The Real World: Los Angeles is the second season of MTV's reality television series The Real World, which focuses on a group of several diverse strangers living together for several months, as the cameras follow their lives and interpersonal (of or pertaining to the relations between persons) relationships.
The Los Angeles season featured a total of nine cast members over the course of the season, as one cast member was evicted and replaced, and another was replaced when she got married. The Real World expanded to 22 episodes with this season
This season was the only one in which two housemates, Tami and Dominic, picked up a third housemate, Jon, at his home in a state other than the one in which the show would be set, and journeyed overnight to their new home in a Winnebago RV. Journeying in a Winnebago would later become a regular motif on the series' sister show, Road Rules. This was the first season in which cast members left the show during filming: David Edwards, who was asked to leave by his housemates, and Irene Berrera-Kearns, because she got married. Consequently, it was the first season to feature a season total of more than seven cast members, as two additional castmates, Glen Naessens and Beth Anthony, moved in to replace Edwards and Berrera-Kearns. In what would become the norm for The Real World, the entire cast was sent on an overnight trip abroad, whereas in the previous season, only the women were. The group was also sent on a day trip to Joshua Tree, California, the only such season to conduct such a trip.
The house in which the cast lived was far more colorfully and elaborately decorated than in the previous season, a trend which would continue in the subsequent seasons. It also now featured a small sound proof room for the weekly "confessional" cast interviews, and became known itself by that name.
Cast:
Aaron Bailey: February 20, 1971(Orange County, California)
Biography '93: Unlike a lot of 21-year-olds, Aaron, a business/economics major at UCLA already has an accounting job lined up for next fall. Originally from Orange County, California, Aaron likes the diversity of the people in Los Angeles, but he doesn't like the liberal politics. Aaron voted for George Bush, and isn't happy about having a Democrat in the White House.
Job: Certified Accountant
Schools: El Dorado High School, UCLA
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Beth Stolarczyk: February 14, 1969(Cleveland, Ohio)
Biography '93:Beth is a graduate of Ohio State University, where she studied film, television and radio production. Unlike most of her friends who are settling down for marriage, 24-year-old Beth felt the need to head west--not only to pursue her career, but also to meet new people and challenge herself. Her friends describe her as a "drama queen" whose life is like a soap opera. She has done PA work, worked in a casting office, but is not interested in pursuing acting.
Season Highlights: Accusing David of rape when David was pulling the sheets off of Tami
Challenges: Challenge, Battle of the Seasons, Battle of the Sexes, The Inferno II, The Gauntlet 2, The Duel, The Gauntlet 3
Now: She is wedded to Matt Ciriello, a real estate developer, in a private ceremony in Santa Monica, California. She gave birth to a helthy baby girl in September.
Resides: Santa Monica, California
Ethnicity: Polish decent.
Graduate of School: Ohio State University
Spouse: Matt Ciriello (August 9, 2008- Present)
Children: 1 Girl (December 2008)
Trivia Notes: Posed for Playboy along with, Jisela Delgado, Veronica Portillo, and Flora Alekseyeun in the May 2002 issue.
David Edwards: April 23, 1971 (Washington D.C.)
Biography '93: David may have arrived in Los Angeles on a Greyhound bus, but it won't be long before he's flying first class. This 21-year-old stand-up comedian, originally from Washington, D.C., has only been in Los Angeles a couple of months. Despite this, he's already finding success in local clubs and has appeared on FOX's In Living Color. This funnyman is sure to stir up some trouble with his sharp wit.
Season Highlights: Was the first cast member to be evicted from the house
Challeges: Battle of the Sexes
Best Known For: having a heated argument with RW: San Francisco's alumni Puck, when Puck had spat on his face.
Dominic Griffin: November 12, 1969 (Dublin, Ireland)
Biography '93: Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, Dominic first came to the United States for a holiday. He ended up liking the weather and people so much he decided to stay. Twenty-four-year-old Dominic currently writes reviews of bands and television for magazines, though most of his income comes from bartending. He's got a good sense of humor and a wacky haircut to go with it.
Season Highlights: Passing out in Mexico for consuming excessive alcohol.
Irene Berrera-Kearns: August 14, 1967 (Southern California)
Biography '93:A Southern California native, 25-year-old Irene is Deputy Marshal for the Los Angeles County Marshals Department. On a typical day, you can find her serving as a bailiff, delivering subpoenas, or handling an eviction. While Irene may have a tough exterior, she serves as the "mom" of the house and watches out for Jon. Irene met her fiance, Tim, at work. He's also a Deputy Marshal. Their wedding is one of the highlights of the series.
