REAL WORLD, THE: NEW ORLEANS: RACE MATTERS (TV)
Summary
The ninth season of this reality-based series about the exploits of seven strangers chosen by MTV to share rent-free lodging in New Orleans and to be followed around by camera crews for several months.
In this episode, Melissa ponders her attraction to Jamie, whom she considers her "nature sensei." After they throw a football around, she becomes his "beauty sensei" and takes him for a haircut, and he notes their "interesting and weird dynamic." His four best friends come to town and he introduces them to the others and shows them the sights. In the house, Melissa and David explain the vagaries of the "n-word" to an unaware Julie, stating that it is not acceptable for a white person to use it. She admits that she had virtually no exposure to "colored" people before coming to the house, and grows upset when she realizes how little she knows and how she has been "cheated" out of cultural experiences. Danny says that he was unaware of his sexuality until college, and Julie's thoughtful questions allow their friendship to deepen. Kelley comments on Julie's open-mindedness and interest in learning about others.
Jamie takes his friends and the other housemates on a swamp boat tour, during which the tour guide uses a racial slur to describe a colloquial name for a certain bird. Melissa is immediately upset, but Jamie tries to downplay the incident, saying that the man was not being malicious. Melissa is furthered angered at his attitude, explaining the situation to Julie and Danny. Danny speaks up about experiencing minority prejudice since coming out, and they debate about whether ignorance is an excuse for rude behavior. Melissa tells her father about the incident over the phone, and she and Jamie have a heart-to-heart, during which he apologizes for his blasé reaction and admits he does not completely understand her experience; she expresses relief at the resolution, particularly due to her feelings for him. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: MTV
- DATE: August 22, 2000 8:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:21:36
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:79113
- GENRE: Reality
- SUBJECT HEADING: Reality; New Orleans, Louisiana; LGBT Collection
- SERIES RUN: MTV - TV series, 1992-
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Promos - "The Real World: New Orleans" upcoming episodes
CREDITS
- Mary Ellis Bunim … Executive Producer, Created by
- Jonathan Murray … Executive Producer, Created by
- Jonathan Singer … Coordinating Producer
- Andrew Hoegl … Producer
- Sandra Soczka … Associate Producer
- Joyce Corrington … Consulting Producer
- Glenn Morgan … Post Producer
- Victor Mignatti … Director
- Michelle Millard … Director
- Tracy Chaplin … Director
- Anthony Dominici … Director
- Kenny Hull … Director
- The Dirty Dozen Brass Band … Theme Music by
- David Broom … Cast
- Melissa Howard … Cast
- Kelley Limp … Cast
- Jamie Murray … Cast
- Danny Roberts … Cast
- Matt Smith … Cast
- Julie Stoffer … Cast