Watching MTV

There’s a new article from the NY Daily News that talks about Cartel’s experience being trapped in that bubble. The band says that although the conditions were often restrictive (fans kept coming up to the bubble and distracting the band), they were able to record 13 full songs. That’s an album, right? Here’s the dish direct from the horse’s mouth:

“It wasn’t easy,” Pugh says of Cartel’s time in the bubble. “We had our moments, we internalized. But we couldn’t record as much as we thought we would. It was supposed to be fun and carefree but [with all those people watching, it didn't turn out that way]. People kept asking us to sign this and sign that through this teller-like window. It got a little hairy with folks coming up all the time. But the experience was awesome. It was a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”

I thought this show as a whole was pretty interesting to watch. I mean, how often do you get to see 5 grown adults who’ve turned their lives completely over to reality TV cameras? Oh? That’s every show that’s been made in the last 10 years? Interesting.

I’ve received no official confirmation about this yet, but internet grumblings seem to suggest that this is the next “Real World” house:

I find it a little odd that they would place the house in such a crowded public space. There seems to be a balcony on the 2nd floor, but wouldn’t the cast receive tons of unwanted attention from that public walkway just a few feet below? However, the large window panes on the first floor appear to be made of frosted glass, so that would keep peering eyes away.

In any case, we’ll have to watch and learn.

The official “Room 401″ website is up on MTV.com, you can access it here. We find out a few details, chief among them that each episode will contain four hidden camera stunts. Also, we get that pretty little logo (pictured at the top, obvs). Here’s the show’s trailer:

Alright, who’s the random guy acting as host?? (It’s actor Jared Padalecki, but still). Isn’t Ashton Kutcher supposed to host this show? Where’s Ashton? Is he hiding in room 401?

“Room 401″ premieres July 17 at 10 pm.

Both Dunbar and Parisa of the new “Real World” cast commented on yesterday’s post. They each had interested things to say, it’s definitely worth a read. (I’ve confirmed each of their private e-mails to make sure it was really them. You can be assured that they’re both the real deal).

I obviously became an MTV blogger because I had a passion (read: addiction) to the subject matter. Hearing from two castmembers, even though the comments were somewhat critical, is huge for me. We’ll talk more about this later, but until then, thanks for the comments.

UPDATE: Parisa and I have been swapping e-mails, and let me tell you you are in for a treat this season. She’s so nice and well spoken–I’ll be posting the exclusive info soon.

As I was compiling today’s post I stumbled upon what appears to be Kristen Cavallari’s MySpace page. Though her profile is set to private, you can still see her default profile picture. Well, check out the screen shot:

It definitely, definitely appears that Ms. Cavallari is boozing it up. (Remember that she’s a year shy of her 21st birthday, so this behavior is a no-no). I suppose the drink could be, um, kool aid, but then try to explain the lime wedge in her mouth. We’ve seen and heard rumblings of the “Laguna Beach” stars drinking before, but slapping it all over your MySpace page seems pretty middle school.

I suppose you have to take into account that the profile might not actually be hers, and just be one of the countless MySpaces forged by fans. But even if that’s the case, it’s definitely Kristen in the picture, so that really doesn’t change much.

Then again, the profile is set to private, so it most likely belongs to the one and only Kristen Cavallari.

First off, let’s catch up on some old-ish news. The house featured on “Run’s House,” belonging to “Rev. Run” Simmons and his family, has recently gone on the market. The asking price is $5.5 million, but it seems the family wants you to remember that Justine redecorated the house from top to bottom.

The house has six bedrooms, five bathrooms, a home theater, three fireplaces, a sound studio, a hot tub, and a basketball court. Damn! I can see why they’re asking so much for the place!

Interesting to note is that “Rev. Run” purchased the house in 2003 for just $1.6 million. This means that—if the family does indeed sell their home—they’ll net a profit of $3.6 million. Sounds like they’ll have some spending cash to buy a new basketball court.

[source]

Are you one of the nine people who watched “Making the Band” season 4? If you nodded your head or gave any recognition to that show’s title, MTV is looking for you! There’s a new casting call looking for a studio audience for the show’s finale. Here are the deets:

Are hooked on Making the Band? Do you know what guys are going be chosen for the final group? Next Saturday, July 14th, Diddy will be making his picks in NYC and MTV wants you to be there!! Were looking for serious, hardcore fans to help support the cast members as they try and take the next step.

Uh, I think I’ll sit this one out and let you folks at home have a chance. If you’re interested (yeah, right), send an e-mail to battleofthebands@mtvstaff.com, making sure to include:

1. Name
2. Age
3. Phone number
4. Location
5. Picture
6. Answer to the question: “Who are your favorite cast members and why?”

