New Reality Show Films in Montauk Despite Town's Refusal to Issue Permit: Supervisor

MONTAUK, NY - The show must go on.

At least in Montauk, where filming continues for a new Bravo reality TV show filming in the area and at locations across the Hamptons — despite refusal on the part of the East Hampton Town board to approve a permit for the proceedings.

According to East Hampton Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell, the town received an application from True Entertainment, which was reviewed by the town's permit committee. Town officials met with representatives of True Entertainment, he said.

"We advised them that we didn't think filming at this time of year, and at the locations they had chosen, was advisable, and told them that we would not issue a permit," Cantwell said.

But that didn't stop the film crews, he said. "They are going forward. They are there," he said.

Representatives from True Entertainment in New York did not return a call for comment Monday.

The town's permit law regulates filming on public property, Cantwell said, but not private. "We understand that some filming has commenced on private property and that property owners have given them permission to do so. We are monitoring the situation very carefully so that they don't violate any of our local codes."

The company, he said, has consulted with local attorneys and others with respect to town code. "If they choose to violate that code, we'll be prepared," Cantwell said.

Cantwell said he'd heard that the new Bravo show was filming at the Amagansett IGA, a restaurant in Bridgehampton, with some filming at a private residence, too.

Fernando Torres, manager of the Amagansett IGA, confirmed that the crew filmed on Saturday morning. "It was exciting. It was great," he said.

As reported in Richard Johnson’s New York Post column once some Montauk locals got wind of the new Bravo show, there appeared to be a bit of an uproar.

The Bravo show, tentatively titled “Summer House,” was vague about its exact locale when the show was first announced. But now a job listing on SimplyHired.com, an employment website, may have spilled the beans about the Montauk setting: “Bravo —Set Production Assistant —Montauk, NY.”

Locals have taken to Facebook to voice their concerns about the filming.

The Montauk Chamber of Commerce had no comment on the issue
Here's how Bravo has described the show:

"For years this group of friends has spent their weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day in one of the most exclusive beach areas on the East Coast. These professionals may keep it together during the week, but as soon as they hit the beach on the weekend, they let loose in a big, aspirational way that is exclusive to this high-end lifestyle."

Patch file photo.