MTV

Tonight was a night of MTV reality television. I started off with the new episode of the latest season of Real World. This season brings us to the tumultuous Key West. Tonight's episode reaffirmed the fact that Tyler is definitely my favorite cast member. The token gay guy, Tyler is absolutley hilarious. But not because he's flamboyant or anything of the sort, more because he's kind of an asshole. But in a good way. Following Paula's mental breakdown, some of the rooommates were extremely concnerned. Tyler was dumbfounded by the fact that they gave such a damn. I appreciated his honesty.

The premiere of 8th and Ocean followed the Real World. This new show chronicles the lives and careers of young models (who all happen to live together). The physical beauty of these young men and women is reason enough to watch the show. The drama that is sure to unfold is extra incentive. My favorite model so far is Britt, the newbie from Kansas. She claimed Jesus as her "husband" and fretted over the implicit nature of her poses. Models posing in sexually explicit ways? Who knew? Ok, so that part was lame, but I actually really liked Britt because, as my roommate put it, she's socially awkward. She doesn't know how to dance!! And once the other girls dragged her out to the club and on to the dancefloor, I saw that she actually dances just like me! Yay Britt! (Upon learning this, my roommate promised me dance lessons). I also look forward to the sibling rivalry that will unfold between twins Kelly and Sabrina. Poor Sabrina gets bad acne at some point in the season, so we have that to look forward to...

I thought my night was over after 8th and Ocean, only to find that last night's episode of the Gauntlet II, which I had missed, was on. I of course had to watch. I got to see Alton once again exert his super-human strength, and look sexy while doing it. I was thrilled by another rookie victory, but disappointed to see Derrick beat out Brad in the Gauntlet.

While channel surfing during a commercial break, my roommate discovered that MTVU was playing an episode of RW/RR Challenge: Battle of the Sexes. That inspired a long, detailed discussion between me and our friend Greg about our favorite past seasons of Real World and Road Rules (Seattle and Season 4:The Islands, respectively). We left no season unexplored in our conversation. From Puck getting kicked off, to Neil getting his tongue bit off, to Kaia's creepy-ass poem about Matt, we talked about it all. It was kind of like revisiting old friends. I remember when I first discovered MTV's reality television. I was actually a Road Rules fan before I stumbled upon Real World. Once I had come to know both, my life was complete. I know entirely too much about these people who, essentially, are nobodies. And I like it that way. They are a major part of my childhood and adolescence.

Please, anyone who would like to take a trip down MTV memory lane, drop me a line. Oh, and does anyone know where I might find past seasons of these shows to download?