Now, I am one of 6.1 million viewers (the highest rating of any MTV show) who tune in every week. Like "Survivor" or "The Apprentice" before it, "Jersey Shore" has deeply broached mainstream American popular culture ESPN's Bill Simmons, for example, routinely took time during his weekly podcast, which averages a respectable 2 million downloads per month, to discuss the show, including the degenerating relationship between Ronnie and Sammi "Sweetheart" (the self-styled "sweetest bitch you'll ever meet").
But I'll cut to the chase: what is it about "Jersey Shore" that makes the show different from other sensationalist, "Real World"-style reality shows featuring the typical routine of "sluts and assholes" partying, having sex with each other, then waking up and doing it all over again with idiotic drama spliced in between? What is it about the "Jersey Shore" formula of subcultural reality television that is so big it has prompted MTV to create a Russian spin-off "Brighton Beach"? (It probably won't be nearly as popular, seeing as America is much more interested in Italian American subculture just ask the creators of "The Sopranos" or "The Godfather.")
To MTV's credit, they've managed to extend the show's appeal beyond the typical reality-television-watching demographic (i.e., the channel-flicker reminiscing on unspoken revelry in Acapulco or Cancun and the state of New Jersey) by allowing viewers to both relate to and comfortably differentiate themselves from the characters.
For starters, unlike those in Bravo's several "Real Housewives" iterations, the characters of "Jersey Shore" despite their unrelenting vanity and narcissism lack real elitist pretension. They all come from middle-class backgrounds and are thus infinitely more relatable than their posh housewife counterparts. At the same time, their over-the-top partying and mating rituals combined with their tacky taste in clothing, hairstyle and skin color (orange, in case you're wondering), allow the viewer a safe distance. So, we don't feel (too) ashamed for watching.
The show thrives on its characters. Don't be fooled by their affected stupidity and vanity. Along with being more-or-less attractive and funny the cornerstones of any successful reality TV character the "Jersey Shore" cast is just as much in on the joke as you are.
In fact, they happen to be quite self-aware and understand the type of behavior that translates to commercial success. Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino who is making a proud $5 million this year (yes, you read that right) doesn't accidentally use the name "The Situation" to order a pizza. Nor do Ronnie and Sammi break up and get back together more times than Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston purely for personal relationship issues. Who wouldn't trade in a future of being a trainer, club promoter or second-rate disc jockey to be a millionaire by acting a little stupid on national television?
Further contributing to the show's success, the "drama" which, of course, is what drives the show's plot always seems contained and able to recycle itself again.
Take, for example, the finale of season two, which aired on Oct. 21. The episode encapsulates the show's appeal quite well. The Situation who sits somewhere between group leader and clown spends the last day in Miami Beach deliberately starting drama between the other cast members. First he tells Sammi that Nicole "Snookie" Polizzi is upset she isn't helping her cook; then he brings up Ronnie's sexual indiscretion earlier in the season at dinner (shortly after The Situation himself receives a blowjob from two willing admirers in the public bathroom stall of a nightclub). Finally, after initiating a game of "Who is the most likely", he says that Jenni "JWow" Farley is the "fakest" of the cast behind her back. Some intense arguing ensues, Snookie starts crying and The Situation, being the gentleman that he is, carries her back inside and resolves the drama.
Everyone is happy, leaves Miami with a smile, and ready to pump some fists next summer for season three.
