Finally, after 17 seasons of "The Real World," Memphians and University of Memphis students will get their chance to appear on the popular reality series.
"The Real World" will hold open casting calls at Newby's on Highland from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Applicants are asked to bring a non-returnable picture of themselves and a photo ID. Future Real Worlders should be between the ages of 18-24.
"The actual interview will take about 10 or 15 minutes," said Megan Sleeper, casting director. "Ten people will be taken in at a time to talk about current event and express their viewpoints on topics."
Sleeper said casting directors are looking for charismatic people.
"We look for people who can't help but be themselves," she said.
Some applicants come in trying to portray characters they've seen on past seasons, thinking that is what the interviewers want, Sleeper said.
"That is not what we want," she said. "We want people who are interesting as themselves. People who are just being real."
MJ Garrett, a former cast member from the Philadelphia cast, said the casting directors can see through people who are trying to pretend to be someone they're not.
Garrett said making the show is pretty much based on luck.
"It is almost like winning the lottery," he said.
Garrett filmed The Real World for four months in 2004 with cameras constantly rolling.
"Cameras rolled 24 hours a day, seven days a week," he said. "And they only air about .004 percent of that."
Embarrassing moments are not hidden from viewers either, Garrett said as he reminisced about himself running around in his underwear, a cape and a mask.
Garrett was sometimes seen as the Southern boy who was somewhat sheltered, however he said he did not feel pressured to conform to a certain stereotype.
"I was just being myself," he said. "I am proud of my heritage and I represented the Southeast."
Garrett graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2003 and has been successful after his reality TV experience.
"(This experience) has changed my life financially, emotionally and just in the way I live my life," he said. "Now I am traveling the country, speaking to colleges and even getting paid to make appearances and just hang out at bars."
Throughout the years The Real World has shown viewers that getting along with roommates can be quite difficult at times.
"I learned a lot and broadened my horizons, especially when it came to living with girls," Garrett said.
Garrett plans to become a TV host of entertainment or sports and is currently working with ESPN and FOX in Nashville.
Tips from MJ on getting a call back:
Don't quit your dream job while going through casting calls.
Be yourself.
Pray because it is all about luck.
Know what you're getting yourself into.
Have fun with it.
