Tuesday, November 1, 2005

Metro Detroit's abuzz about future 'Real World' home

By Adam Graham / The Detroit News

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For weeks, rumors have been flying about MTV's "The Real World" coming to film in Metro Detroit, in the Main North Lofts in downtown Royal Oak. Viacom, MTV's parent company, leased 8,800 square feet of space in the building, which is currently under construction near the corner of Main Street. and 11 Mile.

Residents of Royal Oak, local radio stations, even the anchors of "Saturday Night Live's" "Weekend Update" are talking about it.

The only people who aren't talking are MTV and Bunim/Murray Productions, the company that produces "The Real World."

A contact at Beck Media and Marketing, which handles media requests for Bunim/Murray, said Monday the company doesn't comment on rumors and speculation, and gave no date as to when the next "Real World" city would be announced.

A real estate broker for the Royal Oak project said the MTV lease was for offices, but he added the space could be converted into residential use if needed.

WKQI-FM (95.5) and WKRK-FM (97.1) have both speculated on-air about "The Real World" coming to town, as did "SNL" on Saturday. "The next edition of 'The Real World' will be shot in Detroit, as will several cast members," Amy Poehler joked on "Weekend Update." Har, har.

One of MTV's highest-rated series, the show puts seven strangers in a house for several months and tapes what transpires to "find out what happens when people stop being polite and start getting real," as the show's intro states.

Since its 1992 debut, the show has filmed in 15 cities in the United States and Europe, but never in Detroit.

"The Real World" is currently filming its 17th season in Key West. Bunim/Murray is accepting audition tapes for the show's 19th season through Nov. 30, which likely means season 18 is in the works. "The Real World: Austin" is now airing on MTV.

R.J. King contributed to this report. You can reach Adam Graham at (313) 222-2284 or agra ham@detnews.com.