All the hype about MTV’s “The Real World” coming to Red Hook may not be so real.
Word on the street is that the reality show will film its next season at Pier 41, located at 204 Van Dyke Street, but there are reports that the location may have fallen through.
“I think that there’s been a problem with that because I just got a call that Pier 41 doesn’t have a Certificate of Occupancy which they need for legal purposes on a shoot,” explained Red Hook resident Lou Sones, who owns the Brazen Head at 228 Atlantic Avenue.
“That’s what I had heard,” confirmed John McGettrick, co-chair of the Red Hook Civic Association.
Reps for MTV and Pier 41 Associates, which owns Pier 41, did not return calls for comment by presstime.
Bunim-Murray Productions, which produces “The Real World,” would not comment on the Pier 41 site.
“If it in fact turns out to be true that there’s no Certificate of Occupancy, it clearly shows the desperate need for more residential housing in Red Hook,” McGettrick said. “Here’s an indication that we clearly need more housing if we can’t even accommodate a TV show.”
Sones said MTV is scouting new locations for the shoot, which is expected to begin in September.
“I know they’re scrambling for another space right now. It could be anywhere,” he said.
But Red Hook isn’t off the table.
“My feeling is that the kind of industry that belongs in Red Hook is filming.,” Sones said. “It’s not big-box stores. It’s not an improper use of the waterfront. It’s only temporarily invasive.”
McGettrick said he hasn’t made up his mind about “The Real World” moving to Red Hook.
“Any time business comes to Red Hook I think it’s a good thing but I’d like to learn more about the show,” he said.
Just last month, it seemed likely that “The Real World” would film in the Belltel Lofts at 365 Bridge Street. But the deal was ultimately nixed.
Sones said it doesn’t matter where the show is filmed. What matters is that the “seven strangers picked to live in a house” treat the borough well and patronize local stores, restaurants and, in true reality show fashion, clubs and bars.
“I’d love it as long as they spend money,” Sones said with a laugh.
