Williamsburg is Dead

Celeb Spotting: Bret McKenzie from FOTC

OMG, so I was walking down Union, singing the "Mermaids" song from Flight of the Conchords in my head, when who do I see but Bret McKenzie walking into Dumont with two similarly shaggy, black-haired dudes. It was 3pm, so I assume it was a late brunch, or perhaps it was a "second breakfast" as the hobbits, also natives of New Zealand, are so fond of.

Seriously though, I had to fight off my Mel-like instinct to follow him into the restaurant and ask him to be my best friend. That reminds me, I saw the guy who plays Doug a couple of weeks ago in a bar near Times Square. Come be my best friends, entire cast of Flight of the Conchords!

In Kind-of-But-Not-Really Williamsburg News

Flight of the Conchords was kind of shot in Williamsburg, yah? Anyway, be on the look out for Jemaine and Brett because apparently they are filming again:

HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords” has begun production in New York on its second season. The 10-episode season will premiere early next year.

Better enjoy it while it lasts because this is probably going to be the show's last season. Don't worry, you'll get over it, because you got it goin' on.
 

Keep It Up, Williamsburg!

HAHAHA. From Daily Intel via New York Press:

“When we go to Williamsburg we get harassed," Mormon and Real World cast member Chet Bannon told the New York Press last night. "The hipsters throw things at us and say ‘Why are you here? Go home! Ten years ago none of them were there either … Why are the hipsters so small-minded?”

"I'm Chet, waaaaaaaaah. Why doesn't anybody like me?" Um, because your name is Chet and you auditioned to be on the Real World.

To my neighbors I say "Good job." But don't stop now. If you ever see the cast of the Real World at your local drinking or eating establishment, throw your foodstuffs in their direction and challenge them to fisticuffs.

Real World Invades Royal Oak

Gawker reports that the cast of the Real World was seen at Royal Oak on Saturday night! And one of them was named Chet, like in Weird Science. They made the dance floor lame and just generally douched things up. Quick, someone sell them bad drugs in the ATM room! [Gawker]

20 Bayard: Reality TV Star

The building that blocked the view of half of Williamsburg so that people who moved here because "it's close to the city" could watch both their giant flat-screen TVs and people playing soccer in the park is finally getting its close-up! Yes, 20 Bayard will most likely host the contestants of Top Chef during the show's next season. The building is also known for its incredibly annoying "Williamsburg. Radically Chic. Chicly Radical." ad. Seriously though, I have nothing against most of the condo buildings that are springing up in the neighborhood, but an 18-story behemoth that blocks out the sun is simply a bit much. It's like a giant "F you" to its neighbors, and its not even isolated like the even more ridiculous Edge.

But hey, but who doesn't love Top Chef? Maybe it will tempt Tom Colicchio to open Craftburg. [Eater]

Top Chef Season 5: Williamsburg

Reality shows love Brooklyn. First it was the Real World (which turned out not to be in Williamsburg), now it's Top Chef (which might be). Or so the rumor goes (you know how the internet is). Anyway, I foresee a PBR challenge, new way too tight uniforms and a Quickfire competition involving a scale and lots of tiny baggies. [Eater]

Real World to Eschew Williamsburg for Glamorous Downtown Brooklyn?

Perhaps Williamsburg is safe after all. According to "sources familiar with the discussions," there's a good chance that the seven housemates will inhabit the BellTel Lofts in Downtown Brooklyn. Executive Producer Jim Johnston even confirmed that he has taken a look at the penthouse space in the as-yet-unfinished building. To Mr. Johnston, I say "Go for it!" You would still be close to the Manhattan Bridge, so you could just car-service it over to the Lower East Side and annoy them. It's a win-win!

Brooklyn Gets Real [The Brooklyn Paper]

Jesus Fucking Christ NO!

Please don't let it be Williamsburg, please don't let it be Williamsburg, please dont let it be Williamsburg ...

A TREE ISN'T THE ONLY THING GROWING IN BROOKLYN!

MTV HEADS TO BROOKLYN, NEW YORK AS "THE REAL WORLD" BEGINS PRODUCTION ON SEASON 21

Santa Monica, CA, May 13, 2008 - Riding high on the successful launch of an accelerated, action packed 13-week episode cycle with more favorite Real World drama packed into 1-hour episodes, MTV has greenlit the hit reality series for a 21st season. Production will move from the west coast to the east coast as Bunim-Murray Productions begins shooting in Brooklyn, NY this summer. Continuing with the new format of expanding the episodes to one-hour, the network has ordered 12 episodes of "The Real World: Brooklyn" which is scheduled to premiere in Q1 2009. "The Real World: Hollywood " captivates viewers on-air as MTV is the #1 network in the Wednesday 10-11pm time period among P12-34 and online as more than 3 million fans have accessed The Real World Dailies (www.realworlddailies.com ) for never-before-seen production moments.

Williamsburgers Hungry for Love and/or Food

In case you haven't heard, there's an innovative, independent cooking/dating show based right out of our own backyard: Williamsburg's Feed Me Show. It's a pretty simple premise--they provide the studio (the Brooklyn Photo Studio, no less) the kitchen and the supplies, and you provide your single, culinary-savvy self. To sign up, click here. This Gothamist post summed up the casting call, and just a few weeks later, they're already calling for a crossover with Next Top Chef. (Shameless incoming obvious puns alert) So it's gotta be hot and spicy. Or deliciously steamy. Or braised and heavily salted. Fine. That last one didn't  work. Just check out the show. And see what's cooking.

Inner ... Inner City ... Inner City Pressure

Rent is going up, temperatures are going down, people are getting their Screen Actors Guild cards stolen ... it's a tough life in Williamsburg these days. No worries, the Flight of the Conchords feel your pain. Check out their homage to city livin' in this JMZ-adjacent video.