Entering ‘The Real World’ in Austin

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Roommates get personal
Now that all seven are here, they each begin a series of personal disclosures. It’s fast and curious. Johanna says she doesn’t like people who sleep with the fan on. When asked what he does, Wes proclaims, “I don’t do anything but party.”

They quickly get bored with the group discussion and split into smaller groups.

Away from the others, Rachel and Melinda decide to share a room. Danny tells the others, “Let’s get some alcohol.” In the control room, a producer responds with an optimistic and slightly sleazy “Perfect!”

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Johanna calls a director from a wall-mounted phone — nicknamed the Batphone — which is discreetly hidden in a hallway. The control room goes silent. With the tone of a guest calling the hotel concierge, she asks where she and her six new best friends can find a liquor store. The director tells Johanna he thinks they should “go explore.” Every time the cast want to leave the house, they must use the phone to prepare production staff.

“Look at the phone book and give us 10 minutes,” the director says.

Wearing their cowboy hats, the seven strangers enter the confessional room, the domain where producers have instructed them to reveal their inner thoughts to a small camera mounted across from a chair bolted onto the floor at least once a week. The group mumbles something about being the best “Real World” cast ever. Then all seven stampede out the front door in search of the closest liquor store. Both the house and the control room fall silent.

“I’m surprised they didn’t mention the pool,” says Johnston when asked about his first impression. “I’d love to have a pool in my house.”

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