'Jersey Shore' is causing some trouble for the network that originally defined reality television with 'The Real World' in 1992. MTV has tweaked its groundbreaking formula for a new generation of reality fans - and some people are unhappy with the results. Really unhappy. FOXNews reports that MTV has received irate emails, phone calls and death threats over the 'Jersey Shore' premiere. The show features a group of young Italian-Americans living together in a summer home; amidst the expected drama, the men and women refer to each other as "guidos" and "guidettes," a bit of cultural insensitivity that has enraged many, including a national Italian-American service organization based in New Jersey.


PopEater Photo Intern Gino DePinto Weighs In

Matt Damon, Viggo Mortensen, Danny Glover and others lend their talents to the new History Channel documentary special called 'The People Speak,' based on Howard Zinn's book 'A People's History of America.'

PopEater sat down with a few of the actors and Zinn to discuss 'Speak,' which transformed from a book, to a traveling stage show and now finally into the documentary.

In the feature, actors read historical first person documents from pivotal points in America's history -- like the Declaration of Independence, Mark Twain's personal letters or excerpts from John Steinbeck's 'The Grapes of Wrath.'

Slurred a colleague? Cheated on your wife? Beaten your girlfriend? Allegedly slept with a lot of cocktail waitresses, a la Tiger Woods?

If you've done something you wish you hadn't – and haven't we all been there? – there's a hot new pop culture way to avoid or postpone any public groveling: go to rehab.

From ESPN's Steve Phillips (rehab for sex addiction, and anyone who saw his paramour knows it's a serious problem) to Isaiah Washington (who underwent "executive counseling" for gay slurs against fellow Grey's Anatomy case member T.R. Knight) to the "domestic violence" counseling of Chris Brown, rehab has become the new apology.

Much like the proverbial man who murders his parents and asks the court for mercy because he's an orphan, the many forms of what's generally called "rehab" has become the preferred way to avoid a public confession of sins. Hell, there are even television shows about celebrity rehab.

Uma Thurman is now 8 carats lighter.

The actress called off her year-long engagement to hedge fund manager Arpad Busson, PEOPLE reports. "The engagement ended awhile back – almost two months ago," says their source. "They remain friends."

Thurman, 39, ended the engagement on November 15, but NY Post columnist Cindy Adams was first to reveal the news in her column today. Busson proposed in the summer of 2008 with an 8-carat diamond ring, but Thurman won't be keeping any souvenirs. "She will probably give it back," says the source. "She wants to return everything that is his."

Pauly Shore has taken legal action against his brother, accusing Peter of elder abuse towards their sick mother and of fumbling their business affairs.

In court documents obtained by RadarOnline.com, the 'Encino Man' actor/comedian claims his mom Mitzi Shore has been "rendered susceptible to unscrupulous behavior and other undue influence because of her condition." The lawsuit states that Shore has become concerned with his brother's treatment of their mom, who has Parkinson's Disease.

'American Idol' season 2 contestant Kimberley Locke has one item on her Christmas list: a diamond ring. But she tells PopEater that it likely won't happen. "I don't think I'm going to get it, but I think that's a good thing. My boyfriend is like, 'I don't want to do it around the holidays. I want it to be your special day,'" Locke says. "I'm like 'I don't care when you do it. Just do it.'" Locke is dating the notoriously tough trainer Harvey Walden from VH1's 'Celebrity Fit Club'. Their romance developed after Locke finished her stint on the fitness reality show in 2007. Watch PopEater's exclusive interview >>

PRODUCTION PLAYER!!!

American TV journalist and sportscaster Bryant Gumbel just revealed that he's recovering from having cancer surgery. Gumbel, 61, had a tumor removed from his chest and lungs but said he'll need "more treatment" to make sure all the cancerous cells have been eliminated.

He revealed the news while on 'Live! with Regis and Kelly' and told viewers that he decided to keep his surgery private until now. He and his doctor hope that his treatment is completed.