Here's my thoughts of tonights episode in order 1st that girl Brandon likes seems like a total ****** she calls him up to hang out and then blows him off, 2nd Trey is fully starting to become the next Johnny Banannas like a lot of people predicted, 3rd the cast's job looks really fun and when LaToya stepped on the urchin lol Karma, 4th Brandon is a total chick when he drinks he gets drunk, remembers stuff to make him sad, gets all upset, and then the next day claims he blacked out he doesn't remember, and 5th I loved Robb and Marie's response to Trey's message in the kitchen smearing peanut butter and drawing pictures of the cast in it.
Overall I think this was another good episode and from the look of things from the preview this season going to be good and in my opinion this season has been good since the start.
I thought this episode was okay. Even though there is not much drama, I still enjoy watching this cast. I think what the problem is, is that normally there are dramatic scenes that are connected by the cutesy scenes that show what make the cast members likeable. But for this season, rather than just being those fill in scenes between the drama, it's the whole episode. Even without people pointing and screaming at each other, I enjoy watching this cast so I don't have too big a problem with this season. I guess I may be in the minority though haha.
This episode was probably the best so far. I think the season may start to pick up some steam actually.
I love the Marie/Latoya interactions.
And even though I didn't have a problem with him, I've always had this sneaking suspicion that by the end of the season I would not like Trey. I'm starting to think I was right. I just have this weird feeling that he will be my absolute least favorite at the end of this.
[QUOTE=Nightwolf;312731]There's no replay because of that new show they're debuting[/QUOTE]
MTV stopping giving this season replays since like last week.
They've made it clear they couldn't careless about this season. I was upset when I noticed they were showing Jersey Shore before last nights new episode. Wtf? What about the people who missed last week and wanted to catch up.
As for this episode, it was ok.
Based on the mid-season trailer nothing really exciting happens for the rest of the season , Except for the Robb situation. I'm guessing we are getting 7 more episodes before they throw in the towel.
[QUOTE=KevinW;312750]MTV stopping giving this season replays since like last week.
They've made it clear they couldn't careless about this season. I was upset when I noticed they were showing Jersey Shore before last nights new episode. Wtf? What about the people who missed last week and wanted to catch up.[/QUOTE]
They probably thought the jersey shore leading into the new real world would get better ratings.
With nothing to do of great import today after a follow-up visit to the dentist after some surgery, I watched all of this season, back to back. My brain hurts...
The one thing abundantly clear to me is that this might be an interesting cast. Unfortunately, I don't know if can continue watching because the editing is simply terrible. Clearly, the story editor has no idea what he or she wants to tell us. Nothing is set up or shown in context. There is no story! It's like they randomly threw some clips together rather like abstract art. The job is an interesting case in point. In the interview Trey talks about his sense of responsibility -- drinking/hangovers and work the next day don't mix. Then Brandon is as excited about sharks as he was about Ashley... He gets hammered, is hungover. Now here is an opportunity for him to grow... by having to go to work the next morning hungover and feed the fish with the chum from last night's adventure. That might be a decent learning experience and create some tension with the job for the rest of the cast. (Dude, you're going to get us all fired!). If you go back just a few seasons, the old BMP editors had a clue. The ones today apparently don't.
If you have 7 "strangers" living together, then the interrelationship of action, conflict/drama, and resolution/growth from setting to setting and the impact of each setting upon the context of communal living must be the goal. If it's not, then we only need two cameras: One in the bedroom and another in a bar for @ 10 weeks.
I have been watching The Real World for many years, and have seen over half the seasons since I have become such a big fan. Even through the more boring seasons (DC, SD 2) I have still tuned in every single week. I can't say the same for St. Thomas. I don't know, something about this season makes me not care. I have seen every episode, but I don't have the same excitement that I had on all the other seasons. I really hope next season will do better because I don't want the series to end.
