Local gay boy campaigns for online votes, willing to suffer public humiliation for "'Real World'

KEEPING IT REAL: Plano’s Michael Jenney wants your vote.

After 18 seasons, the grand poobah of reality programming, MTV's "The Real World," still attracts young wannabes of all stripes. And a gay North Texan is dreaming of joining the illustrious ranks of the "seven strangers," who get picked to share a house and be rude to one another.

Like most television watchers, I tune in every season just to complain how much the show sucks. And to relish the orgy of drunken arguments about racism, terrorism and homophobia.

Earlier this week, Plano resident Michael Jenney contacted Dallas Voice because he's part of MTV's new on-line audition process. The network is promising that Internet voters will decide who gets cast on the show. As of press time, Jenney only scored 856 votes. The 22-year-old promotions team member for FieldSource has some stiff competition namely 19-year-old Weston, another gay North Texan who's racked up more than 5,000 votes.

Fond of frosted tips, Jenney says he's a virgin. And on on the MTV web site, there's a video clip of Jenney saying he pretty much detests other gay people kids these days. Via e-mail, Jenney outlined some salient points about wanting to become the next Real Worlder.

What's your favorite "Real World" moment? That would be from the current season, "Real World: Denver." Extroverted homo Davis has a deep, drunken conversation with female roommate Jenn. And then Davis proceeds to trash all his roomies including Jenn.

Davis calls the girls ugly and fat and points out all their physical flaws. This is the kind of footage viewers want to see: instigation, drama, backstabbing and reading others to filth. I'm the type of person who'll say what's on my mind even if it upsets someone in the process. This may sound distasteful, but it really isn't.

Since no "Real World" would be complete without inebriated moments in a hot tub, what's your most notorious moment of intoxication? Last September at Dallas' gay Pride.

Michael, my boyfriend at the time, and I were already having problems. Due to my drunken behavior, we fought constantly. After drinking, like, eight beers, we went inside JR.'s, which was packed.

I ran into a boyfriend couple and followed them upstairs to drink more, leaving behind Michael and my friends. All of a sudden, I started making out with the couple, three-way style. I didn't know it, but Michael was watching me the whole time. I left JR's and got into a taxicab to go back to the couple's apartment. Well, almost Michael chased me out to the taxi.

I got in the cab, but five minutes later, I realized what I had done. I started balling and called Michael apologizing and crying hysterically. The two guys ended up dropping me off on the side of the Tollway near a Circuit City where Michael finally came and collected me. The incident ruined our relationship, and eventually we broke up. Now we don't even speak. I was in love with this guy. I'd do anything to take it all back. Alcohol isn't any excuse, but this never would have happened if I wasn't drinking. Oh, well. You live and you learn, right?

If you were cast as one of the seven strangers, do you think might regret it? I don't believe in regrets. Everything happens for a reason and makes you the person that you are. I want the experience of meeting complete strangers and having to face my insecurities on television. I think the concept is awesome.


CAST YOUR BALLOT

To vote for Jenney, visit RealWorldCasting.com/
people/michaelj


CNN's Roberts signs off

Headline News anchor Thomas Roberts, pictured, left CNN on May 1.

"After five years, he has decided to leave us, with intentions to settle in the Washington, D.C., area," CNN exec Ken Jautz wrote in a memo on Monday.

Shortly after he came out last year, Roberts an undisputed hottie lost his afternoon anchoring timeslot in September. His final major on-air appearance aired in March, as he recounted being sexually abused by a priest for a two-hour heartwrenching "360" special hosted by Anderson Cooper.

Jautz's memo said Roberts will be "pursuing new journalistic opportunities." MediaBistro hints that Roberts may be inking a deal to host a syndicated talk show.




This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition, April 27, 2007.