2006 November

Real World Denver House SOLD to become The Abbey

November 30th, 2006 at 10:29 pm PST by Michael Martin

real world denver house

The Real World Denver house at 1920 Market Street will be officially sold for $3.3 million on Friday December 1st, 2006.

MTV originally purchased the building for $2.7 million and an extimated $1.9 million more to turn the former B-52’s into the Real World house.

All 22,200 square feet of the building will be purchased including approximately 50% of the furnishings MTV provided for the Real World Denver production.

The Alexander Group purchasing the building will be spending around $600,000 to place business offices on the top floors, an upscale lounge on the main floor, and a restaurant in the basement.  The outdoor area where the basketball court and jacuzzi were will be an outside bar.

They plan to call the former Real World Denver house, The Abbey, which is scheduled to open in the Spring / Summer 2007.


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MTV Viewers Numbers Game for the Real World Denver Premiere

November 29th, 2006 at 7:19 pm PST by Michael Martin

mtv logo

There was an MTV Press Release earlier this week stating that the COMBINED viewing numbers for the Real World Denver Premiere over the triad of shows shown at 8, 9, & 10pm on Wednesday November 22nd was over 8.5 million.  This is up nearly a third from last season’s Real World Key West one show premiere.

Variety countered today that the 10pm showing only pulled in 1.56 million and the 3 combined garnered 4.33 million total which would be less than the Key West Real World premiere of approximately 6 million.  Approximately 4 million watched the premiere of the Real World San Diego & the Real World Austin.  Followed by 3.3 million viewers for the initial episode of the Real World Philadelphia.

I spoke with MTV directly about this and they provided me this statement (courtesy of MTV) and Variety is now running a correction:

Last Wednesday night, 11/22, MTV debuted The Real World: Denver with a super-serving premiere event on Thanksgiving Eve.  In a network first, three consecutive airings of the season premiere exposed more viewers to a Real World premiere episode than ever before. Our goal was to deliver a new season of The Real World in a unique and different way by experimenting with a radical, innovative premiere model.

With regard to Variety’s story:
By giving the MTV audience three different viewing destinations, 8p, 9p and 10p, it would be inaccurate to compare any individual airing on 11/22 to previous season premieres.  Variety understands this and is running a correction in tomorrow’s paper.

  • The Real World: Denver reached over 8.5 million total viewers (P2+)
  • The Real World: Denver reached close to 5.3 million P12-34 viewers
  • The cumulative average for all three plays was 4.33 million total viewers (P2+), 3.25 million in the key 12-34 demo
  • Ratings consistently increased each hour among P12-34
  • With The Real World Denver premiere block, MTV was the most watched cable network for the night (8-11p) among P12-34.

Additionally, MTV.com premiered an all-new live post show, The After Show to further satisfy viewers’ cravings for a more in-depth experience with The Real World: Denver:

  • Total Real World Denver content yielded 223K streams on the day after the premiere event (11/23/06).
  • Streams to the premiere episode of The After Show in its first two days live (11/22 - 11/23) were up +81% vs. the Key West premiere episode (2/28 - 3/1).


8 simple rules…

November 29th, 2006 at 3:27 pm PST by Tyler Duckworth of Real World Key West

I thoroughly enjoyed both Evan and Beth’s analysis of the events that have taken place lately on “The Duel“. And, not surprisingly, I side with Beth. Beyond the fact that Svetlana and I didn’t always get along on our season, I think, in all fariness, that Fitzy was very lucky in “The Duel” that night. And that isn’t to take anything away from her effort, as she did fight for a long time.

Most viewers don’t realize how much goes on behind the scenes on a challenge, and sometimes, they fuck things up for the castmembers competing. I think Beth’s loss is a perfect illustration of that. Regardless of what you feel about either Beth or Svetlana, Beth did win. These technicalities are killing these challenges for us competitors, while making good TV in the meantime for the viewers. It was very interesting to see Fitzy drop to the ground in tears when she lost, only to be resurrected when she found out that Beth had been DQ’d. Its a shitty little rule, that I imagine will definately come into play later on this season.

