Showing posts with label MTV. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MTV. Show all posts

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Jersey Shore Season 3 - Is it About Being Italian American? -- Who Watched?


Yes, I watched. So apparently Season 3 of Jersey Shore was the most viewed premiere for MTV ever! Over 8 million people watched! Wow! Really. Why are they watching? What's in this show that people love so much? As I watched that night, I was on Facebook following many of my friends status updates about the show; what I found was that many have such an interest in the show because A. either it reminds them of growing up at the Jersey Shore in the summers or B. They think its such a train wreck that they find it amusing to watch bad behavior.

This led me to start thinking, what part of this show or any part of this show is symbolizing Italian American? I have to say nothing! I do believe in Season one there was more of a lure from the creators or the network to use a lot or include any footage that symbolized something Italian American, such as the garage door of the house, where a largely painted door showed the Italian flag.

If you watched and listened carefully to this week's show, you'll hear less of any Italian American reference. I guess all the backlash from the Italian American community really made an impact on the use or reference of stereotyping of Italian Americans.

Again, we have to be aware that even though many parts of the show are blown up or exaggerated, you have to realize that people like Snookie, Mike "Situation" and Pauly D. are real and many people who happen to be Italian American do flock to the Jersey Shore and do the whole shore thing. It's definitely a culture on its own in New Jersey, but we know its not 100% Italian American.

I read a recent New York Post article where they interviewed James Gandolfini and asked him what he thought about the Jersey Shore show and the kids in it..he had an interesting response.. go here to read more. http://t.co/h1ZyPfo

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Italian Americans and MTV's "Jersey Shore."

OK, so let's talk about it..I've been receiving tons of emails, comments, and Tweets about the infamous MTV show, "Jersey Shore." This is a hard topic to address and not just a run of the mill let's scream stereotype and go home. There have been tons of celebrities, law makers and national Italian American organizations on the brink of taking down MTV and their decision to air "Jersey Shore."

I happen to be Italian American and do live at the Jersey Shore. As you know I grew up in North Jersey and am no stranger to the term "GUIDO." Its a term used to describe a type of person who happens to be of a city suburb, wears scandalous or tight clothing, big hair, tanned skin, long nails..the whole nine. OK, so what's important to realize here is that people really do dress like this and really do act or maybe not act, this is who they are. The Italian American context has been distorted, YES, I agree. But, unfortunately this is real. Those kids are identifying themselves with a distorted idea of being Italian American. The word, "GUIDO" at this point in time does not mean someone who is Italian, Italian American, this word is now used to describe a type of person.

I watched the show, I've heard those kids say more than once, "We're Italian, I'm Italian." Its possible that in the areas or city in which these kids come from, they do associate themselves to being Italian American and maybe in the areas they come from that's how their community culturally identify themselves. I am in no way condoning the behavior, actions of those who claim themselves to be Italian American and then portray themselves in a negative light. I am a Jersey girl, I live at the shore...and am an Italian American...there is nothing Italian about the show, "Jersey Shore."

If you remember back in the 80s everyone would travel down to Seaside Heights and play the part of the "GUIDO" driving in their Cadillacs, all tanned out and some even juiced up...they would culturally identify themselves as Italian Americans. This is real, those people are real. The choice of the network to air and not edit certain parts of the show are distasteful, but again these people "the cast" have no clue or true cultural upbringing to identify with and so they go with the closest thing they know. We have to be more concerned with the realness of where these kids are coming from and why they don't know any better and who failed them...?

Here is my concern with all this new found media and press surrounding the show, again..the band wagoners will get on and ride it all the way to the top. Where the hell are all the celebrities and law makers as we're trying to get an Italian American Network, education and programming in schools and on TV? Why is it when the Sopranos was airing, I didn't see the same amount of energy going into ending that show, like this one? Come on, this is hypocrisy at its best. Sopranos exemplified a glorification of murder, deceit and everything negative you can imagine all wrapped up in a nice gift called, being Italian. That show was on the air for a looooong time, and awarded. We got to look at the big picture here.

Now, that this show is pissing everyone off, it seems to me that everyone is on the press band wagon. That might be a cause for concern too. I would love for the lawmakers to be concerned with getting Italian cultural programs back into the schools, more recently they were cut out. I don't recall seeing much about the lawmakers except for a few national Italian American organizations trying to help. Italian American actors, or heavy hitters of any kind should use their power and influence to get the Italian American positive culture awareness out in the mainstream. We need our own network, our own shows and our own control of producing the correct information, history and traditions of being Italian American. Every other nationality has their own network, why don't we..? Currently, the Italian American Network is in the planning stages and hopeful to be up and running in the near future. There should be no opportunity for any other network to capitalize or distort our image. ITS TIME TO TAKE CONTROL!!!

Again, I don't agree with any negative portrayal of Italian Americans, but we have to look at the ROOT of the problem. Of course money is always a driving factor for mainstream media, so we must act to do the right thing instead of just complaining. I welcome your thoughts.... Let's do something good.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

MTV's - 'The Hills' Star, Lauren Conrad Compares Italy to A Construction Site.

Ok, so am I the only person of Italian-American descent who picked up on LC's stupid comment about Italian men when asked how her trip to Italy was? She says to Audrina and Lo, that being in Italy was like being on a construction site. Basically the men do nothing but holler, taunt, and whistle at you like you are on a construction site.

Ok, first of all the fact that Italian men do have a tendency to be vocal when a woman walks by might be true, but to compare it to a construction site or say Italy is like being on a construction site is just stupid. You know how many people you are going to offend by this comment?

I will tell you, I worked in NYC and walked by many non-construction sites and have had men do the same thing and GEE I didn't compare it to a construction site. Actually I've been in Italy and NYC where that has happened, never did I compare it to a construction site. I just thought its guys being guys (doesnt matter if its NYC or ROME).

To be honest with you in NYC, there are tons of construction sites that I walk by and rarely are the guys fitting the stereotype of whistling and hooting. Sounds to me like LC has watched too many episodes of Sex and City where Miranda confronts the construction guy about his daily comments. Again, the typical stereotype.

Actually if I was a construction worker I would be offended. Let's remember its television, not real. Again the separation from fact to fiction is present. But then again, "The Hills" is supposed to be reality but when in actuality its totally scripted. Coming from my opinion and being in the industry..this is my guess. Yes, scripted and super edited. Hmm..which leads me to my next question, "did someone-- perhaps a producer write that line for her....?" Anything is possible.

LC should stay in California and not paint distorted pictures of Italy on the airwaves. Yes, I am a fan of "The Hills," but that just pissed me off. Too much money, a sheltered life, no tolerance for the world..see what happens..your views become narrow.