Archive through April 26, 2002
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TV ClubHouse: Archives: Real World: Chicago - Real World 11: Archive through April 26, 2002

Zeyna

Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 04:01 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
That doesn't look like Cara to me either. If it is, I don't know why they'd choose that particular photo.

Seamonkey

Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 05:37 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Julie, I don't know which issue, like I said the whole part about Cara was so fast I almost blinked my eye and missed it :)

Grooch

Friday, April 19, 2002 - 10:22 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Real World's Cara: Mad at MTV!
TV Guide
Tuesday, April 16, 2002

Any Hollywood vet who spent five minutes talking to The Real World: Chicago's Cara Nussbaum could tell you: If this 22-year-old reality TV celeb/wannabe actress doesn't shape up, she'll get swallowed up by this town very quickly. Upset by last week's RW episode — she blames MTV's editing for portraying her as an "anorexic slut" — she called TV Guide Online to gripe. Our phone conversation proved a startling "reality" check. — Daniel R. Coleridge

TVGO: You wept and freaked out when Chris pinched your side. Was his fat joke that hurtful?
Cara: There was so much behind that pinch. He's pretty crazy with working out. I guess he's redirected his drinking, which has manifested itself now in a new obsession. Which is healthy... but whatever. He and I used to be workout partners, but I stopped — I felt I was missing out on fun things in the house, since we were always in the gym. Chris called me yesterday. He was like, 'Oh baby, I'm so sorry.'

TVGO: You've admitted you have food issues. Is there an eating disorder?
Cara: I think the show overdramatized it. However, obviously there's some truth that one week, I was dealing with a swollen body dysmorphic disorder. You know, trying to be an actress, everyone making it [in L.A.] is borderline unhealthy looking. There's media pressure. I wouldn't say I ever have had or will ever have an eating disorder, because I'm a little bit too aware for that. However, it is fair to say that it's constant work for me to avoid one. I have to remind myself that eating is social, fun and necessary for survival.

TVGO: You mentioned taking antidepressants on the show. Are you still on them? And have you sought therapy?
Cara: (Hesitates) I presently do seek counseling and it started because of eating stuff. I don't think I need to tell [your readers] exactly what I take, but it's in the main antidepressant family. It's sort of a more mild one. The way it was explained to me when I was diagnosed with depression is I have a chemical missing from my brain.

TVGO: The sordid goings-on in last week's episode upset your mom...
Cara: She's worried about my eating. And she sort of implied to me, 'Are you sure guys aren't using you for sex?' That's not something you want your mom to say to you.

TVGO: For the record, did you know night-cams were recording you in sexual situations?
Cara: Absolutely not. Maybe we were just naive living in that house. We saw the cameras in the bedrooms, but we were told they wouldn't record anything. I feel like an [expletive] admitting it, but we [thought] they were only there in case the directors wanted to send a camera crew in. I'm a smart girl; I should've figured it out. I thought, 'There can't possibly be a control room full of people watching me be intimate.'

TVGO: How do you feel knowing they were watching you have sex?
Cara: Dirty, degraded, disgusting, taken advantage of like a caged animal. It's pretty brutal. Do you think I f---ing thought it was going to be on TV? I'm not into porn. Jesus!

TVGO: You do flaunt your sexuality in Stuff's May issue, though you didn't go topless.
Cara: Of course, they asked me to. And I said no. They even asked me to show "the new cleavage," which is apparently your butt crack! But it was fun. I brought two friends along and was pretty neurotic about keeping it tasteful.

TVGO: Uhm, how tasteful was it to discuss "smoking a bowl" and reveal Aneesa's private sex-toy habits?
Cara: I feel like I couldn't possibly do anything now that could make me look worse than I already do. I'm being slandered on national TV in front of three million kids every Tuesday night. Because of my acting thing, I figured, 'It's free publicity.'

Seamonkey

Friday, April 19, 2002 - 11:34 am EditMoveDeleteIP
How could ANYONE not know they take pictures in the bedrooms after ELEVEN seasons.. Give me a break!

And of course she's not mentioning her hottub scene.

But, she seems to be honest about wanting free publicity.

Grooch

Friday, April 19, 2002 - 11:40 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Seamonkey, here is an article from the Advocate. Even Chris said he was surprised. Maybe Cara is telling the truth that they were told that they wouldn't be recorded at night. MTV was never so graphic before. There were plenty of other people who had sex, but all they showed was a door closing to let us know that was what was going on.

