Obama + MTV = The First Reality Show “The Real World” In Awesome Washington, DC

Obama truly brought the change to us – certainly to Washington, DC. This time, it involves the MTV’s long-running The reality show, “The Real World” which was premiered last Wednesday night of 2009 at 10  p.m EST on MTV.

This is the first time for the show to be in DC – the city not yet featured in any of the show’s 23 seasons. But this is a show that goes where the buzz is, and:

. The NY Governor took her mistress to,
. Large number of young people from all over the world live and work in,
. Bill Clinton’s saxophone notwithstanding,
. Eric Schmidt of Google is born,
. The current president, who was 20 when MTV went on the air and the first chief executive to have conceivably watched it for fun,
. and, Awesome DC is based in

So, it’s kind of of cool

I am also very excited to let you know the entire set was filmed in a house only one block from where I live in Dupont Circle. The first floor includes bedrooms, a game room, the Confessional, and the control room for the producers. The second floor includes a common area, telephone room, kitchen, bathrooms and five “love sacks”. The main control room is on the third floor, where the operators work those camera angles, swish pans and cut-to’s, with a conference room and offices on the fourth floor.

Meet the cast of The Real World: Washington, D.C.’

I watched the show, but not because I like the show, I Just wanted to see how it’s done different in DC. There was the usual drinking and hooking up — along with some growing up. Certainly, the cast are more political than the cast from other episodes. You won’t miss that. The show focuses on a group of diverse strangers living together for several months in a different city each season, as cameras document their lives and interpersonal relationships. I remember the early 90’s when the show had just started, applying to be on “The Real World” would have been a strange and brave thing to do, but it has long since become a standard travel option/ career path for young adults.

Considering, the set is only one block from my place, it’s pretty cool to see everything so familiar on TV. Here is “The Real World: DC” — Welcoming Day:

Anyway, those of you are so into this show, you will enjoy it – particularly if you live in Washington, DC area. In case you missed last week premiere of the 23rd season, here is the full episode online:

Check out their full schedule here.

Here are the cast members:

Josh Colon, 23 – Philadelphia, PA
Described as a “Puerto Rican/Italian glam rocker/rapper” by MTV, Josh Colon is the former lead singer of the now-defunct band Whiskey Livin’. His band fell apart due to the usual reasons bands fall apart – one member was on drugs, another joined the Marines, etc. He apparently has a large sneaker collection.
Real World Stereotype: The Somewhat Tortured Artist

Ashley Lindley, 22 – Fort Bragg, CA
Described as a “Portuguese beauty, with a hot temper and a blunt demeanor” and the roommate who “might be the most politically aware” by MTV, Ashley Lindley volunteered with DC Vote and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America during her time in D.C. She describes herself as “an Actor, Philanthropist, Drama Queen, Liberal, Firecracker, Portuguese Princess, Nomad, Diva, Lover, Ladybug, Bestie” on her Twitter account.
Real World Stereotype: Party Girl Who Wants to be Taken Seriously

Mike Manning, 23 – Thornton, CO
Described as “the typical jock,” “a star athlete, prom king, popular with all the girls” and an “all around golden child from a Christian family” by MTV, Mike Manning also discovered several years ago that love “knows no gender.” He was cast in ‘The Real World’ after attending an audition with a friend, never dreaming he’d actually be chosen (and his friend is apparently none too happy about it).
Real World Stereotype: All-American Boy with a Twist

Ty Ruff, 22 – Baltimore, MD
MTV says Ty Ruff “was shuffled around foster homes before being adopted at age five; and he grew up in a part of Baltimore he compares to ‘The Wire.’” While a student at Trinity College, Ty played football and envisioned himself as someone who would “be in real estate and be a Wall Street type of guy.” He now wants to move to California and become a movie star.
Real World Stereotype: Pretty Boy with Dreams of Hollywood

Emily Schromm, 21 – Columbia, MO
Emily Schromm “was raised in a fundamentalist Christian cult,” according to MTV. However, she’s apparently since broken free of that, and now, as “an athletic tomboy, Emily used sports as a way to ease her entry into a more secular existence.” She worked at Starbucks while a student at the University of Missouri and came to be on ‘The Real World’ when auditions were being held next door to the coffeehouse.
Real World Stereotype: Rebellious Lady Jock

Erika Wasilewski, 21 – Chicago, IL
Erika Wasilewski is apparently missing in action, and there are rampant rumors that she left ‘The Real World’ before the season wrapped. According to Wikipedia, she’s a singer with multiple bands on her resume, currently with a group called A Quiet Capture.
Real World Stereotype: The Drop-Out?

Andrew Woods, 21 – Denver, CO
According to his MTV bio, Andrew Woods comes to Washington, D.C. after his latest girlfriend cheated on him, and he now “heads to D.C. a single man, looking to get with any girl who will say yes.” Andrew attends Colorado State and is a cartoon artist — MTV comments, “One night with Andrew, and you may be the target of his next comic.”