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The MTV reality show "Jersey Shore," which follows the exploits of self-proclaimed "Guidos" as they drink, mate and tan their way through a Seaside Heights summer, violates the spirit of the New Jersey’s hate crime laws, according to the New Jersey Italian American Legislative Caucus.
In addition, Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Mieddlesex) said the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development has, at his request, opened an investigation into employment and wage practices on the show. He also wants the department to look into the tax status of The Shore Store, at which castmates have been shown working. A spokesman for the labor department could not confirm the investigation late today.
"The bias-related acts displayed by employees of MTV Networks in the production and marketing of ‘Jersey Shore,’ by their nature, are confrontational, inflame tensions and promote social hostility," wrote Vitale, the caucus chairman.
"These acts are contrary to the spirit of New Jersey law and jeopardize the active and open pursuit of freedom and opportunity."
Vitale, along with Richard Bilotti, the chairman of the New Jersey Italian and Italian American Heritage Commission, posted the letter to MTV parent company Viacom and its advertisers. It asks Viacom to immediately cancel the show, currently riding a wave of popularity rivaling its "Hills" franchise.
"Jersey Shore" has been a target of Italian-American groups since before it even aired, mostly due to the liberal use of the term "Guido" by castmates and by MTV promoters. (In its casting phase, the show was reportedly called "The Guidos.")
Vitale and Bilotti said the production does not reflect the reality of a Jersey Shore summer. "This is a far cry from a documentary of a naturally occurring subculture existing in New Jersey," according to the letter.
MTV has previously responded to the controversy by saying that the show documents "just one aspect of youth culture," and that the cast members (not all of whom are Italian-American, and all but one are from New York) take pride in their ethnicity. The castmates themselves say the term is not offensive: Guidodom is a "lifestyle" centering on Italian pride, tanning and hair products, they told the Star-Ledger before the show’s premiere.
An MTV spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment about the new charges.
N.J. lawmakers ask MTV to cancel 'Jersey Shore' | New Jersey Real-Time News - - NJ.com
The MTV reality show "Jersey Shore," which follows the exploits of self-proclaimed "Guidos" as they drink, mate and tan their way through a Seaside Heights summer, violates the spirit of the New Jersey’s hate crime laws, according to the New Jersey Italian American Legislative Caucus.
In addition, Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Mieddlesex) said the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development has, at his request, opened an investigation into employment and wage practices on the show. He also wants the department to look into the tax status of The Shore Store, at which castmates have been shown working. A spokesman for the labor department could not confirm the investigation late today.
"The bias-related acts displayed by employees of MTV Networks in the production and marketing of ‘Jersey Shore,’ by their nature, are confrontational, inflame tensions and promote social hostility," wrote Vitale, the caucus chairman.
"These acts are contrary to the spirit of New Jersey law and jeopardize the active and open pursuit of freedom and opportunity."
Vitale, along with Richard Bilotti, the chairman of the New Jersey Italian and Italian American Heritage Commission, posted the letter to MTV parent company Viacom and its advertisers. It asks Viacom to immediately cancel the show, currently riding a wave of popularity rivaling its "Hills" franchise.
"Jersey Shore" has been a target of Italian-American groups since before it even aired, mostly due to the liberal use of the term "Guido" by castmates and by MTV promoters. (In its casting phase, the show was reportedly called "The Guidos.")
Vitale and Bilotti said the production does not reflect the reality of a Jersey Shore summer. "This is a far cry from a documentary of a naturally occurring subculture existing in New Jersey," according to the letter.
MTV has previously responded to the controversy by saying that the show documents "just one aspect of youth culture," and that the cast members (not all of whom are Italian-American, and all but one are from New York) take pride in their ethnicity. The castmates themselves say the term is not offensive: Guidodom is a "lifestyle" centering on Italian pride, tanning and hair products, they told the Star-Ledger before the show’s premiere.
An MTV spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment about the new charges.
N.J. lawmakers ask MTV to cancel 'Jersey Shore' | New Jersey Real-Time News - - NJ.com
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