MTV Stares Into the Generation Gap With a Disorienting Real World Reboot

If MTV ever dies, The Real World will be in the first line of its obituary. After debuting in 1992, the pioneering reality series not only catalyzed the network's transformation into a youth lifestyle brand, but also managed to survive for 25 years. Even if the angsty, political Gen X seasons ended up giving way to fratty, drunken antics in the 2000s, the core concept--a diverse group of young people share a luxe home--was loose enough to change with the times.

If MTV ever dies, The Real World will be in the first line of its obituary. After debuting in 1992, the pioneering reality series not only catalyzed the network's transformation into a youth lifestyle brand, but also managed to survive for 25 years. Even if the angsty, political Gen X seasons ended up giving way to fratty, drunken antics in the 2000s, the core concept--a diverse group of young people share a luxe home--was loose enough to change with the times.