‘Real World’ takes on Philadelphia

New cast to live in historic bank building

Television video

Leno, Letterman rise above squabble
The New York Times’ Bill Carter discusses whether a late night truce was established during Jay Leno, David Letterman and Oprah Winfrey’s Super Bowl ad commercial.

Letterman and Leno talk about commercial

Scoop: Leno's last primetime show

Fist pump! Beyonce down with ‘Jersey Shore’

Brown team’s ‘Biggest Loser’ sent packing

updated 3:36 p.m. ET Aug. 24, 2004

NEW YORK - 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.

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

The new season of “The Real World” premieres Sept. 7.