“I watch it for it’s unique commentary on the current youth culture, particularly that of Italian-Americans born in and around New York City. The show is relevant because it reveals the overindulgence tendencies by the parents of Generation Y. Theses tendencies bring out primal emotions and behavior in their children and if you substitute the nail salon fingernails and big hair with claws and fur, you have yourself a show on Animal Planet”.
This is what I have to say to people when they ask me why in hell I enjoy watching MTV’s “Jersey Shore“.
Even then they don’t buy it because I’m spewing jibberish I learned in film school out of my mouth…. AND I MEAN JIBBERISH! (using the phrase “culturally relevant” over and over on film theory papers will always get you an A).
Why I watch “Jersey Shore” is a good question. Maybe it’s because I like the drama; a Pollack piece of Bumpits, Affliction, and tanning oil. Or maybe it’s because I myself used to vacation at the Jersey Shore as a child.
Yes, it’s true.
If you’re from New York state, you either went to the Island or to Jersey for Ocean getaways. My Grandma used to be half owner in a condo in Ocean City, NJ, which she illogically relinquished ownership of during the divorce of her husband who cheated on her. I’ll never understand my Grandmother and her extreme dislike of confrontation at the expense of her own belongings. “Another Depression Era neurosis witnessed!”, we’ll all say, shaking our heads and laughing at the old woman.
After she sold her share in the condo, we would still vacation in Ocean City.
We’d rent a hotel room right next door to the condo.
We’d rent a hotel room right next door to the condo.
I’m sure this choice to stay right next to the “dumbest decision of her life” had nothing to do with having been born during the Depression, but everything to do with her being a Jew.
My Grandmother can only enjoy herself when she knows she is suffering.
I’d look back at her walking down the boardwalk, pointing at the windows on the 21st floor saying, “Yep, there she is. You know, that used to be mine. Before John cheated on me and we got a divorce. Yep…”
So in honor of my memories at the Jersey Shore and the series finale of “Jersey Shore” this evening, I put together my best Joisy outfits and renamed myself “The Evaluation”, “The Hibernation”, “Glitterpoops”.
(If any credit should be given to the cast of “Jersey Shore”, it’s their ability to come up with dumb ass names for themselves. I’ve been sitting here for an hour trying to think of something.)
27 Comments
I love this show and I can't really explain why either. Also, you don't have to come up with your own Jersey Shore nickname, Facebook has an application that does it for you. I am V-Cat. I'm thinking of buying bumpits to get the look down.
Being Italian, I am thankful I don't talk that way, act that way, or look that way.
And don't have a god-awful nickname and get punched in the face in a bar.
Although, the former Ed-Hariots I used to make fun of with their Growing up Gotti-Blow-outs now have been replaced on the bar scene with Jersey Shore nicknames.
Sadly this trend is not new to Boston, however it's ridicule and nicknames just change like the hosts of the Tonight show.
http://aprylsmindshowers.blogspot.com/
I grew up in Jersey, Guidos have been a Jersey cultural phenom for a very long time. The Jersey Shore is only "Seaside Heights", this is going to sound snooty, but where the blue collar middle Jeresy people go. The nicer beaches, guidos would never go, because well they would be out of their social comfort zone. And yes I have been to Seaside, I equate it to the Santa Monica Pier,for the masses. And we have seen guidos for a while now, "Sopranos" we just never got it, because they were a fictional show, unfortunately "Jersey Shore" if for realzee. Love it because who doesn't like a hot mess!!!
I have never seen the show but hear my friends and colleagues talk about it a lot. They seem to laugh a lot when they are discussing it. Anyway, love the pictures. You are a HOT Jersey girl! 🙂
I want to submit the second picture to Stop Making that Duckface dot com.
http://antiduckface.com/
Glitterpoops you make me laugh.
As a youth I vacationed in Wildwood Crest, near Ocean City, and I can say with conviction that although the South Jersey Shore has its own set of problems, the self-proclaimed "Guidos" on Jersey Shore do not represent my shore experience. Still, I'm deeply saddened by the season finale, but encouraged that I can reserve The Situation for parties for a mere $5800.
I've taken every "Jersey Shore" quiz facebook has to offer….
Is that sad? What's really sad is I cannot for the life of me remember what they said my nickname was supposed to be.
i love that pink v-neck. i love JShore….it's like a train wreck, you just CAN'T look away.
love the blog, can't wait to read more!
I love trashy TV. I love quality blogs. I adore you and your photos!
PS; to answer your question, YES, I am! 🙂
Those clothes bring back East Coast memories…
A good friend will always accept your excuse for wanting to watch a train wreck.
The Jersey Shore people are fascinating in their self-absorbed stupidity. Because they really, truly, deeply believe they are the sh*t.
I grew up in Nebraska. We vacationed in Kansas City and Colorado. No MTV reality shows being brewed there!
Love the looks, Glitterpoops. You own those shorts!
Julie, ADayInTheWife.com
Never seen the show, but it is interesting to listen and read everyone else's thoughts on the subject.
I watched this once a few weeks ago because my sister made me. I came name people I went to high school with that act exactly like those idiots. It's so sad. I hope I've never acted like those morons.
I think the show is too funny and I love it!
LoL. I used to live in Marlboro, and I know snooki's fam. Bitch ain't even italian, she's adopted from like chile or some shit.
This is normally where I would turn my nose up at your trashy taste in programming, but then I saw your blog name. Who am I kidding? I don't watch Charlie Rose as much as I watch Nip/Tuck.
Wait, you can use "culturally relevant" for film class papers? I always thought that was just some joke term blogs made up.
My three best friends are psyched to get guido-ed up, since apparently tomorrow Austin will be filled with Jersey Shore themed parties. Ooooh boy!
I think I could fall in love with you girlie.
What? Where was I? And who took these? Please say self timer.
LOL i watched it last night!!!
I just gave you the "Over the Top Award" because I think your blog is over the top :). Please come accept it at http://www.lifeaftercollege3.blogspot.com ~Jill
As a former film class TA, I have to say that I actually prefer "cultural work" to "culturally relevant." It makes it seem more like the thing being discussed is doing some sort of work for the culture.
I think I watch "Jersey Shore" because secretly it makes me feel all superior. 🙂 Plus it's fascinating at the basest level to see the drama unfold, even if it's staged. I mean can people really be that obnoxious? Maybe they can? But The Situation has to be a caricature, surely? He's way too old to be behaving like he's 19. I think the whole thing's designed to be as sensational and annoying as possible. Every week I was all, "Why do I watch this crap?" yet every week I did.
I LOVE this post, that show is definitely a guilty pleasure.
when people ask me i say "the fist pumping." the fist pump is mesmerizing.
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Lucy
http://toddlergirls.net