PARAMOUNT has been releasing various “REAL WORLD” related dvd compilations, even a “REAL WORLD: EXOTIC VACATIONS” title, offering a brief(50 minute) travelogue with several of the residents from past seasons as tour guides. 

This reality series premiered on MTV in 1992. Cameras followed seven individuals, living rent-free in a home provided to them by the network.  In exchange for the free residence, and a chance at celebrity-dom, the individuals agreed to give full access to cameras for the show.  A week’s worth of material was edited down for the most entertaining footage, to fill a 30-minute timeslot.  The series was instantly successful and ran the for the entire 3 months in which the residents lived together. 

There have been many “reality-based” television series since “REAL WORLD” premiered, but this was truly the “real” thing!  Different individuals took part in the series over the past ten years, for different reasons than “contestants” in the other shows.  Unlike “reality” shows since, there were no “prizes” for these people, other than a fan-base, and the footage aired over a 13 week period, provided much more insight into the individual personalities than “SURVIVOR”, “BIG BROTHER” or any other show since.  Many were hopeful for a chance at fame, but weren’t concerned at revealing their less favorable attributes in the process.  Remember that nose-picking guy we loved to hate named “Puck?” 

The first season of the series was a certified success for many reasons. To begin with, it was “new!”  As simple as it was, its concept had never been done before!  Also, these people all represented different aspects of society. There was the gay guy, the jock, the “nice” southern girl, etc.  If we didn’t “know” these types of people, we wanted to at least know about them. 

PARAMOUNT has provided the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio for this transfer.  Although the show was one of the first “tries” for original programming, with modest budgeting, it looks quite impressive.  Colors aren’t vibrant, but still have depth.  Contrast is solid, with adequate blacks and grays, and there’s generally impressive definition in dark scenes.  Fleshtones appear natural, and there’s no artifacting whatsoever!

The one disappointing and “infuriating” thing about the soundmix is that the original songs which aired with the show and reflected its time period have all been substituted with annoying guitar!  It’s unforgivable! Really!  It doesn’t matter what the “licensing” issues are. If the series is going to be released than the powers that be shouldn’t be so cheap as to allow its original content to be changed this way!

Quality-wise, dialogue is intelligible and free from distortion. 

The 2-disc set features the entire season, running over five hours.