The Intersection of Politics and The Real World

While The Real World DC films all over our nation’s capital, I wanted to quickly point out that not one, but two, former Real World cast members are trying to reach Washington, and not for a cameo on the show. Berg reported on Friday that Sean Duffy, the Ashland County, WI District Attorney and Real World: Boston alum, has decided to take on one of my favorite, and one of the most powerful members of Congress, Rep. Dave Obey.


I don’t think this guy stands much of a chance, but I’ll tell you he’s pretty credible, maybe even moreso than Kevin Powell, the other former cast member running (more on him later). Kevin’s run brings up an interesting question, “Can you run a credible campaign for high office after being on a reality tv show?” Kevin has clearly made a good career for himself. I’ve even heard from some friends that his wife is an occasional Conservative commentator on Fox News. But, see, here is the rub. An extremely emotionally charged, crazy and sometimes out-of-control portion of your life is in full view and sold, on DVD at any Best Buy in the country. I’m looking at you Ashley, remember that.


The other guy has some solid credentials as an anti-domestic violence advocate, which is awesome. That being said, his website may be the single most douche filled thing I’ve ever seen in my entire life. Kevin Powell is running for Congress in my family’s ancestral homeland of Brooklyn, NY. The VERY first sentence of Mr. Powell’s website reads, and holy shit I’m not making this up. “Kevin Powell is widely considered one of America’s most important voices in these early years of the 21st century.”


WHAT THE FUCK!?! Did he just call himself one of America’s most important voices? Yeaaaaah buddy you are right up there with Barack Fucking Obama. You personally went from The Real World to Socrates in a moment so important to the history of the world and pop culture that Bob Dylan going electric looks like open mic night at a bar in Muskogee, Oklahoma. That being said, he has appeared on Oprah for his work on ending violence, which brings me to my closing point.


It seems that no matter how douchey Kevin is, he found meaning in his life after Real World by channeling his experiences towards a really important and solid goal. This is someone who transcended their experience; much like Sean Duffy did, and actually made something more out of themselves than a two bit reality media whore destined to do endless Real-World/Road Rules challenges until they age out to VH1 or Bravo. Both of them should be commended and serve as role models for the kids coming up behind them. That being said, hey Kevin, there are 11 political activists over here who’d love to give your website a makeover, Bravo style.

Real Worlder for Congress?

Don't worry Real Worlders, your relevance doesn't have to end when the final episode airs. You could do anything with the fame and fortune that being a pop culture icon brings you! While the high status of the ShamWow guy is not beyond your reach, why stop there? Why not try to come back to DC as...I dunno...a member of congress?

That's exactly what former Real World: Boston cast member and current Ashland County District Attorney, Sean Duffy (no relation to the ARWDC ally and all-around good guy of the same name) is doing in Wisconin against House Appropriations Chairman, Congressman Dave Obey. Here's a little bit from the article that seems to capture the incredible substance and depth behind Duffy's candidacy:

"Duffy is active with the Republican Party of Wisconsin, but he is perhaps best known as a former cast member on the MTV reality show "The Real World: Boston" in 1997. His conservative political views were a source of friction on the show with some of his more liberal housemates." - Wausau Daily Herald, 7/2/09

Duffy is actually married to another former Real World cast member so it appears as if the recipe for post-reality TV relevance seems to lie in keeping with your own kind (other reality TV stars) and moving to Wisconsin to become a Conservative Republican. Obviously, scientific evidence would probably support the notion that Duffy's offspring are likely to eventually follow in daddy's footsteps and become Real Worlders.

(Hat tip on this on to WAOW-TV's Katie Rosenberg for the intel on this one!)