Andy DehnartOnly on MTV is something that aired eight years ago considered “retro,” but that’s exactly what it’s calling its rebroadcast of two groundbreaking reality series: Laguna Beach and The Hills.
Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County debuted in 2004 as a reality version of Fox’s The O.C., and established an entirely new, cinematic visual style for reality television. It was creatively filmed and started to introduce some of the heavy hand of producers that would turn its spin-off into a near-scripted series.
The Hills debuted two years later, and devolved into a scripted series that finally (spoiler alert!) acknowledged its own fakeness.
MTV will rebroadcast the shows in its new 9 a.m. to noon ET “Retro Mania” block, and that will include “several guest stars and super celebrity fans provide commentary, interviews and hosting duties in celebration of these shows.” Laguna Beach‘s two seasons air next week, while The Hills airs from July 2 to 27.
They’re followed by another–but better–scripted MTV series that actually is retro now: Daria, which airs July 30 to Aug. 3.