The Real World early seasons were earnest and talky before later format changes.

Evidence

As early as season two, there were subtle changes made to the format of The Real World, carrying it further in spirit from An American Family. The first season had put more faith in the concept of simply filming young people struggling for a break; the characters, if callow, are likable and thoughtful. At times the show plays like an edited college seminar, albeit with some romance thrown in. But by contemporary standards it is very talky and somewhat short on action. — Tim Wu, The Attention Merchants, 834