Can they keep it real?

Seven new strangers we love to hate

"The Real World," MTV's hottest reality show, had its first season in New York in 1992. Since then, 10 cities and 11 seasons later, the show's popularity has only grown. Although each season stars seven new roommates and brand new conflicts, there are certain elements that never change. Chicago is no different.

Already this season, the obnoxious loud-mouthed Aneesa, the homesick, anti-social Tonya, the frat-boy Kyle, the "Tek" (Hawaii season) wannabe Theo, the country girl Keri, the token gay guy Chris and the promiscuous Cara already have shown which "characters" they were picked to represent.

ith such differing personality types, its no wonder that already in the first three episodes, major controversy has reared its ugly, yet overwhelmingly addictive to watch, head. These seven cast members are sure to keep our eyes glued to the tube every Tuesday night for the next few weeks.

Cara, the skinny girl with the best wavy beach hair ever, has her positives and negatives. She definitely recognizes the game playing between Aneesa and Theo and the chemistry between Kyle and Keri. Cara seems pretty laid back. She's newly single and is taking advantage of it. With three dates in one weekend, she's rediscovering what single life is like. She could probably slow it down a little bit though. One less date here, one more meal there?

Keri is a down-home country girl from Louisiana who genuinely seems like she just wants to have a good time. She could really have her heart broken in the future by Kyle because he has a girlfriend who he insists he won't give up. Keri will have fun in Chicago no matter what, though.

Kyle is the self-professed frat boy who turned out to be a little more than that. Having a serious discussion about alcoholism with Chris was a genuinely nice thing to do. Only time will tell whether or not he will break up with his girlfriend for country Keri.

Then there's the sexual identity crisis. To quote a friend, "Aneesa needs to put on some d*** clothes!" There is a fine line between being comfortable with your body and flaunting it. She says she's a lesbian but seems to be teasing Theo to no end. Funny thing about coed showers.

It's true, Theo hit on Aneesa the moment she walked off the elevator. Even after he found out she was a lesbian, he still was all over her like skinny girls at the salad bar. He also proved to be less than welcoming when he announced his distaste for male homosexuality before he knew Chris was gay. Just out of high school, Theo has a lot to learn.

Being a recovering alcoholic and a gay man in a house where two people don't accept him would make it easy for Chris to get upset. He seems, however, to be enjoying his stay in the windy city and even getting a little action.

Finally, there is Tonya from Walla Walla, Wash. When she's not found on the couch talking to her boyfriend, she's making Chris feel uncomfortable bringing his date over. The only thing more annoying than Tonya's attitude is that 30-second music video about the new cast that runs between commercials.

No "Real World" season would be complete without a beautifully designed mansion or apartment complete with a pool table, fish tank and the hot tub that is always the sight of risqué behavior. It's a shame about that elevator though. It took poor Keri half of the first episode just to get up to the apartment.

The Chicago cast leaves its viewers on the edge of their seats. Will Aneesa and Theo get together? How about Kyle and Keri? Will we ever find out what those weird red cushions on the floor are there for? Tune in to MTV next Tuesday at 10 p.m. to find out.