Jersey Shore

Well the Jersey Shore phenomenon began on the evening of December 9th, 2009 with 1.375 million viewers, and it has increased dramatically from that point, and still continues to attract viewers. Today, it is considered to be the most viewed series on MTV! The show follows the lives of eight roommates who have spent two summers at a Seaside Heights beach house in Jersey Shore, and a winter in Miami Beach. Their lives are completely dedicated to two "crucial" things, like partying and attracting the opposite sex. It is a reality show, since cameras follow their every move, and absolutely none of it is scripted. This is a bit scary because it makes you wonder if the people on this show are truly like this, or are they putting on "a show"... Nonetheless, this lifestyle is catching on alarmingly quickly, and real or not in the show, it is becoming a reality in our world!

The current cast consists of Deena, Jenni (J-Woww), Mike (The Situation), Nicole (Snookie), DJ (Pauly D), Ronnie, Vinny, and Sammi (Sweetheart). These cast members are of Italian decent, and claim that their show finally unveils the amazing lifestyle of the Italian-Americans, known as the "Guido", in this area. However, there has been a huge amount of controversy from the true Guido people because they don't actually live the way the people in the show do, and find it to be quite offensive. However, this show has also received other controversial reviews from other sources like parents and teachers.

After watching a single scene from this show, you will understand what all the controversy is about. The cast members are in their young twenties, however their actions are being viewed by a number age groups, including teenagers! Unfortunately by watching shows like this, teens are beginning to believe that their lives are going to be as dramatic and exciting as the lives on Jersey Shore if they live the way they do, but don't understand that it's an unhealthy and an unrealistic way to live. For example, parents usually raise their children in a respectable manner with a focus on abstinence, or at least refraining from intercourse until they are truly in love with with the other person. But on this show, the cast members are sleeping with a new person almost every night! So, teens are watching this, and suddenly everything their parents have taught them about safe sex is no longer applicable because the people on Jersey Shore look like they are having a great time, and are not facing any consequences either. So... who's beliefs are they going to follow now; their parents, or the Jersey Shore cast?

Here is an introduction to the show that can be found on MTV's website:

"Grab your hair gel, wax that Cadillac and get those tattooed biceps ready to fist pump with the best this summer at the Jersey Shore. MTV's newest docu-soap exposes one of the tri-state area's most misunderstood species, the Guido. Our Guidos and Guidettes will move into the ultimate beach house rental and indulge in everything the Seaside Heights, New Jersey scene has to offer. Beach by day, dancing and partying all night. They'll live, work, and rage together until the summer ends. There's no spray tan too orange, no hair too spiked, and no bod too tight for this crew. "

So, what is Jersey Shore saying to teens? Well, essentially that life is all about partying and having a good time, and there should be no other responsibilities. It is quite clear that the cast members have an unlimited income that comes from their parents, and their salary from the show because they buy whatever they want, whenever they want. They have absolutely no work ethic and are horrible employees, which can be seen in any of the scenes when they are working at the "Shore T-Shirt Shop" (working at this store is a requirement to be on the show). This show tells teens that it is okay to have poor work ethic, party all night, dance in disrespectful ways, drink large quantities of alcohol, have unsafe sex, cheat on your boyfriends/girlfriends, fight with your roommates, lie to your friends and family... and the list goes on. There really isn't any good lesson that can be learned from watching Jersey Shore, and it's a little frighting how popular this show has become amongst teens. Teens are of course watching this show, and convince themselves it's okay to act this way with no idea of the consequences involved.

The cast members in Jersey Shore make everything they do and buy look great, so teens are wanting anything and everything to do with Jersey Shore. Not only are there iPhone Apps, their slang is also catching on in everyday society. Words like grenade, which means an "ugly girl", and GTL, which means gym tanning laundry. The lifestyles in Jersey Shore are quite easy to obtain, understanding it is a whole other story. As I have already mentioned, the teens watching the show are unaware of the consequences, but choose to live the same lifestyle because it looks so good! No where on the show are the cast members listing the consequences for their actions, or telling the teens watching them that acting the way they do is not healthy!

Of course the show is aimed at various age groups that range from about 11 to 25. It targets both females and males due to the 4 females and 4 males on the show. An episode has an equal balance between males and females, so both genders remain interested. It is important to note that when a female watches the show, not only is she "checking out" the males for obvious reasons, but she is also looking at the females, and essentially seeing what criteria is needed to attract the opposite sex. Suddenly, being yourself is no longer acceptable, now in order to meet a guy, a girl needs to be tanned, have hair extensions, have breast implants, have flawless skin, and an "hour glass shape"!

There is no question about whether or not the cast members "defy authority"! They show absolutely no respect to themselves, or to the people around them. They are loud and obnoxious and behave in every way that we have learned to be unacceptable throughout our lives. Unfortunately teens, and are future students are watching this show and saying, "hey that looks really fun, I wanna live like that!"