For MTV's 'Real World,' back to Vegas

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TV This Week
For MTV's 'Real World,' back to Vegas
By Diego Vasquez
May 30, 2007 - 1:00:15 AM

When reality shows become dated and ratings begin to decline, networks search for new gimmicks to reignite viewership. “Survivor” attempted tribes segregated by race, “Big Brother” added an all-star edition, and “The Bachelor” bagged a few minor celebrities (a prince, an actor, a football player) as headliners.

But MTV may be the first network to reunite the original cast of a reality show and give it another try. That’s the premise behind “Reunited: The Real World Las Vegas,” which premieres tonight at 10 p.m. All seven of the original cast members of the 2002-2003 show return to the Palms Casino Resort.

Both "Real World" and MTV could stand the boost. “Real” was once a top-five staple among adults 18-34 but has fallen farther down the chart in recent years. Total viewership for the most recent edition, set in Denver, averaged 2.2 million, down 15 percent from the previous edition in Key West.

“Reunited" could prove a smart move by MTV, which has been searching for ways to woo back the 12-34s it once dominated, as other networks like VH1, Spike and Comedy Central gain among younger viewers.

Las Vegas was MTV’s highest-rated “Real World” edition ever among 12-34s, averaging a 4.1 in the demo. It drew widespread media attention for the over-the-top antics of its participants, including a threesome in the show’s hot tub. If “Reunited” is successful, expect to see many more reality show reunions on the network.

Also, “Reunited” gives MTV a chance to cross promote the show online with archive material. The network is rerunning the original Las Vegas season on MTV.com.

A look at this week’s top TV draws
WEDNESDAY, MAY 30
Time	Network	Program	Description
7 a.m.	NBC	"Today" (N)	Get your ballet on: Mikhail Baryshnikov guests.
7 p.m.	ESPN2	"Major League Baseball" (S)	The up-and-coming Indians take on the hot Red Sox.
8 p.m.	ABC	"Next Big Thing: Who is the Greatest Celebrity Impersonator?" (R, G)	Series premiere. Someone will win $100,000 for acting like somebody else.
8 p.m.	Fox	"So You Think You Can Dance" (R)	Auditions from Chicago and Los Angeles.
9 p.m.	HBO	"I Still Know What You Did Last Summer" (M)	We think this should've been called "I Know What You Did Two Summers Ago."
10 p.m.	ABC	"Traveler" (D)	Jay and Tyler find a place to hide out, but then realize they're still not safe.
10 p.m.	MTV	"Reunited: The Real World Las Vegas" (R)	Series premiere. The Vegas cast moves back into The Palms.
THURSDAY, MAY 31
Time	Network	Program	Description
7 a.m.	NBC	"Today" (N)	"American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks performs.
8 p.m.	CBS	"Pirate Master" (R)	Series premiere. Only in the summer will you find programming where someone can win $1 million for acting like a pirate.
8 p.m.	Fox	"Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" (G)	Game show did well during the season, we'll see how it holds up this summer.
9 p.m.	BBC America	"Innocent" (D)	The crew tries to figure if a murder victim actually committed suicide.
9 p.m.	Sundance	"John Safran vs. God" (N)	Safran takes his shtick to Japan to examine Buddhism.
9 p.m.	USA	"Starter Wife" (D)	Series premiere. Debra Messing plays a woman trying to get things together when her Hollywood marriage ends.
10 p.m.	History Channel	"History Rocks" (N)	Conclusion of the show that looks at rock bands from the 1970s.
FRIDAY, JUNE 1
Time	Network	Program	Description
7 a.m.	ABC	"Good Morning America" (N)	Former "Idol" contestant Daughtry performs.
8 p.m.	Fox	"TV's Funniest Moments" (A)	A look at 30 memorable clips from the past 60 years of TV.
8 p.m.	CMT	"Born Country" (R)	The title to this episode should say it all: "Karaoke Moms."
8 p.m.	Discovery	"Edge of Existence" (N)	Series premiere. Examining primitive people in the face of a modern world.
9 p.m.	VH1	"40 Most Softsational Soft-Rock Songs" (A)	A countdown of the best songs you've ever heard in an elevator.
9 p.m.	WE	"Wife, Mom, Bounty Hunter" (R)	Sabree misses her curfew, then goes against her punishment.
SATURDAY, JUNE 2
Time	Network	Program	Description
1 p.m.	NBC	"Tennis" (S)	Early-round action from the French Open.
3 p.m.	CBS	"PGA Golf" (S)	Third round of the Memorial Tournament from Dublin, Ohio.
3:30 p.m.	Fox	"Major League Baseball" (S)	Either Cards-Astros or--you guessed it--Yankees-Red Sox.
8 p.m.	NBC	"NHL Hockey" (S)	Game three of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Ducks and Senators.
8 p.m.	Fox	"Cops" (R)	A cop in Vegas is forced to chase down a suspect on foot.
10 p.m.	MTV	"X Effect" (R)	A show focusing on ex-boyfriends and girlfriends.
SUNDAY, JUNE 3
Time	Network	Program	Description
1 p.m.	NBC	"Tennis" (S)	More early-round play from the French Open.
2:30 p.m.	CBS	"PGA Golf" (S)	Final round of the Memorial Tournament, won last year by Carl Pettersson.
8 p.m.	ABC	"NBA Basketball" (S)	Still to be determined, but should be a Finals game.
8 p.m.	MTV	"MTV Movie Awards" (A)	The 16th annual event, this time airing live, hosted by Sarah Silverman.
9 p.m.	HBO	"The Sopranos" (D)	The show's penultimate episode has Tony testing loyalty within his crew.
10 p.m.	BBC America	"Real Queens of England" (A)	Less Victoria and Elizabeth and more, say, Elton John.
10 p.m.	HBO	"Entourage" (C)	Season finale. Vince's director choice for "Medellin" doesn't match with the movie's financial backer.
A = awards show or special, C = comedy, D = drama, DD = daytime drama, G = game show, K = kids, M = movie, N = news/documentary, R = reality, S = sports, T = talk/variety show