Customer Reviews

Livin' in Joe's World: Unauthorized, Uncut, and Unreal: The Memoirs of Joe Patane from the Miami Cast of MTV's The Real World

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Here's a book from Miami's Joe providing some real insight into what it's like to live under the lights and cameras 24/7. The best thing about this book is that you can easily read the whole thing in a couple of hours. Unless you've watched the Miami season, you won't understand much of this. For those that watched the Miami roommates flounder in their attempt to start a business, you're likely to get the sense that there is much more that could have been written than what is provided here. As it is, the core thesis is that MTV and the production company doesn't realize what a devastating effect this experiment has on the lives of the participants. Joe whines a lot about this. In succession, Joe complains about the selection process and how the questions are too personal - although it was a self-realizing experience. Joe moans about the roommate selection, as if he expected an entrepeneurial consulting team to be chosen. Joe shows disgust at the production company for letting deadlines pass for starting the business without consequence. But, most of all Joe complains about the tapped phones, the lack of privacy, the lights that wouldn't let him sleep, the editing that made him into a character instead of the "I'm-here-to-make-a-difference" persona he wanted to project. All of it seems a little like sour grapes. He knew the score before agreeing to go - even before he sent in the audition tape. If he got something he didn't fully expect, then them the breaks! He seems most upset about the impact the show had on his family and strange relationship with his hard to stomach girlfriend Nic. Sadly, he gave the producers the ammunition to present an entertaining television show - and this book comes across little more than a statement of regret.

Living with Joe for five months was an experience to say the least. But there was SO much more that he could have written about. I think it's still a strong possibility that more books are on the way. Isn't that right, Joey P.?

While the blurb on the back promises the "real" Real World, I was left feeling strangely empty. For all the buildup, the many pages spent getting Joe into The Real World, it didn't seem like Joe spent a lot of time actually telling us about it. He seems to waver between being ticked off at how MTV screwed up his life, and being determined not to let MTV screw up his life. All perfectly understandable, but it somewhat blurs the focus of the book.

For fans of the show who want the Real Dirt, there's astonishingly little; Joe seems to have been more sensitive to his housemates' privacy than they were to his. (I got the impression this book had been gutted by several attorneys, to be totally honest.) On the other hand, it's certainly an entertaining journey--especially since it happened to someone else.

If you're a big fan of The Real World, go ahead and get this book. If you're curious how living under the camera for six weeks can change your life and your outlook, get this book. If you want to see Joe dish the dirt on MTV and the rest of his cast, skip this book.

In sum: Joe's far too nice a guy for The Real World, and this book proves it--he can't even work up bitterness after the fact.

I have to give kudos to Joe. He really has a knack for putting things in an easy to understand perspective. The book was funny, touching, sad.,.. it had all my emotions wrapped up in it. Great book to read if you want to learn "just a little" more then you already knew about the show, behind the scenes, and the quiet star that emerged from it!! Good job!

Well i was looking forward to reading a book about "The Real World" from someone who lived it, so when Joe wrote his book I had to read it. I was glad to see that Joe was honest and informative about his time in Maimi. His book was an easy read and was full of details about the cast and the season. I have read the other books that have been written about the series but getting it from someone who lived it was the best! If you haven't read it yet go get a copy. How about a sequel Joe?

In the spirit of those who have already posted reviews on this book, I too confess my guilty pleasure is reality TV. While I have not taken too much to many of the new shows, I have been an avid and loyal fan of The Real World way back to the first New York season.

I have had the fortunate opporutnity to meet Joe, in person, twice now. Once, a few years back at the National Inventors Hall of Fame's Collegiate Inventors Awards, and again on the subway in Manhattan just a few weeks ago. Joe was kind enough to let me know of his book after I told him how much I enjoy The Real World. He promised a great read that would provide new perspective on what I considered to be great television.

Boy, was he right!

Joe's retrospective on The Real World - from the process of getting on the show to what life was like during the filming and post production - proves highly enlightening. While I still tune in weekly to the new seasons of The Real World, I watch through totally different eyes. I now notice how footage is edited out of sequence to create larger drama and storylines that are not necessarily accurate. I also pay closer attention to each individual and watch how they are stereotyped into a certain role. We all may think we now each of the "seven strangers" by the time the season wraps, however; I now feel almost cheated that we really don't. We have our perceptions - they own the reality.

Joe's anecdotes, tidbits, shared sorrows, triumphs and debaucles all shed a bright new light on a phenomenon that will continue to entertain. But in a new way for this reader.

Excellent book, Joe. Thank for sharing!

I've been a fan of 'The Real World' for years and I had no idea it wasn't all it's cracked up to be until I read Joe's book. He has a gift for writing and his book showed everyone just what a reality tv show can do to someone's private life. After reading his book, I realized there's no way I'd be able to be in the same situation he was but I give him credit for making through it and coming out on top. Much luck to him and to the Joe's World Foundation :)

This is a really great book. If you are a fan of the show and you would like to know some "inside stories" this is the book for you to read. It tells what it is really like to be The Real World. A must have for anyone, even if you arent a big fan of the show.

I've read "Livin In Joe's World" 4 times already, and I felt that it was high time I put my thoughts into words, and express just why I love this book so much. I've been an obsessed "Real World" fan since the debut of the series back in '92, and while I love what I see on the tube, I was always curious about what went on behind the scenes. Thanks to Joe, I'm not curious any longer. Joe is able to grab your interest from the very first page of his book, leaving the reader eager to turn the pages to see what is next. I read the book in one sitting, as I couldn't get enough of what was being revealed to me in the chapters. Joe's special knack of letting the reader believe that he's actually talking to them is crucial to the overall "feel" of the book. The writing is seamless, and it's an effortless read....you just want to keep reading! Joe was also able to create a "unique balance" in the chapters... the memories of his Real World experience aren't all bad, nor are they all good. It's a fair, informative look at his life during that time. You're the ultimate fly on the wall as Joe reveals just what REALLY went down during the shooting of Real World Miami...and how these experiences have effected him. I don't want to spoil the fun by revealing anything here, but rest assured that when all is said and done, you'll never watch a Real World episode the same way again.

I am a big fan of the real world Miami and this book was very eye-opening about the happenings behind the camera. Joe held nothing back :) I found myself laughing at loud at the antics Joe brings to light. I have read it a few times and I would highly recommend it to anyone who was or is a Fan of RWMiami :) Lisa