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Exclusive Interview with Mark Long, Host of The Real World: Brooklyn Aftershow

Posted on 02/03/2009 by RealityWanted in Real World and Cast Interviews

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Mark Long - real world road rules fox reality

by Gina Scarpa

If there's one thing MTV star Mark Long knows how to do, it's maintain longevity in the field of reality television.  Long first appeared on our television screens in 1995, when he was cast on the very first season of Road Rules.  From there, he has appeared on several Real World/Road Rules challenges and landed a hosting gig on Fox Reality's Reality Remix.  He is currently the host of The Real World: Brooklyn Aftershow on MTV.  This week, he opened up to RealityWanted, giving us the never before heard story as to how he formed his relationship with MTV and how he maintained a steady career in television for the last 14 years.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How were you cast on the first season of Road Rules and what made you want to try out for a reality show?

A. Mark: Here is the real true story.   I don't even think it has ever been printed or spoken about to the media.  I was going to college at the University of Florida and sent in a tape for The Real World: Los Angeles.  I made it through all of the cuts and casting.  They even came to my college and filmed me for a weekend.  So I made it down to the final 12.  They said it was between me and Aaron (the surfing accountant).  MTV asked me what I wanted to do in L.A. and, of course, I said: "Try to become a star." They ultimately went with someone with a more relatable career path.  I was fine with it because I loved the casting process and it was very exciting at the time for me and my roommates in Gainesville.

A year and a half later, I got a call saying, "Would you like to fly to San Francisco to possibly replace a roommate that was having problems?"  Of course, I said yes and I am actually on one episode of The Real World: San Francisco that aired that season.  I really didn't identify with the cast and my personality was a little more sporty, I guess, than some of the male
roommates.  They ended up picking Jo.

A year after that, MTV called and said that they were going to do a new concept show (Road Rules) and were going to shoot a pilot for 7 days in and around Los Angeles.  So once again, I thought, "Hell yeah I'll do a pilot!"  We shot it with myself and 4 other cast members (2 guys/ 2 gals).  It went great, even had the two gals fighting for my love!  I went back to Florida, finished school for the year, moved out to  Los Angeles, got an apartment, and on the day of going to look for a part time job (I swear this all is true), I was walking out my front door and my home phone rang.  It was Jon Murray and Mary Ellis Bunim on a conference call.  They said the Road Rules pilot got picked up, they were going to shoot the series, they wanted me to be a part of it, but they replaced the other 4 cast members....so i took a deep breath and yelled at the top of my lungs: "Hell yeah, I wanna be a part of it!!" The rest, as they say, is history.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Did you have any idea, when you were doing Road Rules, that you would form such a longlasting relationship with MTV?

A. Mark: I didn't at the time, but what a blessing in disguise!  I love that we get the opportunity to go back and do other projects.  I feel MTV was ahead of its time with a lot of programming (like the challenges for example).  A lot of networks, since the birth of this format, have done very similar shows with great success so its nice to be a part of the first..

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: We've seen you on a few Real World/Road Rules challenges.  Do you have a favorite season that you were a part of?

A. Mark: I have a special place in my heart for Battle of the Sexes 2.  The boys won almost every challenge.   I had a few great friends on it with me (i.e. Eric Nies ) and we won in the end.  The original Battle of the Sexes was nice too because it was my first challenge and first time i got to run through the finish line as a champ.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When did you begin working with Fox Reality and how did the job come about for you?

A. Mark: I took a meeting with Carol Sherman (Natural 9 Entertainment/ Executive Producer of the show).  She was telling me about the show and the format: a show like Entertainment Tonight that only deals with reality shows.  I  remember saying to her,  "I don't know if you have this cast already, but there is no other person on this planet that knows more about reality t.v. than me..  I am addicted, a junkie, you will be foolish not to cast me."  In the end, I replaced the guy that they had originally cast and it became the best 2 and a half years of my career.  Thanks to them and FOX REALITY - I love them!!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: RealityWanted was featured on FoxNews.com recently, talking about making a career out of reality television.  How have you managed to maintain longevity in the industry when so many others try and are unsuccessful?

A. Mark: I think its because I treat this opportunity as a blessing, when some might just think of it as a means to an end.  Every job I get in Hollywood, whether it's a huge hosting gig or a small minor opportunity, I treat exactly the same.  I have never been late for a call time, I never complain on set, I do my homework, I don't go out and drink the night before work, and I come prepared.  It's simple, I think: Don't show up and act like a jackass and take everything seriously, because the window closes quick in this biz and you have to make every opportunity count!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When were you approached to host The Real World Aftershow and what made you want to host it?

A. Mark: I was in Florida when I got the call and almost couldn't do it because of scheduling conflicts but we made it happen and to be very honest, it's been the best suited show for me that I have ever done.  The format is loosely scripted, but leaves the door open to improv, and every email or comment I have gotten about it has been positive.  I would love to be a part of this show forever.  It's a great format and it lets me totally be me.  Thank you again MTV (Jackie, Jon, Farnaz, Russell) for this wonderful opportunity!!!!!!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Do you still follow The Real World, Road Rules, and the season challenges?

A. Mark: Of course, if I am around and it's on the tube, I am glued to it.  I love catching up on marathons.  I am a product of it and I feel its my duty to remain a fan!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What are you feelings about the Brooklyn cast of The Real World?  Do you have a favorite?

A. Mark: I love the new Real World.  It reminds me of the old school show (when the cast didn't have jobs) and I just think Brooklyn is such a cool spot that people wanna tune in.  The cast is great – Chet is a crack up and so is Ryan.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Any other exciting things coming up for you?

A. Mark: Hopefully, I have lots more Aftershows coming up and I just shot a FOX SPORTS Celebrity show in Canada co-hosted with my new pal Kris Jenner (Keeping Up With The Kardashians) that will be airing in the Spring.  I also am making my 4 year challenge comeback in mid-April on MTV for the DUEL 2.  Can the old man pull off a miracle?  You will have to tune in and find out!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Looking ahead 5 years: what do you want to be doing?

A. Mark: I would love to be doing a show like the AFTERSHOW on MTV.  I love the format and style of the show.  It truly lets me be me.... so, in a perfect world, a show like that would be great.  However, I am a realist, and if I am steadily working in 5 years, that will be a blessing in itself.  By the way, feel free to say hello on MySpace, I love all of your thoughts and opinions:  http://myspace.com/marklong.

The Real World: Aftershow airs on MTV every Wednesday night at 11pm ET after a new episode of The Real World: Brooklyn.

(Image courtesy of MTV)

 

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