The Real World Las Vegas: The Complete Season

At first glance, one might wonder why this 12th season of MTV's revolutionary reality show made it to DVD glory out of order--as the debut season is the only other compilation currently available--and so darn quickly! The answer is clear: fans couldn't wait to catch the scandalous antics of the seven Las Vegas wild children! The always fun debut episode (cast members checking out their swanky quarters and feeling each other out for first impressions) introduces twentysomethings (all are at least 21--for drinking and gambling purposes) Steven (the dense player), Trishelle (a sluttish small-townie), Irulan (an even-tempered Bronx lass), Brynn (the neurotic, trampy slacker), Arissa (seriously intense), Frank (nice, but whiny) and Alton (a friendly peacekeeper). Although the cast seems pretty calm at first, it only takes a few episodes for the 'true' colors to come out, and this season--with the cast's job to throw parties at the nightclub Rain--provides viewers with outrageous inter-house hookups and treachery (superlative example: Frank wants Trishelle, Steven supports Frank, but then ends up drunkenly making out with Trishelle across Frank's lap!), pregnancy scares, violent arguments (a fork is thrown!), romances, group therapy, financial woes, family/friend visits, and a lot of hangovers. Set against eye-catching Vegas scenery, these chain-smoking, backbiting, oversexed, irresponsible rogues may be bad examples of the human race, but they're fun to watch. DVD extras include bonus footage, cast profile featurettes, selected audition tapes, and a house tour featurette hosted by Brynn and Frank. Recommended. (J. Williams)