Season Highlights: Leaving the show to get married.
Spouse: Tim Kearns (1993-Present)
NOW
Jon Brennan: July 30, 1974(Owensboro, Kentucky)
Biography '93: More than miles separate Owensboro, Kentucky, from Venice Beach. But that's just what excites country singer Jon about making the move west. Jon is taking a semester off from Belmont University in Nashville to pursue his music career in Los Angeles and to live with six strangers. In Kentucky, he is a local celebrity and performs regularly at Goldie's Best Little Opry House in Owensboro. He hopes one day to be a successful recording artist. This Kool-Aid lovin' country boy is proud to admit he's a virgin and has never had a drop of alcohol.
School: Belmont University
Challenges: All-Stars, Battle of the Seasons, The Inferno II
Tami Roman: April 17, 1970 (Mount Vernon, New York)
Biography '93: Tami begins each day with a Buddhist chant, ensuring her peace and serenity no matter how rough her day turns out. Hailing from New York state, Tami moved out west where she works as an AIDS care specialist helping clients work through the complicated process of getting their insurance companies to pay for the bills resulting from their illness. At night and on the weekends, 22-year-old Tami pursues her passion for music as part of a four-girl R&B group.
Season Highlights: Slapping and kicking David E. for pulling the sheets off of her when she was not fully clothed.
Now: After relocating from White Plains, NY to Los Angeles, Anderson began a successful modeling career appearing in nationwide clothing catalogues, music videos, runway shows and beauty pageants. In 1988, she placed 1st runner up in the Ms. Black California Pageant. After meeting Cindy Herron of the famous quartet ENVOGUE, Anderson was bitten by the entertainment bug and decided to try her hand at acting. While auditioning, Anderson held down a full time job at an HIV healthcare center. In 1993, she landed her big break by getting the final spot on MTV's reality show "The Real World". Following "Real World", Anderson was a relief VJ for MTV and hosted shows such as "Beach MTV", "MTV Jams", "Primetime MTV", and "Rude Awakening". In addition, she landed guest starring roles on "The Parkers", and "Steve Harvey Show" to name a few. Her feature film credits include "Sacred is the Flesh" with Nas and Elise Neal and "TARA" with Isaiah Washington and Ice-T. When she's not in front of the camera, Anderson enjoys developing ideas for television and feature films. She penned a script based loosely on her life as an NBA wife. In addition, she is working on a demo to cultivate her love for singing. Anderson resides in Beverly Hills and has two beautiful daughters, Lyric Chanel and Kenni Lauren.
Resides: Beverly Hills, California
Height: 5'9"
Spouse: Kenny Anderson (August 26, 1994 - February 15, 2001) (divorced)
Children: 2 (Lyric Chanel and Kenni Lauren)
Glen Naessens: April 20, 1970(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Biography '93: .Originally hailing from Pennsylvania, Glen was chosen to live in the Venice, Calif. loft after David left the house. Glen is an intense guy who is the lead singer of his band "Perch." Much to some of his roommates' dismay, Glen doesn't take too much time to get to know his roomies and, instead, invites his band out to L.A. to hang at the house. Glen's ultimate career goal is to make movies and film.
Season Highlights: Replacing David, and not getting to know his housemates calling them, "uninteresting."
Resides: Philadelphia , Pennsylvnia
Graduate of School: La Salle University
Height: 6'1"
Spouse: Suzan
Children: 1
Beth Anthony: August 7, 1970 (Eugene, Oregon)
Biography '93: A soft-spoken gal from Eugene, Oregon, Beth A. comes to Real World Los Angeles after Irene gets married and moves out. She instantly bonds with newbie Glen and they form a lasting relationship. While on the show, she works for a craft services company. As a lesbian, Beth A. hopes to educate her cast members and help people get past differences. She is a young women who describes her self as having dignity and integrity.
Episode 1: ?
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Episode 2: ‘Boot Scootin' Boogie’
The New York cast envisions the future of their successors. Heather predicts that someone will leave early, although, Dominic, one of the new housemates, expects no problems at all.
