticed that in the last few seasons, they all seem to be going on the Real World for the purpose of pursuing their careers in entertainment and aren't even hiding the fact? Every new house comes with the requisite confession, hot tub (no word yet if it comes already infested with sexually transmitted diseases or if the house mates have to add them), and now... a music studio.

It's always a laugh to read a "where are they now" on occasion from former cast members and see how Parisa from RW:Sydney is releasing a new album this summer. Apparently you can make a living as a ex Real Worlder whose albums nobody buys or even knows exists. Who knew?!

Of course, the sad reality is these people go on the Real World now to jump start a career in entertainment, but in the end it is actually a tremendous hindrance to them. Does no one care that so far it seems the ceiling for a Real Worlder is Tek (Tek, from RW Hawaii, has appeared in Van Wilder and one episode of Friends, which makes him the most successful Real Worlder, by far) It is depressing for them, mildly amusing for us, when they realize this after the fact and have to resort to appearances at malls and dive bars in various small towns across the country. Sure, they could have done their season, went back to school, and gotten a regular job with a stable paycheck and health insurance. But they are living the dream!

But the Challenge is clearly what is keeping them "in the game." Twice every year, the lucky few Real Worlders who made enough of an impression on us get a few thousand dollars to basically have a vacation for a month and maybe win some money. So long as they keep doing these things, these people will never give up their dreams of stardom. Or maybe they are just trying to pay for another boob job or steroid cycle. I hear that's expensive.

Which brings me back to the story of MJ and the Gauntlet 3. He said in his first "talking head" that he had a newborn baby and he needed to make some money for the family. Let me repeat that. HE HAD A NEWBORN BABY AND HE LEFT IT TO GO COMPETE IN A GAME SHOW. Of the many issues I have with that, two come to mind right away.

1. He had a baby who was just born and a wife who was still recovering from the pregnancy and now has to deal with a crying, hungry, pooping baby and he decided it was a good time to go to Mexico and hang out with Johnny "Bananas" and Evan "Steroids." (By the way, what's the over/under on when we can change Johnny's nickname to Johnny "Domestic Violence"?) Now, I luckily haven't had to deal with a newborn, but I can imagine it is pretty tough taking care of it in the first few months of its life. How did he possibly get permission from his wife to do this? Well, they are from Tennessee. Just sayin'.

2. So MJ is sitting at home and he gets a call to go on this reality show and he has nothing else going on work-wise? I can just imagine how this conversation went:

MTV Producer: Hey MJ, it's (MTV Producer). I'm sure you're busy and we know this is probably impossible, but we had a contestant drop out of the Challenge and was wondering if you were available. I know it is probably not likely since...

MJ: I'm in.

MTV Producer: Really? Didn't you just have a kid?

MJ: Yeah, no matter. He'll be fine.

MTV Producer: Do you have to tell your job you won't be coming in for a month?

MJ: Job?

MTV Producer: Oh, never mind. Great! We'll see you tomorrow in Mexico. You're ok with paying for your own airfare right?

MJ: You kidding?! Anything to be in the same cast as Evan, Coral, and Beth!

MTV Producer: Perfect! Oh, one thing though. Are you currently taking any performance enhancing drugs, you know, steroids?

MJ: To be honest, yes I have.

MTV Producer: Awesome! See you soon.

At some point, these guys will stop getting invited to Challenges, out of old age or a desire for some new blood in the series. But unlike professional athletes who retire at a young age, these people don't have plum jobs lined up. At some point, there is an end game for these lifers, yet it seems they don't see it. I mean, what's more pathetic than watching a 35 year old try to relive the glory days of hooking up in hot tubs and trying to do oversized puzzles? Ok, don't answer that. I may be writing about the Real World, but you are still reading it.

The Real World cast members of the beginning wanted a new experience, something they would always remember, something that would always be a part of their life. But they did not want the show to be their life. But the new generation decided to make the show ALL of their life. For better or worse, this is what they will be known for. For some, like Kenny, that is truly their goal in life and all the better. Good for him. But I wonder how many wound up returning to these shows with the nagging feeling that this is the best they will ever do and it's too late for a fresh start.