For freshman Andrew Blume, being cast on MTV’s Real World would be the opportunity of a lifetime. Blume was among hundreds of University students and community members at the EMU on Saturday to interview for MTV’s reality TV show.
“I want to experience reality TV and live in that big house and meet cool people,” Blume said. He also felt he was a worthy candidate for the show. “I am Jewish and I’m also vegetarian; I am not afraid to speak my mind.”
The EMU Fir Room was busy from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with hopeful candidates eager to share their unique talents and outgoing personalities with MTV’s casting crew. None wanted to miss the chance to be one of the seven new cast members for Real World 23, whose host city is undetermined as of yet.
The casting crew visited nine locations across America seeking ambitious individuals to create Real World 23. MTV came to Eugene looking for young adults between the ages of 18 and 24. When candidates arrived at the casting call, they were given questionnaires regarding their personal history, interests, accomplishments and hobbies. After completing the paperwork, they were called in for a group interview with seven to 10 other candidates.
The interviews were reportedly very casual and covered current events such as the current Real World season, Rihanna and Chris Brown, the war in Iraq and the economic recession. Oregon football running back Remene Alston described the group interview as very laid-back.
“The interview was basically an open floor and very group-oriented,” Alston said. “The topics were extremely general and open-ended.”
Freshman Katie Wang described the interview as “flowing like a conversation among a group of friends.”
Many students were excited about the opportunity to be on the next Real World. Freshman Michael Jedlicka shared his motives for wanting to become part of the new cast. “I want to expose my drunken endeavors on TV for my friends and family to enjoy.” Jedlicka believes he is a perfect candidate for MTV. “I am from Alaska,” he said. “I am crazier than most other people.”
Alston, a junior, thought an athlete would be a perfect addition for the new cast. “I have been watching the Real World and the cast members all seem fake and they have never casted an athlete before,” said Alston. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance.”
The casting crew looked for specific groups of young adults. MTV Casting Director Kasha Foster said this included people who were physically challenged or handicapped, struggling with weight issues, adopted via foster care, grieving the loss of a family member or deeply passionate about a cause or social issue. “We are always looking for people who represent our viewership,” said Foster. “We look at what America is struggling with and we want to find individuals to represent that. However, we are very open to anyone that interests us.”
Foster was excited to look for potential cast members in Eugene. “We haven’t done the U of O in a while and it is an ideal place to find that age group of 18-24,” she said. “The audience that you find here in Eugene has an interesting vibe. You get city people mixed with country people and we are looking for that unique mix, and so far there is a lot that we like here.”
Foster said the next round involves another interview, a personal video and much more paperwork. She also said the location for Real World 23 has not yet been determined.
Those who moved onto the next round were contacted Saturday evening. Among the select few chosen to advance was Eugene resident Leon Murry. “Round one was just a group interview and they only got a little piece of what I have to offer,” Murry wrote in an e-mail. “Round two is going to be me on the camera, giving them me!”
Murry said he would gladly accept if he is chosen to be on the cast. “I have always been told I would be doing something like this in the future. I am a people person,” he wrote. “I think it would be really funny if i made it into the Real World 23. Hopefully, the time is now.”
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