Washington, D.C. was officially announced as the location for the newest season on June 10, 2009. Filming began on July 2, 2009 and completed on October 12, 2009. The season premiered on December 30, 2009. According to MTV's President of Programming, Tony DiSanto, "The charged atmosphere of Washington D.C., the center of our country's social and political change, will provide an electric setting for this next season of The Real World. We are thrilled to be filming our classic franchise in the heart of where history is being made ... it adds a whole new dimension to the great characters and drama our viewers expect and love from The Real World." Washington, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty welcomed the production, pointing to the impact of young people on the national scene.
Residence:
The cast members lived in a 10,800 ft2 (1,003 m2) house located at 2000 S Street, NW in Dupont Circle, a gay neighborhood known for its historic buildings, dining establishments, and embassies. The cast members' four-story brownstone mansion was originally constructed in 1891 for a Baltimore and Ohio Railroad executive, James Mosher, and his new wife, Minnie. The building is a contributing property to the Dupont Circle Historic District and its property value is $5,692,000. Four building permits were issued in May 2009, including one for demolition of the interior walls. Building plans show the first floor includes bedrooms, a game room, the Confessional, and a control room for the show's producers. The second floor includes the common area, telephone room, kitchen, bathrooms, and five "love sacks". The main control room is located on the home's third floor, while a conference room and offices are located on the fourth floor
Cast
Andrew Woods
D.O.B.:
Birthplace: Denver, Colorado
Biography '10: The annoying little brother that you love to hate, but secretly love...describes twenty-one year old Andrew. He is an individual, to say the least; this fun-loving, free spirit from the suburbs of Denver will say anything to get a rise out of people. Often spotted around town wearing a panda hat, Andrew is a local legend for his witty, often offensive, politically incorrect comics. He doesn't like being held down by rules, and as a result, has been fired from every job he's ever had. Despite the lack of filter between his brain and his mouth, don't be fooled - he's as sharp as they come. After being cheated on and dumped by his last serious girlfriend, Andrew heads to D.C. a single man, looking to get with any girl who will say yes. But watch out ladies, one night with Andrew, and you may be the target of his next comic.
Ashley Lindley
D.O.B:
Birthplace: Houston, Texas
Biography '10: Ashley is a Portuguese beauty, with a hot temper and a blunt demeanor. She's passionate and compassionate...and very opinionated, especially when it comes to heated topics like politics and religion. Ashley might be the most politically aware of the eight roommates. She was an Obama delegate from Vegas, and she will debate anyone, anytime about anything. And she'll be happy to tell you why she's right. She reads voraciously and knows her stuff, but will she turn that passion into opportunity in D.C.? Ashley is a self proclaimed "walking oxymoron" - the smart one who didn't go to college, the tomboy who wears dresses, the liberal Christian, the bitchy caregiver. Newly single, Ashley has her sights set on the guys of D.C.
Callie Walker
D.O.B:
Birthplace: Huntsville, Texas
Biography '10: Callie may be a small town girl, but she doesn't plan to stay that way. This Texas native spent her childhood years falling on hard times and at one point living in a warehouse, then a junkyard -- an experience that for years made her the butt of her classmates' jokes. A free-spirit vegan, Callie has always felt a little out of place in her conservative Texas town, and she's just chomping at the bit to break free and chase her dreams of becoming a photographer. In D.C., she hopes to find the kinds of outlets for her creativity that don't exist in small-town Texas and make some new friends along the way. But after so many years in the backwater, will the buzz of the capital be too much for her?
Emily Schromm
D.O.B:
Birthplace: Columbia, Missouri
Biography '10: A Midwestern girl who, until now, had never been East of Illinois, twenty-one year old Emily was raised in a fundamentalist Christian cult. Since breaking out from the cult, her daredevil nature has led her to throw herself into new things and broaden her horizons in every facet of her life. An athletic tomboy, Emily used sports as a way to ease her entry into a more secular existence. Since then, she has grown progressively more open-minded and experimental even when it comes to dating and she shares Ty's skeptical view of religion. For her, D.C. will be another new adventure, another step in her growth outside the cult.
Erika Lauren Wasilewski
D.O.B:
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
Biography '10: Erika is the melodramatic singer, and if there's one thing this Windy City rocker wants to make clear about herself, it's that she doesn't sing backup. Whether playing a gig or just chilling in the house, Erika likes to take center stage. Growing up, she battled loneliness and depression, and while she's come a long way toward pulling herself out of it, her need for affection is still apparent when it comes to her relationship with her boyfriend Ian. If there's one roommate who'll be phoning home all season, it'll be Erika.
Josh Colon
D.O.B:
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Biography '10: Josh has Philly pride, but that doesn't mean this twenty-three year old wants to serve up Philly cheese steaks for the rest of his life. This Puerto Rican/Italian glam rocker/rapper has dreams of making it big in the entertainment industry with his punk-funkadelic sound. Always one to look his sharpest, Josh is the quintessential ladies' man. He says girls are his "kryptonite," which could prove problematic as he tries to stay faithful to his girlfriend back home. Afterall, D.C.'s nightlife will offer more than a few temptations. Will D.C. be the place where Josh can realize his dreams? And when it's all over, will he still have a girlfriend to share them with?
