Garden State Italians Want 'Jersey Shore' Silenced

By PopEater / Wire Services Posted Dec 24th 2009 08:17AM

MTV is getting more pressure to cancel its 'Jersey Shore' reality show. The latest criticism comes from the New Jersey Italian American Legislative Caucus, which says the show promotes derogatory ethnic stereotypes and is "wildly offensive."

In a letter sent Tuesday to the president of Viacom, MTV's parent company, caucus chairman Joseph Vitale asks that the show be immediately taken off the air.

The state lawmakers also have asked advertisers to boycott the show, which focuses on eight tanned 20-somethings and their escapades in Seaside Heights, a popular New Jersey beach town.

On Wednesday, a Viacom spokesman referred a request for comment to an MTV spokesperson, who did not immediately respond. MTV has said its intention is not to stereotype or offend.

Tags: jersey shore, JerseyShore

Comments

(121)

Thursday 24 December

By jamesnpost

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They are right. It is defamatory to keep portraying those Italians as black people...

By 48D4Real

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ITS THE GOTTI BOYS ACTING OUT AT THE JERSEY SHORE WITHOUT THEIR MAMA'S CONSENT.................HEY WHERE'S FRANKIE GOTTI?,HE'S MISSING ALL THE ACTION.....LOL!!!!!

By Caren

These kids are actually being taken advantage of in a way by the reality show. They were likely chosen out of hundreds of applicants because of their ignorance and the probability that they would create drama and embarrass themselves and that we would all watch.... that is the basis for reality television - to watch the neighbors dirty laundry be aired - it's gossip on television that allows people to feel superior after they've watched it. The unfortunate thing is though that when these kids are adults and no longer able to garner a reality tv show, no one will want to hire them because of the way they acted on the show. They can look forward to a future of frustration when no one respects them and they are shunned by their former friends and neighbors. And once they have children, will they want their children to watch the gross disgusting things they have done? I don't think so. Their parents should have counseled them better when they were younger - but unfortunately, they are probably proud of them....

By crystal

definitely ditto on that one caren , that is so true ppl don't think much about what they are doing now , and how it will effect they're future. Well I gotta say this is definitely not a show anyone could or would watch with kid's in the home I think this show is really offensive ,thank God for channel lock for kid's this a channel to for sure block out . I wonder if the mtv network was ever in financial problems what's up with all the reality show's dumb show's like rob dyrdek,nitro circus and the new jerk shore.where's the music ?

By Petracca

Are we Italians... The swarthy emotional clowns of Europe that shows like this capitalize on displaying us as? Or is there something left in our blood/genetics of Cicero or Caesar, Dante or DaVinci? What do we know of the world of our ancient past, how many of us have mental continuity outside of the immediate present, to our cultural roots? Without roots a plant needs props...Are we mongrolized clowns...or is there still remaining something of the unique excellence of that old peninsula?

By bill whittaker

The politically correct fascism continues.
Every group of people is homogeneous and must be portrayed according to their own script.

By rob

guidos unite

By princesscg1980

I actually LOVE this show, it's a very entertaining show. I live in Queens, NY and let me tell you that most Italians I know are EXACTLY like the people on the show, just step into any club in Long Island and you will be surrounded by them. I understand that not all Italians are like them but reality is that if you're Italian, in your 20's and living in NY or NJ you are just like them. So to everyone who criticizes the show get over it and if you don't like it then.. DON'T WATCH IT!!!

By Anthony

This is who alot of us are growing up....leave it alone! I was born Italian (Sicilian), and raised in California. I am 53 now and see nothing wrong with this show, hell I acted just like them growing up! I went to college earned degrees and am very successful in my life! If the media in America would just let things go there wouldn't be as much prejudice in this great country of ours!

By LA

have them make pizza lol

lmfao LA don't you remember the one episode where the dude with the wind tunnel hair do put charcoal in with the gas bbq ha ha don't wanna see em make pizza they'll probably burn it or worse they'll probably put the sauce on last lol.

By jeff

when they cancel this crap maybe they start a new one .....like michigan muslums or some crap like that

By Suzanne

The two women in the picture at the beginning of this article must have back problems from throwin their chests out so much. They couldn't look much creepier, and the guys are nothing to write home about either. What a terrible photo.

Well princess that may all be true , but it still doesn't justify airing such an offensive show ,you don't see show's about gender bender's or homeless ppl although very much a reality among an endless list of other realities. you don't see show's on those situation's. this show is just straight offensive junk and shouldn't of even gotten the time of day to air on any tv channel if that. how embarrassing for mrtv ( music,reality,tv)

By napl

it works both ways..get rid of one ethnicity show..get rid of all.. bet has ethnic roots...so they must go too if jersey shore goes...maybe some of their shows and dances etc offend the jersey folks//????? gee grow up people....give me a break.. just dont watch it! as they use to say turn the channel tuner to your show of choice...dah!

By Alexandra

I think this show is fine. I like it. If you just disreguard the fact that they're Italian, it's just like every other MTV show. To me, it seems like that store they work for only wants Italians there anyway? If the show is that offensive to you, don't watch it... it's not that hard to change the channel. MTV always gets obnoxious, loud mouthed, crazy people for their shows anyway, so to me, it's no different. I'm Italian too, and I'm not offended. You will find those type of people everywhere, no matter what race... MTV just found a bunch that are on Italian.

By rugbymom

In Italy the term guido means nerd or loser. Loser fits these whackjobs to a tee. Fake tans, hair gel, lip gloss and that is just the guys. Italian men are momma's boys, who expect you to do everything for them including wipe their arse. Thanks, but no thanks. I will stick to pasty IRISH GUYS.

By who knows

thumb's up rugbymom lmao :-)

By themeeker

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If you watch and enjoy this CRAP, you are a mental midget and you should be sterilized. I caught 30 seconds of it once by accident, and I can see that MTV is again attempting to dumb down America with their garbage. Shame on MTV and the fans and the sponsors of this sh*t.

napl it's not just the idea of turning the channel to something you like it's more of a moral issue .although the Jersey Shore in real life may be alot like what is on this show , but it's morally wrong to be showing and exposing what goes on you know like what happens in Vegas stay's in vegas.something of that nature so why make your immoralness be known over national tv.it just doesn't make sense. something's just weren't meant for tv ya know like this Jersey show.

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