I agree with what V1man said about a lack of storyline... Every episode is mostly them just pulling pranks on each other, get into small arguments, and the Trey-Laura part I guess is sort of a story, but they're boring so that doesn't make it much better.
[QUOTE=rwdenverfan;312806]I have been watching The Real World for many years, and have seen over half the seasons since I have become such a big fan. Even through the more boring seasons (DC, SD 2) I have still tuned in every single week. I cant say the same for St. Thomas. I dont know, something about this season makes me not care. I have seen every episode, but I dont have the same excitement that I had on all the other seasons. I really hope next season will do better because I dont want the series to end.[/QUOTE]
I have to completely agree with you on this
This is actually my first season watching, but I'm still bored with this season sometimes. I liked this episode though. We will upload our funny response in a few hours.
Boring bunch of people that makes me bored watching them is my impression for the episodes I've seen so far but I promised myself I'll watch this to the end!!!
I don't think the cast is boring at all. I think the problem is that the cast is too friendly with one another. You don't have cast members hating one another, or even disliking one another. It looks to me like they all genuinely like one another which is good for them living together but bad for television.
[QUOTE=TheFeedMachi;312819]I don't think the cast is boring at all. I think the problem is that the cast is too friendly with one another. You don't have cast members hating one another, or even disliking one another. It looks to me like they all genuinely like one another which is good for them living together but bad for television.[/QUOTE]
I think you hit the nail on the head. Viewers want drama, people fighting with each other. If everyone is sitting on the beach all day and talking about what peanut butter-type prank to do next, it's not very interesting.
The only redeeming factor for this season, for me, is LaToya. She's easily one of my most favorite people on the Real World in a long time. I'm kinda neutral to the rest of the cast, they're just kinda ....meh.
[QUOTE=arilicious;312820]I think you hit the nail on the head. Viewers want drama, people fighting with each other. If everyone is sitting on the beach all day and talking about what peanut butter-type prank to do next, it's not very interesting.[/QUOTE]
I think the "fighting with each other" is "youtube-stupid." I want to see them getting involved in learning about each other and exploring issues important to their age and culture. That is what used to make the series interesting and relevant.
I enjoyed this episode quite a bit. The job looked fun. Trey looked ridiculous rubbing himself on Marie's pillows but it made me chuckle. LaToya stepping on the Urching and Swift relishing in it was funny and I enjoyed LaToya's portion of their rap.
Brandon falls way too hard. I really think that girl is just trying to get some face time on TV but she doesn't want to be involved with Brandon. She probably had him as a backup plan thinking, "Well, if I can't find anything better to do, I'll probably bring some friends to get on TV." Something else came up and she ditched him. He didn't make it any better by sounding so hungry for her attention of he phone.
[QUOTE=V1man;312871]I think the "fighting with each other" is "youtube-stupid." I want to see them getting involved in learning about each other and exploring issues important to their age and culture. That is what used to make the series interesting and relevant.[/QUOTE]
I totally agree, but I do think some of the "fighting with each other" and other drunken drama is attractive to some viewers (not me) and helps ratings. But I think what has in the past set RW apart from Jersey Shore and other trash I refuse to watch is that the drama led to self-discovery and "teachable moments" for the audience. I think that is exactly why Vegas did so well as compared to the seasons surrounding it - there was ample infighting/hooking up/obligatory girl-on-girl action, BUT throughout the season, we were able to see the backstory and/or growth of each character (well, not sure Adam Royer grew much, but he was a great foil for Nany's growth!) as a result of either their own personal journeys or their relationships with others in the house (i.e. Heather with Dustin). And like you mentioned, there were definitely clear and consistent story lines throughout, with some fun stuff thrown in between. I personally liked Brooklyn and DC (though I may be biased since I'm from DC) because they certainly explored relevant issues to their age and culture and did NOT have cookie-cutter casts, but most found those seasons boring, hence why I think there needs to be both aspects in order to retain viewers. I'm hoping this season turns around b/c I do enjoy the cast a lot (as compared to SD2 where I really only liked Alex), and the mid-season preview showed promise of deeper issues being explored, but I won't hold my breath.