Dominic and Tami meet and then make their way to Owensboro, Kentucky to pick up their third roommate, Jon. Dominic and Tami are immediately taken aback by Jon's "country" lifestyle. Dominic is most amazed by Jon's popularity at a local club, where he sings "Boot Scootin' Boogie." Jon worries about Dom's drinking habits, while Dom is unnerved that Jon doesn't drink at all.
Jon objects when Tami asks the Magic 8 Ball, "Will Jon get laid?" He is very uncomfortable discussing his sex life and says that he doesn't believe in sex before marriage. Jon talks about how his parents reacted to Tami and Dom and ends up offending his new roommates. Jon backs off, trying to maintain some civility during the road trip.
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Episode 3: 'To A New Begining'
As Dominic, Tami and Jon continue their trip to Los Angeles, the differences among them become more evident. They discuss religion and Jon feels ganged up on. He feels it is unfair that Tami and Dom are trying to make it sound like Jon is a bigot. Tami and Dom continue to harass Jon, complaining about his driving. When they stop in Vegas, Jon feels like a fish out of water.
As they near L.A., Tami tells Jon not to expect that same adulation he receives in Kentucky for his music, in L.A. A heated conversation ensues and Jon calls Tami “trash.” This doesn’t sit well with Tami, who is offended by the comment and complains that she feels degraded. The three roomies have bonded on their trip as much as they have gotten on each other’s nerves. They finally arrive at the house and run around like little kids until the other roommates arrive. After meeting everyone and settling into the house, Dom, Tami and Jon decide to have a fresh start now that they are in L.A.
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Episode 4: 'Too Many Cat Fights in this house'
Beth causes a huge rift in the tentative friendship among the roommates when she brings all of them, including Dominic--who initially does not want to go--to a party that she wasn’t even invited to. The roommates are asked to leave and everyone blames Beth for this embarrassing situation. Dominic criticizes her for humiliating them. This spat occurs after Dominic confronts Beth about bringing her cat into the house without permission. The friction between them lessens as they begin to truly talk with each other. Meanwhile, the relationship between David and Jon becomes strained as they begin to realize how different they are. An argument about the mess left on the porch leads to David nearly physically attacking Jon, which Aaron steps in and breaks up.
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Episode 5: ‘David, David, David.’
Tami and David’s relationship is explored. Beth predicts that they will end up sleeping together. David offends Tami when a private outing to Melrose includes two of David’s friends. Tami reacts by canceling their dinner together and both resolve to be just friends.
Tami goes on Studs to expand her social life and goes out with two guys from the show.
Aaron, Dom, Jon and Irene go bowling, but leave without David, who ends up arriving at the bowling alley in a screaming rage. Dominic and David begin to argue at the bowling alley. David’s behavior makes Irene angry, so she storms off. Dom and David eventually resolve their issues, but the roommates are tired of David’s antics.
Later, a house meeting turns hostile when David gets defensive over his roommates’ personal criticisms about his attitude.
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Episode 6: ‘Different Strokes for Different Folks’
Tami and her Studs date Kenya try to cheat on the show, hoping to win the $600. When the other team wins, Tami and Kenya decide to part ways. Though they are very different people, Aaron and Dominic admit to an exclusive friendship that alienates the other roommates. They show little respect for Jon or Beth. Beth's "drama queen" personality is illustrated when she goes on and on about what most people call petty problems.
Some of the roomies think Jon is lazy and unmotivated, while he insists that it will just take time for him to adjust to L.A. Irene feels like Jon is getting picked on, and her friendship with Jon deepens as she brings him home with her for the weekend. Jon impresses her when he does an impromptu performance at a bar called Western Connection.
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Episode 7: ‘Is David Going Home?’
Tension in the house erupts when David tries to pull the covers off Tami as a practical joke. Not finding the “joke” funny, Tami retaliates, and she and David fight. Beth steps in and further incites the argument, ultimately accusing David of rape.
Tami threatens to press legal charges, while David tries to plead his case to the male roommates. Beth denies being the instigator, claiming she was the only one that came to Tami’s defense. Tami leaves the house with a suitcase, uncomfortable sleeping there that night.
Irene feels unsafe and thinks that the house needs to have a meeting without David to discuss the situation. Aaron doesn’t think that David should have to leave, but Irene says she will leave if he doesn’t. David watches the discussion upstairs on a monitor.
