MTV launches Real World Casting Site

After 19 Seasons, MTV is taking the casting of its popular show “The Real World” online.

According to an MTV Press release:

Beginning tomorrow [May 2nd], viewers can go to “The Real World” Casting site at www.RealWorldCasting.com to try for one coveted spot in the house or snag a seat on the casting director’s couch to judge who should make it on-air.

Fans of VH1’s “I Love New York” can now go to www.ILoveNewYork2.com to submit themselves for consideration and decide who gets to appear on the second season of “I Love New York.” The “Real World” and “I Love New York” casting sites are just two of several “hyper-programmed” vertical channels that MTV Networks’ Music & Logo group has introduced in recent months, including: BestWeekEver.tv, the companion vertical to VH1’s ‘Best Week Ever’ franchise; WebJunk.tv, an extension of VH1’s “Web Junk 20″ program and Acceptable.TV, the site accompanying the viewer-interactive VH1 series of the same name.

The Real World” Casting site is designed to be a highly immersive experience that engages viewers on multiple levels, from castee to judge. Viewers who join the community can register to be considered for the show or serve as a judge to help determine who makes the cut. In either instance, they are connected to the larger community of “The Real World” fans who share similar passions and who want to stay connected to — and help influence — the story arcs, characters and themes they see on-air.

Viewers who throw their hat into the ring for the cast of Season 20 must submit a 90-second ‘confessional’ video detailing their passions, life experiences and phobias. Viewers who elect to serve as judges can climb a virtual casting hierarchy to serve in any number of roles, from Head of Casting, to VP of Casting, Casting Director, Casting Associate, Casting Intern or just plain Voter. The hierarchy is determined by the number of votes a registered user casts; the more one votes, the higher on the ladder they climb. But it’s not just castees who make it onto MTV. Even judges may appear throughout the season to discuss whom they voted for and why.

This should be interesting to say the least. For the first time, fans will be a major influence in the selection of the cast. Expect complete foolishness from people’s video submissions as you navigate the site. I mean, they have to distinguish themselves somehow; it’s harder to get on that show than it is to get into Harvard. No word yet on which city the 20th season will take place. My vote is for a return to Los Angeles (site of the 2nd season) as they returned to New York (site of the first season) during season 10.

I also guess it’s a good thing that the network is trying to spice up the show, even though it still does well in the ratings department. Just a few weeks ago, they announced production on the Real World Las Vegas 2, a reunion of the 2002 cast.