Ok, full disclosure - I am mildly obsessed with the various mutations of the Real World/Road Rules Challenge. I got into it a couple of years ago, during the first installment of The Battle of the Sexes - there was just something dopily exhillarating about the way the franchise had so blatantly moved beyond any resemblance to "reality". By this season, The Inferno II, which pits "Good Guys" from sundry Real World and Road Rules casts against their "Bad Ass" counterparts, I wasn't sure the cartoonish construction of it all - they're essentially producing WWF-style superheroes out of people famous for being "real" - could get any more out of hand. I've perhaps been proven wrong: Dan Renzi, late of The Real World Miami and multiple Challenges, has posted on his blog that he and his fellow non-breeder Challenge veterans "have all pleaded" MTV to produce a "Gay vs. Straight" RW/RW Challenge. However, the network has so far resisted: "Some fear it would be considered offensive; no one would ever have a "Black vs. White" challenge, for instance," Renzi writes. "But to those people I say this: Lighten up!" I think I agree - but really, as long as they keep on giving me opportunities to hate Veronica, I'm happy. The Next Real World/Road Rules Challenge - Gay vs. Straight?
Ok, full disclosure - I am mildly obsessed with the various mutations of the Real World/Road Rules Challenge. I got into it a couple of years ago, during the first installment of The Battle of the Sexes - there was just something dopily exhillarating about the way the franchise had so blatantly moved beyond any resemblance to "reality". By this season, The Inferno II, which pits "Good Guys" from sundry Real World and Road Rules casts against their "Bad Ass" counterparts, I wasn't sure the cartoonish construction of it all - they're essentially producing WWF-style superheroes out of people famous for being "real" - could get any more out of hand. I've perhaps been proven wrong: Dan Renzi, late of The Real World Miami and multiple Challenges, has posted on his blog that he and his fellow non-breeder Challenge veterans "have all pleaded" MTV to produce a "Gay vs. Straight" RW/RW Challenge. However, the network has so far resisted: "Some fear it would be considered offensive; no one would ever have a "Black vs. White" challenge, for instance," Renzi writes. "But to those people I say this: Lighten up!" I think I agree - but really, as long as they keep on giving me opportunities to hate Veronica, I'm happy. 
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-16-2005 @ 4:18PM
Tim said...
Why does MTV have to continually subject us to more of their 'reality tv'? The Real World was an interesting show the first season or two, I can't even really say that about Road Rules. So what better idea than to combine them time after time and give those reality-celebrities more time in the spotlight.
I miss music videos.
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6-16-2005 @ 4:18PM
Baker said...
Seriously, at this point, MTV needs to change it's name. It's no longer about the music.
Anyway, straights vs. gays...yeah, that's a great idea. You would see the straight team go all out, because they don't want to lose to the "sissy team", but would inevitably lose because they're going at it too hard.
If they want to do straight/gay battle, I would rather see something like Monster House vs. Queer Eye...now that would make fine crossover TV!
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6-16-2005 @ 4:18PM
orimental said...
Where would Veronica fit in this challenge? She's more of the wannabe lesbian type.
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6-16-2005 @ 4:18PM
Loren Javier said...
Ha ha! Yes, anything to get us to hate Veronica more! Throw in Julie in there and you've got a deal.
I'm like you. I have to admit that I am hooked on Real World/Road Rules Challenge. I like it better than the shows from where they get their contestants.
As an openly gay person, I wouldn't find a gay vs. straight edition offensive at all. Some of the strongest competitors in the competitions have been lesbian or gay. "Battle of the Sexes" bores me. "Gay vs. Straight" all the way, MTV!
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