2001 connection
I'm surprised that none of the reviews for <i>The Real World: The Lost Season</i> mention the obvious parallels to <i>2001: A Space Odyssey</i>. Besides the obvious similarities in the camerawork, there's also the concept of an antagonist who can see and hear everything.
Like Hal, Roland is constantly aware of the protagonists plotting against him. And, like Hal, he just wants to live the way they do.
Finally, check this out. HAL becomes IBM. ROLAND becomes SPMBOE.
umm. nevermind.