NEW YORK, June 10, 2009

Washington D.C.: The New Hollywood?

Hip First Family Sparks New Interest In The City For Reality TV

  • Hitting the airwaves later in the year is the CW network's

    Hitting the airwaves later in the year is the CW network's "Blonde Charity Mafia." Twenty-something "it girls" share their escapades as they party their way through D.C. - all in the name of charity of course.  (CBS/The Early Show)

  • Photo Essay The First Family

    Photos of the President with his family - including the "first mother-in-law" and new puppy Bo

  • Photo Essay Celebrity Circuit

    Levi Johnston, Whitney Port and Mya at Hot Hollywood party

(CBS)  It's a city of glitz, glamour, celebrity, fun - thinking of New York or L.A.? Think again.

With a new first family in town, there's never been more buzz in Washington D.C.

The paparazzi and the press corps treat them like movie stars. They're on magazine covers and in fashion spreads. Even the presidential pooch is a celebrity.

The Obamas are helping turn staid old Washington into Hollywood on the Potomac.

"All of the power is concentrated here, and power is a great aphrodisiac and Washington has become the place to be," said Sally Quinn, author and Washington Post journalist told CBS News correspondent Thalia Assuras.

And be seen. Even film stars are flocking here for a chance at the spotlight.

Now the latest proof that the nation's capital is indeed the new "hot spot," the arrival of reality TV. There is talk of five reality shows being based here.

Hitting the airwaves later in the year is the CW network's "Blonde Charity Mafia." Twenty-something "it girls" share their escapades as they party their way through D.C. - all in the name of charity, of course.

MTV is set to announce that its next location for "Real World" will be D.C.

Indications are that it will be filmed in the city's hip and hopping DuPont circle area.

And if America can love New Jersey housewives, why not the dames of D.C.? Bravo's "Real Housewives" new franchise will focus on the power elite. Coming up with a cast of real insiders, though, could be tough.

"I would rather jump off the top of the Washington monument than be on the show," Quinn said.

"I actually talked to a few women who wanted to be on the 'Housewives' show and the quote was 'my husband won't let me,' said Ann Schroeder Mullins, a gossip columnist for Politico.

When the line-up is finally announced, you can bet TMZ, the Hollywood buzz machine, will have the scoop.

"I love Washington, D.C.! I want to stake out our position in Washington, D.C. and grow it," said Harvey Levin, TMZ creator.

It's proof positive America should watch out for more buzz coming out of the nation's capital.

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