New York Times

The City article makes it into the New York Times:

February 3, 2009 --
"TWO of the pretty stars of the MTV reality series "The City" are horrified because producers are pressuring them to get into a hair-pulling, claws-bared catfight to boost the show's ratings.
It's no secret that MTV producers stage (or as they say, "reshoot") some scenes in their "reality" shows such as the Los Angeles-based "The Hills." But according to an insider on the Manhattan-based "The City," they're taking it to another level with stars Olivia Palermo and Whitney Port who both "work" in public relations for Diane von Furstenberg. "MTV wanted the girls to get into a physical fight at the DVF office," said our source. "Olivia was very disturbed by the request . . . The girls were both really uncomfortable." The source added that Port and Palermo both threatened to walk off the set if they were forced to participate in a fight scene.
"Even though people think their jobs at DVF aren't real, both girls are really excited to be working in the fashion world, and wouldn't want to be seen getting into a fight in a professional setting," the source said. "MTV responded to the protests by turning the 'fight' scene into an altercation at work, in which Olivia gets upset at Whitney's boyfriend Jay [Lyon] for showing up to a fund-raiser underdressed" - although, in fact, our insider says, "Olivia could care less about what Jay is wearing. "It's very hard for her because the show wants to portray her as mean and bitchy, and she just wants to be herself," our source said. "It's been really tough for her, but she can't quit because she's under contract." MTV said, "On Friday we shot with Whitney and Olivia at DVF, during which time no physical altercation took place. We would never encourage our talent to engage in that type of negative behavior." Palermo's rep said, "Of course the show is edited to heighten the entertainment value.""