ERIC NIES (on The Real World New York, Starting Reality TV, Camille Grammer & The Pitfalls Of Fame)

BEHIND THE VELVET ROPE

David Yontef

News, Entertainment News, Tv & Film, Society & Culture

3.9 • 3.2K Ratings

🗓️ 8 February 2026

⏱️ 76 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This is the true story of seven strangers picked to live in a house, work together, and have their lives taped. Find out what happens when people stop being polite and start getting real…. The Real World. Eric Nies steps Behind The Rope. Mr. Eric Nies was part of the granddaddy of all of reality TV, the original Real World, New York, Season One. THE show that changed, introduced, formed and revolutionized Reality TV. With no prior reality show to look to, we discuss how that makes the Real World, New York, Season One possibly the most authentic reality TV show ever. Eric discusses his hesitations to do certain things not knowing how the final product would turn out and the influence of producers and editing back then. Eric discusses what MTV was like back in the day when it played music all day and how he thought the Real World would maybe be a little show that a few people watched. On that note, we talk about how life suddenly changed once the show aired and became a blockbuster of supreme magnitude. We discuss his house mates Julie, Norman, Heather, Kevin, Becky and Andre and who he keeps in touch with today. He explains how once the Real World ended he was offered the gig as host of Club MTV, which led to MTV’s The Grind (also featuring a pre RHOBH Camille Grammer), which led to The Grind Workout Videos, which led to a long career as both a Competitor and Host of the classic MTV juggernaut The Challenge. He had movie offers, modeling offers and who could forget that Bruce Weber photoshoot book he was in with his brother (Google It). Being the hot commodity in town, no one said no. Money, fame, booze, drugs, women, anything at his fingertips that he wanted, Eric seemingly had it all. Until he didn't. With an addictive personality, Eric finally hit rock bottom and had his “aha" moment when he realized he needed to transform his life. Eric and David discuss the aftermath of being in the spotlight, how fame is possibly the most addictive drug of all, the highs and lows of the entertainment business and how to navigate it successfully and come out the other side. @nies.eric @behindvelvetrope @davidyontef BONUS & AD FREE EPISODES Available at - www.patreon.com/behindthevelvetrope BROUGHT TO YOU BY: GROW THERAPY - GrowTherapy.com/VELVET (Whatever Challenges You’re Facing, Grow Therapy Is Here To Help QUINCE - quince.com/velvetrope (Get Free Shipping and 365 Day Returns to As You Indulge In Affordable Luxury) MOOD - www.mood.com/velvet (20% Off With Code Velvet on Federally Legal THC Shipped Right To Your Door) ADVERTISING INQUIRIES - Please contact David@advertising-execs.com MERCH Available at - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/behind-the-velvet-rope?ref_id=13198 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	If you want to listen to this episode or any of our episodes, ad free, you can do that now.
0:05.7	Head on over the Patreon.
0:07.4	Click on the ad free level.
0:09.3	You get all of our bonus shows that you've been hearing so much about.
0:12.2	Plus every single day, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, you can listen to this episode or any of our other episodes at the same time, year, 2025, the, I'm sure you know, I'm so, did anyone know that like at the end of last year, 2025,
0:56.7	I'm sure you know this MTV went off the air forever after 44 years?
1:02.5	I don't know. I'm sad. I liked MTV. You know, over the break, over like Christmas break
1:08.2	at the end of last year, only like months ago I went down such or like a
1:13.7	month and a half I went down such a rabbit hole with this announcement of the end of MTV. Oh my god.
1:19.4	I watched so many videos from the 80s and 90s. But anyway, you know the first reality show ever of all time, the real world in New York City.
1:31.2	Eric was always my favorite from the real world New York City.
1:34.1	Well, really, because he was so hot.
1:36.5	But, you know, I do find it interesting.
1:38.8	I found this chat really interesting because, I mean, he was there this day one, second one, when there was no, there was no
1:47.1	blueprint. There was no reality TV. So, you know, we have a problem with all these people on
1:51.4	housewives now who are acting a certain way and trying for their big breakout moment. Well,
1:57.8	Eric had nothing to compare that to. So this really was the first reality show ever,
2:02.8	the real world New York City. It was so good. I loved it. I was a huge real world fan back in the
2:08.5	day. Then I dropped off in later seasons. But Eric was always my favorite. We are sharing this
2:14.6	blast from the past chat. I just think even if you didn't watch the real world,
2:18.3	this is such an interesting chat because it's like,
2:20.3	how do you know what to do on reality TV
	...

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