MTV Recieves Death Threats over 'Jersey Shore'
'Jersey Shore' is causing some trouble for the network that originally defined reality television with 'The Real World' in 1992. MTV has tweaked its groundbreaking formula for a new generation of reality fans - and some people are unhappy with the results. Really unhappy. FOXNews reports that MTV has received irate emails, phone calls and death threats over the 'Jersey Shore' premiere. The show features a group of young Italian-Americans living together in a summer home; amidst the expected drama, the men and women refer to each other as "guidos" and "guidettes," a bit of cultural insensitivity that has enraged many, including a national Italian-American service organization based in New Jersey.
The stars of the show use "ethnic slurs, violence and poor behavior to marginalize and stereotype Italian-Americans," says UNICO president Andre Dimino. He told the NY Times, "Their behavior is reprehensible and demeaning in all respects. I don't see any redeeming value in the show. They are an embarrassment to themselves and to their families."
"Trash television sells, and they'd be more interested in making money than how they're offending a great group of people," Dimino told the Newark Star-Ledger.
UNICO's response has been more restrained than others. "The MTV building in Times Square was getting crazy threats and they are in the process of hiring more security in bodyguards," a source told FOXNews.
Despite the public outcry and loss of advertisers like Domino's Pizza, MTV is holding steady with its new ratings-grabber. In a statement, a network rep confirmed: "We understand that this show is not intended for every audience and depicts just one aspect of youth culture. Our intention was never to stereotype, discriminate or offend."
As for the Domino's pullout, the rep added that the series "may not be for every sponsor or advertiser and we understand that."
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