What happens when people stop being polite and start getting real? According to the last few seasons of MTV's “The Real World,” they get drunk, hook up and make innumerable questionable decisions. What happens when strangers come to live on a family farm in rural Arkansas, grow their own food, give up modern-day conveniences and attempt zero waste? While it may not sound like a compelling reality show by MTV's standards, that's exactly the premise of the independent film, “The Garden Summer,” which debuted to a sold-out crowd in Charleston, South Carolina, on April 16. It also premiered in Conway, Arkansas, on May 18. Inspired by the idea of social capital, then-Georgetown graduate student Hailey Wist came up with an idea for a social experiment that would challenge people like her to live off the land. The ultimate goal was “to inspire, not preach.” Wist already had a location in mind for the experiment – a farm in the Ozarks that had been in her family for generations. Despite not knowing much about gardening, she had the assistance of her mother and aunt, both avid gardeners. All that was left to do was find people willing to give up modern conveniences to spend the summer living a bit more simply. “Will I get warm bodies?  I don't know.  Probably not,” she mused in the film’s trailer. Four willing “suburbanites” – Seth Amos, Marie Barker, Ben Williams and Emilee Cleary – eventually signed on without much persuasion. Wist said she sought out people who were strangers to each other, but who she also wanted to get to know better. In preparation of their summer, the group had to decide what produce they would grow and what they could sell at the local farmers market. They also decided that coffee, cooking oil and booze would be the only three things they would source outside of the 100-mile radius of their garden. When the group met at the farm in May to plant their garden, friendships took root immediately; everyone was getting along and having fun. However, the summer was not without challenges. When the group returned weeks later to live within Wist's parameters, it took only a week and a half before they started “airing grievances” by candlelight on the front porch of the farmhouse. Everyone obviously had a stake in the garden; their ability to eat and make money depended upon its success. As the creator of the concept, Wist became the leader by default, but being everyone's boss was not a role that came easy to her. Maintaining a garden makes for long days of hard labor. Along with the close quarters of communal living, “there was a lot to be cranky about,” Wist said. Unlike some of the other reality-based programs that portray alcohol-induced arguments over hook-ups and break-ups, the rifts featured in “The Garden Summer” were rooted in the division of labor in the garden and expectations over what “local consumption” really meant. In fact, a budding romance between Wist and Williams wasn't really featured in the film at all. Over the course of the summer, the group made friends with locals who taught them, among other things, how to make soap and butter. They also welcomed a steady stream of visitors from the “outside,” and found that showing off all they'd accomplished always gave them new energy. It certainly didn't hurt that one of those friends was James Beard award-winning chef Mike Lata, who helped them prepare a field feast with the food they'd grown. “The Garden Summer” turned five typical consumers of modern conveniences into producers and contributors to their community. While Wist remains very much a part of the Charleston food community, she admits her farm experience has been difficult to completely replicate in her real life. But if farming isn't in her future, filmmaking might be, at least according to part-time Charleston resident and actor Bill Murray. “To make a movie that is lousy is difficult,” he said after attending Wist's first screening. “So to make one that is good, it's quite an accomplishment.”

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Documentary cultivates real-life lessons

Russell Brand — brash British comedian, star of films like “Get Him to the Greek,” former husband of Katy Perry and alleged iPhone smasher — has been tapped to host the 2012 MTV Movie Awards, to be held June 3. This is Brand’s first time hosting the Movie Awards, but his third time emceeing an MTV trophy show — he handled ceremonial duties at the MTV Video Music Awards in both 2008 and 2009. Read full article > >

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Russell Brand will host the MTV Movie Awards

In general, it is a bad idea to insult people’s appearance, religious texts, or children. “Ma’am! You are ugly, I think Scientology is bunk, and your child is ill-equipped to handle basic math!” are some of the most cutting words you can utter. Add vulgarity, and you may never be on speaking terms again. Read full article > >

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Alexandra Petri: Savage remarks on the Bible: bully, or bully pulpit?

While Ryan Gosling was shut out on Oscar nomination day this year, his work in the very sleek (and extremely violent) “ Drive ” has finally been recognized by a show that knows what the people want: The MTV Movie Awards. Read full article > >

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MTV Movie Awards show nomination love to ‘Bridesmaids,’ ‘Hunger Games’ and Ryan Gosling

Over time, reality TV has exploited a variety of racial and ethnic groups who, once processed through the magic machine, all came out looking and acting very much the same. A Snooki is a Khloe is a NeNe. Read full article > >

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“Caged” on MTV joins “Jersey Shore,” “16 and Pregnant” and “Teen Mom 2” in illuminating youth subcultures.

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Alec Baldwin was kicked off an American Airlines flight Tuesday afternoon after a flight attendant “reamed [him] out” for playing a popular Scrabble type app, the “30 Rock” actor said on Twitter. Activate.com founder and former MTV executive Michael J. Wolf was the first to tweet news of the hubbub happening at LAX: “On an AA flight at LAX. Alec Baldwin removed from the plane We had to go back to the gate. Terrible that everyone had to wait.” Read full article > >

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Alec Baldwin kicked off an American Airlines flight for ‘playing Words With Friends’

Some of the world’s biggest music stars walk the red carpet ahead of the MTV Europe Music Awards in Belfast.

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Stars in Belfast for MTV awards

Pop and music acts, including Lady Gaga and Coldplay, will be performing in Belfast later as the MTV Europe Music Awards take place in the city.

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Gaga set to dominate MTV awards

Crowds of music fans spend Friday at hotels and shops in Belfast in the hope of catching sight of stars arriving for Sunday’s MTV Awards.

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Stars arrive for for MTV awards

Natasha Sayee looks at preparations for the MTV EMAs and Chief Constable Matt Baggott gets ambushed by Justin Bieber fans.

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VIDEO: Behind the scenes at the EMAs

‘Real World’ star sues MTV.

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Tonya Cooley Claims Toothbrush Rape

After appearing on MTV show.

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Transgender College Student Expelled

Beyonce’s baby bump and Lady Gaga’s drag act are the talk of the MTV Video Music awards, while Adele wins three prizes and tributes are paid to the late Amy Winehouse.

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Beyonce and Gaga rule MTV awards

Update, 10:37 p.m.: In case there was any doubt left, Beyonce closed her live performance during the VMAs by removing her blazer and revealing the stretchy panel in her maternity pants. Sasha Fierce is definitely having Jay-Z’s baby. Original post: Beyonce confirmed her pregnancy on the MTV Video Music Awards black carpet this evening. Read full article > >

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Beyonce is pregnant