The City
Gossip (Page 2)

Last night on the season premiere of The City, Whitney Port was greeted by old friend Roxy Olin, who she tried to help find a job at People's Revolution. Meanwhile, at Elle, Olivia Palermo clashed big-time with new boss Erin Kaplan.

Below, our staff reviews the first episode of the new iteration of MTV's Whitney-centric Hills spinoff, awarding and deducting points as we deem appropriate ...

In the opening intro, Whitney reflects that nothing is the same as when she first moved to New York. In other words, MTV revamped the whole thing. Minus 2.

Roxy Olin makes her grand entrance two seconds in. Peeps are sure to mention her first and last names whenever they reference her. Solid marketing. Plus 3.

Whitney lives in the West Village now. Even, since both that area and Gramercy Park are quite trendy. Just pointing out that EVERYTHING is SO different now.

Olivia Palermo was apparently retained, and got a job at Elle magazine. Erin Kaplan is introduced as her boss. She's a tough cookie! Must. Create. Conflict. Minus 1.

Erin and her boss discuss how they're going to "break" Olivia and knock this "social" off her high horse. We're holding out hope for full-on hazing. Plus 6.

Whitney and Roxy meet for lunch and talk about how great it is to be single. Roxy reminds us a little of Stephanie Pratt. That's not a compliment. Minus 8.

Roxy may have been onto something when she bashed Whitney's fashion sense. Whit's outfit on the roof is heinous. Plus 1 in any case, though, because she's just so cute talking about how she doesn't want to annoy the neighbors.

"Do your job," Olivia instructs Erin, having been at Elle herself for like a day. Minus 3 for her pompousness, and Minus 2 more for The City casting another Erin right after Whitney's friend Erin Lucas got axed for being dull. Confusing!

Kelly tells Whitney Port that she hopes her friends are worth it and treat her as nicely as she treats them. Words to live by from sage Mrs. Cutrone. Plus 7.

Five guys and 30 girls at Roxy's party ... What's the opposite of a sausage-fest? Plus 3 for the girl who complained about this, but Minus 5 for the neighbor who called the cops on a pretty tame gathering. How lame is Whitney's building?

TOTAL: -1. Not the worst we've ever seen by far, but The City 2.0 still needs to step it up and decide what the heck it is before it becomes a must-see.

This just in: Whitney Port is boring.

It took one season of The City for MTV to come to this realization, so the network has hired Port's friend Roxy Olin to come aboard the reality show.

The daughter of actors Ken Olin and Patricia Wettig, Olin will work for People’s Revolution and move in with Whitney. She spoke to People this week about her role on the series, which premieres Tuesday.

On adjusting to life with cameras around: Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve liked to perform. I like the attention; I’ll be honest. Whitney is so used to it that I had to jump in really quickly to get as comfortable as she is. I was like, “You’re really going to wake up and go on camera right now?” I was like, “I’m going to wake up at 6 and put on a little bit of makeup.” And then you just decide to stop doing that.

On preparing for fame: They’re only showing one part of who I am. They make me out to be a little b—-, but I’m not really at all. And Whitney is one of my best friends in the world. We live together and we’re really close, and I think having that relationship with her and having her show me the way was okay. I also have my [acting job on] Brothers & Sisters that I’m doing at the same time, and I feel like I’m honoring the art that I do — and I’m doing this show where I get to have so much fun.

I don’t think it’s real. Whitney’s like, “Get ready. It’s going to hit. And it happens overnight.” And I’m like, “Yea, uh-huh, it’ll never happen,” because I’m so used to her going through it. I’m excited and a little bit nervous. I know you’re only seeing a part of myself because I still have my own life, my own privacy and my friendship with Whitney is really strong and I have someone to go through it with, and that’s really lucky.

Lauren Conrad may have retired from reality TV, but that doesn't mean she's left her friends from The Hills behind. She and former co-star Whitney Port reunited onstage - and looked fabulous - as presenters on last week's VH1 Divas.

Asked to name the biggest diva she knew, LC didn't hesitate.

"Whitney Port?" Lauren joked, after which her taller, NYC transplant counterpart responded with a laugh, "I was just going to say Lauren Conrad."

Kidding aside, Lauren may not be keen on tuning into the new-look season of The Hills, but she is very excited for the premiere of Whitney's The City.

"She'll support me," Whitney Port said of Lauren.

The ladies talked about how they had a hard time adjusting to working with PR guru Kelly Cutrone, who complicates Whitney's life in the new season.

