“The Real World” Denver cast member Colie with an unnamed gent. Photo by Geoff C.
– Here’s a riddle: What begins with Double Daughters and ends with potential harassment charges? A Monday night in LoDo, natch.
– Last night my friend Geoff and I headed down to 16th and Market around 9:45 p.m. for a drink at one of our favorite spots, Double Daughters. “Real World” Denver cast member Colie was eating and filming scenes a few doors down at Sonoda’s with some unnamed dude. Production assistants warily lined the sidewalk in front of the couple, looking back and forth and blocking some of the numerous hecklers and gawkers…
– Cast member Davis and some seriously made-up girls in tight skirts showed up sans cameras from the direction of “The Real World” house at 1920 Market St., joining Colie at her patio table. After ten minutes Colie and the guy (pictured above) left for, presumably, the house. Another camera crew materialized from seemingly nowhere and followed Davis and the remaining girls to Spill, just a couple blocks west.
– Geoff and I felt like a good laugh so we headed down to the meat market. The place wasn’t packed but still quite crowded (average wait time for a drink: seven minutes, unless you had cleavage). Davis, the gay cast member, seemed to be enjoying
himself mightily with a girl in a miniskirt, freaking against her sporadically. However, the cameras were paying more attention to another couple (a scruffy guy and some girl) seated on the L-shaped couch. Cast member Steve was dancing like crazy too, although cast member Brooke seemed to want none of it. Pretty much everyone else was dancing. It was gross.
– The crew eventually went outside, where I followed. On the way out I snapped a couple photos. That’s when one of the production assistants waved a cop over to me. Yes, the photos I was taking were inside the club, which is probably what got their attention, but only the club owner can tell me to erase them. The cop told me to stop taking photos of the cast and crew. “What law am I breaking?” I asked. He didn’t say. He was in uniform but wouldn’t tell me whether or not he was off-duty. After much back-and-forth he asked for my driver’s license and took down my info in a little notepad. “What law am I breaking?” I asked again. No answer.
– An angry female MTV production assistant finally came over and recommended filing harassment charges against me. Since, you know, I’ve had direct contact with the cast and crew a grand total of two times, and they’re a TV show, and I’m a reporter. I again asked what law I was breaking. This really angered the cop who said, “I suggest you go in there and close out your tab right now.” I asked why and he threatened to arrest me. For what? Who knows… disorderly conduct, maybe? I wasn’t even the one that initiated the conversation. All I wanted to do was take a couple pictures and be on my way. And literally, all I took were a couple pictures (they didn’t turn out so well, sadly).
– Eventually I backed down because I didn’t feel like spending the night in jail for something as stupid as taking pictures of the “The Real World.” I only wish I hadn’t been so distracted by the shrill, angry production assistant so I could have gotten the cop’s name and/or badge number. I also identified myself to him as a reporter, which you think might have mitigated the harassment charges, but no.
– Anyway, this whole thing just shows you what lengths MTV will go to in order to control every last aspect of a “reality” show. They’re all about intimidation and shaky, quasi-legal threats. “The Real World” cast shows up to a place, cordons off the exits and corners, and proceeds to film to their heart’s content until the scene gets boring or until one of the cast members gets too wasted. Pretty real, no?
– You can bet MTV is working up a little dossier on me by now, and whoever else at our paper has written about “The Real World” while they’re in town. But you know, that’s just how they roll. When you’re a pawn in a commercial game — as these production assistants are — you don’t ask questions, you’re just happy to hold the video camera or mic, or tell some reporter to buzz off because he got within 20 terrifying feet of you. I appreciate that some of these PA’s are locals, but that doesn’t change their hilariously overzealous tactics.
– I also like how these MTV cast and crew victimize themselves, pretending like I’m part of some evil organization trying to bring them down. MTV has enjoyed almost zero scrutiny since they started “The Real World” 14 years ago, and that’s not always a good thing when charges of rape are batted around (see related article). They’re like the bully on the playground that can dish it out but can’t take it. Weak.
– Obviously the cast members are human beings and have the same rights as everyone — it’s not my intention to terrorize them or freak them out. I just think it’s stupid of them to think there isn’t going to be intense public interest while they’re here. And it’s weird that a supposed reality TV show doesn’t want any pre-show publicity of any kind. I don’t hide in the bushes or stalk them like a paparazzo. I walk on public sidewalks, take pictures from at least 10-15 away and have never approached them to talk to them.
– In any event, I think we all know these are not normal private citizens. They live in a fortified, windowless compound with dozens of cameras and 24-hour paid security staff. They’re surrounded by hard-nosed production assistants at almost all times. The cast members like to go dancing at clubs and get drunk (and according to some reports, not pay their bar tabs and litter on sidewalks) but not a single person can pass within camera range of them unless they sign a legally-binding document saying they won’t talk about it until months later. Does that sound friendly, realistic or spontaneous to you? It’s a softcore porn, improv soap opera taking place in our city here, folks. Aren’t you proud?
