Jersey Shore (TV series),

Jersey Shore is a reality television series on MTV that follows eight housemates spending their summer on the Jersey Shore. The first season was filmed in August 2009 in a summer share in Seaside Heights but was also filmed in other towns such as Toms River, Neptune and Atlantic City, New Jersey. The show debuted amid large amounts of controversy regarding the use of the words "Guido/Guidette", portrayals of Italian-American stereotypes and scrutiny from locals because the cast members were not residents of the area. The theme song featured in the opening credits is "Get Crazy" by LMFAO.

Following the success of the first season, MTV announced in January 2010 that a second season consisting of 12 episodes had been ordered and would air that summer.It would follow all of the first season cast as they escape the cold northeast and find themselves in Miami.The second season premiered on July 29, 2010.On July 20, 2010, MTV announced that the entire cast, with the exception of Angelina, would return for a third season to be shot back in Seaside Heights, New Jersey and scheduled to air later. MTV has since exported the series to dozens of countries worldwide.

Premise

The show examines the lives of eight young cast members living and vacationing on the various resorts along the Jersey Shore, more specifically the town of Seaside Heights. In exchange for living and partying in the shore house, each member of the cast is required to work shifts at a local boardwalk t-shirt store. Failure to comply with the ground rules set by their boss, who owns the shore house in which the cast resides, results in termination and eviction from the shore house.

Episodes

Main Article: List of Jersey Shore episodes

Following the success of the first season, MTV announced in January 2010 that a second season consisting of 12 episodes had been ordered and would air that summer. It would follow all of the first season cast as they "escape the cold northeast and find themselves in a new destination". The first half of second season was shot in the South Beach neighborhood of Miami Beach, Florida, in May 2010 and the cast were to relocate back to the Jersey Shore for the rest of filming. It was later determined that the production company had enough footage from the Miami shoot to fill the whole second season scheduled to premiere July 29, 2010, and would instead use the footage to be shot at the Jersey Shore for a third season.

On July 20, 2010, MTV announced that the entire cast, with the exception of Angelina, would return for a third season to be aired later. Season 3 will be shot back in Seaside Heights, New Jersey during the summer.

Season Ep # First Airdate Last Airdate

Season 1 9 December 3, 2009 January 21, 2010

Season 2 12 July 29, 2010 TBA

Cast

While media outlets have erroneously reported that the cast were Italian-Americans, only five of the eight cast members are of Italian ancestry. Only one of the eight is actually from the state of New Jersey.

Name ("Nickname") Age Hometown Biography

Angelina "Jolie" Pivarnick 22 Staten Island, New York Angelina, a New York City bartender, proclaims herself as "the Kim Kardashian of Staten Island" due to her "all natural" figure. A very outspoken individual, she causes conflicts within the shore house primarily between male castmates. She starts out the season with a serious relationship at home and intends on remaining faithful. However, the two ultimately break up in episode 3, which indirectly leads to her eviction from the shore house after refusing to work her shift in the t-shirt shop.

Jenni "JWoww" Farley 23 Franklin Square, New York Jenni, aka JWoww, is a graphic designer and club promoter from Franklin Square, New York. She refers to herself as a praying mantis when it comes to her relationships with men. However, JWoww enters the shore house with a steady relationship at home with a man whom she claims to love. Although she intended to remain faithful, JWoww ultimately cheats on her boyfriend with castmate Pauly D and ends her relationship in Episode 3. Prior to her 21st birthday she got a breast augmentation as a present to herself.

Michael "The Situation" Sorrentino 27 Staten Island, New York Mike, an assistant manager of a fitness center in Staten Island, refers to himself as "The Situation". He claims that despite his appearance as a "wild kid", he has a sensitive side, and hopes to settle down in the future. He develops an attraction towards Sammi "Sweetheart" but a relationship never comes into fruition when she becomes interested in fellow castmate Ronnie. He also worked as an exotic dancer in 2004.

Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi 21 Marlboro, New York Nicole "Snooki" is a self proclaimed "guidette" from Marlboro, New York, and an aspiring veterinary technician. She describes her ideal man as one who fits the guido stereotype and enters the experience hoping to meet the man of her dreams. She is the center of controversy when a man punches her in her face during a bar confrontation. She previously suffered from an eating disorder in high school. Her friends started calling her "Snooki" in middle school after the character "Snooki the cootchie crook" from the film Save the Last Dance because she was the first of her friends to make out with a boy.

Paul "DJ Pauly D" DelVecchio 28 Johnston, Rhode Island Paul "DJ Pauly D" is a Disc Jockey from Johnston, Rhode Island outside of Providence. He owns a tanning bed in his house and spends around 25 minutes daily on his hair. He strikes up a brief romance with fellow castmate JWoww but the relationship does not progress.