When I swam growing up, and in college, DQ’s were part of the game. A false start could eliminate even the toughest, fastest swimmer. But, if I won a race, after the best swimmer had been DQ’d, I’d feel less inclined to be celebratory, knowing that I won, by default.

I personally wanted to see Beth win, because all those bitches in Brazil were so goddamned sketchy, and they literally were afraid of Beth. Why do you think they hated her so much? Because they were scared! Had she not been DQ’d, that would have meant some NASTY duel’s. Let’s list some fun dream duels:

Aneesa vs. Beth:
For all the shit that the people in Brazil talked about Beth’s size, there are some girls there who DEFINATELY rival her in size. Aneesa being one of them. I would have died to see these two go at it. Duel of choice? The Stick Wrestling Bullshit

Kina vs. Jodi:
Known as one of the sneakiest challengers, I would die to see the two of them go against each other. Without the each other, they are weak, together, they are strong. Much like the dark sith of “Star Wars”. (nerd reference) That said, both are FIERCE, in a drag queen kind of way. And I’d love to see the bang-bang sister go against each other. Duel of choice? I can

Robin vs. Diem
Talk about brains vs. brawn. And by brawn, I mean BOOBS. Big ones too! Robin, despite her over-active ADD, is a great competitor. She used to compete as a cheerleader, which means she has focus, drive and a killer ability to leap in the air. Diem, is also a great competitor. A former elite gymnast, her dexterity and focus give her a definate edge. However, she isn’t as physically strong as Robin. Duel of Choice? The Ascender

Hopefully, some of these dream duels may still take place! I’ll be tuning in just like all of you! Happy viewing


How to Win a Real World Road Rules Challenge

November 27th, 2006 at 3:45 am PST by Michael Martin

Evan Starkman of MTVs Fresh Meat cast spoke to Dose, a Canadian newsite, about the Real World Road Rules Challenge The Duel, as Evan is a Toronto native.

He described the keys to winning a Real World Road Rules Challenge and I will combine them with what I have heard from other cast members below:

top 10 keys of winning a Real World Road Rules Challenge.

1) Preparation - Work out compulsively, diet, tan, and be as really really really good looking as possible. Also prepare in your mind how you are to act in order to get your “TV Time” - causing drama usually gets the best results.

2) Strategy - No real strategy can be formed beforehand, so those with a quick mind to formulate a plan, generally given about 5 minutes after the rules are explained, do well….if they are actually listened to.

3) Hooking Up - Not a wise move to create alliances as it oftern isolates you from other cast members. Never mind the blow back from the hook up partner themselves when it goes sour.

4) Ridding an Opponent - Best way is to convince others to do it and then stay out of it. Ideally you want to pit the 2 best competitors against each other. Those that succeed at these maneuvers are well set on a road to politics.

5) Alliances - More the better for your own security, but in the end you have to renege on the fake promises made to form these alliances, which can come back to haunt you in the NEXT challenge.

6) How to form an alliance - Speaking for the men its about how strong you are, or rather LOOK. Cast members are constantly working out during the challenge in front of contestants to impress others not only as a scare tactic but to encourage alliances.

7) Alliance Canidates - best to do with the most nasty “villian” types as they usually end up making it to the end and as the saying goes, “keep your friends close but your enemies closer.”

8) Playing Fair - Simply put to win a challenge, no. An interesting tidbit is that the best chance of success is to make a lot of friends and then shoot them in the back with no remorse. Talk to the cameras before you do it, then do it, and say you did it!

9)Who to send home first - Often its the weak sent home first, but its advisable to send the strong people as soon as possible before their alliances solidify.

10) God - He has already forsaken you obviously since you are actually on the Real World Road Rules challenge.


No Joy in Mudville…

November 26th, 2006 at 12:38 pm PST by Beth of the Real World

First, just for the record, I liked Svetlana. The other girls didn’t like her and were being cliquish.  It pissed me off, and I was trying to give her advice along the way.  I really did like her and I had her back.  Anyway, on with the story.

It all begins, Brad, Evan, and I are in one of the guy’s rooms. 

