Let’s head (mostly) west this episode as we begin Season 2! We discuss Episode 1: Boot Scootin’ Boogie, where we get advice and predictions from the Season 1 roommates about the new set of roommates we’ll grow to know. (This inspires the hosts to make a Rebecca’s Predictions Tracker, as she makes at least half a dozen season predictions in this episode alone.) We only meet half of the roommates who will be occupying a home in Los Angeles for 6 months and only get halfway across the country with them, so we’ll have to wait until later to really, fully dive into this season. We learn to differentiate between hillbillies and rednecks, revisit the days of smoking vs. nonsmoking sections, and criticize the terrible IMBD synopsis for this episode. There’s a lot of early ‘90s catchy tunes mentioned this week, so if you end up singing the titular song, “Achy Breaky Heart” or “Motownphilly” every day until our next episode, don’t say we didn’t warn you!

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Here it is, folks--it’s episode 6: From the Real World to the New World, AKA the end of the Homecoming season. We once again find ourselves appreciating Kevin’s journey regarding racism and activism, as well as his willingness to engage in difficult conversations. (Krystie highly recommends checking out his memoir, The Education of Kevin Powell, which appears in several episodes this season.) The roommates get a pair of surprise guests, which leads to reminiscing about the past and where things stand today with everyone’s lives. We get an even better picture for how much The Real World has contributed to LGBTQ representation on television, as well as vindication for our Wack Fashion choices from the original season. We say a bittersweet goodbye to the loft and the roommates once again...speaking of sweet, someone get Julie’s rainbow cake for Krystie ASAP!

We’ll take a break next week and when we come back, we’ll head to the West Coast for Season 2 of The Real World! 

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On this week’s episode, we’re digging into Homecoming: Season 1, Episode 5: It’s About All of Us. We get to hear Becky’s side of the story regarding the confrontation that’s been lingering over pretty much this whole season, and...it’s not enough to redeem her actions in our eyes, let’s just put it that way. We explore Kevin’s lack of luck in the love department, Norman as a pioneer for LGBTQ representation on TV, and watch a Black Trans Lives Matter protest happen right by the loft. Watch out for the return of Julie’s squirtguns!

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We’re keeping up with the roommates in this episode, which covers Real World Homecoming, Season 1: Episode 4: Starting Over. We pick up where the previous episode left off and find ourselves frustrated with the pall it casts over this whole episode. However, we absolutely love seeing the roommates lifting up Norman and doing what they can to help him in his time of need! We find out more about Heather and Eric’s life and career paths, check up on Eric’s health situation, and become envious of all the good food being cooked in the loft this time around. You’ll also hear about poor alcohol choices in our past, our love of Halloween, and the latest edition of Things Rebecca Says Not to Do on a Pool Table. Grab a hand-held meat pie of your choosing and join us!

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This week, we are diving right into Real World Homecoming: Season 1, Episode 3: Listen. We’re picking up where the last episode left off with a contentious confrontation between Becky and basically everyone else regarding racism. (Pro tip: If your argument against racism amounts to “I don’t see color”, you better rethink that.) We stan Julie for her anti-racism work (is “stan” what the kids these days are saying? This podcast is hosted by two moms in their late 30s, so we’re not 100% sure about its correct usage), learn more about Andre’s road to becoming a family man, and feel for Eric and the heartbreaking experiences he’s had in his life. It’s time to see how the roommates have--or haven’t--evolved over the past three decades, so grab those wack hats and settle in, folks!

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In this week’s episode, we’re discussing Real World Homecoming: Season 1, Episode 2: The More Things Change… Indeed, as we’ve been saying this whole time on Friends Among Strangers, the more things change, the more they stay the same (in society and amongst the roommates), and this becomes especially true in this episode of the show. We find out about how Eric’s doing, Norman’s bathroom revenge, all of Heather’s hustles, Kevin’s friendships with majorly influential cultural figures...and the weirdly spiritual paths of some of the roommates that leave the hosts scratching their heads, plus once again recommending giving the podcast The Dream a listen. A particular trip down memory lane shows that the whole “stop being polite and start getting real” tagline still very much applies, three decades later, to the frustration and bewilderment of the roommates (and hosts). Ice baths, Dr. Seuss hats, and Whoopi Goldberg, oh my!

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It’s time to catch up with the OG seven strangers we grew to know and love! That’s right, dear listeners--we’re discussing Real World Homecoming: Season 1, Episode 1: Back to Reality! Let’s find out what the roommates have been up to since 1992 with some trips down memory lane, see how everyone looks now (spoiler: they all look great), and watch their reactions when they reenter the new and improved loft...and when they discover why Eric’s not there yet. We also get to see the roommates come to terms with their place in reality TV history and pop culture at large. Oh, and we’re currently seeking a sponsorship from the company that made Heather’s booze suitcase because Rebecca NEEDS that in her life!

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In this week’s episode, we discuss Season 1, Episode 13: Goodbye to the Big Apple! We’ve made it to the end of the season, folks! We analyze how everything wraps up, where the show leaves the roommates, and our own final thoughts and feelings on this seminal season of both The Real World and reality TV as a whole. We’ve grown attached to these OG Seven Strangers--Norman, Julie, Eric, Heather, Andrew, Kevin, and Becky--and are looking forward to seeing them on the Real World: Homecoming season (which we’ll start tackling next week!) We’ll miss the sights and sounds of New York City in 1992!

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For this week’s podcast episode, we discuss Season 1, Episode 12: WWF Is in the House! We distill the essence of Heather and Eric’s conflicts and get a behind the scenes look at Reigndance’s video for “Lazy Bones”. There are a LOT of wack fashions in this one, folks! Other topics include ‘90s music, young adulthood, how The Real World doesn’t get enough credit, and our mutual disdain for MLMs. Watch out for kidnappers, Dean Fertita!

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In this episode of the podcast, we submerge ourselves in the explosive arguments occurring in Season 1, Episode 11: Julie Thinks Kevin Is a Psycho! We try piecing together what happened between Julie and Kevin based on the evidence presented to us as best we can. We get a glimpse of Kevin’s upbringing and attempt to figure out how much of that may have contributed to the way he handles himself in the episode (and in previous episodes). Other topics include spelling bees, the NEA, and Karens. Hold onto your wack hats, folks, because the sh*t is about to hit the fan!

Follow us on social media! We’re @friendsamongstrangerspod on both Facebook and Instagram, and @FAS_pod on Twitter.