Great debates happening on Facebook yesterday and today regarding the recent discussions on new reality shows and the negative depictions on Italian Americans. My stance is this, I believe many people have the right to be what they want, act the way the want and do what they want. Now, I'm not saying I condone or love that the free world now thinks all Italian Americans are the same..they're not--and that's OK. But that is the real "REALITY." If you have half a brain then you know this fact.
A really good point brought up by one of the Facebook-ers was-- where were the Italian American organizations when positive material, shows, content were being produced...? Not one press release blast went out or any 5 minute segment was covered on any local station. The same amount of energy that goes into the 15 minutes of fame for crying/complaining and saying people are racists should go into promoting the positive work we're all creating for the Italian American community.
I question the motives of others for getting on the press bandwagon and riding it all the way to the top by saying you're protecting the image of the Italian Americans, to me it sounds like you're condemning people for being who they really are.
If anyone, I mean anyone meaning myself, you can't get any more Italian American than me.. I am a first generation Italian American, my father came here on a ship over 50 years ago. My mother followed soon after. He struggled, he had nothing, he worked his ass off, he too was stereotyped.
Not once did my parents look for fame, fortune or any 15 minutes of a news segment, they're true revenge on the finger pointers was getting their family to be successful. The success of our family is what truly makes our story. So, forget about all the press, the TV, the un-reality of being Italian American, cause really if you haven't lived it or experienced it..you shouldn't be adding your two cents. Sorry. I direct this to those who think they're protecting the Italian American image.
I say, take the same resources, money, staff whatever else is available and use it to promote --not talk about the same negative BS on and on.
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Showing posts with label VH1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label VH1. Show all posts
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Reality TV is a Non-Stop Bash Fest on Italian Americans
It was coming, you know I had to comment on the recent parade of newly launched reality shows out on cable. I was reading the recent press release of the UNICO Italian American organization based out of New Jersey; where Andre’ DiMino, UNICO’s Chief Media Executive and immediate past National President expresses disgust for the recent portrayals of Italian Americans in reality TV.
Here's my question, are these people on the show for real? What do you think? I'm going to have to say that yes, these people are somewhat being themselves and of course prompted to inflate their faux Italian American personalities. I do not condone the behavior of incorrect portrayals of Italian Americans, but once again we have to look at the fact that the tri-state area is really full of people like the cast of these shows. The problem here is --this is a tri-state New Jersey- New York, American cultural thing, this has nothing to do with being Italian American.
I do believe many shows are being packaged with the Italian American innuendo or Italian-isms.
Our society has been brainwashed and seduced by the media and you've been sold an idea about Italian Americans that labels all Italian Americans. Again, you have to always remember that there are different degrees to being Italian American. Some degrees may be that you're portraying yourself like one of these cast members or a degree might be your promoting the positive or quite possibilty just being authentic about the Italian American cultural background.
Either way, its up for interpretation, make no mistake I do not condone negative portrayals of Italian Americans.
For more on the UNICO press release go here:
http://bit.ly/d4OOF7 Tweet
Here's my question, are these people on the show for real? What do you think? I'm going to have to say that yes, these people are somewhat being themselves and of course prompted to inflate their faux Italian American personalities. I do not condone the behavior of incorrect portrayals of Italian Americans, but once again we have to look at the fact that the tri-state area is really full of people like the cast of these shows. The problem here is --this is a tri-state New Jersey- New York, American cultural thing, this has nothing to do with being Italian American.
I do believe many shows are being packaged with the Italian American innuendo or Italian-isms.
Our society has been brainwashed and seduced by the media and you've been sold an idea about Italian Americans that labels all Italian Americans. Again, you have to always remember that there are different degrees to being Italian American. Some degrees may be that you're portraying yourself like one of these cast members or a degree might be your promoting the positive or quite possibilty just being authentic about the Italian American cultural background.
Either way, its up for interpretation, make no mistake I do not condone negative portrayals of Italian Americans.
For more on the UNICO press release go here:
http://bit.ly/d4OOF7 Tweet
Monday, January 5, 2009
Scott Baio Talks About Growing Up Italian-American With His Mother's Cooking.
Everybody loves Scott Baio. Baio grew up in Brooklyn , NY with Italian immigrant grandparents. So, I think many us can relate to his up ringing.Recently, SB was interviewed about his new gig on VH1 where he executive produces along with TV teen star and buddy, Jason Harvey (from the Wonder Years) about a show where they resurrect the careers of other teen stars, now adults, called, "Confessions of A Teen Idol." I watched it, and I absolutely loved it. How smart of Baio and Harvey to come up with this and resurrect themselves at the same time. Money maker for sure. If you didn't catch Baio on last season's VH1 celeb-reality, where he basically documents his life as a new father and husband. You should catch the new show. Its really good.
Well, here is a great interview with Scott about the show, his up ringing, and his mother's cooking. Margie definitely loves Chachi. For the record, I did love Jason Harvey too on the Wonder Years, one of my favorite shows.
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