THE JERSEY SHORE (2009- ) - Genre: Television Series
FOUR HORIZONTAL INTERTEXTUAL CONNECTIONS:
The Real World (1992 - ) - Genre: Television Series
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103520/
This series made reality TV what it is today. The filming techniques used in shooting The Real World are also used in The Jersey Shore. Both series feature a random group of friends living together in a house, having the same job, the common telephone line, etc. Also, both series feature a confession room where characters give their commentary on the "house happenings".
Jerseylicious (2010 - ) - Genre: Television Series
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1583417/
Jerseylicious began after The Jersey Shore made the Guido persona such a success. This series features a beauty salon in New Jersey complete with all the drama and hair gel you see in The Jersey Shore.
Real Housewives of New Jersey (2009- ) - Genre: Television Series
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1411598/
This reality series features Italian-America characters, like The Jersey Shore. Again, this series survives off the drama created by the characters between each other.
Big Rich Texas (2011- ) - Genre: Television Series
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2023893/
This reality show follows a 5 wealthy members of an elite social group in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. This series is guido-free but the way in which these characters interact is very reminiscent of The Jersey Shore.
FOUR VERTICAL INTERTEXTUAL CONNECTIONS:
Rosary - Genre: Art?
The Italian-American characters of The Jersey Shore talk about their Catholic roots. Many of the male characters wear rosaries around their necks.
Italy - Genre: Geography
The characters claim Italian roots and the fourth season was actually filmed in Florence, Italy.
The Godfather (1972) - Genre: Film
This drama made being Italian-American "cool". This was one of the first gang movies that showed an insider view of the Mafia. The Jersey Shore is similar in that it is the first reality television series to show "what it's like to be a guido."
Men's Fitness Magazine - Genre: Literature
The male characters on The Jersey Shore are very focused on fitness. They live by the saying, GTL, which stands for Gym, Tan, Laundry. Even the halloween costumes and doll depictions of the characters are complete with six-pack abs.
TWO PUBLIC TERTIARY TEXTS:
Jeremy Clyman, M.A.- Blog Journalist, Psychology Today
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/reel-therapy/201001/mtvs-jersey-shore-under-the-microscope
"[Snooki]is so desperate for love and affection that she over-plays her hand and pushes the group away with impulsive, overly-aggressive moves...In my mind, this internal tug-of-war in which the need for uncompromising acceptance battles a sense of total alienation is a central feature to her."
Jon Caramanica - Critic, New york Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/31/arts/television/jersey-shore-has-its-day-at-university-of-chicago.html
"Jersey Shore” is one of the most reflexive and self-referential shows on television, and its participants among the most self-aware."
TWO SIGNIFIERS:
Tanning Bed
Tanning is iconic in the sense that it is part of the crews daily GTL ritual. Snooki was even featured in a pistachio advertisement cracking open the nut using a tanning bed. However, a tanning bed is also symbolic of the character's unhealthy yet socially acceptable lifestyle.
The Jersey Shore
The Jersey Shore Pier is iconic because it was the setting for the first seasons of the show. The pier is also symbolic of the beach/night life culture that the characters are very much a part of.
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