Two of THG's absolute favorite stars. [Photo: PacificCoastNewsOnline.com]

Whitney said she thinks her friend had even scarier encounters with Cutrone than she has. "I feel like you [had a harder time] because you had to meet her in that really awkward position at the runway show," Port said to Conrad.

"She's been kind of like a den mother to me," Whit added of her boss, who will be featured on The City. "She's been really, really great. I have no complaints."

"You know there are Devil Wears Prada situations, but it's a love-hate relationship. She has to be strict because that's the way she gets her business done."

Port also recently shared with us some of the "empowering" advice she got from another one of her mentors, celebrity fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg.

"Diane taught me a lot about empowering myself as a woman, and in my relationship world, she taught me a lot about appreciating and putting myself first."

New episodes of The City premiere Tuesday, September 29, at 10:30 p.m., right after The Hills. Follow the jump for a video of LC and Whitney's interview ...

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Fans of staged nonsense reality TV can expect major changes when new episodes of The Hills start up next month - beginning with the MTV series' schedule.

The Hills' new season will begin September 29, moving from Monday nights to Tuesdays. It will air at 10 p.m. followed by spinoff The City at 10:30.

Liz Gateley, Senior V.P. of MTV and executive producer of both shows, says that the new day is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to changes.

As we know, Kristin Cavallari has replaced Lauren Conrad.

“Kristin Cavallari has brought new life,” Gateley says of the Laguna Beach star, who was recruited to create fake drama among cast members she would never otherwise hang out with after having gone MIA for the past three years.

“She is the same Kristin we know and love - not afraid to mix things up. Her presence has really changed every dynamic within The Hills cast, especially since we're paying Kristin to drive a wedge between Audrina Patridge and Justin-Bobby.”

Kristin Cavallari is ready to stir up fake tensions like no other.

As for Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt?

“Heidi and Spencer will be entering some interesting new territory of acting like they are seriously considering parenthood,” she says (someone kill us now).

Three thousand miles away in NYC, former Hills co-star Whitney Port will be dealing with a new boss, Gateley adds: “A lot has changed in The City.”

“We shifted the focus of the show significantly from a relationship drama to a workplace drama. [Olivia Palermo] has a new job and an amazing new boss at Elle. Whitney Port is focused a lot more on her work now that she’s single."

"Kelly Cutrone - who I love - takes on a much bigger role in the show. The show feels much more like a reality Devil Wears Prada. Our whole shooting style changed. You’ll see much more action and less people sitting and talking."

"There are fireworks on the highly exaggerated jobs constantly. It’s very exciting and fun to watch what it’s like to work in the world of New York fashion.”

Because her "relationship drama" reality series was painfully boring, The City's Whitney Port is now starring in a "workplace drama." This stuff is totally not staged.

Whitney Port must miss California really badly.

Why else would The City star strip down to just a bra and short skirt and go sunbathing in the middle of Manhattan? Sure, Central Park is a big place, and the weather has been warmer lately, but still, no girls do this in Central Park.

At least no girls that look like Whitney Port.

Her recent bikini photos in South Beach made sense. There was a pool, and/or a beach involved, and it was South Beach. Florida. This is New York City.

We suppose when you've got low ratings and a camera crew scripting your every move, you just do what you're told. Not that passersby would argue ...

Wearing just underwear, Whitney Port confuses Central Park for L.A.

During her sunbathing session with a fellow cast member, Whitney Port narrowly avoided another wardrobe malfunction as her "top" (bra) began to rise up.

You know what usually helps prevent wardrobe malfunctions? Keeping one's shirt on in the middle of an insanely crowded urban park. Just a suggestion.

For additional sneak peeks of a scene from The City and its curvy star, just click to enlarge more of these semi-revealing Whitney Port pictures below ...

[Photos: PacificCoastNewsOnline.com]

The City is kinda boring. But this could liven it up a bit.

Injecting a couple of party girls into the cast can't hurt, but Whitney Port hitting South Beach in a bikini is a surefire way to boost male viewership.

Here's Whitney, who is single and loving it, is showing Jay Lyon exactly what he's missing as she filmed scenes for Season Two of The City ...

Whitney Port attempts to avoid another wardrobe malfunction.

After spending time chatting and relaxing on deck chairs at the newly-opened W hotel, The Hills alumna headed into the ocean for a dip to cool off.

