Jersey Shore, the new break-out hit reality TV show on MTV that is a mixture of The Real World + The Hills + Copious amounts of Hair Gel, is getting a lot of attention both good and bad after airing just one night (two episodes both on the same night) last week. Entertainment Weekly spoke with one of the Jersey Shore castmembers, Mike The Situation Sorrentino, to discuss some of the flak the show is getting for the way it allegedly presents Italian-Americans. In his interview, The Situation vehemently defends his right to be a self-proclaimed “guido” and explains how the term is, in his mind, a compliment:
MTV’s Jersey Shore premiered less than a week ago but already has been the subject of growing controversy. Italian-American groups, like UNICO, have blasted the series for what they perceive as a negative portrayal of Italian-Americans and the use of the words “guidos” and “guidettes.” UNICO is now asking for its members to complain to MTV’s advertisers and for the network to remove the series from its schedule. EW talked to Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, one of the series’ cast members, about the controversy surrounding Jersey Shore, his new best friend Pauly D, and whether or not he’d do a second season.
On his newfound reality fame:
“I’ve only been out one night since the show aired and as soon as I walked into the bar it was pretty wild. People were like, ‘Oh my god that’s him. That’s The Situation.’ And then people asked me to take pictures and stuff like that.”
On complaints that the show negatively portrays Italian-Americans:
“This is what happens down here. It’s not a definition of the East Coast. It’s not a definition of Jersey or New York. It’s just a bunch of kids that happen to be partying and working and living together in New Jersey. Some of these people are trying to pretend like when you’re in your 20s and you’re single you don’t go out and have fun. Or you don’t go out and get a couple drinks. And when that happens you know there are gonna be a couple arguments. There are gonna be a couple fights. Life is not perfect.”
Um … ok. But what of the “guido” term that gets thrown around every 5 seconds on the show? What does a term like that mean to The Situation? After the jump, find out …
On whether the terms “guido” and “guidette” are offensive:
“No. No. If you do see the show, you see it used in a loving or a good way. The older generation doesn’t understand. These days in New York and New Jersey a ‘guido’ is a good-looking Italian male that likes to have fun and a ‘guidette’ is a good-looking Italian girl.”
On becoming buddies with fellow castmate Pauly D:
“I had an awesome experience with shooting and with MTV. I actually met a best friend on the show, Pauly D. Me and him are like best friends. His birthday is July 5th and mine is July 4th. His name is Pauly Michael and my name is Michael Paul. There are a lot of coincidences. We speak all the time to this day. I met a lifelong friend.”
On whether he’d do another season:
“Oh, of course. If America wants something like that, I’m sure we’ll be able to give it to them.”
I can pretty much 100% guarantee you that there will be a second season of Jersey Shore … now, whether or not any of the original castmembers will be asked back or if a new group of “guidos/guidettes” will be cast remains to be seen. After just one night on the air, Jersey Shore has become THE show that everyone is talking about. I gotta admit, I was hooked in the first 5 mins. I can’t wait to see more. From the previews alone, it looks like the coming season of Jersey Shore is really gonna pack a wallop for viewers. In regards to Mike The Situation Sorrentino … well … it would appear that a star is born.
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Love this show! I want a guido…Pauly D is so freakin hot–I was heartbroken when ‘Growing up Gotti’ went of the air…but now I have ‘Jersey Shore’…YUM
lol @ Kent.
I dunno if I agree with his definition that its a good looking italian guy/girl. I’ve seen plenty of people someone might consider a guido/guidette that are actually not even italian. To me, its not an ethnic term anymore but instead a style. Same way you’d call someone emo, punk, goth, or, prep.
RIA- you wrote it so well:
“i couldn’t stop laughing when none of these ‘italians’ knew how to peel garlic, and how the girls of the house kept referring to themselves as ‘classy ladies.’ “
Man that guy has a big nose? Girls find him attractive?
Hands down the best show on TV!!! Long live the Guido!
” I came home because I wanted some HAM and water” OMG this show is had me rolling! LOVE IT!!
Just wait, Next year MTV is going to do the same thing with cholo/cholas
OMFG this show is a-friggin-mazing!! I’m soooo hooked – it’s trashy tv at it’s best. And as an italian-american from Jersey – I’m soooo not offended. There’s a diff between an italian & a guido. Guido’s like a state of being – italian is a heritage! : )
Can not wait for tomorrow’s episode!
Loool I love how it’s making frun of Italian-Americans. As I said I used to live in Rumson with an Italian family and jeeez they were annoying as fuck!
I am Italian-American and from New Jersey. When the Sopranos came out, people thought I was in the mob. Now this show, people assume when I was growing up and going “down the shore” I was a guidette. I never was a guidette, yet I laughed at them every chance I get. Yet, what if MTV folllowed a bunch of Hispanics around and had them calling themselves by an ethnic slur? Or African Americans? It’s ok to make fun of Italian-Americans… nothing ever changes.
I grew up in New Jersey, and I have some friends there that look like this. I just don’t get why they think orange tans look good. Can’t they tell they are orange??? I’m so glad I moved away and didn’t become like this, but then again I probably wouldn’t have even if I stayed. I do have friends up there without orange tans, thank goodness. But yes, the people in Jersey really are like this. Not everyone, but there are plenty.
But isn’t it THEIR choice to call each other by an ethnic slur? I mean, it’s not even in the title of the show. If that’s how they usually refer to one another, who are we to say anything about it? Isn’t it tantamount to those who choose to use the “N” word within their own social circles when referring to one another? While (very) offensive to many, if acceptable within their own ranks, isn’t it their right to do so?
And let’s not forget the most important thing: you can always change the channel…
i didnt actually believe that there were people like that…. wow totally hooked!
guido or not, the guy has a nice body
Noooooooo not the cholos and cholas!!! I married a guy who was born and raised in east la and I worked in montebello for 3 years. I never want to see one of those clowns ever again!
I love watching Jersey Shore and I dont care what anybody thinks of mike and pauly d and I love the way they are. I am married to an italian guy and we have a little girl Danyalla Grace and he loves his daughter and he’s a great husband and father to me and Danyalla. So all the negative people who don’t live Jersey Shore don’t judge someone by the way they act not until you really get to know that person.
What is wrong with you Mike, you are not sexy, your abs aren’t good looking, you have no true character and you hang on nothing important. You are a narcissistic piece of trash that makes you less then human. You are all jerks and you make true Italians look and feel bad. How dare you disgrace my culture and take from me my worth. You are all losers. Oh Yeah just to let you know, my daughter is better looking then all of you wish or ever hoped you could be. Oh and Mike, I’ve seen much better abs then yours. LOSER!