MTV’s “The Real World” is turning 25 and the latest season takes the usual unruly batch of seven strangers back to Las Vegas. The show was last in Vegas for the 2002-2003 season which lead to the creation of the Real World Suite at the Palms, a room that is still available and popular with guests. This time the filming was done at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. A high roller’s suite in the hotel was turned into a four-bedroom party loft.
Filming started back in October and wrapped up in January. The season has its premiere on March 9. The roommates range in age from 21 to 25 and come from around the country. Their four-bedroom suite has views of the pool area and a hot tub, bowling alley, pool table and bar. As with most seasons of the reality television show, the roommates had an assignment. This time they participated in an internship program with the Hard Rock’s marketing department and worked with a local charity called Make Music Matter that benefits school music departments. But mostly it’s about the partying and the drama that are the hallmarks of each season.
The news comes as the Hard Rock faces the potential of foreclosure. TheLas Vegas Sun reports that NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. has plans to foreclose on Feburary 7. In response, the owners of the Las Vegas Hard Rock sued NorthStar saying that a foreclosure on five business days’ notice was neither commercially reasonable nor viable because the sale of a hotel-casino would require the prior approval of the Nevada Gaming Commission. The reason for the urgency is that on February 9 a $1.25 billion debt comes due and the Hard Rock has not yet disclosed plans on how it plans to deal with that, meaning NorthStar could lose the $96.2 million it loaned the resort. Last year the Hard Rock completed a $750 million expansion which included the addition of SKYBAR, Reliquary Spa and a luxury suite tower. NorthStar has said it plans to have contract operator Navegante to run the gaming and hotel at the Hard Rock and is already marketing the property to potential buyers.
Like other properties, the Hard Rock has struggled as tourism diminished. When it opened in the mid-1990s, the Hard Rock Hotel was one of the few spots on the Strip catering to hard-partying youngsters. Now it’s just one in a sea of potential options for hip debauchery.
Sylvester Stallone has been chosen as the brand ambassador for luxury pen manufacturer Montegrappa and has acquired an interest in the brand. Additional terms of the partnership will be kept confidential but the company announced that Stallone will provide creative input regarding new styles of pens to be introduced during 2011. Montegrappa has been around for 99 years with its writing implements used by famed authors, heads of state, royalty and international leaders in politics, business, sports and entertainment. Montegrappa brand ambassadors also include Formula One racing driver, Jean Alesi, and author Paulo Coelho.
