T. Green
The Real World Ex-Plosion
It’s the 29th season of The Real World, and the producers are hitting us with a brand-new concept. We still have the seven strangers living in a house, but with a twist. After 28 days, everyone’s ex-partners will live with them in the house (note: two of the housemates won’t have an ex there). This season is set in San Francisco for the second time. The first time was all the way back in 1994 when The Real World had one of its more iconic seasons with the Puck antics, the Pedro story, and other memorable moments. Twenty years later, the show is still kicking. Let’s take a look at the initial cast members and see how they fared in their first episode.
Arielle
Background: Age 24 from Oakland, black, lesbian, currently a model but wants to be a horror film director, father wasn’t around when she was younger but says that isn’t why she’s a lesbian
Episode: The four girls are the first to arrive at the house. They decide to play a prank on the boys and have Arielle pretend she’s straight. Thomas makes a pass on her at the club, but Arielle finally cops to the joke. Later in the episode, she has an encounter with a drunken Ashley which ends up with Ashley wielding a hot skillet and splashing grease on Arielle’s face. Arielle is not amused but plays it cool, knowing it’s going to be tough to deal with Ashley in her current state.
Initial Impressions: I like her a lot, as she’s one of the more chill people in the house. Could end up being the “voice of reason”.
Jay
Background: 26 from The Bronx, Italian, works as a DJ, mother has cancer, has an ex-girlfriend named Jenna
Episode: Not much to report here, Jay pretty much hangs out, states his attraction to the girls, and shakes his head at the drama that’s already infiltrating the house.
Initial Impressions: I’m sure some people saw his home footage and thought “Jersey Shore reject”, but he’s been cool enough so far. Looking forward to seeing him featured more to get a better sense of what he’s all about.
Cory
Background: 22, wanted to get away so moved from Grand Rapids to Los Angeles, personal trainer, ex-girlfriend named Lauren
Episode: Cory gets naked in the hot tub, but no one pays him much attention. He blows up at Ashley after she takes shots at his family. Later on, he gets seduced by Ashley’s advances at him but pulls the plug after Ashley has another meltdown. He has eyes for Jenny, but is initially cautious of getting involved with her. But later on, Cory ends up having sex with her in the confessional (while they’re both wearing bear suits…).
Initial Impressions: I think he has a good head on his shoulders. Like many guys, he can get sucked into temptation at times, but at least he has enough awareness to dig himself out of potential danger.
Thomas
Background: 21 from Fort Worth, has a twin named Stephen, insists he’s not a frat boy, teaches tennis, ex-girlfriend is Hailey
Episode: Thomas passed out early on the first night, so he missed out on much of the hijinks. After he struck out with Arielle, he turned his sights to Jamie. He impresses her at the club with his confidence.
Initial Impressions: He comes from a wealthy background, but so far has acted like any other normal person. Could have some player tendencies, but we’ll see about that.
Jamie
Background: 22 from Houston, formerly in a band, met her ex-boyfriend Cameron through music, has tattoos
Episode: Jamie calls out Ashley after figuring out she has two boyfriends at the same time. As mentioned, she takes a liking to Thomas, even though she acknowledges he’s a bit cocky. Tries to play matchmaker in the house by getting Cory and Jenny together.
Initial Impressions: Another candidate for “voice of reason”, but she may be a bit blunt and snarky for that role. She does seem cool though, and she offers up a different personality for the house.
Jenny
Background: 23, migrated to Los Angeles from Kansas City, ex-boyfriend is Brian, they fought quite often in their relationship only to keep getting back together
Episode: Jenny has another falling out with her ex on the phone early. She seems ready to move on as she goes to the club ready to mingle. Jenny comes across a character named Doug who ends up being a borderline stalker. They go back to the house (more like he follows her home) and end up in the hot tub. It’s an uncomfortable situation as Jenny tries to let Doug down easy. With help from Cory, Doug finally gets the boot from the house. As mentioned, Cory and Jenny don’t waste time acting on their attractions to each other.
Initial Impressions: Jenny appears to have a good heart. I also like that she can play up her sexiness without being trashy like an Ashley.
Ashley
Background: 23, lives in San Francisco, originally from West Virginia, has a boyfriend (or two: more on that in a bit), admits she’s spoiled
Episode: Ashley tells the house about her boyfriend who’s a personal trainer. Later that night she’s with a guy named Francis from Paris who’s a yacht designer. Ashley claims that the personal trainer actually wasn’t her boyfriend but a friend of her boyfriend. Jamie calls her on her B.S., prompting Ashley to turn into “Drunk Ashley”, her alter ego.
She rips on the entire house, Jamie and Cory in particular, saying that her family could buy anyone else’s in the house. She goes on acting like an entitled resident of San Francisco who’s above everyone else. Ashley even runs outside at one point in nothing but her bikini. A day or two later she has the incident with Arielle and the grease.
Initial Impressions: Hey, sometimes on these shows, a person can have a bad first night. But a second bad night right after that? Not good for your long-term prospects. I didn’t even mention her constantly falling out of her clothes out at the club and back at the house. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not the slut-shaming type. I just don’t think it’s a good look for her on the first few days. Ashley also comes across as whiny, calling home to her grandparents complaining about everyone being against her. There’s still time to redeem herself though.
Overall: I’m actually enjoying this so far. The episode didn’t drag on to me and there was enough there to keep me engaged. We’ve seen more diverse casts before, but I think the personalities are different enough. The roommates are likable enough too (even Ashley is kinda fun in a train-wreck type of way) as opposed to Portland which had a few bad apples. The exes angle will definitely change the game, but there’s no telling whether it’ll become compelling TV or boring, run-of-the-mill relationship drama.
