Coming from a then-32-year-old, this sentiment may simultaneously explain why his demographic begins resisting reality television, and why 15,000 to 20,000 18- to 24-year-olds clamor to try out for MTV's "The Real World" each year. ,”

Mike Doughty, solo musician of the now defunct Soul Coughing, indignantly says: "In my day, people from 'Road Rules' did not make out with people on 'The Real World!' " in between songs on a live album.

Coming from a then-32-year-old, this sentiment may simultaneously explain why his demographic begins resisting reality television, and why 15,000 to 20,000 18- to 24-year-olds clamor to try out for MTV's "The Real World" each year.

It is why "RW" supervising casting director Damon Furberg discovers that it "can be harder to find someone who is unspoiled" to the presence and formulas of reality television. Different stratifications of celebrities and virtually meaningless neologisms such as "advertainment" and "celebreality," exist to keep the genre feeling new.

Whether you find the genre insipid or entertaining, it doesn't appear to be disappearing, as reality television shows continue to dominate ratings on many networks.

If you want your share of a network's pie, an open casting call for the 20th season of the "RW" will take place at Rock Bottom Brewery, 740 N. Plankinton Ave., on April 3 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

In a sense, the show represents the American spirit of equal opportunity, as people can be unknown one moment, and then make a career out of being a reality TV "star" the next.

Perhaps viewers have become jaded toward the probability of this option, as turnout for casting sessions has declined across all reality shows. Furberg is unsure if the "same group of people (who would try out for reality shows) are more spread out," or if the "novelty" of reality television has worn off since its boom in 2001.

However, the casting director's judgment for a fit for the show is "We know when we find it," and he encourages everyone to try out, even if you don't feel as if you fit a particular mold.

When asked about casting archetypes, usually an effeminate gay man, an alcoholic or a jock, hand-picked for future challenges in the "RW"/"RR" challenges or a promiscuous young woman, Furberg said: "People give us a lot more credit than we deserve with the trends. Every year is a different situation."

He has been casting members since "RW" season 12, the never-boring Las Vegas season, and for the Austin season he cast a housemate from Milwaukee, Melinda.

"Melinda was dressed so down," he said. "I picked her out because of her personality."

His advice to people trying out for the show is "be ready to be open." Some people enter the experience only willing to show parts of their personality, which he relays is impossible when the cameras are continuously on you for four months.

"People might be a hero one day and a fool the next," he said. "Expecting anything else is not realistic."

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