Fifteen years and over 100 strangers since its debut, MTV’s “The Real World” has moved to Philadelphia with a fresh crop of 21- to 24-year-olds.
Karamo, Landon, Melanie, MJ, Sarah, Shavonda and Willie (MTV won’t reveal their last names) are the latest strangers plucked from obscurity and picked to live in a house together, or in this case, a former bank.
The 10,000-square-foot house, in the heart of Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood, has the standard “Real World” amenities, including a hot tub, fitness equipment and pool table. But unlike the Seattle season’s pier or the Las Vegas season’s Palms Hotel and Casino penthouse, the Philly digs have history: the house was built at the turn of the century and was originally the Union National Bank of Philadelphia. More recently, it served as the headquarters for the Merchant Seamen’s Institute and Church.
The new season of “The Real World” premieres Sept. 7.