Watching MTV

Can you believe it, “The Real World: Sydney” hasn’t even aired yet and we’re already talking about the next season! There’s still no word as to where the 20th season of “The Real World” will film (rumors point to LA), but we do have our first castmember. Say hello to “PretyBoy”:

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“PretyBoy,” whose real name is Greg Halstead, was the lucky winner of MTV’s “Real World Casting” web contest. For those of you in the dark, MTV set up a networking site where viewers could campain for votes to land a spot in the next “Real World” house. As weeks went by contestants were weeded down to just one person. Here’s what the new winner had to say about being cast:

I really wouldnt find it too beneficial for my family to see how much I do use profanity, or how many “females” I “entertain.” They really are unaware of my life regarding these two aspects. SO, I might have to tone down my language

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Um, ok? Something juicier would have been nicer. For the link to Greg’s personal “Real World Casting” page, as well as to read more of what he had to say, click “read the rest of this entry.”

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Yes, the work week is back upon us. Sit back, relax, and log on to www.WatchingMTV.com tomorrow to fulfill all your guilty pleasures:

• Find out why a cast member of “The Hills” was rushed to the emergency room over the weekend.
• Get your first glimpse of “The Real World” season 20! That’s right, the season after Sydney.
• Finally, a new “True Life” episode is about to begin filming. But this is one I could never, ever be a part of. Get the scoop here, tomorrow.

It’s the weekend!!! If you can put down your new copies of Harry Potter long enough, here’s what’s in store:

• Find out who’s telling MTV to cancel “The Real World.”
• Get a behind-the-scenes look at a favorite MTV show. Also, find out what’s in store for its new season.
• How can a bean burrito help you get a ticket to the VMAs? Find out tomorrow.

So, we got fed a ton of pictures yesterday of the new “Real World” cast as well as the new house. Here are a selected few, with tons more, of course, after the jump.

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See the rest!
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One more day until the weekend. Let this tie you over tomorrow:

• See explosive video from the upcoming “Real World: Sydney.” You might want to shield your eyes, there’s nudity and fighting all around.
• Find out huge VMA news, including where it’ll be hosted and who might do a very special performance.
• See inside the new “Real World” house! You won’t believe how revealing the showers are this season.

Just kidding, I even own several MTV books myself (”Real World” books, obvs). Anyway, plans were announced to publish an MTV travel guide, formally titled MTV Roadtrips U.S.A..

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The book discusses each region of the country, offering local recommendations as well as general tips for potential travelers. For example, MTV recommends that you eat at Rafa’s Burritos in El Paso, Texas because the portions there are “literally as big as your arm,” and that you also call 800-FREE-411 instead of wasting your money with other expensive options.
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Now, this story takes a weird turn (meaning it has a strange connection to “The Real World”). To find out what it is, click “read the rest of this entry.” See you after the jump.

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Meet Cohutta Lee, the Southern gentleman joining “The Real World: Sydney” cast:

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Being raised in Blue Ridge, Georgia Cohutta got to experience growing up in nature and using a rifle well before his teenage years.

He took part in the Real World series as part of his goal to see as much as possible before settling down with children.

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Hmm, that didn’t really offer as much information as I would have liked, but I suppose we must make due. Also of interest is that Cohutta (along with the rest of the cast) has watched the first episode. He feels that this season will be “much different” than any other “Real World” season. Is this because it’s in Australia for the first time? Or because the cast is less ethnically diverse? Or maybe because Parisa is there to whip them into shape?

Tomorrow is tantalizing for the following reasons:

• Get to the bottom of an explosive MTV censorship scandal. Oh, and I forgot to mention, WatchingMTV.com has the exclusive video. Too hot for YouTube!
• Find out which musician (and host of a popular MTV show) got this description: “[He was] seeming to teeter on the edge of becoming destructive during the song.”
• See a new picture and learn some new facts about another upcoming “Real World” castmember.

See you then!

