Remember reality television before “Survivor” and “Fear Factor,” when the only real draw to the show was watching seven strangers coexist for four months?

Or six strangers living together in an RV, competing for prizes?

That’s right, it was the good old days, when “The Real World” and “Road Rules” dominated the genre on MTV.

Now it’s Iowa’s turn to make its mark on the wildly popular shows. Bunim-Murray Productions, the company that created both shows along with “Making the Band,” will be holding a casting call for unique Midwestern appeal in Ames from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday at Sips, 124 Welch Ave.

The casting directors will be looking for the next distinctive 18- to 24-year-old to cast in an upcoming season of “Real World” or “Road Rules.”

Jonah Henninger, junior in pre-journalism and mass communication, plans to try out for the shows, but he has a bone to pick with the selections in the past seasons.

“Both Road Rules and Real World lack Asian characters,” Henninger says. “They need more Asians on both of the shows. Since Asians represent the majority of the world’s population, I think that’s it’s about time we get better representation.”

He will be joining the estimated 15,000 people attending casting calls around the world and 30,000 video entries.

According to the Bunim-Murray Web site at www.bunim-murray.com, people can turn in tapes instead of attending an open casting call, but there are advantages and disadvantages to both.

“The benefit of the open call is that you have the opportunity to interact with those who shall determine your [Real World and Road Rules] future.

“But there will also be 500 to 1,000 people there at the same time doing the same thing,” the site says.

Of course, not everyone is a fan of “The Real World.” Just ask Terry Faura, junior in anthropology.

“The Real World showcases the sad moral state which our country is in. It manages to bring out the worst in everyone on the show,” Faura says.

Those bold enough to try out need only keep a few things in mind, according to the Bunim-Murray site.

Hopefuls need a valid ID and a recent photo for the casting officials.

The show looks for “dynamic, outgoing personalities regardless of their race or appearance,” the site says.

Also, the production company says every person will be notified as to whether they have been chosen to move on in the process or have been rejected.

The cast of “The Real World 2003” will be spending four months in Paris while the “Road Rules” crew heads to the South Seas. Taping for the episodes will begin in the winter.

Past seasons of “Real World” have been shot in places such as London, New York and Chicago. “Road Rules” has traveled through Australia, Europe and America.