MTV’s True Life: Six Best Episodes Ever

June 1, 2009 4:00 pm     Posted in Cool Stuff  Erica - Kent State University g+ page

mtv-true-lifeI don’t know what it is about MTV, but I am addicted. Those crafty little sons of b*tches in Times Square know their target audience. They have me – and everyone else in the 12-30 age bracket – convinced that what we should really want to watch on TV are really attractive, dumb people saying really dumb (and totally unscripted) things. There’s really nothing quite like a mind-numbing “Next” marathon when you feel like death on Sunday afternoon and they know this.


By Erica

However, I’m able to cut MTV some slack because they aren’t always the network that shows hot people doing dumb things 24/7. Every once in awhile they cook up an awesome little nugget of TV goodness with some real substance. For example, they devote a decent amount of airtime to True Life. I’m pretty sure the only way you’d not know about True Life is if you had been living under a rock (or without basic cable) for the last ten years, but just in case you don’t know, every ep of True Life tells the entirely true story of 2 or 3 young people who are dealing with a particular issue. Sometimes its personal (“I’m Afraid of Intimacy”), other time it’s situational (“I Have A Summer Share ”), but either way it’s always AWESOME.

The only problem with True Life? There are just so.many.amazing.episodes – and equally as many that never air more than once. Actually this story ended up taking me a lot longer to write than originally planned because I spent more time watching the episodes online than writing about them. (Which reminds me – thank you MTV for putting these all online!) However, I was eventually able to peel my eyeballs away from the episodes and back to my open Word document to write up this list of my faves:

1) I Have OCD – So interesting. The dude who sniffs his armpits over and over? Classic television.
2) I Live Another Life on the Web – If this journalism thing doesn’t work out, this episode showed me I can always show my boobs on the internet for cash.
3) I’m Addicted to Crystal Meth – Enough said.
4) I Have Tourette’s Syndrome – The guy who spills a drink on his date warms my heart. I think tics are kinda cute.
5) I’m Uncomfortable with My New Body – Lots of sagging skin. Gross, but really interesting nonetheless.
6) I’m Getting Married – “I will gut you like a fish!” Sabrina & Charlie will always be my favorite TV couple.

Honorable Mentions: “I’m Jealous,” “I Panic,” “I Work in the Sex Industry,” “I’m Supporting My Family,” “I’m Obese,” “I Hate My Small Breasts” (a girl’s mother actually ENCOURAGES her to get breast implants by asking for donations from sugar daddies online!), and “I’m Competitive with My Friends.”

I just can’t wait until True Life: I’m Addicted to True Life comes out. An hour of watching me watch TV? Now that’s quality programming…

Check out True Life On Demand and watch some of these episodes online.

Okay, I know I’m not the only one obsessed. What are some of your fave episodes of True Life?

25 Comments on "MTV’s True Life: Six Best Episodes Ever"

  1. Sweety says:
    Mon, 29th Nov 19997:00 pm 

    I have a hot mom episode :)

  2. Amy says:
    Mon, 1st Jun 200911:14 am 

    Both the tourettes and OCD episodes are classic.

  3. Chelzz says:
    Mon, 1st Jun 20092:14 pm 

    I actually cried on an episode but I cant remember which one…

    I loved "Im supporting my family" Best sister EVER.

    I hate I can't remember which one made me cry, because I know I was boohooing lol

  4. J says:
    Mon, 1st Jun 20092:29 pm 

    The one "I'm Deaf" was totally cry-material. When the boy hears his name for the first time, and the Mom says something like "Do you like your name?" So awesome.

  5. Allison says:
    Mon, 1st Jun 20092:39 pm 

    No True Life "Jersey Shore"?! That was a classic!

  6. Princess says:
    Mon, 1st Jun 20092:52 pm 

    HAHA! Freshman year of college, my roommate was Lindsey from True Life I'm Jealous (who drove to Mass. and caught her boyfriend dancing with other girls). Out of respect for her, I will not say any horrible things or tell the stories of my experience of being around her…but I will say that we both ended up transferring schools after freshman year.

  7. Ali says:
    Mon, 1st Jun 20093:16 pm 

    I kinda hate the Tourette's episode because I feel so bad for that girl. I mean, I get frustrated about things in my life, but I can't even imagine how bad it gets for her.

  8. Stacey says:
    Mon, 1st Jun 20094:09 pm 

    Remember True Life: I like to Eat Cheese? I loved that episode.

  9. Matt says:
    Mon, 1st Jun 20094:32 pm 

    Where's "I Have Embarrassing Parents"? How can you get better than nudists and Star Wars conventions all in the same episode?

  10. Kat says:
    Mon, 1st Jun 20094:40 pm 

    Matt I agree! "I have embarassing parents" was my fav. too!

  11. Melanie - Northeaste says:
    Mon, 1st Jun 20098:56 pm 

    Crystal Meth is the ABSOLUTE best one.

  12. Mazuba says:
    Tue, 2nd Jun 20098:25 am 

    yeah the jersey shore was a good episode.The sad one was the one where there were 2 couples who had issues and one of the guys got diagnosed with some disease and died after taping the show and right before he moved in with his girlfriend.It was so sad.

  13. Chezza says:
    Tue, 2nd Jun 20092:10 pm 

    True Life: I don't trust my partner. Good episode, but reallly sad ending. =(

  14. Rosie says:
    Tue, 2nd Jun 20099:35 pm 

    you guys are clearly forgetting one of the first and most amazing episodes: "True Life: I'm an Urban Cheerleader" Hands down, best show.

  15. NewPaltzgal says:
    Thu, 4th Jun 20091:49 pm 

    True life: I don't trust my partner- definitely a sad and unexpected ending

    and Rosie i def have to agree with the I'm an urban cheerleader episode- so good

    True life seems like the only REAL reality TV to me. I love it.

  16. Sarah says:
    Thu, 4th Jun 20095:47 pm 

    Truelife: Im Uncomfortable with my new Body" Rocky story is amazing! Amazing episode… the other girl was koko!

  17. Pearl says:
    Thu, 4th Jun 20097:47 pm 

    The "I live another life on the web" episode was eye-opening and kind of sad. I totally got sucked into that show too.

  18. Wesley says:
    Mon, 8th Jun 20093:36 pm 

    MTV, god I remember when they actually use to play music. Even though I think True life is interesting, I think they show has to many people being materialist pricks, or and my favorite, mind numbing iddiots. Music TV, I thought thats what it stand for. I would tune in to it, if it was True life Im a rocker and knocked up to many groupies, but thats just me.

    NJ! Son

    Wes

  19. HI says:
    Sun, 17th Jan 20108:48 pm 

    True Life "I self injure"

  20. dmonroe69 says:
    Thu, 23rd Feb 201210:31 pm 

    Truelife Im pregnant

  21. Rocky says:
    Wed, 2nd May 20128:49 pm 

    Thank you so much for the love Erica and adding "Truelife: I'm Uncomfortable with my New Body" the show was very emotional for me and allowing the world into my intimate thoughts, emotions, and struggles. UPDATE for you to check out and I would love to get your feedback. I just finished another show for MTV's: Truelife, a special called, "I'm Getting a Second Chance". Two years in the making this show will inspire (i'm praying) people to look beyond appearances and seek out the lasting connection with one's heart. Link Below
    http://www.mtv.com/videos/true-life-im-getting-a-…

    XXXO-Rocky
    http://www.twitter.com/rockytayeh http://www.facebook.com/rockytayeh

  22. Joslyn says:
    Sat, 17th Nov 20125:52 pm 

    That episode should have been called: My mom is a disgusting freak of nature.

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