Ronnie Ortiz-Magro 23 Bronx, New York Ronnie hails from The Bronx in New York City. He enters the experience with the intent of not falling in love at the Jersey Shore. However, he ultimately breaks his own rule and strikes up a relationship with castmate Sammi "Sweetheart".
Sammi "Sweetheart" Giancola 22 Hazlet, New Jersey Sammi "Sweetheart" calls herself "the sweetest bitch you'll ever meet" and hails from Hazlet, New Jersey. Recently single, she enters the house with the sole intent of having fun. She attended William Paterson University and was a midfielder on the women's soccer team.When it comes to relationships, Sammi is described by her friends as a "heartbreaker" though she ultimately strikes up a relationship with fellow castmate Ronnie in Episode 3.

Vinny Guadagnino 21 Staten Island, New York Vinny comes from a traditional Italian family in Staten Island. A self proclaimed "Mama's boy", Vinny is ready to enjoy his first summer as a 21 year old at the shore. Guadagnino is a graduate of the State University of New York at New Paltz and plans to attend law school if acting doesn't work out.

^[a] Ages are at the time of filming season one.

Media and merchandise

DVD releases

On February 23, 2010, Amazon.com and MTV teamed up to release Jersey Shore on DVD. The title theme, "Get Crazy" by LMFAO has been changed to a more nondescript trance song. Other songs have been changed since their original air date as well.[citation needed] A retail release by Paramount Home Entertainment with added commentary was released on July 20.Although it is claimed the DVDs are uncensored, the video and some audio is still censored. The DVD also includes special features include deleted scenes, the reunion special, "Tips From The Situation and Snooki," "Before the Shore," and the "Jersey Shore Makeover with Michael Cera" amongst others.

Soundtrack and literature

A soundtrack to the series was released by MTV and Universal Republic on July 20, 2010. Aimed to create the perfect summer playlist, the album features songs from a variety of artists including Enrique Inglesias, Pitbull, Taio Cruz, Ludacris, Lil Jon, 3OH!3 David Guetta, Fergie, Chris Willis, Girlicious and LMFAO as well as DJs like Deadmau5, Steve Aoki, Tiësto, Diplo, Paul Oakenfold as well as DJ Pauly D. A deluxe edition of the album was also released containing a bonus CD featuring songs inspired from the first season of the show, like LMFAO's "Get Crazy". The first single off the album was Enrique Inglesias' "I Like It"[43], whose video also featured the Jersey Shore cast.
A quote book titled Gym, Tanning, Laundry: The Official Jersey Shore Quote Book (ISBN 978-1-4391-9682-3) was released by MTV on June 15, 2010.The book also includes a bonus DVD with the most memorable moments from season one of the show. A sticker book titled Jersey Shore Sticker Activity Book (ISBN 0766639045) was also released on the same date, as well as a 2011 wall calendar (ISBN 0740797972) by Andrews McMeel Publishing.

Other

Other merchandise relating to the show have also been released, including talking bobblehead dolls of the cast[50], a beach game set, a "Gym Tanning Laundry (GTL)" labeled sports bottle, as well as various T-Shirts.

Controversy

Main article: Controversies of Jersey Shore (TV series)

MTV received a significant amount of criticism from Italian American organizations for the show Jersey Shore, which premiered in December 2009. The controversy was due in large part to the manner in which MTV marketed the show, as it liberally used the word Guido to describe the cast members. The word Guido is generally regarded as an ethnic slur when referring to Italians and Italian Americans. One promotion stated that the show was to follow, "eight of the hottest, tannest, craziest Guidos," while yet another advertisement stated, "[the show] exposes one of the tri-state area's most misunderstood species... the GUIDO. Yes, they really do exist! Our Guidos and Guidettes will move into the ultimate beach house rental and indulge in everything the Seaside Heights, New Jersey scene has to offer."

Prior to the series debut, UNICO National (which is the largest Italian American organization) formally requested that MTV cancel the show. In a letter to the network, UNICO called the show a "...direct, deliberate and disgraceful attack on Italian Americans..." UNICO National President Andre DiMino said in a statement "MTV has festooned the 'bordello-like' house set with Italian flags and red, white and green maps of New Jersey while every other cutaway shot is of Italian signs and symbols. They are blatantly as well as subliminally bashing Italian-Americans with every technique possible..." Around this time, other Italian organizations joined the fight, including the NIAF, the Order Sons of Italy in America and the internet watch-dog ItalianAware.

MTV responded to the controversy by issuing a press release which stated in part, "the Italian-American cast takes pride in their ethnicity. We understand that this show is not intended for every audience and depicts just one aspect of youth culture." Since the calls for the show's removal, several sponsors have requested that their ads not be aired during the show. These sponsors include Dell, Domino's and American Family Insurance. Despite the loss of certain advertisers, MTV has not canceled the show. Moreover, the show has seen its audience gradually increase from its premiere in December 2009.

(source:wikipedia)