'Jersey Shore' Prompts Drama, Death Threats

By PopEater Staff Posted Dec 8th 2009 02:28PM

'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

The stars of the show use "ethnic slurs, violence and poor behavior to marginalize and stereotype Italian-Americans," says UNICO president Andre Dimino. He told the NY Times, "Their behavior is reprehensible and demeaning in all respects. I don't see any redeeming value in the show. They are an embarrassment to themselves and to their families."

"Trash television sells, and they'd be more interested in making money than how they're offending a great group of people," Dimino told the Newark Star-Ledger.

Jersey Shore - MTV Shows

UNICO's response has been more restrained than others. "The MTV building in Times Square was getting crazy threats and they are in the process of hiring more security in bodyguards," a source told FOXNews.

Despite the public outcry and loss of advertisers like Domino's Pizza, MTV is holding steady with its new ratings-grabber. In a statement, a network rep confirmed: "We understand that this show is not intended for every audience and depicts just one aspect of youth culture. Our intention was never to stereotype, discriminate or offend."

As for the Domino's pullout, the rep added that the series "may not be for every sponsor or advertiser and we understand that."

Tags: jersey shore, JerseyShore, mtv, the real world, TheRealWorld

Comments

(73)

Tuesday 08 December

By lorenzo420

Vote down Vote up Report this

BRING BACK BOILING POINTS

By mcclelland443

play some def leppard!!

By KC

MTV play Music Videos or CHANGE YOUR NAME!

By SHUSH

MTV has succeeded in their wish to
create a buzz in desperate attempt for ratings.

Last week people were praising Adam Lambert for that raunchy debauchery he called "performance"
These (NJ) kids were told to act stupid/provocative or not be on TV..

SAME REASON PEOPLE ACT STUPID ON American Idol & Real World.....Every young show.
The show is directed by sneaky uncaring evil
desperados that would sell their mothers for a buck.Yes MTV,, that'd be you.
Like Real World kids are any better?
Look at the other States, & in general kids behaviors through out MTV..
They glorify bad behavior.
They wouldn't of shot the series if not for these kids acting the fools as they were told to do.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME ANY OF U SAW A DECENT PORTRAYAL OF ANYONE, ON MTV??
ANYONE WHITE, CHRISTIAN, OH &NON OBAMA
WORSHIPER ESPECIALLY,, IS IN SEASON FOR CHARACTER ASSASSINATION THESE DAYS.
I'm guessing the Irish r next.

Wednesday 09 December

By Revered Jim

keep those low lifes in Jersey. A lot of them were showing up in the Hamptons for a while. They act like animals, think with their little willys, and the girls are foul mouthed pigs. Stay in NJ, Staten Island, Brooklyn or whatever cesspool you crawled out of.

By Jenn

Stereotypes are wrong all around. You shouldn't judge people because they're Italian, African-American, Hispanic, etc... These people got this show because they're messed in the head. It's got nothing to do with being Italian or being from New Jersey, trust me...I am both of those things, and trash like that does not speak for me.

By Lauren

I live in Caldwell, New Jersey. Which is in Essex County (Northern Jersey) Hell, The Sopranos were filmed here. Tony Sopranos home, which on the show and in real life, in North Caldwell, NJ... is the neighboring town. Reason I mentioned this, is that, where I live, in Jersey... it is true that we have many Italian Americans here. Im part Italian myself.
AND
I lived in New Jersey for all the 25 years of my life. I have never in my life, been around anybody that remotely acts like those trashy people on The Jersey Shore.
When I saw the first episode... I was soooo embarrassed! And "Fist Pumping"?? Holy crap. That guy who was showing us his "dance moves"... had soaked his shirt with his armpit sweat. Its just so embarrassing!!!

Jersey gets alot of crap, and this show doesnt help in the least bit.

People from the area already know this, BUT, if your not from New Jersey, please dont think that this is how all hot, 20 something year olds act.

By Tony

What Italian-American are they are. Get over it or get out of my country !!

By Anthony

Another trashy reality show. Actually, all reality shows are trash.

