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Real World Co-Creator dies of cancer
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Posted by: Azlen

http://www.tvweek.com/news/web013004.html

Mary-Ellis Bunim Dead at 57

Mary-Ellis Bunim, considered the matriarch of reality television, has died. She and partner Jonathan Murray were the heads of Bunin-Murray Productions.

Among the credits Ms. Bunin has created over the years are "The Real World," "Road Rules," "The Love Cruise," "Making the Band," "The Real World Road Rules Challenge," the reality feature film "The Real Cancun," the real-life daytime syndicated hour "Starting Over," and most recently Fox's smash "The Simple Life," starring Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie.

Ms. Bunim's career in television began with soap operas, before agent Mark Itkin of the William Morris Agency put her together with Mr. Murray, whose background was in TV news. Merging the documentary nature of news and the dramatic intrigue of soap operas, Bunim-Murray hatched an innovative idea for a dramatic series featuring real people rather than actors. That series became MTV's "The Real World," which effectively marked the beginning of the reality television genre.

"Mary-Ellis was a one-in-a-million partner and friend, and I will always treasure our incredible years of collaboration. Even as the family at Bunim-Murray Productions mourns her loss, we will honor her memory by remaining committed to her ideals of creativity, adventure and excellence, both on the screen and in our lives," Mr. Murray said.

Ms. Bunim died of cancer Thursday in Los Angeles. She was 57. She is survived by her daughter, Juliana.

Posted by: daveyg013

As a fan of her work and of reality television in general, this is very sad news. My mom and girlfriend are huge Starting Over fans, so I'm going to forward them that link. Thanks for the heads up.

Posted by: faerie

wow. I hadn't heard that news. I wonder what that means for the future of their production company.

Posted by: PaigeH

I was so saddened by this news. She helped create "reality tv" back in 1992, and it is such a loss to the television industry. I have been watching The Real World faithfully since its inception, and it easily became my favorite show ever. Their production comany broke new ground in reality television. When everyone else came with the same type of shows, they came anew. I am sure Bunim/Murray will continue doin what its doing in Mary-Ellis' honor.

Posted by: mrboo

who cares...

Posted by: David Platt

quote:
Originally posted by mrboo
who cares...

:down: :down:

That has to be one of the rudest and most insensitive things I've read on this forum in a LONG time. A freaking human being died, and you write "who cares?" I'll be sure to post the same thing if anything every happens to you.

Posted by: TiVoed4Life

quote:
Originally posted by mrboo
who cares...

She died of cancer, and you write "who cares"?? You are an ignorant being, and I'll leave it at that.

If you didnt care, why did you bother to read the thread.

:rolleyes:

Posted by: GDG76

quote:
Originally posted by mrboo
who cares...

"It wasn't not funny!!!"

Just because she died still doesn't change the crap she helped to spew forth onto the MTV (and other) airwaves. I'm sorry she died and of cancer at that- I wouldn't wish it on anyone but I think the apathy was just about reality tv in general. A lot of people don't care about reality TV.

Remember, someone has to be dead for a couple of weeks before it's tasteful to start using them in jokes :rolleyes:

Ah, what the hell- if she's gone to a better place, expect to see "My Big Fat Obnoxious Angel" and "Pearly Gate Confessions" repeating about 8 times a week in the great yonder.

drew