Freshman discovers 'Real World' romance

As College freshman Allison Menell walked slowly down the winding staircase, her heart began to flutter and her knees weakened. Meanwhile, anxiously waiting for his first date with Menell, "Joe" paced the lobby -- with 20 television cameras following his every step. Joe is one of the seven people who will be starring in the Miami edition of The Real World television show, which will be start airing this summer on MTV. MTV policy stipulates that Joe's last name be kept secret from the public. Menell and three friends -- College freshmen Laura Dave, Julie Farkas and Liz Weinstein -- travelled to South Miami Beach last week, planning to enjoy a relaxing spring break. While sipping coffee at Miami's 11th Street Diner, the quartet noticed a commotion in the adjacent room. Their waitress informed them that The Real World was being taped in the restaurant. The excited group finished dessert as they kept their eyes open for stars. Menell spotted a man outside who was being taped by television cameras. After she smiled and waved, the man, Joe, ran into the cafe and placed a business card in her hand. "He said some really cheesy line like 'I usually don't do this, but?'," Menell said. "I didn't think I would call him back." While they were getting ready to go, a waiter explained to Menell that Joe is a participant in the Miami episodes of The Real World. Menell called him the next day and the date was set. The pair, along with a television crew, visited Bar 609 in downtown Miami, where a group of 15 University students were also taped. According to Menell, Joe was so friendly that a second outing was planned. The next day, Menell and her friends spent the evening with Joe. They went to The Real World house in South Beach, which all four girls described as fantastic. "It was the coolest house I ever saw," said Dave. "There is a spiral staircase, a lifeguard chair and the neatest couches." The girls were introduced to several cast members, who were described as extremely interesting. The Real World shows set in Miami will be airing in mid-summer. The show will focus on seven people attempting to begin a fashion business in Miami. Joe is from the Bronx, N.Y., finishing a MBA at Fordham University. He works for Internet service provider Prodigy. "I think the show should be really funny," Weinstein said. "At least you will get to see a lot of Penn students on one episode. We strategically placed Penn hats in places that might have been filmed." The entire group agreed that the Miami vacation was their "best ever." Dave said that although the experience was great, she is nervous about how they will portray the group on the show. "It was definitely a date to remember," Menell said. "I am going to send him a Penn shirt and a card tomorrow."