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Episode 8: ‘No Apologies Necessary’
The housemates invite David to the meeting and ask that he leave the house. David argues that Beth was responsible for escalating the argument, and reminds everyone of the time Beth showed Tami Dom’s underwear when he was drunk. He says he will leave if they want him to, but he thinks Beth should leave too.
David’s attempts to apologize get him nowhere and he ultimately agrees to leave. Aaron wonders how this will affect David’s career. In retrospect, the roommates conclude that it was the right decision and David admits to having learned his lesson.
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Episode 9: ‘The New Roomate’
A new roommate, Glen, is selected out of the three candidates that were sent to the house. Aaron’s attempts to organize the selection process are vetoed by the other roommates. Glen moves in and he and Jon bond while playing basketball. Jon gives him the inside information on the roommates. On the way home, Glen, Aaron and Dom discuss saying “I love you” to a woman. Not even a full day in the house goes by before Glen has his first fight when he argues with Dom following an Inspiral Carpets concert.
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Episode 10: Is this Group Bonding?'
The group chooses to go on an Outward Bound camping trip to Joshua Tree, which proves to be too rigorous, especially when their guides get lost. The trip turns out to be a bonding experience when the roommates band together to confront their leaders about their lack of direction. The rest of the trip turns out to be even more challenging when rain, unappetizing food, and rough conditions make the roommates long for the comfort of their Venice Beach home.
Beth is the victim of a simulated rescue and trusts Aaron to guide her to safety. When forced to rock climb, Tami divulges her pregnancy, to the surprise of her
roommates. Tami, unsuccessful at the climb, lashes out at Aaron about his big ego.
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Episode 11: ‘Pro-Choice or Pro-Life?’
Tami addresses the Outward Bound trip and the revelation of her pregnancy. She then tells the roommates that she has decided to terminate the pregnancy. Tami’s announcement sparks various discussions between the roommates as they are forced to confront their own varied beliefs about abortion.
Tami explains that she isn’t ready to have children and despite Jon’s beliefs, Jon remains supportive. Tami’s mother, while at first disappointed in her daughter, goes with her to the clinic. Aaron’s girlfriend, Erin, visits him at the loft and causes a bit of friction between Dom and Aaron as they both position themselves for her affections.
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Episode 12: ‘Wedding Bells Ring’
As Irene’s wedding draws near, the roommates are faced with the change that her departure will bring. Irene deals with her last moments with her roommates as we learn more about her relationship with her fiancé. Beth’s friends finally bring her the anticipated “Men of UCLA” calendar, featuring Aaron. Beth sees an opportunity to play a practical joke, so she gets Jon and Glen to wallpaper the house with Aaron’s calendar photos. An angered Aaron feels the heat and jokingly accuses them of rape.
Irene’s wedding day is a happy and yet sad time. As the roommates celebrate her happiness, they reflect on their own wedding wishes. Beth and Tami conclude that Jon has fallen in love with Irene and will miss her the most, as their bond was the strongest.
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Episode 13: ‘No More Practical Jokes’
Beth A. moves in to replace Irene as the seventh roommate. Everyone reacts to the new Beth differently as they learn more and more about her life. Tami’s initial discomfort with Beth A. increases when she learns that she is a lesbian.
Glen’s band, Perch, is transplanted from Philadelphia and moves into the Real World house, much to the dismay of the other roommates. Aaron, Jon and Glen play an April Fools joke on Dom; they move his car and tell him it was towed. Jon plays dumb until forced to come clean to an angered Dom.
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Episode 14: ‘To my roomies...’
Dom is faced with his parent’s mortality when he returns home to Ireland to visit his ailing father. Dom’s visit has a rehabilitating affect on his father. Dom goes drinking with his sister, Barbara, and his cousin, Peter; they lose track of time and make up an unbelievable story to explain their tardiness to their parents.
The roommates note Jon’s personality changes. They watch as a nervous Jon competes in a country music competition at Borderline Bar; he wins the first round and dedicates a song to his roommates.
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Episode 15: ‘Troubling Careers’
Beth S. and Tami struggle with the complications of their respective career pursuits. Beth S. has headshots taken which her agency deems inappropriate, forcing her to spend even more money. Tami’s music group, Reality, loses their producer. Tami grapples with the depression that comes with her job at the HIV clinic. Tami arranges an HIV seminar for her roommates.
Tami and Beth S. share their frustrations with the careers they have chosen. Despite her roommates’ attempts to dissuade her, Tami has her jaw wired shut in order to lose weight. Tami, cracking under the pressure, decides to quit her job at the HIV clinic.