– Reader Paul had a similarly sour experience when he tried to take pics of the cast at PrideFest. Which, you know, only drew about 200,000 people. Way to control the whole city, MTV. See his pics right here and check out this account from Paul:
PA: Kind of bitchy, “Excuse me, can I ask you not to take pictures??
Me: “No. You’re in public and on public land, under what legal authority??
PA: He shrugged his shoulders and said, “Ok,? and walked away.
Subtle, no?
– Check out another “Real World” brush from a Denver blogger, right here.
More from Get Real Denver
- MTV owns the sidewalk, and other amusing tales
- Stephen in the Washington Post
- “The Real World” Denver crew
- Exclusive interview with “The Real World: Denver’s” Tyrie
- Booking “The Real World” Denver cast
Get Real Denver Recommends
- Captured: Death of a Marine in Afghanistan (Plog Photo Blog)
- The Mile High Makeout: The love-in begins (Reverb)
- Crystal Castles @ Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom (Reverb)
The security person told my friend not to take camera pics on her phone as well at Pride.
I wonder if they were beligerent because they know of you? I had no problems talking to some of them over the weekend.
Comment by Brando — June 27, 2006 @ 2:49 pm
Why don’t you use your bourgeoning paparazzi stigma to incite as many “incidents” from MTV and the Police as you can, document them all with clandestine video tactics, then expose them to the world in a “shocking” , “tell-all” webcast to be released on a date that you deem most suitable for your desired intentions — whatever they may be???
Comment by Drew — June 27, 2006 @ 4:07 pm
Nice thought… but obviously that’s not our aim here. We do everything open and in the public, not clandestinely. We’re just reporting what really goes on behind the scenes during a “reality” TV show. We’re also trying to have a bit of fun with this site through the summer and early fall and engage with our readers.
Believe me, I don’t go out of my way to incite anything. The MTV crew were the ones that trained the security guard on me. I was just asserting my rights. I’d be fine with not getting hassled by cops for taking pictures on public property. I’d have to be insane (or a true paprazzi) to actually seek out that kind of verbal and mental abuse on a regular basis.
Comment by John Wenzel — June 27, 2006 @ 4:46 pm
It’s not what we “say” that makes us who we are, John Wenzel, it’s what we “do”… Remember, fortune favors the bold…
Comment by Drew — June 27, 2006 @ 4:57 pm
How poetic…
Comment by John Wenzel — June 27, 2006 @ 6:02 pm
I know us cow town folk aren’t as edjumakated as those big city Real World types @ MTV but I’m pretty sure Drew just quoted a Batman movie with that “it’s not what we say but what we do” line.
Next time you want to pretend to be intelligent try quoting Winston Churchill and not Katie Holmes in a movie based on a comic book.
Comment by MileHighMelo — June 28, 2006 @ 12:34 am
After some quick research I haven’t been able to find Drews thought provoking Batman quote; however, I did come across a relevant quote that Drew might find useful:
“First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak. ”
- Epictetus
Roman (Greek-born) slave & Stoic philosopher (55 AD – 135 AD)
Comment by MileHighMelo — June 28, 2006 @ 12:53 am
I’d like to get to see the name and Badge # of the Cop who threatened you and find out exactly what authority he was acting under, the City’s, or MTV’s.
Comment by Matt — June 28, 2006 @ 10:12 am
I’m torn.
I really want them to get the hell out of my city so that I can have fun it it without feeling like I’m in middle school and avoiding an ex-boyfriend.
But on the other hand I really want to see how they edit this on TV, if we will see any hecklers, I’m kind of hoping that someone gets hit in the face (like in Austin), and I want to see my favorite places and how they have messed them up.
Comment by Megs — June 28, 2006 @ 1:51 pm
You sure that’s Colie? I thought that was the one I met on Sunday, but she had straight blonde hair.
Unless it was Jenn. [I had a few beers in me at the time]. Davis and Geoff/Jeff are the only ones I know definitively.
Comment by Brando — June 28, 2006 @ 2:02 pm
I’m sure the cop was off-duty and acting under MTV’s “authority.” The baseless scare tactics he was using seemed to reinforce that.
Comment by John Wenzel — June 28, 2006 @ 2:18 pm
That’s my own quote, genius!
Comment by Drew — June 28, 2006 @ 3:40 pm
MileHighMelo, a person like you really shouldn’t ponder the deeper, more philosophical things in life, it will only result in a lifetime of frustration and confusion for you! It doesn’t seem like God gave you the tools for that kind of work.
