Why, hello, Jersey Shore! At first, I feared that this tanned, gelled, muscle-bound cousin ofThe Real World was just too obnoxious to watch. Here are eight twenty-somethings who are hell-bent on upholding the stereotypes (they’ve already been ) and the party-til-you-puke reputation of the summer revelers of Seaside Heights, N.J. And I’m spending my evening watching this?
You can bet your booty shorts I am! Here’s why …
1. It’s hysterical. Let’s be honest: The fun of this show is laughing at its stars. I’m not laughing with them, and neither are you. Case in point? Nicole, a.k.a. “Snooki,” describes her ideal mate to be, among other dubious qualities, a “juice head.” As in, a guy who uses steroids. High standards, right? And then there’s the scene where with the guys wearing nothing but a bra and thong underwear, much to the horror of her roommate, Angelina. Her suggestion? “Wear a thong bikini — that’s a little bit more classier,” she says into the camera without a hint of irony.
2. MTV is in on the joke. Like any so-bad-it’s-good reality show, the editing serves mainly to highlight the ridiculousness of our heroes and their plotlines. After Sammi “Sweetheart” and Mike “The Situation” (a self-appointed nickname referring to his very-toned abs) engage in some moderate flirtation, Sammi focuses her affections on another roommate, Ronnie. Mike, (whose abs fall short of landing him a romantic situation), then laments the loss of their 24-hour courtship over a montage of slow-motion memories set to a sappy tune. Plus, the roommates’ communal phone is shaped like a duck that quacks instead of ringing — a sound that can easily be mistaken for mocking laughter. Nicely done, MTV.
3. The sociology lesson. When the gang finds out they’ll have to punctuate their bar-hopping with actual labor — selling T-shirts on the boardwalk –some are, predictably, indignant. Angelina laments that she cannot do such a menial job, as, “I’m a bartender. I do great things.” But some of our stars rise to the occasion and flourish. As the boss explains their tasks, one can actually see inspiration in Pauly’s eyes and he tackles his work with the same enthusiasm that he brings to styling his gravity-defying hair. Mike shines as well, channeling the boardwalk pitchmen of yore as he hawks items of apparel bearing his nickname. Just as I was taught in sociology 101, people need a purpose in life, and work can bring out the best in them … at least in the first episode. –Rennie Dyball
Tell us: Why do you watch Jersey Shore?
I agree! This show is my new guilty pleasure, as well! Being from New Jersey, I am not offended by the cast… I think they’re hilarious!
ReplyDeleteBest show MTV has made in a long time. Ronnie, Sammie and Snickers are my favorite
ReplyDeleteHysterical is an understatement for how great this is! This isn’t, like, the trashy OLD housewives who should have careers and instead just want to do nothing but be famous for .. well , nothing.
ReplyDeleteThis is a bunch of shore hopping nuts, that, yes, DO embody the types at the shore (not an ethnic group, just the mentality). It’s a more endearing show b/c they ARE young… and when you’re young, you’re really, really stupid, esp. when there’s booze and beach involved.
I too found myself watching this ridiculous show and it is nothing short of entertaining and hilarious. These people are completely oblivious which makes it as fun to watch as some of the other “guilty pleasure” reality shows. But in all seriousness, if this group really represents “Jersey” then I am staying far far away!
ReplyDeleteYes! this is my guilty pleasure, too. It’s kinda like a train wreck and can’t look away. I’m 34 years old and I am now dedicated, well hooked, on this crazy group of guidos!
ReplyDeleteThank Christ I am not one of those people. Unfortunately, having grown up in Chicago, I knew some. Best part about that, is they all flamed out, hard. Not a one of them has done anything with their lives. If they are not addicted and still hitting the clubs at 30, if not dead, and still others got into serious crime.
ReplyDeleteHaven’t watched MTV in around a decade, but this truly is a train wreck you cannot ignore. And yeah, finally MTV seems to be in on the joke…
Okay, so I have not watched this show yet, but based on what I have read about it, it is definitely being added to my DVR list!! I am such a sucker for these guilty pleasure reality shows – it’s like it’s so bad, but I can’t stop watching!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is trash but I must say I want to see when that bimbo gets punched in the face by a guy in the bar.
ReplyDeleteBest.Show.Ever. Having grown up in Staten Island and now living in New England, this show brings me waaaay back. If you can’t laugh at these Guido’s and Glitter Chicks (what they were called back in the day!), I feel sorry that your sense of humor is dead.
ReplyDeletethis show is hilarious! i’m a first-generation italian and am not offended in the least; these mooks really do exist! and they’re funny as hell! but generations have changed this subset — way, way back in the day, when they were harmless, they were called “Superstars.” that referred to uneducated, very guinea, gold-chain-wearing john travolta-types from ’saturday night fever.’ fuhgeddaboutit — they were entertaining then, and even though they’ve slipped down the sociological food chain a bit, they still are worth a look!e between them and the other extreme ends of ethnicities (can we please see “HAMPTONS JAPS” next season??? pretty please????), i’m glad i don’t have any children to inherit this outrageous society.
ReplyDeleteThis show kept me hooked with mindless line after mindless line. I just couldn’t believe what a non-stop spectacle these people made of themselves, consciously, and then gave MTV their blessings to air it! It was a guilty pleasure of poor command of the english language, failed attempts to capture thoughts in words, fake tans, bad hair, tacky clothes, and almost attractive people – the loud clothes, and abnoxious hair distracts from their ok faces. Final opinion: these people are going to be fugly by the time they reach their mid-thirties if they keep abusing themselves at such a mind numbing pace.
ReplyDelete