Keeping it real
Gays and lesbians are everywhere in life, so of course they’re on reality TV. From Lance Loud to Chris Beckman and Brandon Quinton, the diverse bunch of out gays on these shows brings viewers face-to-face with our queer lives
By Erik Meers
Excerpted from The Advocate, April 30, 2002

After several weeks of dating Kurt, a schoolteacher from Minneapolis, Chris Beckman, a strapping 23-year-old artist from Boston, brought him back for a sleepover at the loft apartment in Chicago that he shared with six other castmates on The Real World. MTV’s camera zoomed in on the duo as they cuddled and kissed on Chris’s bed before heading under the sheets. When Kurt sent Chris flowers the next day, Chris’s straight roommate Theo groused, “This is a little bit too gay for me,” undoubtedly speaking for many young viewers who had never seen two men in a romance before.

Regularly rattling viewers with frank gay content has been part of a winning formula for so-called reality TV programs for decades, and it’s something The Real World has perfected during its decade-long run. In fact, the show is enjoying record audiences this season, thanks in large measure to its two charismatic gay cast members, Beckman and Aneesa (who has declined to reveal her last name).

The show’s candor about same-sex romance surprised even Beckman. “Those were the [remote-controlled] cameras that were inside the room,” he says of his bedroom scene. “I had no idea they could record from those cameras. Even when they weren’t there, they could be recording us. Seeing that scene was like, ‘Wow! Hi!’”

“Wow” is right. Lesbians and gays are everywhere on the tube this spring courtesy of the endless proliferation of reality TV. In addition to The Real World, the CBS juggernaut Survivor: Marquesas features out castaway John Carroll, a nurse from Omaha, as well as a rumored lesbian yet to be revealed, and The Amazing Race 2 highlights gay buddies Oswald and Danny from Miami. This fall, Eco-Challenge Fiji 2002—a grueling 500-plus-kilometer race to be broadcast on the USA Network—will feature an all-gay team sponsored by Subaru. And this is not to mention the countless openly gay people who continue to pop up as participants everywhere, including Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, the various confront-your-fears shows, and possibly even that heterofest Temptation Island.

All these vérité programs are breaking fresh ground for gay visibility and defusing a bit of the frustration felt by activists at the timidity of some fictional network shows like Will & Grace. “Five seasons ago on The Real World, we would not see someone like [Beckman] lying in bed and kissing his boyfriend. It’s wonderful. There’s nothing salacious about it,” says Scott Seomin, entertainment media director for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. “Will & Grace is a great show, and it has done an amazing amount for our community, but it’s a hit because it conforms to the sitcom format to make the majority of this country comfortable. We have seen Grace making lots of passionate noises with her boyfriend. We have not seen that with Will.”

Unlike the sex-starved Will, Chris and Aneesa date, cuddle, and sleep with their same-sex love interests. And unlike the heated romances of ER’s Dr. Kerry Weaver or the “questioning” youth story lines on Boston Public and Once and Again, their doings can’t be dismissed as ratings-driven character development. In a recent episode of The Real World, for example, when Aneesa ripped into her game-playing girlfriend for bringing her ex by the apartment, the tears and expletives flowed from immediate emotions, not from a writer’s pen.

“It was real,” recalls Aneesa. “I was upset and I was mad. I wish I wouldn’t have cursed as much. I gave [the producers] everything. I kept one or two things private, but everything else is out there. I would be so embarrassed to go home and have people say, ‘Aneesa, that is not you.’ Aneesa does not hold back one ounce of her personality.”

Survivor: Africa’s Brandon Quinton can probably advise Aneesa on living with an over-the-top TV persona. “I knew they were going to play me up to be really flamboyant,” Quinton says of his portrayal on the show. “They made us all extreme. I’m a real person. It wasn’t Brandon playing someone else. They edited me extremely, but it was still me.”

But by playing into a gay stereotype, Survivor’s producers may have made Quinton an easier target for homophobes. He confesses that he no longer reads the mail forwarded to him from the network since almost 10% of it is hate mail. “I just don’t want that ‘die-•••-die’ stuff in my house,” he says.

In its own subversive way, reality TV is challenging the notion that every gay man on ad-supported TV has to be either “straight-acting” or a nonthreatening clown. With each new out reality player, the palette of familiar “gay types” is gradually expanding, whether that means a gay mathematician who gets a Bette Midler question wrong on Millionaire, a tough lesbian Road Rules contestant who’s also one of the show’s lookers, or a sensitive gay man on Big Brother who loves both his Southern home and his long-term partner.

Julieboo

Sunday, April 21, 2002 - 06:11 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I think Cara either got her teeth fixed or they airbrushed them in the STUFF magazine article. I think that's where they got that picture of her that doesn't look like her that in Grooch's link (From April 16, 2:26).

I don't think I'll retype the whole article, but here are some nuggets:
She likes the Hancock bldg. better than Sears Tower cuz it has the word "••••" in it.
She says Aneesa used a vibrator several times a week.
She smoked pot and got caught by MTV once while doing the show.
She confirmed that Todd Head Mohr was the "rock star" she was with. But she didn't sleep with him.

Seamonkey

Sunday, April 21, 2002 - 10:05 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I still don't think Cara has room to complain.. she HAD to know the camerapeople followed her and Ali into the BATHROOM and that didn't stop her, and she HAD to know scenes in the hottub were filmed.

As for Cara's interview.. gross.

Julieboo

Sunday, April 21, 2002 - 07:10 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I agree Seamonkey. She KNEW there were cameras, therefore, she KNEW the possibility was ALWAYS there. Duh!

Seamonkey

Sunday, April 21, 2002 - 07:58 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
And in the past they have shown bedroom scenes but I think even the most blatant of "playahs"
(Teck, the guy from New Orleans, and others) were more discreet .. like played out of the house or UNDER the covers.. Cara seems to have to undress vertically rather than horizontally :) And I think Jisela certainly provided some footage in the past as well.

Cliotheleo

Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 06:10 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Last night Tonya said "I'm peeing blood, and I'm 21 years old." I'm confused. Is there an age in one's life when it becomes NORMAL to pee blood? :) And they could have kept that shot of the kidney stone, gross!!!

After she explained about how she was ignored about her illness growing up, I can understand now why she's such a "drama queen" about it. Now she finally has people who believe her, it's only natural (although not necessarily right) to make a big fuss about it.

Julieboo

Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 07:00 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Last night's show was a bit "slow". (oops, sorry Aneesa!) Man, she was a bit strange with that whole scene. Not very good of Cara & Aneesa to fight like that in front of those kids. While I was kind of glad Cara stood up to Aneesa (and I believe Cara did not mean "stupid" when she said "slow"), I thought is was bad (unprofessional) of them to fight in front of the kids. Cara should have just taken over writing right then to avert the kids from any tension. Then she should have gone home and MADE Aneesa do the dishes!!

I also think that Kyle actually encouraged Cara to not get mad, when he told her he wanted her to get mad.

I think Theo had no right to question the length of Aneesa's visit. I'm sure he went to visit Tonya (even tho I don't think they showed it), but he did not even go initially, so he's the last one who should complain. And regardless, Aneesa did go visit Tonya. So what's the problem? And I bet Aneesa wasn't lying when she said T was on the phone/J the whole time.

So Tonya had no insurance at all?

Grooch

Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 07:08 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I doubt that she has any insurance. She said she grew up in foster care. SO I assume the state will cover you till you are 18, and I doubt she has a job that gives you the benefit. Right now she has a waitress job. They usually don't have coverage.

Also, even if she did get insurance, her problems would most likely be considered a pre-existing condition so they wouldn't pay for it.

I was finding it amazing that she has had this problem for so long and so bad. I would think the doctors would operate to get rid of all the stones once and for all. But then I realized that she doesn't have any insurance, and the hospitals probably won't admit her unless she puts down a hefty down payment.

That really sucks. :(

Ocean_Islands

Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 07:39 am EditMoveDeleteIP
"Now she finally has people who believe her, it's only natural (although not necessarily right) to make a big fuss about it."

Make a big fuss about it? Kidney stones are one of the most -- if not the most -- painful experiences. If you had a kidney stone, you'd be 'making a fuss'. It's normal. I've had one so I know.

It's a sad commentary on America that the health insurance is such a mess and I feel bad for her. But millions of Americans are in her shoes.

She is producing kidney stones, so even if they operated to take them out, she'd still have more. She has not gotten the handle on her diet, or she has kidney disease.

Webkitty

Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 08:38 am EditMoveDeleteIP
My heart went out to Tonya. What a trooper she is!

Growing up an orphan in foster care, (even if her parents are not technically dead, for all intents and purposes, she's an orphan) turning out to be drug free and self suffencient, wow.

To have such a serious medical problem at a young age would be "heavy" enough, but to have to go through it with no family, no money, no insurance, and keep such a good attitute.

I don't see any hint of "poor me" about her. Just a grit and determination to carry on the best she can.

I know the sickening feeling of getting a large hospital bill like that.

Aneesa I feel 180 degrees about. She comes across as a spoiled, self centered lazy brat. I think those "confessionals" she made to the camera were just because she knew she had behaved badly and wanted to save face, I didn't buy it.

It made my blood boil when as soon as Tonya got home from the hospital and was settled in bed, Aneesa went into the bedroom and started whining about how she felt uncomfortable when she went to see Tonya in the hospital because Tonya didn't "seem" to be happy to see her!
Such selfishness!
And Tonya just explained in a calm nice way that she WAS happy to see Aneesa and she was sorry if she had made Aneesa feel that way! OMG!

Ocean_Islands

Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 11:11 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I agree that was weird.

Cliotheleo

Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 04:58 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I thought she said something along the lines of "when I turned 17 and got out on my own I got insurance"? Maybe I didn't hear that right.