Wednesday 23 December

By Swales

Saw the show. Seems to me like if you prevented them from talking about the gym, their looks, hair gel and who they were trying to bang -- then there would be absolutely no dialogue.

Thought it was funny that one girl thought selling T-shirts was beneath her because she was a bartender.

By Robert

MTV used to be about music videos. Now it should be called TTV...Trash Television.

By ccrider

YOA...cancell this TRASH...I don't care how they act....I do not need it on TV to teach one more DUMBASS that this is how they should ACT...these shows are misleading and the young are picking it up and think this is they way...it is the DUMMIE UP of America and we just sit and take it...FIGHT FOR BETTER TV...do not just CHANGE THE CHANNEL as most SPINLESS poeple would say...FIGHT FOR BETTER TV...

By cathy

This show is a total joke, these people are NOT even from NJ, this is not what the Jersey shore is like, its very sad that OUR shoreline is being depicted by bad seeds that are not from here, MTV NEEDS TO PULL THE PLUG ON THIS SHOW, OR BETTER YET DO A REALITY SHOW ABOUT THE REAL INHABITANTS OF THE SHORE, NOT THESE TRASHY STERIOD INFESTED FAKE BREASTED WANNA BE'S, I tivo'd the show and watched maybe 15 minutes of it, The parents must be very proud....

By Jenniferh021

As a true NJ woman, I must say that SOMEONE should have stepped in and stopped this ridiculous show from airing. It is PATHETIC and a HORRIBLE light to show the new jersey shore in. What about LBI, Manasquan, Manahawkin, Pt. Pleasant, Belmar and all of the "not so skanky" shore points that we have???? That show is a JOKE.

By judy

I have never watched a reality show. SOOOOO thats reality? HMMMM I think reality is mostly where you hang. Would ya say??? So far, this guy said his kid was in a hot air balloon, A Idiot couple crashed the White Security and one of the women who was involved with Tiger Woods are all "REALIIY SHOW HOPEFULS." One thing for sure, You dont have to be a NORMAL to get on a reality show. The REALITY SHOWS need to get real ok

By Debera

I am married into an Italian family and one that has pretty well known celebrities too. And I lived in NYC knowing many from Jersey Shore. Do not let these punks misrepresent just who the Italian families are from these areas. Because they are no where near not even close to these punks. They are well received families within society and not a group of wannabe celebrates. I watched the show, see I can pump air too, lol too funny. Want a good laugh that really isn't reality but more on the line of getting their share of limited fame. Watch Jersey Shore, what a joke.

By Angelo

Boo-Hoo-Hoo !!! You WOPS have alot of nerve sitting there crying and threatening violence against a network because someone exposed yous guys dirty little secret. It's just a tv show, just like Black people who sometimes act like nigga's. if you don't want your ethnicity portrayed in a negative light teach your little guidos and guidettes at an early age how to act in public. Just like my people, the world does not revolve around you and your race of wanne be gangster. GET OVER IT.

By MatchPoint

These kids arent even from Jersey. Typical MTV crap--Get back to your music videos!!!

It puts a bad name on our "Jersey Shores" Can you say; Immature, snotty, brats with too much time on their hands--besides doing their hair..lol

Signed,
A real Jersey Girl

By rw

typical new jersey/ new york additude , north jersey that is I lived up there for a while and the north near new york they are like that the south part more down to earth , this shows sucks the big one I think this is just a way for them to get some attention, cause they want you and me to watch it , and its the same old crap , nothing special dumb kids whose are selfesh.

By alice

Watched the showfor about 6 min........ no way lkie the real jersey shore. lived on LongBeach Island for over 15 years/ great place. family place n young daughter still lives in ship bottom n go there every yr. yeas a few of these types go there but we outnumber them n they look dtupid n more then likly end up in one of our jails or thrown out of motels. decent people dont want trash like them.
go to the shore n enjoy the beautiful beaches, food. me i miss it n the smell of the ocean. i live in maine now but head to LBI every chance I get. take this show off.Please . its an insult to all italians n shore people..........

alice m

Page 3 of 4