It all started when Jon Murray, a TV and documentary producer, and Mary-Ellis Bunim, a soap opera writer, approached MTV with an idea that ultimately changed television forever. The Real World popularized a new genre of television known as “reality TV.” Today, reality TV has splintered into innumerable forms, but its backbone was built with The Real World, and Bunim/Murray Productions continues to be at the forefront of the industry. They’re the team behind The Simple Life, Born This Way, and Keeping up with the Kardashians. In this episode, we talk to former cast members and industry experts, about the show that dared to be different, and the team that turned entertainment as we know it, on its head.

The Venture is hosted by Ashley Milne-Tyte.

This episode features:

Jon Murray, creator of The Real World & co-founder of Bunim/Murray Productions

George Verschoor, producer and director of The Real World seasons 1-4. Current executive producer and showrunner at Critical Content

Julie Gentry, original cast member of The Real World season 1.

Tony DiSanto, former MTV president and founder of DiGa Studio

Meredith Blake, entertainment reporter with the LA Times

Special thanks to all of The Real World cast and crew members we spoke to for this episode, including Andre Comeau, Eric Neis, Jon Brennan, Pam Ling and Adam Beckman.

To learn more about The Venture, go to virginatlantic.com/theventure

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices