'Guido'-Touting MTV Show Has Italian Group Molto Mad

By PopEater Staff Posted Nov 24th 2009 03:35PM

With muscle-shirts, fist-pumping and drunken spray-tanned buffoonery aplenty, MTV's 'Jersey Shore' reality show has one Italian-American group up in arms over the way the show is being promoted. Calling the show "trash television," the group UNICO is taking offense to MTV's tout of the show featuring the "hottest, tannest, craziest Guidos" and wants the show canceled. Watch the gel-tastic trailer after the jump!

The show, which documents the hard-partying lifestyle of the shore towns along the New Jersey Coast, features young revelers -- many of them Italian-American -- doing what many do down the Jersey Shore: Drink, party, hook up and act in a way that would make their grandmother's blush. Or, as MTV puts it, people who "keep their hair high, their muscles juiced and their fists pumping all summer long."

Unico president Andre DiMino told the Associated Press that 'Jersey Shore' is nothing shy of "trash television."

'Shore' is scheduled to debut on December 3, and MTV has yet to respond to the claims or make any changes to the schedule.

On its Web site, MTV describes the show as uncovering the "sometimes surprising, often hilarious and usually over-the-top personalities as they juggle work, love, nightlife, friendship and the drama that ensues. In the end, viewers see that there is more to these tan and buff individuals than hair gel..."

This wouldn't be the first time that MTV has cashed in on the shenanigans that happen in South Jersey. Years ago, their 'True Life' documentary series took to the beach to show the stories of several shore-goers in 'True Life: I Have a Summer Share,' referring to those who rent out New Jersey beach houses for the summer. Watch the Jersey Goodness Below!

Tags: jersey shore, JerseyShore, MTV

Comments

(97)

Tuesday 24 November

By Intellectual bully

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Any who uses the word "guido" to stereotype Italian Americans are no different than using the "N-gg-r" word to target African Americans, referring to Latino Americans as "Sp-c", Asian Americans as "Go-k", or any other countless reference to any other ethnic group. Those who choose to use libel against others should be prosecuted accordingly.

By mel

As an Italian American, i do find it offensive to be called a guido....however, as a people, we are not as sensetive as others...call us what you want.

By anais_morr

Guidos (cough) existed during the 80's when I was a kid. They were a boring lot who drove mindlessly and hung out in droves near a strip mall where I lived in Westchester NY. Looks as though that nothing changed much.

Only way to protest a show like this is not to tune in. VH1 has something similar with "Tool Academy". Only way to make trash tv go away for good is not watching it. Ratings go down, advertisers walk and voila, the show gets cancelled.

Wednesday 25 November

By BrocK Landers

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THEY'RE NOT GUIDOS... THEY ARE CHAMPS !!!! THAT'S WHY THEY FIST PUMP,,,, HATERS .

By pugz

all nationalities/races have unflattering names associated with them. can you imagine a show featuring african/americans living in detroit and called "jungle bunnies" i'll bet AOL doesn't even print the name, but since this show slurs Italians, that makes it O.K.

By momofthree16

I'm italian...and I do not find it offensive at all. Only a guido would find it offensive. there are guidos and guidetts. You know them...the italians that wear all the jewelry and wife beaters thinking their cool and the chicks all with their hairspray and stuff. Give me a break..I'm from LI and we called guidos like we saw them and guidos KNOW THEIR GUIDOS!!

By jibber-jabber

Couln't agree more. All ethnic groups have characteristics that are identifiable in generalities. Where as I don't think one should be offended by a generalized ethnic stereotype, one must realize they do exist and understand why they exist, and not be so offended by them. Italians suffer the same type of stereotyping as any supposed ethnic minority, but it should not be considered OK, just because their skin is not a different color than the rest of the Europen immigrants.

By bookdivasu

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Well said!

By Binky

I'm offended by anyone who has to hyphenate who they are,...Italian-American, African-American,...why can't you just be Americans?

By originlcin

I didn't see these people objecting to Victoria Gotti and her 3 sons when they did their show. Acted like a bunch of dumb gavones.

By frank

gook- now theres a funny word! lol

Sunday 29 November

By PookieCaru

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Prosecuted? PROSECUTED? Where the hell do you think you are China? This is America and we can crap on each other with impunity. I'm Italian and I'm not worried about this; I have friends in NY who will take care of the producers. ;)

By Master Robert

They already have a show about guidos its called Housewifes of New Jersy. Shows you how retarded most of them are.

By aj

My daughter in law is german/italian. the other daughter in law was mexican/american. My grandkids are all mixed racially. My german/italian daughter in law loved THE Soprano's and constantly makes jokes about her mob relatives. I don't think she finds the truth offensive at all, even this show. Some of them are in her family.

By Miquel Rogers

Mad,

Us locals not guido's we actually hate them

So throw locals hate the show too.

By nigga whats good

Ya boy. Most of the guidos I've seen down the shore over the summer are from Staten Island not even Jersey

By JBaer

I guess it would make too much sense to suggest MTV go back to showing music videos so they could avoid getting this kind of flak.

By Shannon

I'm with you. I miss the golden days of MTV. I don't even understand why it is still called MTV when there is no music..just crap tv.

By man

I understand that you want mtv to play more videos like everyone else says, but it honestly isnt needed. MTV has other channels that take care of the videos which are MTVhit, MTVjams, and MTVU. Oh and MTV3 as well. So please people.... stop saying that they need to show more videos.... they do 24hrs a day on the other channels.