[Youse talkin' to me?! The show's very tan cast]
Any editor who's experienced sudden national attention on their community knows the upside -- and, especially, the downside. These days, the Asbury Park Press in Neptune, N.J., is getting this in spades with MTV's newest reality TV series, Jersey Shore.
The show, Press writer Chelsea Michels reports today on page one, "focuses on eight, tanned 20-somethings who embraced the term 'guido,' and their summer escapades here. It has come under fire from Italian-American groups, tourism officials and even state legislators.'' (Michels left out only the sex, fist pumping, spiky hair, gold chains and waxed eyebrows -- and that's just the men.)
The Press is the largest of the dailies in Gannett's six-paper New Jersey Group. MTV filmed the series in Seaside Heights and Neptune, where the Press has its main office. For the newspaper and its community, Jersey Shore is a chance to bask in rare nationwide attention, and the tourism dollars that might bring, while trying to balance the interests of local residents who may be offended at how their community is depicted.As someone of Italian descent who grew up near the Rhode Island shore, I winced a few times while watching a recent Jersey Shore episode. Still, it was very entertaining. And I'll say this: these Jersey stars have nothing on my home state's Italian-Americans along Scarborough Beach in the summertime. Don't take my word for it, however: The next new episode airs Thursday night; check local MTV listings for times. Can't wait? Watch recent full episodes right here.
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[Images: top, MTV; inset, today's front page, Newseum]
I summered at the Jersey Shore many a year in my youth and, because of my proximity to the Asbury Park Press, ended up working there! I think the show is a riot and look forward to watching it in the upcoming months. The Shore in NJ offers much more than what is portrayed on the afore-mentioned TV show but anyone in NJ already knows that.
ReplyDeleteThe only reason I will watch this show is to see the absolute bottom of American society. I have a few friends from Jersey and I sure this will make them want to say they are from another state. It gives me a very heavy heart knowing that I've had friends die overseas and myself served for assholes like this who live a life in a fantasy world of the gym, tanning, and blowouts. It must be nice to live in a life of the hardest decision is am I going to style my hair in a blowout or a fohawk, or should I workout before tanning or after. These assclowns and every piece of trash like them makes me sick to my fucking stomach and makes me wish I would of gone into a profession where I wouldn't feel like I need to throw up everything I see a commercial for this show.
ReplyDeleteDumb trash show, I'm sure. Not interested and will never tune into it.
ReplyDelete