MTV's hit reality television show The Real World could be coming back to Philadelphia, if talks between city officials and the program's producers are successful.
The show's producer, Bunim-Murray, had originally decided to film the 15th season in Philadelphia. However, the company pulled out last Tuesday after union protesters picketed the company's hiring of a private construction company to renovate the house in which the show's participants were to reside.
City officials who had originally given high praise to the incoming show were devastated, and Mayor John Street vowed to do everything in his power to bring it back.
"The mayor met with MTV producers and union officials today," Street spokeswoman Christine Ottow said. They are "trying to work out the issues."
The parties involved will continue talks tomorrow, and an official announcement is expected in the next day or two.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported yesterday afternoon that the parties had reached a deal, but now report the city is "close" to an agreement.
While union leaders remained firm on their position of fair wages and standards throughout the talks, they expressed their desire to keep jobs within the city.
"We want economic growth," said Guy Pigliacelli of Local 1050, a carpenter's union. "We don't want anyone to leave. We want more people to come, as long as they pay the correct wage and standard."
Tony Frasco of Teamsters Local 107 added that while Bunim-Murray producers "never contacted Local 107," the Teamsters still "don't want any work leaving Philadelphia."
With the union issues being resolved and an agreement reportedly near, Marketing professor Barbara Kahn said that the recent commotion may actually work to The Real World's advantage.
"I actually think it's much better," Kahn said. "If you didn't know about [Real World Philadelphia] before, you're going to know about it now."
Kahn also noted The Real World's younger target audience.
"It does reach a very interesting demographic," Kahn said. "I think it could probably do nice things for the city of Philadelphia."
Indeed, Bunim-Murray's decision to resume negotiations has already created a stir among the campus' youth.
"It's awesome that [the parties involved] finally got the issues worked out," Medical student Ali Behbahani said. "I love The Real World. If I was in the age range limit, I would do it in a heartbeat."
College sophomore Dara Norwood shared Behbahani's enthusiasm.
"For college kids, it would be exciting to have -- especially since the TV cameras are now in our city," Norwood said. "At the very least, I'd watch the season, and I might stop by the building once or twice."
Following the announcement of the show's decision to leave the city last Tuesday, area youth voiced their desire for The Real World to remain in Philadelphia.
On Wednesday, the protests culminated in a rally spearheaded by local advocacy group Young Involved Philadelphia.
"We moved fast to put together a rally in support of keeping The Real World here," YIP board member Josh Sevin said. Last Wednesday "was a day when [the cancellation] was still ripe in everyone's mind."
As YIP is an organization aiming to "increase civic engagements of young Philadelphians," Sevin felt that the march had a significant impact on all parties involved.
We tried to have the officials "recognize the importance of [The Real World] for the city," Sevin said. We "raised the volume on the issue so the mayor and the administration understand that it's not just a TV show, it's a pretty big deal."
