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Yahoo! News   Tue, Mar 23, 2004
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"Real World" Returns to Philly
E! Online
53 minutes ago
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By Lia Haberman

The City of Brotherly Love is once again feeling the love from MTV.

•News: Real World pulled from Philly
•News: Real World off to Philly
•News: Real World creator Bunim dies

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Producers of The Real World and Philadelphia union leaders have negotiated a truce to bring the reality series back to the city--a week after extended bickering with Teamsters pushed Bunim-Murray Productions to pull out.

The city's mayor, John F. Street, is credited with brokering a truce between the feuding parties over the weekend. Plans to resume production in Philadelphia were announced Tuesday-- though details about the agreement were not revealed.

"I am pleased that season 15 of The Real World will be produced here in Philadelphia, as originally planned," Joey Carson, Bunim-Murray's chief operating officer, said in a statement, adding, "On a personal note, I would like to acknowledge the support of the many young Philadelphians who played a major role in keeping the show in town."

In the wake of Bunim-Murray's departure, a local activist group of twenty- and thirtysomethings organized a "We Want Our MTV" rally last week that included signs reading "Show Philly to the Real World."

A majority of locals polled on Philly.com last week felt the production company's exit would be a blow to the city's image, while only 5 percent supported the unions.

Indeed, Philly union workers gave the show's producers a reception that was neither brotherly nor loving after Bunim-Murray hired non-union workers to renovate a former bank into a lavish loft meant to house the pampered roomies.

For two weeks, Teamsters, painters, carpenters and electricians picketed in front of the future Real World digs with signs and a giant inflatable rat. While union officials claim they tried to negotiate with producers, Bunim-Murray ultimately packed up after only three weeks in Philly.

The current agreement "is going to shine a spotlight on Philadelphia, one of the best kept secrets in America," said John J. Dougherty of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Shooting is expected to go through June with The Real World: Philadelphia airing on MTV in September.

This isn't the first conflict to affect the upcoming installment before it even makes it to air. Last month, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the first cast of camera-hungry hopefuls had been dissed and dismissed with Bunim-Murray choosing to recast.

Could casting agents have spotted some hot young things ready to throw down among the warring union ranks?


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