Preview: Jersey Shore
The 'stars' of Jersey Shore
Wednesday, 17, Mar 2010 01:49
Reality TV fans mourning the demise of Big Brother need look no further than MTV's Jersey Shore for their fill of exhibitionism and voyeurism.
By Matt Robinson.
If you thought that the imminent demise of Big Brother would spell the end of reality shows featuring fame hungry wannabes, horny young exhibitionists and self-obsessed individuals, you were wrong, because MTV's latest stateside hit Jersey Shore is heading to the UK.
Since it launched in early December, Jersey Shore has rapidly become the most talked about show on American television. It has made celebrities of its stars including Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino and broken records for its high ratings. The final episode, which pulled in 4.8 million viewers, was the top-rated programme amongst 12-34-year-olds on the night, while the series was the number one original cable series for the month of January. It's already been commissioned for second season too.
So what is all the fuss about?
Well on the face of it, it is quite hard to tell. Jersey Shore brings nothing new to the table. It's essentially a recreation of the same formula MTV established 20 years ago with The Real World; eight twentysomething strangers come together to share a house, in this case, for one summer, in New Jersey.
However it is only after watching the first couple of episodes, that it becomes apparent exactly what the draw is. This is nothing like The Hills, the closest similar equivalent. This is The Hills with an edge. Why? Well, unlike their West Coast rivals, Mike, Snooki and the rest of the Jersey Shore gang are from the East Coast, they're tougher, badder and according to Snooki they "pretty much say what people think, but are scared to say. We do what they'd love to do. We don't really care. I think that's why people love it so much.".
It is this difference which makes Jersey Shore stand out from other reality shows.
It lifts the lid on the largely ignored Italian-American youth sub-culture of America, however, not without controversy. The shows use of the words "guido" and "guidettes", the slang phrases used to describe the Italian-American population, generated a large number of complaints from the elder generation. For the show's stars though, the guido label is a badge of honour, not a racial slur.
Consequently advertisers have avoided the show like the plague. Domino's spectacularly pulled out after the first episode, while many others have secretly been shunning the show. MTV have responded defensively arguing that the show is "not intended for every audience and depicts just one aspect of youth culture," but that hasn't helped suppress many older Italian-Americans from speaking out, who are unhappy with how the show portrays them.
It's not hard to see why either. By day they may be charged with working in a beachside T-shirt shop, but by night the gang party hard. The ladies, who claim to be classy, are bronzed up and falling out of the skimpiest of outfits, while the guys flex their muscles and get into fights, in between filthy hook ups with the local girls in the hot tub. It's strangely compelling voyeurism. Despite all the GTL (that's Gym Tan Laundry to you and me, the guys' daily routine) Jersey Shore does have surprising heart. When Snooki gets punched, in an upcoming episode, the group grows much stronger. "It's not just about partying," says Mike. "We connected as a family; we had each other's backs."
Whilst the controversy may draw you in, it's the brilliance of the casting, which makes Jersey Shore so watchable and keeps you hooked. You'd think that every possible reality show contestant willing to humiliate themselves on TV had been found and there were no more left. After watching the first few minutes of Jersey Shore, you realise, that there is no limit, every day there are more eligible participants turning 21.
Firstly there is DJ Pauly D who spends on average about two hours on his hair and has a tanning bed in his house. Then we have Ronnie, who will no doubt end up in a brawl or two before too long. He has one rule; don't fall in love at the Jersey Shore, so naturally by episode two he has already paired up with Sammi "Sweetheart" much to the annoyance of the self loving Mike aka "The Situation", a personal favourite. He thought he had already bagged Sammi for himself, after all he's Mike "The Situation".
It's a nickname that all started as a joke, he explains: "Well, the situation was, I was walking through a beach club one day in just my shorts. A girl was with her boyfriend, and as she walked by me, she pointed and went, 'Oh my God, honey, look at his abs.' I was with a couple of buddies, and one of them said, 'Dude, that's a situation right there.' And I looked down and I said, 'Yeah, I guess that is a situation.' And it kind of stuck." It stuck, largely because for much of the series, he keeps getting himself into situations, then saying "That's a situation". Now his nickname is "one of the biggest in America," he says, so much so he planning to release his own fragrance called "Sitch".
He's essentially incredibly insecure but parades around with such a supreme arrogance, that he becomes a guaranteed laugh generator. The last of the guys is eyebrow-plucking Vinny, the self confessed mamma's boy and natural entertainer of the group. He's just turned 21 and so has been waiting for this summer his entire life.
As for the girls, self-proclaimed Princess of Poughkeepsie, "Snookie" is undoubtedly the most annoying of the bunch, but also the most endearing in a strange way. After her lewd behaviour on the first night, prolific phone calls home and deliberation over whether or not to leave, it is difficult to warm to her; even the group decide to exclude her. Also in the house is Angelina "Jolie" Pivarnick, who with her "all natural figure" always has something to say for just about everything. She is quick to bring the boys to task after they invite a group of girls back, who then proceed to get naked in the hot tub, but fails to listen to instructions from her boss. How hard is it to hang clothes?
Jenni (aka J-WOWW!) has a boyfriend, but doesn't appear to have any problem instantly copping off with Pauly D. She's a bit of man-eater, as if you hadn't guessed, who claims that she rips the head of off every guy she has sex with. Last but not least is serial dater Sammi, she's recently single, and loving every minute of it. She should really be called 'Heartbreak' though - by the end of episode two she has created a divide in the group after stringing along "The Situation" before opting to hook up with Ronnie. She does redeem herself by persuading Snooki not to leave, but she is definitely one not to mess with.
Clearly Jersey Shore is not for everyone. Many will be put of by its voyeuristic nature, but given that the show has already garnered a large amount of coverage here already, Jersey Shore looks set to be a sure fire hit this side of the Atlantic too. Having only seen the first two episodes its clear there is plenty of drama to come, not least of all the attack on Snooki in episode four, as the eight housemates continue to party throughout the summer. "The Situation" believes this is the reason why it's so popular.
"Each episode is more action-packed than a whole season of other reality shows," he explains. Granted it may not do for MTV here what Glee has for E4, but it will surely continue to dominate column inches over the weeks ahead.
You have been warned, whether you watch it not, the inhabitants of Jersey Shore should definitely be on your radar and will be whether you like it or not.