(This article appeared in the 4/5/04 joke issue)MTV has once again changed the location for its 15th season of The Real World.
In a surprising and controversial move, MTV-affiliated production company Bunim-Murray Productions announced the Penn campus yesterday as the final spot for the show's filming.
According to Bunim-Murray, renovations have begun on the 34th Street Music Building, which replaces the Seamen's Church Institute building at Third and Arch streets as the show's location.
After much speculation, Bunim-Murray's Todd Beck shed some light on the reason for the change.
"Several of the cast members came forward and voiced their concerns about "sinning" in a former church," Beck said. "They believed that the nature of the spot seriously conflicted with their moral and spiritual values."
Beck added that after the cast threatened to walk off the set, Bunim-Murray had no choice but to switch locations.
The Music Department, recently forced out of the building by the Rodin administration, was not available for comment.
Philadelphia Mayor John Street, from his jail cell, praised the change.
"I admire the cast members of The Real World," Street said. "Those kids resisted the church spot, realizing that only a college campus would be suitable for such petty social interaction and sexual liberty."
After several days of reported "unavailability," Penn President Judith Rodin was found sleeping outside the former Music Building. Apparently awaiting The Real World's arrival, Rodin had tapes of previous seasons clutched tightly in her hands.
"I'm so psyched. The Real World kept me sane during my rule at Penn," Rodin said. "I believe this will do much for the show and the success of MTV. Oh, and the University will benefit, so that's, like, an added bonus."
After falling silent for several minutes, Rodin added, "This is for real. Get it? Real? Hahahahaha."
In the same interview, Rodin announced the cast members as honorary enrollees of the University. Starting Monday, they will have access to any class on campus.
The Real World members said they were excited at the prospect of becoming full-fledged Penn students.
"Enrollment at the University will allow us to supplement our social interactions with academic stimulation," cast member John Bremen said. "On behalf of my fellow cast members, I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to President Rodin for this honor."
Though skeptical of the cast members' educational viability, the Penn population was generally enthusiastic about the recent developments.
"Most of these guys haven't set foot in a classroom for over two years ... that's just whack," Wharton junior Ryan Jackson said, citing the "slacker-friendly" Colorado skiing communities from which the cast members were chosen. "But hey, I don't mind The Real World, and now that the [Recording Industry Association of America] has screwed us, it's the highest quality entertainment out there."
In a much more heartfelt response, Undergraduate Assembly Chairman and College senior Jason Levy shared his passion for the show, and has vowed not to sleep until he becomes a cast member.
"The Real World is my reason for living. I've gone to the open casting session five out of the past 15 years," Levy said upon hearing the news. "Strangely, though, I have never received a call-back."
