Writing

TV- Jersey Shore Ends, Life Continues On

“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.
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.)
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27 Comments

  • Reply *uncorked January 21, 2010 at 6:52 pm

    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.

  • Reply Apryl January 21, 2010 at 7:43 pm

    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/

  • Reply Johanna January 21, 2010 at 8:08 pm

    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!!!

  • Reply Bag Man January 21, 2010 at 8:10 pm

    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! 🙂

  • Reply Grant January 21, 2010 at 8:10 pm

    I want to submit the second picture to Stop Making that Duckface dot com.

    http://antiduckface.com/

    Glitterpoops you make me laugh.

  • Reply Colleen January 21, 2010 at 8:38 pm

    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.

  • Reply Laurie January 21, 2010 at 8:44 pm

    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.

  • Reply "Julie" January 21, 2010 at 8:47 pm

    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!

  • Reply That Gal Kiki January 21, 2010 at 8:59 pm

    I love trashy TV. I love quality blogs. I adore you and your photos!

    PS; to answer your question, YES, I am! 🙂

  • Reply Eva January 21, 2010 at 9:26 pm

    Those clothes bring back East Coast memories…

  • Reply Randall January 21, 2010 at 9:30 pm

    A good friend will always accept your excuse for wanting to watch a train wreck.

  • Reply Julie, The Wife January 21, 2010 at 9:38 pm

    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

  • Reply That Chelsea Girlâ„¢ January 21, 2010 at 9:52 pm

    Never seen the show, but it is interesting to listen and read everyone else's thoughts on the subject.

  • Reply Barbara January 21, 2010 at 10:36 pm

    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.

  • Reply Margaret January 21, 2010 at 11:15 pm

    I think the show is too funny and I love it!

  • Reply Nathanael Rey January 22, 2010 at 12:45 am

    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.

  • Reply Christopher January 22, 2010 at 3:47 am

    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.

  • Reply Chris January 22, 2010 at 4:45 am

    Wait, you can use "culturally relevant" for film class papers? I always thought that was just some joke term blogs made up.

  • Reply Kayla Lane January 22, 2010 at 6:43 am

    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!

  • Reply Dan on the Run January 22, 2010 at 7:26 am

    I think I could fall in love with you girlie.

  • Reply withthejoneses January 22, 2010 at 3:17 pm

    What? Where was I? And who took these? Please say self timer.

  • Reply Jill January 22, 2010 at 4:03 pm

    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

  • Reply Amber January 22, 2010 at 5:02 pm

    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.

  • Reply The Vegetable Assassin January 23, 2010 at 12:15 pm

    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.

  • Reply Seattle Kim D January 24, 2010 at 5:58 am

    I LOVE this post, that show is definitely a guilty pleasure.

  • Reply Ericka Clay January 25, 2010 at 1:51 am

    when people ask me i say "the fist pumping." the fist pump is mesmerizing.

  • Reply Yamin February 11, 2010 at 7:32 am

    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

  • Leave a Reply to Johanna Cancel Reply