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Episode 16: ‘Home Away from Home’
A movie producer expresses interest in Jon playing the lead in his movie. Following his meeting with the producers, Jon flies home to Owensboro for a visit. Jon is relieved to return to a place where he belongs as he is welcomed home by his family and a huge crowd at the airport.
Jon tries to experience as much of his home as possible, while recognizing his place in California. Jon speaks at an assembly at Burns Middle School. Once his routine at home, he sings at his mentor’s establishment, Goldies. Jon sadly returns to L.A. and decides not to go with the movie role, but the producer has given away the role already anyway. Meanwhile, Aaron introduces Dom to his lifestyle--school and surfing.
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Episode 17: ‘Truth or Dare?’
The roommates’ concerns about the house always being overrun by Glen’s friends are addressed when Glen is confronted in a house meeting. Perch’s seemingly permanent residence in the house strikes a nerve with all of the roommates as the band overruns the house. Glen is held responsible and angrily defends himself by claiming none of the roomies are trying to really get to know one another.
In order to bond, the roommates create and play a question/answer game where they ask each other probing, personal questions. The roommates discover unknown common ground, and Tami gains newfound respect for Beth A. When Beth A. suggests feeding the homeless together, everyone gets involved. The roomies support Jon at the finals for the country western singer contest, where Jon is ultimately triumphant.
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Episode 18: ‘Let the Dating Games Begin!’
The roommates explore their respective romantic relationships. Beth S. receives two prospective boyfriend visitors at the house, both of which she deems to be unsuitable. Tami introduces her relationship with Tootie, but they break up. Aaron meets Heather and despite her many fine qualities, realizes that the timing is bad. Beth S. denies having sex in the closet with one of her male visitors.
Glen and Beth A. become buddies. Dominic dates three different women at once and tries to keep them separated when he invites all three to a party at the loft.
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Episode 19: ‘Dom and his Drinking’
After the initial excitement over the trip to Cozumel, Mexico, tensions between the roommates escalate. Dom and Aaron isolate themselves from the others as Beth A. and Glen follow suit. Everyone thinks Dom’s drinking habits are a problem when he is discovered passed out in the sand.
The obvious inexperience of Beth S., to the embarrassment of her roommates, mars her participation in various activities, and ultimately causes her to injure her arm. Glen, Beth A., Aaron and Dom criticize Beth S. and Jon’s embarrassing behavior at a hostile group dinner.
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Episode 20: 'Beth puts the Smackdown in Paintball!’
Beth S.’s history is related through her discussions with her roommates and her mother’s visit to the loft. Jon observes Beth S. on the phone with an ex-boyfriend and steps in when things get uncomfortable. On her arrival, Beth S.’s mom cleans the house and fixes a typical Polish meal for the roommates. Jon discovers more about the relationship between Beth S. and her mom through a private dinner with them.
Glen and Beth S. bicker at dinner and Jon talks with Glen and Aaron about picking on Beth S. Aaron confronts Beth S. about the disrespect he has shown towards her, while she confronts Glen, who admits that their relationship needs work. Beth S. wins everyone’s respect when she beats them all at paintball.
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Episode 21: ‘The Musical Showcase’
The musically-oriented roommates stage an industry showcase at The Night Wind. Glen’s band Perch rehearses and performs despite the incomplete status of their songs. Dom arranges for the band he manages, Stik Kitty, to perform. The backup band that Jon sang with at the Western Connection plays with him at the showcase.
Tami’s attempt to railroad her band’s placement in the showcase only draws bitterness from her roommates, illustrated through Glen’s criticisms of the group’s performance. The roommates all watch each other perform, as the showcase turns out to be a bonding experience for all.
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Episode 22: ‘Goodbye Roomies’
As the roommates anticipate the end of the show, everyone discusses the impact that the public’s reaction will have on their lives. The roommates analyze the changes they’ve made and the changes they see in the others, especially Jon.
Aaron endures a hectic finals week at school, but looks forward to a culmination of years of studying as he prepares to graduate. The roommates all attend his graduation ceremony. Dom and Aaron value the friendship they now share. The roomies predict where they’ll be in five years. An attempted final group confessional ends as quickly as it started when the typical bickering breaks out. Tami says goodbye to her roommates in a tearful display of affection.
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Season Highlights:
