THE kids of “The Real World” have some pretty unreal career goals.
They’ve come to Brooklyn for the new season of the MTV series (the 21st season, believe it or not), with the crazy idea they’re all going to embark on sparkling careers as dancers, actors, models or singers.
One of them – Chet, 23, of Salt Lake City – announces nonchalantly that he’d like to host “TRL.”
I hate to be the one to break it to you, kid, but “TRL’s” been canceled.
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It’s possible they’re deluded about the difficulties of making it here because their arrival in New York has been cushioned by MTV.
In the premiere episode of “The Real World: Brooklyn,” which I watched on Friday (it airs Jan. 7 on MTV), the Chosen Eight are seen settling into their new home, a fabulous loft they would never otherwise be able to afford that juts out into New York Harbor on Pier 41 in Red Hook.
Various members of the household are concealing secrets they’re uncomfortable about revealing, including Katelynn, 24, of West Palm Beach, Fla., who was once a man; and Ryan, 23, of Gettysburg, Pa., who is an Iraq War vet.
Incredibly, he’s nervous his housemates will react negatively when they learn he fought for his country. It will be hugely disappointing if that turns out to be the case.
As it happens, Ryan is one of the most charismatic characters ever cast on “The Real World,” and the show is lucky to have him.
The group also includes an openly gay man from Miami and an openly celibate Mormon (Chet from Utah).
Midway into the episode, the eight finally go out to explore Brooklyn. They visit L&B Spumoni Gardens on 86th Street in Bensonhurst for Sicilian pizza and then play stickball with the Lordz, whose song “The Brooklyn Way” plays on the soundtrack (shout-out to Kaves – Bay Ridge, baby!).
In this debut episode of “The Real World: Brooklyn,” there’s little or no hint of conflicts to come for these eight strangers. It even seems as if they’re all becoming friends, although if that were the case, this wouldn’t be “The Real World.”
Filming on this “Real World” commenced and wrapped last summer. Apparently, Brooklyn survived.