I asked Brad one question “Is it true that Robin wants to take me on in the duel?”

Brad responds to say that he never said that.  I said Fine. Robin is in the other alliance, so if that is what she wants, and I find myself having to pick who I go against, then I would know Robin is OK with me picking her.  But Brad wanted to know who told me “it’s like a replay of the Susie/Cara/Brad thing from Gauntlet 2.”  I told him that I didn’t remember because the who was unimportant to me, while the what was important.  He said it was bullshit that I didn’t remember and wanted to know who it was. 

Hey, everyone, I truly didn’t remember.  Who cares who told me?!!!!  He thought I was making it up, but that is so Brad.  Then Svetlana, who was not even involved in the conversation but overheard it, butts in and says Brad, you told me that!!!!  And they start fighting!!!!! Brad gets really nasty and makes Svet cry, which was totally unnecessary, all to defend himself from admitting the apparent truth.

They decide it was my fault and I’m the shit starter.  It’s so easy to just blame Beth.  Grow some balls, Brad, and take some responsibility!  So Svetlana is hating on me.  I didn’t tell her to open her mouth to Brad; she did it all on her own. I was so unnecessary and destructive because I know how to deal with Brad.  It’s her first challenge and she reverts to emotions, AKA Key West when it was absolutely the wrong thing to do.  It’s really dumb.

I do need to address how MTV has labeled this episode at MTV.com.  Their summary reads as follows: This week Beth tries to sabotage Svetlana’s reputation with other cast members, and winds up facing her in The Duel.  Who writes this BS?  It is absolutely untrue and the episode itself does not even suggest, let alone prove, that I did anything of the sort. It’s outrageous.  Svetlana was in our alliance at the time and our common objective was to take out the Drama Mafia.

The beach race — I was in the lead until I got the paddle. I kept going around in circles, which production should have shown because I probably looked really silly.  Before I do another challenge, I’m going to learn how to paddle. It was something I’d never done before (And now I know how easy it is).  So close to a win but number 2. I’m sorry, Drama Mafia, am I still a bad competitor? I don’t think so, and neither do you or you wouldn’t have been worried about me.

The Duel — Svet was calling me every name in the book. I couldn’t believe it, but the editors can’t show that, can they?  She was crying and screaming and fell to the ground, giving up. I was just getting started, she was doing all the pushing while I was waiting for her to exhaust herself, which she did, both physically and emotionally.

I do know what the others were thinking, because you could hear the fear in their voices.  Everyone was scared…If Beth wins, there is no way I can beat her in the duel.  That’s exactly right…. 

When Svet fell to the ground and gave up, she was screaming at the top of her lungs. She was such a bad loser!!!!!! I pulled the flag which was barely on the hook and unhook the carabineer.  They announce that Svetlana wins because I’m disqualified.

Total Bullshit. What can I do???  I wasn’t going to cry and scream.  Its just a game, a game I know I could win.

I could write about TJ, but what would be the point.  This is the guy who in the first episode we see with his arm around Tina telling her that it’s too bad that she has to go.  His bias is as obvious as Paris Hilton’s acting talent is laughable.

You should know that all of my comments during the episode about the duel and Svetlana, including the comments about the Svetlana / Brad fight were recorded the day after I was disqualified, and after spending a night in a terrible hotel far from production’s hotel.  I don’t think my comments were unfair, but I wasn’t in the best of moods at the time.  Still, I left as a winner and I laughed all the way home thinking of the horror on everyone’s face when I was kicking Svetlana’s ass.  I have to thank the production people who were kind enough to tell the next day that they knew I was robbed, but what can you do.  And a special thank you to Wilson, our driver and guide to Buzios.  Wilson, you are great! Sorry you had to put up with all of us crazy people.

I also love the way they make me out to be this huge person (a size 6, people!!). Do I weigh more than Svet and most of the girls- YES. Let’s get one thing clear. I am not two times their size. I did have 30-40 pound on Svetlana which did help, but am I much different than Jodi or Robin?  No. It also takes strength and endurance which this old lady still has….

Had I stayed, I believe I would have won.  It’s with that conviction that I can say “I’ll be back!”