Hundreds of hopeful reality-television stars lined up in front of State Street Brats, 603 State St., Tuesday afternoon for a chance to join the MTV shows \The Real World"" and ""Road Rules.""
The queue of decked-out college students stretched around the block. The applicants brought folding chairs, cell phones and makeup kits. Most were realistic about their low chances to get on the shows, which put participants in close contact with one another while completing missions either in a city or on the road.
UW-Madison senior Erin Stotz said she and her friend, fellow senior Marie Olmsted, had always talked about trying out for ""The Real World.""
""We decided it would be fun, something crazy,"" Stotz said. ""We always thought we were going to do it, and then we just decided to go ahead and do it.""
Olmstead added, ""I'm sick of my routine of waking up, going to work, going to school, and I have no idea what I'm going to do upon graduation.""
Senior Meghan Rutigliano said she decided to try out even though she has been disappointed with recent seasons.
""I feel like if I don't try out I'll wonder about it and I think the interview process will be interesting, if not anything else,"" she said.
According to MTV Casting Director Jason Horowitz, who conducted the interviews, between 700 and 800 people from ages 18 to 24 showed up. He added that he was impressed by the turnout.
""We've had a great time here in Madison,"" he said. ""We've come here before and we've really enjoyed the interesting opinions that people bring.""
Candidates for the shows filled out an application asking questions such as ""What qualities do you look for in a mate?,"" ""How would someone who really knows you describe your worst traits?"" and ""Describe your most embarrassing moment.""
Although the shows try to portray real people in real situations, some applicants were quick to assign themselves personality roles they have seen on the shows before.
Stetz, who described herself as a ""huge fan"" of ""The Real World,"" said she could play multiple roles.
""I think I'd be the easygoing one, but if they want me to be a drama queen, I could be a drama queen,"" she said.
Rutigliano said she would be the token eccentric if she were cast in one of the shows.
""I would definitely be obnoxious,"" she said. ""People would probably complain.\