Ocean, while I've never had kidney stones, I have had chronic pain that hurt like @%$&% and yeah, the first time I cried like a baby. But, as time went on, was less and less inclined to make a fuss about it, at least to the degree that Tonya has been doing on the show. I became used to it, to the degree that I could. But then again, she and I are different people.

Madelane

Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 05:13 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I heard the thing about insurance too, and what I assumed was that she has insurance in Washington which doesn't cover her going to see doctors or hospitals outside their area. I have had that problem when travelling. That's also why I figured her boyfriend flew her out the first time she got sick so she could take advantage of her insurance.

And I'm kinda thinking either she shouldn't have done the show if her insurance was set up that way or MTV should have paid for the difference. And who knows, maybe they did after all.

Ocean_Islands

Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 05:52 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
It's shameful that MTV, which does, after all, employ these people, does not provide them with insurance.

Misslibra

Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 08:21 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hopefully MTV will pay for her medical bills, but I have to agree with Madelane, Tonya shouldn't have did the show if her insurance is set up that way with her medical condition. And as someone said already I didn't need to see her kidney stone thank you very much MTV!

Aneesa was feeling guilty about the way she treated Tonya, and Theo was making sure she was feeling that way if she wasn't.

And they shouldn't have argued in front of the children, Cara tried to squash the issue. It seem that day Aneesa wanted to be doing something else other then dealing with the kids or her roomates that day. I saw her as being very negative. I wonder how Aneesa feels seeing herself using the toilet on TV. That is a part of her bodily function I rather she not share with the rest of us.

Seamonkey

Thursday, April 25, 2002 - 02:06 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I hope (but don't think) that Aneesa really actually had enough insight from this that she tries to shape up.. it can't be very nice living with herself and being so basically selfish.

As for visiting someone in the hospital.. it isn't about YOU.. it is about them.. and if they just sleep thru it, well they are there to regain health and all that. A short, early, heartfelt visit means alot. Theo didn't go at first, but he did send a note with the first ones and that meant something to Tonya.

As for handling pain.. I think everyone deals differently to that and no one way is "right" or "wrong". And Tonya has the real pain which is also tied to the neglect from her childhood. She probably had to be the ultimate drama queen to get any attention then.

I must say I'm liking her more, liking Theo more, liking Aneesa way less, tentatively thinking maybe Cara's at least trying to grow, but then knowing about later interviews, nah..

As for the scene in front of the kids.. they weren't professional and that's why you don't just throw in some bratty young people into a "volunteer" position (which they didn't choose) to be role models for kids.

I don't think Cara was at all trying to dis Aneesa.. again, it wasn't about Aneesa, it was about really wanting the kids to be heard.. to have their ideas included.. and that was important, and is often overlooked.. not only with kids.

Interesting to see Theo changing his attitudes re: Tonya and Aneesa.

Magikearth

Thursday, April 25, 2002 - 06:35 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Seamonkey,I totally agree with everything you stated.I really have a change of heart about Tonya; I don't believe she is a hypochondriac.This episode really proved to me that she isn't faking her illness.In fact,my mind raced back to when we found out that Krista's(from BB2) family was unable to afford a tombstone for their Mother.It really got to me. If MTV is employing this cast,then I believe they should provide the necessary health benefits. It is a huge problem for so many Americans,just like Ocean Islands said.
Not a problem for the rich,of course.
I am respecting Theo;he really is stepping up to the plate and doing something postitive with his volunteering duties.I say,Go Theo!

I really think that after viewing themselves on TV,the cast can hopefully learn from these experiences?

Julieboo

Thursday, April 25, 2002 - 08:35 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Am I hallucinating, or did Tonya say that Justin had a lot of money? For some reason I am under the impression that Tonya really didn't need to worry about money because she's with Justin. Anyone know? Or did I just dream that up? (I'm thinking I did...)

Grooch

Friday, April 26, 2002 - 07:08 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Justin is her boyfriend. Not her husband.

He may have a lot of money, but I doubt he has enough to be paying his girlfriend's hospital bills without it taking big a dent out of his pocket.

It is not his responsibility to pay it, and I would never dream of asking my boyfriend to take care of it or expect him to. To put it bluntly, it would make me feel like a prostitute if I did.

Kaili

Friday, April 26, 2002 - 02:13 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I agree Grooch- $9,000 here and there is a lot for anybody, particularly someone their age. It may be his family's money and not just his also. I also wouldn't want to have my boyfriend paying all my bills for me. Even a loan of that much I would be uncomfortable with. What does she do for a living- anyone know?

Seamonkey

Friday, April 26, 2002 - 09:48 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
http://www.survivorsucks.com/index.html

Just in case you've missed the funny/sarcastic recaps of Real World Chicago episodes..