[QUOTE=Jenspiffer;312884]I totally agree, but I do think some of the "fighting with each other" and other drunken drama is attractive to some viewers (not me) and helps ratings. But I think what has in the past set RW apart from Jersey Shore and other trash I refuse to watch is that the drama led to self-discovery and "teachable moments" for the audience. I think that is exactly why Vegas did so well as compared to the seasons surrounding it - there was ample infighting/hooking up/obligatory girl-on-girl action, BUT throughout the season, we were able to see the backstory and/or growth of each character (well, not sure Adam Royer grew much, but he was a great foil for Nany's growth!) as a result of either their own personal journeys or their relationships with others in the house (i.e. Heather with Dustin). And like you mentioned, there were definitely clear and consistent story lines throughout, with some fun stuff thrown in between. I personally liked Brooklyn and DC (though I may be biased since I'm from DC) because they certainly explored relevant issues to their age and culture and did NOT have cookie-cutter casts, but most found those seasons boring, hence why I think there needs to be both aspects in order to retain viewers. I'm hoping this season turns around b/c I do enjoy the cast a lot (as compared to SD2 where I really only liked Alex), and the mid-season preview showed promise of deeper issues being explored, but I won't hold my breath.[/QUOTE]
While I don't completely agree with you, I would be remiss not to acknowledge your very articulate prose as well as your logical arguments. If anything, I think Mr. Royer has regressed.
You wrote "there was ample infighting/hooking up/obligatory girl-on-girl action..." Certainly these are important elements of RW and of reality TV in general, but for me, the most successful RW seasons have been those in which the infighting and the hookups or lack thereof (Ryan & Bay/Brooklyn) were the result of the dynamics of the interplay between and among cast members.
BTW, it appears that we are neighbors (Arlington & DC). :)
[QUOTE=V1man;312885]While I don't completely agree with you, I would be remiss not to acknowledge your very articulate prose as well as your logical arguments. If anything, I think Mr. Royer has regressed.
You wrote "there was ample infighting/hooking up/obligatory girl-on-girl action..." Certainly these are important elements of RW and of reality TV in general, but for me, the most successful RW seasons have been those in which the infighting and the hookups or lack thereof (Ryan & Bay/Brooklyn) were the result of the dynamics of the interplay between and among cast members.
BTW, it appears that we are neighbors (Arlington & DC). :)[/QUOTE]
Yeah but see, this cast is pretty damn trashy as far as I see them and they seem to have no usefulness in terms of Real World other than being trashy. The thing is though is that they to me come off as the trashy type that thinks they're amazing people that everyone should love as if they're hilarious and everything they do is entertaining, when that's far from the truth. It works with Jersey Shore because of how over the top ridiculous all of the personalities on that show are, but what exactly does Marie bring to the table that any other "party girl" in her 20s doesn't have? Or Latoya, or Robb, or Trey?
The show doesn't "need" all of the stuff you listed, but unless they have crazy stories like Dustin's every season, what else does this show have left? It's not like watching the same story told over and over again every season's going to all of a sudden make the show feel unique and more entertaining. That's why Brandon to me is the only character I'm pretty much interested in at all for the most part just because his story is different and genuinely does interest me in seeing how it unfolds. But then look at something like Laura's. She's adopted and wants to find her parents or whatever. We just saw this story 2 seasons ago and there's only three logical endings to it. They're dead, they reunite and they love each other, or they want nothing to do with her. I guess some people may want to see which of the choices it ends up being, but with something that seems to have happened so many times on not just this show but other shows (and well, you know, real life) it just feels old now.
[QUOTE=V1man;312885]While I don't completely agree with you, I would be remiss not to acknowledge your very articulate prose as well as your logical arguments. If anything, I think Mr. Royer has regressed.
