Kelley USA
22 December 2004, 04:50 PM
MTV's 'Real World' coming to Austin
AUSTIN - The MTV series that ushered in reality television will come to Austin next month to shoot the 16thseason of "The Real World." The 24 episodes will air starting in June.
The show brings together seven strangers between the ages of 18 and 24 to live in a swank loft or house and films them around the clock, at home and on the town. Past locations include Los Angeles, Chicago and Paris.
Austin is the smallest city to host a "Real World" cast, Austin Mayor Will Wynn said.
"They were excited about coming to Austin and asked my help in understanding a little more about the city," said Wynn, who would not reveal the location of the "Real World" house.
"I've been sworn to secrecy," he said.
Often viewed as the first reality show, "The Real World" has been a hit since its 1992 debut season, which was set in New York City. It's MTV's longest-running series and its popularity is growing.
Last season, set in San Diego, was the most-watched season to date, averaging about 3.9 million viewers an episode. It was the most-watched series on cable in 2004 among the 12- to 34-year-old demographic, according to MTV. The current season, set in Philadelphia, ends in February.
Austin has been on the show's radar for some time, executive producer Jon Murray said.
"It's a great city that college students graduate from and don't really want to leave, which is good for us," Murray said. "We've been wanting to get to that part of the country for a while, and Austin was the right place to go next."
Murray would not say where the house is either, but did say, "They will have very cool digs."
AUSTIN - The MTV series that ushered in reality television will come to Austin next month to shoot the 16thseason of "The Real World." The 24 episodes will air starting in June.
The show brings together seven strangers between the ages of 18 and 24 to live in a swank loft or house and films them around the clock, at home and on the town. Past locations include Los Angeles, Chicago and Paris.
Austin is the smallest city to host a "Real World" cast, Austin Mayor Will Wynn said.
"They were excited about coming to Austin and asked my help in understanding a little more about the city," said Wynn, who would not reveal the location of the "Real World" house.
"I've been sworn to secrecy," he said.
Often viewed as the first reality show, "The Real World" has been a hit since its 1992 debut season, which was set in New York City. It's MTV's longest-running series and its popularity is growing.
Last season, set in San Diego, was the most-watched season to date, averaging about 3.9 million viewers an episode. It was the most-watched series on cable in 2004 among the 12- to 34-year-old demographic, according to MTV. The current season, set in Philadelphia, ends in February.
Austin has been on the show's radar for some time, executive producer Jon Murray said.
"It's a great city that college students graduate from and don't really want to leave, which is good for us," Murray said. "We've been wanting to get to that part of the country for a while, and Austin was the right place to go next."
Murray would not say where the house is either, but did say, "They will have very cool digs."