MTV’s The 70’s House premired this past week. I caught a rerun of it (big surprise, MTV). It’s a good fresh idea for MTV otherwise lame lineup. The premise: take a group of 20somethings, take away all modern technology, and put them in a house decked out in gear from the 70s. If the participants are caught making references to post 70s lingo, they could face expulsion. Last resident in the house wins a bunch of HP stuff, a new 2005 VW Beetle, and a trip to Europe.
This week’s episode shows the contestants moving into the house. None of them knew anything about what they were getting into. They were told they were going to star in an MTV reality show, but little else about the show. “I thought I was going to be on Road Rules,” said one contestant.
Later in the episode the participants were required to play basketball in full 70s basketball gear (we’re talking tight uniform..short shorts, knee socks, Converse All-Stars) against an all-star high school basketball team. It was more or less a battle of who was going to be embarrassed the most.
The participants of the series show very little character development. We know very little about them, whereas with other MTV reality shows, such as Real World and Road Rules, we find out all about the personal lives of the show’s participants. This probably isn’t all that unexpected. After all, the real star of the series is the house itself.
Then there’s Dawn, who acts as a hostess to the group, getting them decked out in the latest 70s fashions, taking up any contraband 2000 era gear, and directing the daily activities for the group. Dawn plays the part to a tee.
A hilarious part of the show happens whenever a bell is rung. The kids have to stop wantever they’re doing and do the Hustle.
What is amusing about the show is that the participants of the show have no concept of the 70’s. One proclaimed that she had never seen an 8-track. Others seemed confused over the rotary phone. The kids had a difficult time giving up their modern technology. One participant claimed that his iPod was “his life.” Another guy said that his cell phone was “his baby,” and he didn’t know if he could live without it. This made for good dramatic programming.
The series is different and fresh compared to the usual junk you see in MTV like Real World and Pimp My Ride.