[image source]

Lucky you, you’re one of the very first people to hear directly from the new “Real World” cast! Here’s what Parisa had to say to the wonderful WatchingMTV.com readers:

a lot of sites seem to be focusing on the fact that i’m persian/muslim instead of my professional and academic background (i worked in finance all throughout college and almost went on to investment banking before deciding to quit my job junior year and going back to performing arts, taking acting classes at the [NYU] Stella Adler studio and recording and performing again as a vocalist… that’s a huge life decision in itself and then i was cast on the real world right after graduating in december as the ball was rolling with the music stuff so it’s crazy to be introduced to the world as “the muslim girl”)

Even though this season marks the first time that a Persian-American has been cast for the show, it’s clear that Parisa was cast for other reasons as well. One thing the casting directors look for in every prospective “Real World”er is a layered personality. The show’s producers know that there has to be enough story to last about 22 episodes, so it’s important to cast people with varied personality traits. Can’t wait to see how this cast fairs!

I’m trying out a new thing here at WatchingMTV.com. Each night, I’ll be giving you a sneak peek at what’s coming the next day. It will only be a short little blurb, so you’ll have to come back the next day to find out the whole story. (Am I a genius or what?)

Tomorrow!

• You’ll get to finally read that exclusive scoop I got from Parisa from the next “Real World” cast.
• You’ll see a whole gaggle of new, tantalizing pictures of a certain “The Hills” star.
• And more!

See you then!

I’ve received no official confirmation about this yet, but internet grumblings seem to suggest that this is the next “Real World” house:

I find it a little odd that they would place the house in such a crowded public space. There seems to be a balcony on the 2nd floor, but wouldn’t the cast receive tons of unwanted attention from that public walkway just a few feet below? However, the large window panes on the first floor appear to be made of frosted glass, so that would keep peering eyes away.

In any case, we’ll have to watch and learn.

You heard me, Parisa is your new fave. Not only is she a smart cookie (educated in finance and international relations, career aspirations as an investment banker), but this girl can sing. Check it out:

Damn! Who the hell even cares who won the basketball game, the performance alone would be worth going. Team Parisa!

Both Dunbar and Parisa of the new “Real World” cast commented on yesterday’s post. They each had interested things to say, it’s definitely worth a read. (I’ve confirmed each of their private e-mails to make sure it was really them. You can be assured that they’re both the real deal).

I obviously became an MTV blogger because I had a passion (read: addiction) to the subject matter. Hearing from two castmembers, even though the comments were somewhat critical, is huge for me. We’ll talk more about this later, but until then, thanks for the comments.

UPDATE: Parisa and I have been swapping e-mails, and let me tell you you are in for a treat this season. She’s so nice and well spoken–I’ll be posting the exclusive info soon.

If you’re asking yourself, “who the hell’s Trisha?”, then you obviously didn’t read close enough! (See “The Real World: Sydney”).

Anyway, here’s the brand spankin’ new picture:

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And, of course, the new info:

She is adopted

She was raised in a very religious Christian family and is very close to God still.

Shr can talk more than anyone she knows but claims to listen just as well.

Her best friends gave her the nickname “Virgin Bitch” when she was in high school.

She claims to be the most fun and outgoing person you’ll ever meet and LOVE to be where the action’s at as her friends tend to wonder how she can non stop party night after night.

[source]

Is it just me, or is there a definite “Laguna Beach” vibe to this season? So far we have two super blonde, super perky (looking) girls, with the definitely possibility of more to come. Hopefully there’s some depth to these women, lest we be forced to suffer through another boring international edition of “The Real World.” I suppose we’ll see.

It’s time for the last installment (for now!) of “The Real World: Sydney” gossip. We’ve so far reported (in part I and part II) that three girls–Trisha, Shauvon, and Parisa–will take residence in the new “Real World” house. But what about the guys? Here you have it:

• Isaac Stout, from Shaker Heights, Ohio, is 21. Uh.. more on him later?
• Dunbar Flinn, of Natchez, Mississippi, is 23 and a student at the University of Mississippi. He’s a military man, so expect a lot of Iraq arguments (think Rachel from the Austin season).
• Cohutta Lee, from Blue Ridge, Georgia, is also 23. Apparently he’s some type of evangelical something or other. Those crazy “Real World” kids…

Make sure to check back, pictures of the house are coming soon.