(I have been a huge fan of JS since it's inception and have had a huge issue with the criticisms; it is a good show when you look at it critically--I'll prove it.)
The season premiere of Jersey Shore was, in many ways, a classic "coming of age" story. The entire cast has matured*. My roommate made a fair suggestion, which has been mentioned by others, that perhaps sober Sitch and Schnooks preggers (and now a mother), and a celibate Vin (according to episode one; I'll have to see it to believe it), will be less interesting. Not to mention, Deena has a new boyfriend and Jwoww is still in a committed relationship with Roger (and now engaged). (This leaves Pauly D the only housemate in the same condition as season one.) And maybe they're right. We're used to watching the cast mates get drunk at Karma, Bamboo, Jenks, and the Beachcomber. The thing is, we will still see the funny intoxication that we are used too-- in the season premiere, Ronnie already blacked out. Alas, if this is your first season of Jersey Shore, skim through seasons 1-5 before you start with 6.
So that is the premiere episode. Now for my overall analysis.
They make ITALIANS look bad. They make Jersey look bad. Guido is derogatory. They're not all Italian. They're not all from Jersey. They're dumb. They sleep around. They have STDs. And my favorite, "...get drunk and take your top off on the Jersey shore like Snooki" said by some random woman on TV.
Short answers:
To allow yourself be represented by someone other than yourself is dumber that getting drunk on TV. Oh and bee-tee-dubs-- if we're going to praise the Godfather and the Sopranos as works of cinematic and television art, I wouldn't criticize JS. The housemates aren't famous for killing people, forcing innocent citizens to pay for protection, evading taxes, or pay off corrupt politicians and cops. Heck, the few times they broke the law, they got arrested (Ronnie, Snooki, and Deena). If anything, that better shows how quick cops will arrest your ass for acting up.
New Jersey is a great state. However, all the negative stereotypes about New Jersey existed FAR before the show was even thought of! Seriously.
Perhaps. From what I have seen a lot of people on TV have used it to make fun of other people. With that being said, if they are willing to call themselves guidos and guidettes, let them.
No, they are not all Italian. And the ones that are not or are partial have never lied about it. Snooki has said more than once that she is from Chile and was adopted by an Italian-American family. Ronnie has said he is half Puerto Rican, and was even speaking a little Spanish during the season in Miami. Perhaps it was the people feeding into the stereotypes of Italians and Italian Americans that made the assumption that they overdid the Italian thing.
No, they are not all from Jersey. But guess what?! The shore is the beach. Beaches=VACATION. JERSEY SHORE IS A VACATION SHOW. Many people that live in and around New Jersey go to the shore for vacation.It's about being from the shore. If anything, it represents (some of) the regionalism of the Northeast. It's about being on vacay and enjoying the summer. Sidenote-- another one of my favorite reality show, The Real Housewives of New Jersey, helps prove this. Some of the wives on the show own vacation homes on the shore and enjoy going their for the summer. Maybe I have looked at this differently because I have a huge interest in people and place, but if you're going to attack it, you have to fully understand what it is about.
Getting over $10,000 per episode, plus endorsements, appearances and startup businesses is far from stupid. We all have said silly things and we have all made asses of ourselves.
They do sleep around. None of them are married (yet) and the ones that are engaged have calmed it down. It's a part of being young. If you don't like it, don't sleep with them.
Not sure of the status of their sexual organs but it's not my issue :)
Lastly, the woman that said this is an unreliable resource. This was said closer to the beginning of the series, but I have never forgotten that. It made me mad. Why you ask? Because Snooki never "took her top off" [and exposed her breasts, I am assuming what she meant]. She clearly never watched the show. I know it is silly and insignificant, but it looked dumb because it never happened.
+Another reason why I watched JS, other than for a good laugh, was for the regioal differences. That is why I like a lot of NY/NJ-Italian American-Exploitation shows. All of the JS cast is from the Northeast-- specifically NJ, NY, and Rhode Island. I learned how many people up North go to the shore for the summer. Not just Seaside Heights, but Ocean Township, Toms River, etc. I also learned that Italian-Americans enjoy a large Sunday dinner, where they can relax and talk over good food (chicken cutlets, lasagna, sauce, etc). Family is important. + (Added at 10:34am on 10/06/2012)
The moral of the story is, they are regular people. I am not suggesting that we bow at their feet in apology, but to attack them for doing crazy shit is a waste of time. They're not politicians. They don't preach to teens about responsible drinking. They're people having fun.
P.S.---they always work! (T-shirt shop, Gelato- shop, and Pizzaria!)
Extreme turn to American politics.
This will be shorter. Yes, I wrote several paragraphs about Jersey Shore. Truth is, I understand it better than politics. When they lie, we have it on camera to prove otherwise.
This post is not about my political views; this is strictly a review of the debate.
It was BORING!!!! As I stated on my Facebook and Twitter. They said the same things over and over. President Obama was not energetic at all and it bothered me that he didn't look Governor Romney in the eye. Governor Romney, it seemed like, came up with some completely new stances that I never heard him promote.
Okay, so that's all I have to say...it was boring! And both of them kept over speaking (2 minutes is not long enough, but follow the damn rules!). If you're going to speak beyond your limit, say something profound, not the same crap that we already knew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The debate to watch WILL be the Vice Presidential debate. VPOTUS Biden has not lost his zest and Rep. Ryan is young (yes, throwing the age card in) and has stamina. I predict lots of jabs and ripping to shreds on both sides. I expect it to be very similar to part 1 of the RHONJ season four reunion.
The White House! I wonder who is going to move in....or move out....or stay in ....or stay out?! We'll find out soon.
P.S. The BEST part of the National election is always the comedic interpretation--they attack all sides. On that note, I would seriously vote for Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert if they were on the same ticket, in a new and crazy third party.
Thanks for reading :-)
GeoJessicaB
I really enjoyed what you had to say about jersey shore. yes it may seem like trash tv but it has shown great growth and it is entertaining (isn't that what tv is usually for, to entertain right). your view allows me to see it differently and gives the show and the people a positive spin, which goes to show it is what you take out of it.....and the debate was indeed boring....and redundant....but interruptions were the best part.lol
ReplyDelete