Good luck!

It’s time for the last installment (for now!) of “The Real World: Sydney” gossip. We’ve so far reported (in part I and part II) that three girls–Trisha, Shauvon, and Parisa–will take residence in the new “Real World” house. But what about the guys? Here you have it:

• Isaac Stout, from Shaker Heights, Ohio, is 21. Uh.. more on him later?
• Dunbar Flinn, of Natchez, Mississippi, is 23 and a student at the University of Mississippi. He’s a military man, so expect a lot of Iraq arguments (think Rachel from the Austin season).
• Cohutta Lee, from Blue Ridge, Georgia, is also 23. Apparently he’s some type of evangelical something or other. Those crazy “Real World” kids…

Make sure to check back, pictures of the house are coming soon.

“Room 401,” a new hidden camera show from MTV, will attempt to scare unwitting show participants by using movie-like special effects. These effects are based on actual movie scenarios, so expect to see Hollywood gore, evil monsters, and maybe even a terror threat or two. Here’s what the report had to say:

“In this age of CGI and edit room after effects, Room 401 unfolds live. We don’t manipulate the film… we manipulate the mind,” said the network in a statement.

Ashton Kutcher was barely tolerable in “Punk’d,” even though the show itself was hilarious. Hopefully he can become aware of his faults (read: lose the trucker hat) and make “Room 401″ a hit.

It’s time for our second installment of who’s who in “The Real World” cast. Let’s jump right in:

• Parisa Montazaran, 21, from New York. Parisa is Persian in origin and seems to be an aspiring singer. Some have dubbed her “the Persian Christina Aguilera.”
• Kelly Anne Judd, 21, from Austin, Texas. Kelly Anne is one of the only cast members to have been photographed. This season’s production operated under strict secrecy, so little is known of any cast member.

For their job assignment, the cast worked for Contiki Tours. It was their responsibility to build some sort of Sydney vacation package (similar to how the Paris cast contributed to a Paris travel guide).

Coming soon: descriptions of the rest of the cast as well as more details about the season.

Or at least that’s what the rumor mill is claiming. As you may know, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt (of Laguna Beach fame) got engaged about a month ago. Even though their TV days may be in the past, these attention whores clearly can’t stay away from the spotlight.

the article offered:

“They’re madly in love, but they also have a savvy business sense,” a friend of the couple tells Star. “They love being in the spotlight and figure that their relationship would draw a big TV audience.”

I’m not really sure what to think. On the one hand, “Newlyweds” was some funny TV, but on the other (larger, smarter) hand, another “Laguna Beach” spinoff may just be overkill. What do you think?

Love all “The Real World” gossip? Want to hear more about “Rob and Big”? Well, now’s your chance to tell me. Have a go at the poll below so that I can better serve as your MTV slave.

(If the show you want to hear more about isn’t listed–and it very well may not be, there are only four choices–just comment on this post and give me a piece of your mind. Or just suggest a show for me to post about. Your choice.)

Here you have it–a brand new picture of Shauvon from the upcoming Sydney cast!

Image via MM Agency Blog

This is one of our first glimpses of the new cast. The article reveals that Shauvon is a journalism student originally from Sacramento, CA. Make sure to check back frequently, more info should be leaking very soon.

It seems like it’s been forever since Denver stopped airing. Even with “The Inferno” and “Reunited” to keep me occupied, I’m ready for another season of “The Real World.” Luckily, Sydney is fast approaching. Over the next few days I’ll be bringing you some details about this upcoming season. First, let’s start by introducing two cast members:

• Shauvon Torres, 24, comes from Detroit, Michigan. Though not much is currently known about her, we do know that she becomes good friends with (and resembles) our next Real Worlder…
• …Trisha Cummings, 21, from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Again, she becomes close friends with Shauvon, but other details are scarce.

Tomorrow, log in to find out about two other cast members as well as the gang’s job in Sydney.

It’s always a little unsettling when MTV shows inadvertently overlap. It seems as if each show is such a spectacle in itself that any type of collision will cause… the world to explode, or something.

Anyway! Rob Dyrdrek—from “Rob & Big”, obvs—has endorsed a potential “Real World: Sydney” housemate. He posted this on his MySpace blog:

“Copy and Paste This link and VOTE for My boy Marky so we get him on next season of the Real World..”

If you go to Marky’s “Real World” casting page, you’ll see that he’s pulled in 40,196 views, (far fewer than the contest winner with 389,020 views). I say vote for this Marky character—it might lead to a Rob & Big appearance on “The Real World!”