Friday, January 28, 2011

Italian-American Interest Groups Livid Over “Jersey Shore” Italy Move

Italian-American Interest Groups Livid Over “Jersey Shore” Italy Move: "

We’re not sure what our European brethren did to deserve this, but TV’s most controversial “guidos” are packing their cans of fake tan and heading abroad, with MTV announcing that Jersey Shore will shoot its fourth season in Italy. Already seeped in a public relations stink caused by the series premiere of its controversial new teen drama, Skins, MTV is facing more flak –this time from Italian-American organizations that are enraged by the announcement that The Shore is headed to The Old Country.

“While the stateside Jersey Shore locales have become iconic for our audience… Europe is a fresh spin on a show that continues to reach new heights for us,” MTV said in a statement Tuesday. “The cast is headed to the birthplace of the culture they love and live by. We can’t wait to see what erupts as a result.”

Ah, “the birthplace of the culture they love and live by,” a nice sneaky way of addressing the fact that two of the so-called “guidettes” — Snooki and J-Woww — aren’t actually Italian.

UNICO, which prides itself on tolerance and focuses on the positive contributions Italian-Americans have made to the United States, was at the forefront of a boycott against Jersey Shore, when the vodka-soaked series premiered in Nov. 2009. Now the group is voicing its displeasure about the Italy announcement.

“People used to go to the circus to see the freak show – that is what this will be. It will not only hurt Italians but all Americans … their outrageous, reprehensible behavior will make us look like buffoons and bimbos.”

Joseph V. Del Raso, President of The National Italian-American Foundation, agrees.

“We are disappointed that this irresponsible programming will be brought to Italy because it affects the image of all Americans, not only Italian-Americans,” he told FOX News. “There is a perverse curiosity in wanting to watch the show and the Italian audience, like the American audience, may be attracted to the show out of curiosity. But we know that the Italians’ good taste will immediately recognize this genre of programming for what it’s worth.”

Carlo Sclafani, Vice-President of the Westchester Coalition of Italian-American Organization, is also concerned that shooting the show in Italy will deplore the image of Italian-Americans. But according to Richard F. Pellegrino, President of the Italian American Political Coalition, the filming location is not as important as the fact that Jersey Shore is not a true reflection of Italian American culture.

“Whether filmed in Italy or on the moon, the characters of ‘Jersey Shore’ do not reflect a realistic image of the Italian-American community,” he says.

The National Organization of Italian American Women has also decried the move.

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