By Gregory Korte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WEST END - Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken wants to get a grip on reality. Reality television, that is.

The Real World - the MTV reality show that's a hit among 12- to 25-year-olds - is looking for a new home after walking away from Philadelphia on Thursday. The move came just three weeks before shooting was to begin and followed battles with union picketers protesting the show's use of non-union carpenters.

Enter Cincinnati.

"This is the true story of one mayor... who wants his city to be taped... to find out what happens... when MTV comes to town ... to film The Real World," begins Luken's letter Friday to Bunim/Murray Productions, mimicking the opening sequence of the show. "Cincinnati may not be on the top of your list, but right now, you are on the top of my list."

The Greater Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau President Lisa S. Haller admits Cincinnati probably isn't at the top of the list. But it should be, she said.

Her pitch to producers: Esquire magazine just named Cincinnati one of 10 "cities that rock;" a recent USA Today story highlighted Cincinnati's attempts to repopulate with hip young professionals, and Partners for Livable Communities just named Cincinnati one of the nation's 10 most livable cities.

A spokeswoman for the show's producer said it's too early to say where the show will relocate.

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E-mail gkorte@enquirer.com