You wrote "there was ample infighting/hooking up/obligatory girl-on-girl action..." Certainly these are important elements of RW and of reality TV in general, but for me, the most successful RW seasons have been those in which the infighting and the hookups or lack thereof (Ryan & Bay/Brooklyn) were the result of the dynamics of the interplay between and among cast members.
BTW, it appears that we are neighbors (Arlington & DC). :)[/QUOTE]
Thank you V1Man; that is a very nice compliment coming from you! And I do agree with your statement; in fact I think that my Vegas example actually speaks to your point regarding the infighting (sans Adam Royer's drunken destruction) and hookups being the result of interplay between and among cast members. Mike and Dustin's physical blowup, while fueled by alcohol, really got to the core of Dustin's need to be accepted/liked and Mike's firm belief in not playing the victim (both resulting from their troubled pasts/home lives). Nany and Heather's hookup is (or was made to appear via editing) what caused Heather to realize how much she valued Dustin as a confidant and made her reconsider her views on why Dustin's past changed their present. Nany's attraction to Adam, while clearly a mistake, helped her to realize she needed to end a relationship back home for which she had been settling. And so on. Vegas 2 was not my favorite season overall (I started seriously watching RW around Boston), but it definitely had characteristics of the older seasons and the newer seasons mixed together, which is more than I can say for the few seasons on either side of it. And I actually am fairly interested in what those cast members are up to now and how they've continued to grow/relate to one another, which means the editors did a good job of investing me in their lives (whereas I really couldn't care less what the SD2 cast is doing!). In seeing the previews for the current season (to bring this back on topic), it sounds like there is a chance they may explore Marie's issues with "ruining everything she touches," Robb's self-injury, Brandon's continuing struggles with sobriety and his past, and Laura's adoption. This would give the chance for us to see growth and perhaps deeper bonds formed between castmates as they navigate these issues together (or pointedly apart).
And I'm actually from Bethesda, MD, but work in DC. (And my first post on Vevmo was actually a pic of Ashley and Mike moving into the RWDC house. :)) Sad that DC wasn't a better received season!
[QUOTE=Nightwolf;312887]Yeah but see, this cast is pretty damn trashy as far as I see them and they seem to have no usefulness in terms of Real World other than being trashy. The thing is though is that they to me come off as the trashy type that thinks they're amazing people that everyone should love as if they're hilarious and everything they do is entertaining, when that's far from the truth. It works with Jersey Shore because of how over the top ridiculous all of the personalities on that show are, but what exactly does Marie bring to the table that any other "party girl" in her 20s doesn't have? Or Latoya, or Robb, or Trey?
The show doesn't "need" all of the stuff you listed, but unless they have crazy stories like Dustin's every season, what else does this show have left? It's not like watching the same story told over and over again every season's going to all of a sudden make the show feel unique and more entertaining. That's why Brandon to me is the only character I'm pretty much interested in at all for the most part just because his story is different and genuinely does interest me in seeing how it unfolds. But then look at something like Laura's. She's adopted and wants to find her parents or whatever. We just saw this story 2 seasons ago and there's only three logical endings to it. They're dead, they reunite and they love each other, or they want nothing to do with her. I guess some people may want to see which of the choices it ends up being, but with something that seems to have happened so many times on not just this show but other shows (and well, you know, real life) it just feels old now.[/QUOTE]
I was replying to Jenspiffer, but my prior/original rant was intended for the interns at BMP whose job it is to read vevmo. I'll see if by tomorrow I have the motivation on a Friday to respond to your views. I doubt that I will. Don't take it personally. I only have so much mental energy to give to this franchise that I probably all-too-often defend to the surprise of some at BMP.
I feel like such a fish out of the water now with you guys spouting all of this insightful stuff about the old seasons since I'm a Real World noob lol. Maybe I'll check out some of the seasons you guys mention.
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