Ron, Sammie, Pauly D, Snooki, Deena, Vinnie, JWoww and The Situation. These are names that the average college student is most likely familiar with.
Already four weeks into its fourth season, Jersey Shore and these characters have made an impact on society ever since its premiere on MTV on Dec. 3, 2009.
“I watch Jersey Shore religiously. It’s such a fun show and a guilty pleasure,” said Alexander Siordian, a journalism junior student.
Jersey Shore follows the ups and downs of the lives of eight East Coast natives who live in the same house over the summer.
“Obsession comes with watching Jersey Shore; it’s one of those shows that you can’t stop watching,” Siordian said.
However, not everyone shares the same sentiments with Siordian about the hit reality show.
“I’ve never wanted to get into it. I heard it’s a lot of drama and I’m not into that stuff,” said Beau Hilgemann, a sophomore health science student.
In fact, many students believe that Jersey Shore imposes unreal expectations onto college students.
Most of the cast members seem to have a good time partying, drinking, going to clubs and engaging in random hookups, something that many college students believe that college is all about.
“I think that when college students look at Jersey Shore they think that’s how life really works and that’s not really what happens. You don’t just go out and party all the time,” said Hunter Marrow, a journalism freshman student.
Both Hilgemann and Marrow have friends that watch Jersey Shore on a regular basis.
For those college students who don’t engage in partying and random hookups, it can always be nice to watch someone else live the life they may have wanted.
“Like any show, some is fake and some is real. Of course I know that not all of it is true but I know coming in what to expect. It does give unreal expectations here and there but it doesn't mean it's not entertaining,” said Siordian.
As if the lives of the Jersey Shore crew weren’t fun enough, the cast also receives a huge salary just for living the good life.
According to Entertainment Weekly, the members of the “core group” of the series make roughly $100,000 per episode of Jersey Shore.
With 13 episodes a season, each person makes about $1.3 million dollars for partying and having a good time. With a salary like that, who needs college?
“These guys are now a part of American pop culture,” said Siordian. “By being themselves, we as viewers were captivated by who they were and how they live their lives,”
Whether you watch Jersey Shore or not, or agree with the stars’ way of life, it’s quite evident that we will be captivated by the spell of Jersey Shore for a little while longer, as a fifth season has already been confirmed. So for now we will just have to keep fist pumping until the next fad comes around.
Fist pump and GTL with Arselia at agales@asu.edu