Needless to say, she looked great doing so. We heart Whit.

Click to enlarge many more Whitney Port pictures ...

[Photos: PacificCoastNewsOnline.com]

Whitney Port's "friend" Erin Lucas will not be returning to MTV's The City.

The NYU grad, who appeared on The Hills spinoff's first season, shot some scenes for the upcoming second season but will no longer be on the show.

"It never hurts to try something new, but when you're born to do something, chances are you're going to wind up doing it no matter where you detour," her rep said.

The overdramatic release continued: "The latest proof comes from Erin Lucas, who loved her hosting career and never meant to stray ... until The City beckoned."

"It was nice while it - and her friendship with Whitney Port - lasted."

"But it was hosting she loved, and it is to hosting she returns, blowing kisses to all as she departs the series for her hosting home turf."

Note to rep: No one even knows who Erin Lucas is.

Erin Lucas - whose previous hosting credits include mtvU - has received new job offers and is working on other projects, including a video podcast, called "Style Lounge."

Why the sudden departure? Sources say Lucas was completely uninteresting and MTV wanted to bring in party girls to stir up fake drama had a falling out with Port.

Someone named Samantha Swetra has been brought in to replace Lucas.

Whitney Port was spotted out in New York City yesterday grabbing Starbucks with two pals, one or both of whom may be new cast members on The City.

Roxy, pictured below on the right, is part of the Big Apple party girl duo, Roxy and Samantha, who were allegedly recruited to spice up the “boring” show.

“They are out of control,” a source told the New York Post of Samantha and Roxy.

“MTV brought in the party girls because the first season was so boring.”

Here's Whitney Port with her new City pals ...

Can Roxy and Samantha bring new excitement to The City?

According to sources, Whitney’s other co-star, socialite Olivia Palermo, just didn’t bring enough drama to the reality show, due to her new gig at Elle.

Having an actual job apparently requires her to behave, leaving little room for drunken screaming matches, panty flashing, stumbling out of clubs, etc.

Here's another look at Roxy and Samantha with Whitney Port (making some of her signature facial expressions, obviously) in the images below:

Whitney Port with her new gal pals ... who she may or may not have just met and MTV may or may not have contractually forced her to start hanging out with.

Whitney Port and Jay Lyon recently broke up, but are rumored to be back together (or at least spending time together) recently. But for those hoping to see Whitney reconcile with her ex on MTV's The City, don't bank on it.

The Aussie hasn't even signed up for the second season yet.

While Whitney's other friends, Olivia Palermo and Erin Lucas, are locked in for another round of semi-real drama in the Big Apple, Jay says he has yet to commit to the show - and therefore his chance to get back with Whitney Port.

"I’m still deciding," said Jay Lyon, who is also the singer for Tamarama. "I’m still talking with our managers and working out if it’s the right decision for [Tamarama] right now. That's the main priority at the moment and always will be."

Perhaps for good reason. The Australian band, which Jay formed with Nicolas "Pottsy" Potts, played at an event with White Tie Affair and Blue October this week, and have recently inked a deal to make an album with top producer David Kahne.

They're working on their debut album starting next week.

Jay or no Jay, The Hills spinoff will be back for its second season later this year. Click to enlarge more photos of the heart throb and Whitney Port ...

The City star Whitney Port has split from her Australian musician boyfriend Jay Lyon, Us Weekly has confirmed. This also pretty much took place on the show.

The couple, who we saw meet on The Hills, then continued their relationship in New York on The City, decided to part ways after less than a year together.

The City creator and executive producer Adam DiVello said, “Whitney and Jay are broken up as of The City season finale. There were a few factors in their relationship that led to their split and fans saw those play out on-air."

"As we pick up where we left off when The City returns later this year, viewers will see what unfolds as we continue to follow Whitney Port and her story."

Whitney was in Vegas to celebrate her sister Ashley’s bachelorette party on Friday, and said having a relationship in front of a TV crew has been hard for her.

“It’s really difficult. Put yourself in this position. It’s hard to have an intimate relationship no matter what, whether there are cameras there or not, so it’s not the most natural thing," she said. "It kind of speeds the relationship up, and it also takes a lot of the spontaneity out of it. It's very challenging to say the least.”

While we're sad for Whitney, we think she can totally do better, as Jay Lyon was acting like more and more of an asshat in the previous couple of episodes.

Click to enlarge more recent photos of Whitney and Jay ...

[Photo Credits: Splash News Online]