‘Jersey Shore’, MTV’s latest controversial reality T.V., show is creating intense outrage at the portrayal of Italian-Americans.
Seaside Heights, New Jersey - Setting of MTV's 'Jersey Shore'
The reality series follows a group of 20 somethings, self described as “guidos”. The cast of ‘Jersey Shore‘ all live in a beach house located in New Jersey. Critics and calls to cancel the show have increased since the airing of the first episode.
UNICO, an Italian-American group is leading the cause, asking it’s members to voice complaints to MTV. Dominos Pizza and American Family Insurance, two of the show’s advertisers have already ended their advertising agreement with the show. It is also rumored death threats have been received by MTV, however the network has denied the claim.
Critics claim that ‘Jersey Shore‘ portrays Italian-Americans as self centered, ‘gel-haired’, fake tanned, uneducated, bad mannered, and over the top personalities.
Tony DiSanto who is the President of programming has remained quiet on the controversy. However, he did state that “The cast takes pride in their ethnicity. In fact, it is a key driver of how they bond with each other and self-identify. They refer to themselves as ‘guidos’ in a positive manner.”
