Philadelphia proved a little too real for “The Real World.”
After squabbling with unions, the producers of the MTV series have given up on Philadelphia as the site of its 15th season. Taping was to begin in three weeks.
MTV’s selection of Philadelphia was accompanied by unbridled civic rejoicing when it was announced Feb. 26. City leaders believed that “The Real World,” with its huge audience of 12- to 34-year-olds, would boost the city’s cool factor and help it retain recent college graduates.
But within four days, Bunim/Murray had incurred the wrath of the unions by hiring a non-union company to renovate a building in the city’s Old City historic district, where the cast was to live.
For two weeks, Teamsters, painters, carpenters and electricians picketed. A source close to the situation said Bunim/Murray was leery of striking a deal because it would set a precedent. The company also believed the unions might stage an on-camera protest during the four months of taping.
Bunim/Murray had planned to tape in the city through July. The company’s spokeswoman said she did not know which city would replace Philadelphia.
———-
Edited by Cara DiPasquale ([email protected]) and Kris Karnopp ([email protected])
More Top Picks Ticwatch E