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A national Italian-American organization has announced that they find the upcoming MTV show Jersey Shore to be “offensive” and “trash television.” Well, duh. From the AP:
FAIRFIELD, N.J. – A national Italian-American organization based in New Jersey says an MTV reality show that depicts Italian-American beachgoers as the “hottest, tannest, craziest Guidos” is offensive and should be scrapped before it airs.
UNICO National said Tuesday that “Jersey Shore” relies on crude stereotypes and highlights cursing, bad behavior and violence in depicting renters at a New Jersey beach house.
An MTV promo says the participants “keep their hair high, their muscles juiced and their fists pumping all summer long!”
UNICO President Andre DiMino calls the show “trash television.”
You really don’t have to be Italian-American to agree with the outrage over this show, although speaking from experience, if you aren’t Italian-American then the outrage might manifest itself less in open letters of public protest and more in rushing to your DVR to program the shit out of it. And the truth is that most television these days is “offensive” “trash television.” Everyone looks terrible, because we live in a world of non-denominational monsters. So relax, Italian-Americans! Oops, excuse me. I mean, FORGETABOUTTITIT!
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Whaaa??? I thought these guys were German???
Thats pretty racist Gabe. Italians are more than mobsters and plumbers. And we don’t all say Fuhgeddaboutit.
Well, context matters, and I think it’s pretty obvious that Gabe likes playing with the silliness of stereotypes in this forum, as opposed to seriously trying to perpetuate them. Although, to be fair, he didn’t say anything about mobsters and plumbers. And I don’t know what’s wrong with plumbers. And I don’t see what’s wrong with “Fuhgeddaboutit.” Is Italian an actual race? But whatever.
The larger point, though, is that this is a subculture of Italian-Americans that not only exists, but is very proud of itself and its Italian heritage. Yes, they look like giant tools to many of us, but they are pretty clearly happy portraying themselves this way. We see total lack of self-awareness and low impulse control, and they see the passion! Where we see the narcissism of the gym rat, they see people who take care of themselves. And they obviously think the high hair and fake tans as an unmitigated good, since they spend so much time doing it to themselves in defiance of every commonly accepted sense of personal style.
On some level, I’m sure these young men and women believe they will be the first group of people to be portrayed sensitively and positively on a reality show, and this is sad. But they believe they are representing Italian Americans well. Why is their belief invalid, or less valid than the critics? Are you not just substituting your standards for theirs? We have a black President now, and I thought we had grown past all this. I for one embrace my Guido brothers and sisters. Not embrace, exactly, but tolerate, knowwhutimean?
this is causticgum, not tolerancegum.
I don’t recommend embracing- you’ll never get the fake tanner and hair gel out of your clothes. Go for the Christian side hug instead.
I see what you did there. You actually read my comment. Srsly tho, I know Gabe’s not racist, that statement he made wasn’t really racist, and as an Italian(amongst other things)-American these people are retarded toolkits regardless of heritage and them having a show is perfectly okay. Cuz, ya know, free country and all.
But nice paragraph, no scroll-mo
I assume Italians are stereotyped as plumbers because of the Mario brothers!
Maybe it’s just me, but it seems silly to cry racism on someone for making fun of guys who regularly dress up in blackface.
Also, is it weird that I’m a little disappointed by the lack of a “Douchebags” tag?
no, b/c I am close to tears with the lack of “Guido Beach.”
FYI I was seriously joking. I take my jokes serious.
Good thing the idea for an Irish themed Real World featuring an excess of cursing, drinking and brawling was scrapped before production began. What’s that? They’re going ahead with Boondock Saints 2? That’s it, I’m writing a letter.
I think this is less about Italian-Americans and more about assholes in general.
“A national Asshole organization based in New Jersey says an MTV reality show that depicts asshole beachgoers as the “hottest, tannest, craziest Guidos” is offensive to assholes and should be scrapped before it airs.”
Something like this, you mean?
Is Top Marketable Stereotype, not Top Balanced Portrayal.
“I’m the Jeff Dunham of Staten Island!” –That Orange Chick
Which one
I’m mostly offended that people like this even exist. They should focus their efforts more on encouraging their fellow Italian-Americans to not look and act like these braintrusts.
You guys should see the letter my Dad wrote to “Old Dogs.”
Quick note of clarification: the letter from my Dad to Old Dogs told Old Dogs that he thought Old Dogs was the funniest movie he’d ever seen.
Makes me wonder if UNICO has ever been to the Jersey shore.
Italians are constantly fist pumping.
when reached for comment, the self-proclaimed guidos had this to say: “Da fuck you lookin at chief? You wanna shot a da title?”
That was all they could manage to say in between cheese balls.
id be more offended if i was from jersey honestly – because im sure the shore isnt filled with ONLY guido monsters, and thats all mtv shows.
In response to the picture at the top of the post: If this show were about ACTUAL turkeys and not Italian stereotype turkeys, I would watch. But we can’t always get what we want. HAPPY TURKEY DAY IF YOU AREN’T A TURKEY!
Oh and I would definitely eat those guys for thanksgiving.
These guys would join you.
No (Guido)
kristen stewart was actually standing between those two guys, in reality…
Yay! Someone Understands me!
I am thankful for Playa Haters.
$10 says those guys’ names are Anthony, Anthony, and Tony.
It’s spelled “Antny.”
Shouldn’t the idiots who prolong this stereotype by acting like immature apes be just as much or more at blame than MTV? I mean, what did the MTV producers do? They just turned on a few cameras. These douche-holes act like this 24/7 regardless of it being recorded.
Love all the turkey photoshopping.
I notice that there was no national organisation of douchebags available for comment.
I am Laughing Out Loud because, here in Canada, UNICO is a company that makes (among other things) pasta, spaghetti sauce, and olive oil.
I definitely thought the same thing. They should sponsor the show.
Yeah, I can see it now:
Orange boy: Hey, mama. Have-a you seen-a my tanning spray?
Orange boy’s mama: Yes, Giovanni. It’s inna da bathroom. Now eat-a you UNICO-brand lumpini beans!
Orange boy: Mmm, delizioso! I love-a da lumpini beans. Thank-a you, UNICO!
Orange boy’s brother: Giovanni, why are you always-a doing thatta stupid-a thing with-a you lips?
If UNICO is offended by Italian stereotypes they should write a letter to all of Jersey. Uh oh, we’re gonna need a bigger letter.
Glad to see these guys are all about christian side hugs.
The directors of UNICO would like to have a word with you about the negative stereotypes.
A huge rack does not excuse your terrible English, young lady!