Oh, my poor New Jersey; state of my birth, view out my back window. Getting slammed again by the mainstream media (MTV—yes, don’t kid yourself, it’s totally mainstream) in the form of yet another reality show depicting garden variety, Garden State stereotypes. First, it was the horrible harridans of Ho Ho Kus in Real Housewives of New Jersey.
Now, it’s Guidos and Guidettes going to the beach in Jersey Shore, premiering this week on MTV.
Already, there are anti-defamation groups calling for the show to be pulled. If those groups happen to be from Jersey themselves, you know they’re gonna make it happen because, um, they’ll know where the kids of the MTV execs go to private school and, well…..I’m just sayin’, is all.
Of course, I can “just say” because I am a born and bred Jersey boy. We’ll slam our own state, thank you very much. We don’t need no metrosexual, Viacom suit who commutes to Manhattan from Park Slope to do it for us.
I’m not going to say that the Shore doesn’t have its fair share of Jersey stereotypes, but if you’d like a more balanced view of this fascinating, oft-maligned region, you couldn’t do better than picking up one of these:
Now, I don’t want to put any ideas in MTV’s head, but if they bought one of these fine volumes for everybody in the afflicted anti-defamation groups, wouldn’t that be a wonderful PR gesture (and, er, by “PR,” I mean public relations) during this holiday season?
In fact, they should probably buy a copy or two for every member of the cast and crew and anyone else even remotely associated with the production (and get some for those New Jersey housewives over on Bravo too, while you’re at it).
What’s that you say? Isn’t that my book? Why yes, as a matter of fact it is! Aren’t I blowing my own horn?
Naw, I’m just sayin’ is all…..
Richard Haber
4 Dec 2009Bob,
From Jersey City to Belmar in a 1951 Studebaker Commander with the suicide doors and barely a clutch. But it could sleep two on the rear seat. That was goin’ down the shore back in 1960’s. Wish I had a camera back then…
Bob
4 Dec 2009Richard: Yeah, my dad talks about a time when there were only a few bungalows between Point Pleasant and Seaside Heights! The good old days…BK
Jesse Darlington
4 Dec 2009Jersey’s new state motto:
Taxes, Toxins and Tolls
the only state that charges you a toll to LEAVE…
Bob
4 Dec 2009Jesse: I like the other motto that was proposed in a “replace the state motto” contest in NJ Monthly a while ago:
New Jersey: Only The Strong Survive!
Jeffrey Chapman
4 Dec 2009I’ve been to New Jersey, including the Shore. So please have them add me to the list!
Bob
4 Dec 2009Jeffrey: Will do, but I don’t think MTV execs read my blog so don’t hold your breath! Bob
Perry Watson
5 Dec 2009Shameless self promotion and a great lead in, I love it. Where, do I find the book?
Bob
5 Dec 2009Hi Perry: click highlighted link on “one of these” in the post. It gets you right to Amazon! Bob
Arun Paul
5 Dec 2009Another quality program from the MSM – in this case, MTV, to milk the stereotype all the way to the bank !!
I’d go for your book anyday
mike a
5 Dec 2009the cover of that book looks pretty darn good Mr. Krist
Jim G
15 Dec 2009I got a copy of this book – its really interesting and visually stimulating. Perusing it gave me lots of ideas for my next trip down the shore.
Bob
15 Dec 2009Thanks Jim, appreciate the kind words. Bob