Mike Manning
D.O.B:
Birthplace: Thornton, Colorado
Biography '10: In high school, Mike was the typical jock...a star athlete, prom king, popular with all the girls...an all around golden child from a Christian family. But that's where the stereotype ends. Mike realized several years ago that, for him, love knows no gender. He dates guys and girls, and is still questioning whether he's bi-sexual or gay. Mike comes to DC to be an environmentalist, but unexpectedly finds the inspiration to help advance marriage rights for gay and lesbian Americans. His sexuality has caused some tension back home, and it's his time in D.C. that will prove to be the turning point for him and his family in terms of accepting him for who he is.
Ty Ruff
D.O.B:
Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland
Biography '10: Ty is not one to let the worst get the best of him. Abandoned by his biological parents, Ty 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." Despite growing up in the church, he is anti-religion and thinks believing in God is a crutch. He relies only on himself. A recent graduate of Trinity College (where he played football and majored in economics), he's looking for the next thing that life has in store. Will he find it in D.C.? Ty is handsome, smart, athletic and opinionated, and he's not afraid to share his opinion. On one hand, he's a smooth, funny charmer who always seems to know just the right thing to say, on the other hand, his quick temper can get him into trouble. Ty is fresh out of a three-year relationship and ready to take on D.C. He's a guy's guys, but there just might be a roommate who steals his heart.
Episode 1: ‘Looks Can Be D.C.-ving’
The Real World takes on Washington, DC, where eight strangers are eager to make their mark on the nation's capital. The roommates waste no time diving into politics, religion, race, sexual orientation...Just another day in DC.
Ashley and Mike meet in the D.C. airport, sharing an instant attraction.
Andrew tries to entertain Emily by telling her wild stories about his life – only problem is that she believes his lies!
Mike and Ashley scope out their new digs, deciding to room together in the Abraham Lincoln-themed bedroom.
Southern-girl Callie is the next roommate to arrive.
Andrew welcomes himself to the neighborhood.
Andrew continues to spin his tall tales, telling the roommates that he's also a professional photographer.
"Hot black guy" Ty arrives and decides to shack up with Callie in the Ronald Reagan room.
Rockers Erika and Josh round out the bunch and immediately scope out the recording studio.
The eight roommates head out on the town for their first dinner together.
Mike shocks everyone by revealing that he's bisexual.
Ty stirs things up by questioning Mike and Ashley's strong Christian beliefs.
Things get especially heated between Ashley and Ty when renounces the very idea of God.
Later that night, Erika and Ashley listen in on Josh's confessional and learn that he's got a raging crush on Erika.
Callie catches Andrew cuddling up with his adorable stuffed animal.
The girls continue to spy, spotting that Ty has passed out in the oddest of positions.
Andrew shows off his signature panda cap.
Erika tells Ty that they're swapping rooms so she can stay with Callie.
Ashley overhears Mike talking things through with Ty. Unfortunately, Ty isn't so responsive when she tries to do the same.
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Episode 2: ‘Bipartisan Lovin’
Sparks fly among the roommates. Andrew does his best to seduce Callie; Ashley and Mike's attraction heats up; and there just might be something real between Ty and Emily
Andrew realizes he's developed feelings for Callie as she shows him her photography collection.
Ashley and Mike are the first roommates to make out, sharing an impromptu kiss while out dancing.
Emily and Ty aren't far behind, locking lips the same night.
Jealousies arise when Ty gets close to another girl after catching Emily dancing up on a different guy.
Andrew tells Callie she's his favorite girl in the house but is disappointed to only receive a friendly fist bump in return.
The roommates take to the seas for a Fourth of July cruise, where Emily starts a cupcake fight with Ty.
Andrew tries to make a move on Callie, but she remains oblivious to his intentions.
Ashley helps Andrew get dolled up for a trip to the gay club with Mike.
Emily is all too happy to play wingman for a shy Mike.
Ashley is a bit disturbed when Mike gets up close and personal with his new friend Robbie.
Andrew makes one last attempt to get Callie to sleep in his arms and gives up after he's rejected yet again.
Ashley insists she doesn't have feelings for Mike but Ty's not buying it.
Mike interviews with the Human Rights Campaign to score an internship working for gay rights.
Andrew and Josh both bring girls back to the house after their guys night out.
Unfortunately for the "pimpin' panda," the girl roommates' spying causes his lady friend to flee shortly after their heated hot tub.
Andrew lashes out at Ashley and Callie for preventing his hookup.
Emily joins her sister for coffee, only to get a lecture about protecting her family's image.
Emily finally accepts the invitation to Ty's bed after he comforts her about the issues with her sister.
