Who knew reality had a place in Los Angeles? According to today's Los Angeles Times, reality TV shoots have "become an increasingly important component of the Los Angeles entertainment infrastructure, which supports about 240,000 local jobs and contributes an estimated $30 billion into the local economy." Los Angeles economist Jack Kyser estimates at least 30,000 local jobs are tied to reality television." That's a lot of gaffers, boom operators, and frankenbiters.

If only the residents of Maui knew what they were missing. Earlier this week, the Associated Press reported that locals in Hawaii are objecting to MTV shooting a series called Maui Fever on the island because its highly sexual content and nearly all white cast misrepresents life on the island. According to AP, "The first episode highlights a group of men who target tourists for fast, easy, and non-committal hookups."

"I thought it was kind of insulting," one resident told the Maui News. "They just show partying." According to series creator Morgan J. Freeman, that's exactly the point: "There's an allure to the tropics and to Hawaii, and of living on a tropical island and being on permanent vacation." (Don't these complainers know that Freeman is the man who brought the world American Psycho II?)

Meanwhile, that permanent vacation and the economic bump it brings with it is moving to Australia. Earlier this month, MTV announced that its signature series, The Real World, will be shooting in Sydney. Time will only tell if locals will object to the cast's obligatory drinking and carousing. Somehow we doubt it.