The Real World is a reality television program on MTV originally executive produced by Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray and produced and directed by George Verschoor. First aired in 1992, it is one of the first reality television shows to gain a national audience, and is the longest-running program in MTV history. The show is currently in its eighteenth season. Following Bunim's death from breast cancer in 2004, Bunim/Murray Productions continues to produce the program.

The show focuses on the lives of seven, diverse strangers who audition to live together in a house for several months, as cameras record their interpersonal relationships. The show moves to a different city each season. The footage shot during the housemates' time together is edited into 30 minute episodes. As the narration given over the opening title sequence by the seven housemates states:

"This is the true story, of seven strangers, picked to live in a house, work together and have their lives taped, to find out what happens, when people stop being polite, and start getting real. THE REAL WORLD!"