WhenThe Real Worlddebuted in 1992, its creators couldn’t have known the cultural force they had unleashed.
The groundbreaking series inspired a flood of imitators and a hunger for more and more reality TV.
It would be years before shows likeBig Brother,Survivor,andAmerican Idolhelped unscripted programming dominate the airwaves.
The New York City cast from the first season of ‘The Real World’.Credit: Everett Collection
Below, we’re ranking every season ofThe Real Worldfrom its most tepid to unmissable best.
The Realness:That wound up just beingwayyytoo many roommates.
Memorable Element:Brandon K. entered the house six months into his sobriety.
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And that was just the premiere.
Also, Colie came down with mono from actually kissing so many people.
The Realness:Did this cast ever really jell?
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He died in 2014 of acute mixed drug and alcohol intoxication.
Memorable Element:The romantic relationship between KellyAnne and Cohutta was both unexpected and totally delightful.
The Realness:Karamo would later become the resident culture expert on Netflix’sQueer Eye.
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Memorable Element:The cast had to evacuate their house not once but twice for hurricanes.
Joey ultimately left the house in episode 4 to attend a treatment facility.
He returned in episode 8, only to leave the following episode as he feared a relapse.
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Not surprisingly, some rather offensive things were said.
So, yeah, that meant quite a bit of drama.
It reached a fever pitch in the final episode when Jason’s birth father turned up.
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The Realness:Emily was voted America’s Next Fitness Star byWomen’s Healthin 2014.
The Realness:The season’s nonstop fighting continues today onThe Challenge.
Eventually, they got back together and remained together for quite some time following the series' end.
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The Realness:Leroy and Mike’s bromance remains one of the best in 32 seasons.
Unfortunately, it didn’t stick, as Melinda revealed they were divorcing in 2010.
Frankie, who had cystic fibrosis, died in June 2007.
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Memorable Element:Did we mention this is the season that gave us C.T.?
Ordonez, and Devyn Simone.
The Realness:Katelynn was the first openly transgender cast member onThe Real World.
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That friendship endures today.
The Realness:Mike’s dreams of becoming a wrestler came off as something of a joke.
It wasn’t:The Miz is now a WWE Superstarand Wrestlemania champion.
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Memorable Element:O.G.Real Worldseasons really just involved a lot of talking.
While this one lacked some of the fireworks of many others, it remains relaxingly compelling.
The Realness:Jacinda later focused on her acting career, starring in the 2021 movieHide and Seekand Netflix’sBloodline.
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Watching the roommates experience that day was heartbreaking, cathartic, and absolutely unforgettable.
The Realness:There have beenreportsthat some of those reactions were staged.
The Realness:Let’s not forget David’s relationship withRWproducer Kara.
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But also there was that threesome in the shower.
The Realness:Five years after the season aired, the cast reunited for a spinoff miniseries.
A massive argument then ensues, resulting in the women demanding that David move out.
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Later in the season, Tami gets an abortion.
The Realness:Tami returned to reality TV forBasketball WivesandBasketball Wives LA.
Ultimately, she departed from the house to attend a treatment facility.
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And then there’s his massive fight with Puck.
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