[MsRevlon08]

'Real World' Agrees To Return To Philly
Mayor Plays Go-Between For Unions, Producers

POSTED: 12:32 p.m. EST March 23, 2004
UPDATED: 5:26 p.m. EST March 23, 2004

PHILADELPHIA -- The city of Philadelphia confirmed that an agreement has been reached to keep MTV's reality show "The Real World" in the City of Brotherly Love.

"There is no better place to live, work or visit than the city of Philadelphia. Its history and strong neighborhoods make Philadelphia the real 'Real World,' and we look forward to this great production," said Philadelphia Mayor John Street, who was instrumental in brokering a deal that healed the rift between Bunim/Murray Productions and Philadelphia.

According to the sources, all of the union issues were resolved and compromises were made on both sides. The unions have agreed not to demonstrate and they've agreed "The Real World" house will have a blended work force. Some workers will be union and some will be nonunion. Philadelphia officials met Monday night with the representatives of Bunim/Murray Productions, the producers of the MTV show. The company pulled the show out of Philadelphia just three weeks before production was to begin because of a battle with unions.

"On behalf of everyone at Bunim-Murray Productions, MTV and 'The Real World,' I would like to thank Governor Rendell, Mayor Street, Congressman Brady, Michael Barnes from IATSE, John J. Dougherty from the IBEW, Pat Gillespie from the Building Trades Council, City Controller Saidel and everyone else involved in getting us to where we are today. I am pleased that season 15 of 'The Real World' will be produced here in Philadelphia, as originally planned," said Joey Carson, chief operating officer of Bunim-Murray Productions.

Street shuttled between two meetings Monday night. In one room were producers from the production company and in a second room were representatives of various Philadelphia unions, including John Dougherty of the Electrical Workers Union and Pat Gillespie of the Building Trades Council.

The governor of Pennsylvania was also involved in making peace.

"Recognizing the economic impact that 'The Real World' can have on our city and state, I am thrilled that the young people's voices were heard and we were all able to come together and be able to announce today that 'The Real World' and seven strangers have chosen Philadelphia to live," said Gov. Ed Rendell. The unions were also pleased with the decision.

"I'm happy that 'The Real World' is going to shine a spotlight on Philadelphia -- one of the best kept secrets in America. It's been a pleasure working out the details with the mayor and Joey Carson's team at Bunim-Murray Productions," said Dougherty, of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

"The Real World: Philadelphia" will premiere on MTV in the fall of 2004. The show is the longest-running reality series on television.