Comment by Drew — June 28, 2006 @ 3:47 pm
It sure sounds a lot like the Batman Begins line to me:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0372784/quotes
Rachel Dawes: Deep down you may still be that same great kid you used to be. But it’s not who you are underneath, it’s what you do that defines you.
And later:
Batman: It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.
Comment by Dee — June 28, 2006 @ 5:12 pm
First of all, I don’t watch frivolous “Batman” sequels, and if I was going to steal and idea, it certainly would not be from there. Second, that “line” doesn’t really have the same meaning as what I wrote, although I do admit it is similar. There is a critical and complex step between cognition and communication. Most people don’t even know who they really are “underneath”, they just like to pretend that they do — and they often hide even that from the world.
Comment by Drew — June 28, 2006 @ 6:25 pm
Yeah! Keep up the good fight. I wish I were closer to Denver to help with these MTV hoods. The show is crap and always has been.
Comment by JJ — June 28, 2006 @ 6:34 pm
Who watches Batman Begins anyway? Does anyone read books anymore? At least it seems like Drew might have read a book or two in his time. I was hoping to read some thought provoking comments that were at the very LEAST relevant to this article. The compelling story here is that this show is not “real” at all. Our tax dollars and public servants are being manipulated by MTV to further their revenue and dupe the general public. And the guy who quoted an obscure Greek slave, come on, did you google that?
Comment by Sophie — June 28, 2006 @ 6:53 pm
Drew you can now consider yourself property of THE MileHighMelo.
Have a good day.
Comment by MileHighMelo — June 28, 2006 @ 11:18 pm
haha drew ripped off batman trying to sound smart.
Comment by nick — June 29, 2006 @ 9:30 pm
” I also like how these MTV cast and crew victimize themselves, pretending like I’m part of some big bad organization trying to bring them down or ruin their secrets. ” Wow, talk about the pot calling the kettle black. You have certainly enjoyed playing the victim card while pretending you’re not some part of a big bad organization tryint to bring them down or ruin their secret. Why can’t you admit what you’re trying to do?
Comment by Big Bare — July 3, 2006 @ 12:26 pm
Big Bare,
Our agenda here is not to bring MTV down, it’s to expose what it takes to get a “reality” TV show on the air — all the behind-the-scenes deals that need to be cut, the legal aspects of it — and if that means being critical of “The Real World” and its tactics from time to time, so be it. It may look like we’re trying to bring down MTV to you (do you really think a little old blog like this is even capable of that?) but we’re just reporting exactly what happened, as we’ll continue to do.
Thanks for reading,
John
Comment by John Wenzel — July 3, 2006 @ 2:52 pm
hat police officer acted irresponsibly at best, criminal at worst. being thrown in jail is a potentially traumatic and life threatening event. he was threatening you with this for no reason other than to please MTV apparently.
if he was being paid by tax payers that night he did a poor job of discharging his duties.
if he was being paid by mtv or the management of that bar he acted inappropriately. in fact if the management had any problem with you it would have been best for them to explain themselves to you.
if this public servant was trying to get you to stop commiting a crime he could have easily told you what crime you were commiting and I bet you would have stopped
I am outraged that this police officer thought it was OK to intimidate one of his customers and I am more outraged that much of our society will just accept it as status quo.
but then, we let the denver police get away with taking so many lives that they can easily be compared statistically to Detroit police
Comment by colin — July 3, 2006 @ 5:05 pm
that police officer prostituted himself when he knew that no crime was being commited and threatened you. he really was a discredit to the denver police that night.
had mtv called 911 and reported that someone might have taken 2 pictures from 15 feet away the dispatcher would have told them no crime was being committed and to hang up.
if you were representing a major news organization they likely would not have harrassed you. it is embarrassing for the city of denver that these people can so easily use our public servants illegally then move on.
all real world casts receive huge amounts of heckling and are frequently subjected to violence. when people see how fake and controlled the whole process is they react from their gut.
real world key west is just awful
Comment by colin — July 3, 2006 @ 5:24 pm
Gasp! Young people get drunk and litter and make out!!! Shocking stuff people.
As for the faux-outrage at cops following through on complaints and these claims of MTV ruining Denver. GIVE. ME. A. BREAK. If you are so lame to let a stupid TV show effect your real life you have bigger problems.
Exposing this show as not being real is about as groundbreaking as saying politicians bend the truth. I actually don’t mind what this site is all about, but jeeze…enough with the self-righteousness. You are paparazzi, just come to terms with it.
Comment by Sebastian — August 9, 2006 @ 11:50 am
Unnamed gent now has a name.
Comment by Nola — January 28, 2007 @ 12:47 pm
yep, that’s adam from outward bound.
Comment by rob — February 8, 2007 @ 5:28 pm