The Real World: Haphazard Hookups and Real Romances

The Real World was one of the first reality television shows, premiering on MTV in 1992. Despite the death of co-producer Mary-Ellis Bunim in 2004, the show continues on, with its twenty second season scheduled to air from Cancun, Mexico later this year.

Through the twenty one seasons there have been on screen romances, but it all started out innocently enough. At first, most of the relationships were with people off camera. In season two, Irene Barrera left the house after marrying her boyfriend and season three saw HIV-positive roommate Pedro Zamora marry his boyfriend Sean Sasser in a ceremony that was featured as part of the show. However, there was another romance from season three brewing behind the scenes.

Roommates Judd Winick and Pam Ling became good friends with Pedro and grew closer after the show as they continued to visit Pedro in his hometown of Miami. When Pedro died in November 1994, Judd and Pam sought solace in each other and the two began dating in 1995. Judd proposed to Pam in 2000 and the two were married in August 2001. Their first child was born in 2005.

However, that was not the first Real World baby. It would be another season three alum that could claim that honor. While appearing in the first "Real World/Road Rules Challenge," season three roommate Rachel Campos met season five roommate Sean Duffy. The two fell in love and married. Rachel gave birth to their first child, Eva Pilar, in October 1999. Since then, the couple has added four more children to their family.

Season four in London hinted at a rivalry between Neil and Mike for Kat's affection, but all three denied any romance. Season five in Miami may have been the first hookup between roommates, but the cameras couldn't capture it. Mike brought home a waitress and the couple, plus roommate Melissa, showered in the bathroom. Curious, Flora tried to climb in the window to see what was going on after hearing moans and groans, but couldn't see much. The cameras only captured the noises coming from the bathroom and Melissa and Mike denied any hookup.

Season seven in Seattle saw a romance between roommate David and an MTV casting director named Kira. The cameras followed the two around, but because of a no-fraternization rule between cast and crew, Kira lost her job. She and David eventually broke up.

Hawaii saw the first, albeit brief, true hookup between two roommates. Amaya and Colin slept together and for a while, had a relationship, but he ended it because he felt she was too needy.

Las Vegas was the season that really opened up for in-house hookups. The show hinted at a threesome between Trishelle, Steve, and Brynn as the three shared kisses in the hot tub. When Steven turned his attention to Trishelle, Brynn was almost kicked off the show for throwing a fork at him. Trishelle and Steven not only consummated their romance, but there was also a pregnancy scare for Trishelle. Las Vegas also produced a relationship between Irulan and Alton, which continued after the show, but eventually ended. After Las Vegas, the show seemed to be focused on roommate hookups, with San Diego showing romances between Brad and Cameran and Robin and Randy.

Just when it seemed the MTV show might not produce any more lasting relationships, along comes the Austin cast. Danny and Melinda got married in August 2008. Roommates Johanna and Danny were engaged, but broke up. After that relationship ended, Danny began seeing Sydney roommate Kelly Anne Judd.

The latest season of "The Real World," set in Brooklyn, did produce one relationship between Ryan and Baya, but that happened only after the cameras stopped rolling. In fact, that season seemed to feature more of a love/hate relationship between the guys and girls of the house - perhaps more than any other season in recent memory.

Why does the Real World seem to be able to produce relationships when some of the so-called relationship reality shows can't? Of course, the roommates usually spend quite a bit of time together, but many also participate in MTV reality shows after wrapping up the series, such as Battle of the Sexes, The Challenge, and the Real World/Road Rules Challenge. Keeping the roommates in touch even after the show has ended may help foster relationships, but also helping is the fact that only the other roommates can truly understand the Real World experience and the fame that goes with it afterwards.