Episode guide
The Real World: San Francisco
21 episodes · first aired Jun 23, 1994
The Real World: San Francisco is the third season of MTV's reality television series The Real World, which focuses on a group of diverse strangers living together for several months in a different city each season, as cameras follow their lives and interpersonal relationships. It was the second season of The Real World to be filmed in California after The Real World: Los Angeles in 1993. The Real World: San Francisco is noteworthy for the depiction of Pedro Zamora's struggle with AIDS, and his and other cast members' confrontations with David "Puck" Rainey, which led to Rainey's eviction. This conflict provided considered what Entertainment Weekly calls emotional high points for the season, and are credited with making The Real World a hit, for which it was ranked #7 on Time magazine's list of 32 Epic Moments in Reality-TV History. The season is also notable for featuring the first-ever same-sex commitment ceremony on TV, between Zamora and his partner, Sean Sasser.
- 1 Planes, Trains and Paddywagons Jun 23, 1994 · 42m Cory and Pedro are the first roommates we meet as they both get on the train to San Francisco. Pedro tells Cory he's HIV-positive and worries about how the others will react. Puck gets…
- 2 Love Stinks Jun 30, 1994 · 42m The Puck/Rachel flirtation begins with a trip to church and is carried throughout further outings. edro is repulsed when Puck sticks his fingers into the communal peanut butter. Puck…
- 3 White Like Me Jul 7, 1994 · 42m A group visit to the Upper Room poetry reading featuring Mohammed leaves Cory feeling dull and ordinary. Each of the roommates' career pursuits is examined as Cory tries to find her niche…
- 4 From a Six to a Nine and Back Again Jul 14, 1994 · 42m Puck invites his fellow roommates to a screening of his soapbox derby video and is hurt when no one attends except Rachel. Judd shows his romantic side and goes on a date with Jeannie but…
- 5 You Gotta Have Art Jul 21, 1994 · 42m Judd tries to find work cartooning but is frustrated at every turn, until he gets invited to pitch his idea in Hollywood. Mo works with his band and he and Puck get into an argument about…
- 6 Trouble in Paradise Jul 28, 1994 · 42m The Rachel/Puck flirtation continues with the Critical Mass bike ride, leaving Judd on the outside of the triangle. Pedro overhears Puck and Rachel telling gay jokes on the phone; he gets…
- 7 Coffee and Sympathy Aug 5, 1994 · 42m The roommates go through hard times. Cory can't find a job. She treks all over San Francisco and nobody will hire her. The girls struggle together: Pam is working hard on her medical…
- 8 Together and Apart Aug 12, 1994 · 42m Pedro's health is beginning to deteriorate, as his T-cell count gets lower. The cast is beginning to realize the extent of his illness and is worried about the possible consequences. This…
- 9 Collision Course Aug 19, 1994 · 42m Cory and Puck are spending a lot of time together and having fun as friends. Pedro and Puck are the ""odd couple."" Puck insults Pedro all the time because Pedro is gay. Pedro voices his…
- 10 Kiss and Tell Aug 26, 1994 · 42m The roomies are growing irritated with Puck. They are annoyed with his disrespect for the rest of the cast and his complete selfishness in any given situation. Puck meets a woman named…
- 11 Getting Dropped Sep 2, 1994 · 42m Puck getting the boot from the house was named number 97 on TV Guide/ TV Lands 100 Memorable TV Moments in December of 2004.
- 12 Rebel, Rebel Sep 9, 1994 · 42m Everyone seems to be enjoying Puck's absence and the chemistry among the cast has drastically improved. Pedro goes home with Rachel to Phoenix and visits her very religious family. While…
- 13 Homecoming Sep 16, 1994 · 42m Pedro and Sean's relationship has been on the rocks, and Pedro feels that he needs to get away. He heads to Miami to visit his family, where he feels at home. Pedro hangs out with his two…
- 14 Old Fish, New Fish Sep 23, 1994 · 42m Puck reappears in this episode as he calls the group to invite them to a party. None of the cast members show up but a few days later, while at a bar with Judd, a drunken Rachel calls Puck…
- 15 Why is Love Like an Elevator Sep 30, 1994 · 42m The roommates are growing close to Jo. They feel that Jo is a positive influence in the house. She has great new ideas and an adventurous personality. Jo takes the roommates rock climbing…
- 16 Love and Death Oct 7, 1994 · 42m Pedro's health weakens and he is sent to the emergency room with a temperature of 104 degrees. The cast begins to realize the full extent of his sickness and tries not to let it bother…
- 17 Hawaii Oct 14, 1994 · 42m Aloha! The cast leaves for an adventure in Hawaii, where they hope that they'll have a chance to bond. Once they arrive there is trouble in paradise as the group fights over the suite…
- 18 Just Friends Oct 21, 1994 · 42m The cast is back from their island adventure and Rachel has decided to join ""Empower America,"" a conservative Republican group. The cast accompanies her to the seminar and Judd and…
- 19 Love Rules Oct 28, 1994 · 42m Pedro and Sean want to take their relationship to the next level and decide to exchange vows. Pedro's friend Alex flies in from Miami for the party and tries to convince the two to move to…
- 20 Last Call Nov 4, 1994 · 42m As the group enjoys their last few days together, Cory, Judd, Pam and Pedro spend a day in Monterey while Rachel and Jo bond in San Francisco. Mo continues to work hard on his band's…
- 21 A Tribute to Pedro Zamora Nov 29, 1994 MTV cameras document the final moments of Pedro Zamora’s life, and the legacy of his activism carried on by his former San Francisco roommates.