Is the MTV show Laguna Beach a reality show? or is the cast paid
actors with scripted dialogue?

Hi pdizzle,

MTV's "Laguna Beach" is a reality show.

"It's one of the wealthiest, most beautiful beachside communities in
the world and MTV has unlimited access to the tight-knit power clique
of eight rich, beautiful teenagers that live there. Their lives
intertwine in ways you won't believe, until you drop in for a visit.
Laguna Beach is paradise--a little slice of heaven on earth--why would
anyone want to leave? The answer will come as you watch the best
friends share experiences through parties, relationships, love and
small town injustice. This is where the angst and the tumultuous
affairs are the stuff of prime time drama, except this is all REAL.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Welcome to paradise, otherwise
known as Laguna Beach, California."

MTV: Laguna Beach
http://www.mtv.com/onair/dyn/laguna_beach/about.jhtml


"...In its first season, "Laguna Beach," which MTV consistently dubs
television's first "reality drama," became one of cable's most popular
shows among viewers 12-34, regularly winning its time slot.

"MTV is continually taking risks on new types of programming with
great success," brags Brian Graden, President, Entertainment, MTV/VH1.
"Laguna Beach gave us an authentic and unscripted look at the lives of
eight teenagers in an entirely unique way and was a hit with our
viewers..."

Reality TV Calendar: Laguna Beach
http://www.realitytvcalendar.com/shows/lagunabeach.html


Search criteria:
MTV "Laguna Beach"
MTV "Laguna Beach" reality
MTV "Laguna Beach" unscripted

I hope this is helpful.

Best regards,
Rainbow

It is unscripted, but some students I know from that high school
confirmed what I suspected:  the producers are heavily involved in the
overall molding of the plot, as well as during shooting for dialogue
"suggestions".

pdizzle--
I'm sorry you feel the answer I provided deserved such a rating. If
you had any questions regarding my answer, you could have asked for
clarification and I would have assisted you further, as I indicated at
the end of my answer.

Rainbow~

I am doing a project on the "reality" of Reality TV.  [yt_nitram] do
you have any more information about Laguna Beach. I am interested in
how you/ other students know the extent of producer involvment.  Also,
do you watch The OC?  In your opinion, does the image of The OC or
Laguna Beach accuratley reflect the culture at you/your friends' high
schools in California?  Thanks for your help!

The MTV show does not at all represent the overall attitude of Laguna
Beach or the Laguna Beach teens. MTV is just capitalizing on a fantasy
concept to make money and most of the town is embarrassed by this
exploitation.  Their protrayal of our teenagers is pathetic.  We never
wanted them in town, they snuck in and the show sickens the bulk of
our community. Laguna Beach is a quiet, artist community with people
of depth and character.  Those teens do not represent us well, they
only represent a very small percentage of unrealistic lifestyles.  I
for one, wish MTV would get the heck out of Laguna Beach for good.