The grand-daddy of reality shows stars its 20th season tonight.

Hard to believe as it might be, "The Real World" (11 p.m., MTV) is still following "seven strangers picked to live in a house and have their lives taped" to "find out what happens when people stop being polite and start getting real."

The show hasn't been on for 20 years (yet). It debuted in 1992 as a fortunate accident of sorts. Producers Jonathan Murray and the late Mary-Ellis Bunim couldn't afford to do a scripted soap opera and went the reality route instead.

Since then, the show has gone to Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Miami, Boston, Seattle, Hawaii, New Orleans, back to New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, Paris, San Diego, Philadelphia, Austin, Key West, Denver, Sydney and, beginning tonight, Hollywood.

Today, it's almost impossible to remember how unusual the show was because so many others have followed in its footsteps.

The "Real" in "World" has become increasingly nebulous. The first season, they really did just sort of stick these people together and turn the cameras on.

However, producers learned that wasn't enough. Situations are foisted upon the residents to create conflict. And people are cast because they won't get along.

And, over the years, "The Real World" has gone from talking about sex to coming darn close to showing it. Which is worth noting, parents, because a lot of kids who watch this show weren't born when it debuted 16 years ago.

We've seen abortion, bigotry, depression, cystic fibrosis, alcoholism and a hurricane.

At its best, "The Real World" has been fantastic television. It's difficult to imagine any season topping Season 3/San Francisco, when Pedro Zamora became the first person with AIDS that millions of Americans had ever seen and, through TV, gotten to know.

On the other hand, "Real World" has sunk to the depths of depravity, childishness and bad behavior.

After almost 150 housemates over 20 seasons, cast members are still self-absorbed. They think they're smarter and more mature than they are. They think they're the first ones ever to experience life. And they tend to drink too much.

They are in their late teens to early 20s, so that's not exactly atypical.

"The Real World" wouldn't work with 40-somethings. Except maybe with the likes of San Francisco's David "Puck" Raines, who turns 40 in July and is still obnoxious.

He demonstrates that on "The Real World Awards Bash" (9 p.m., MTV), which features cast members from all 19 seasons and categories like biggest playa, roommate you love to hate, best fight and best brush with the law.

It's all rather dopey, but a tribute to Zamora is worth watching.

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E-mail: pierce@desnews.com