Gotham Gossipist: Jersey Shore Is Back...And They're Looking For You
By Kimberly Rae Miller
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Heads up New Jersey. Snooki is finished harassing the Italian police, and she's back in your neck of the woods.
The fourth season of MTV's 'Jersey Shore' was plagued by difficulties. First, the Italy-based shoot was postponed while the cast held out for a better monetary package. Next came the uproar from Florentine citizens, who are apparently angry that the juice heads came to town. The mayor of Florence even put together a list of rules for the cast. One rule: The cast wasn't allowed to film in bars or appear drunk in public (I'm sure the fourth season is downright academic compared to previous seasons). Finally, the cast and crew were held up because their filming permits had been revoked for a bunch of historical landmarks, including the Uffizi gallery and Palazzo Vecchio.
You just don't have problems like that in the Garden State - and that's why they're back. Oh, and in solitary confinement.
According to gossip site TMZ, as the cast prepares to shoot their fifth and final season together, MTV producers don't want them interacting with anyone outside their crew. Apparently, members of production are afraid that the - er, chemistry - between cast members will be diluted if they start spending time with friends and family. Right. They're just one big, hair-gelled family over there down the shore.
There are conflicting reports as to what's in store for the cast's future. Previously, outlets like Us Weekly and The Huffington Post reported that after this season, the Jersey Shore will be recast by MTV. It appeared the major impetus behind the switch is most likely monetary; the gym, tanned, and laundered crew makes $100,000 a piece per episode.
Recently, however, MTV denied those claims.
"We love the present cast, and their summer adventures have just begun," the network told The Hollywood Reporter. "We currently have no plans to recast the show."
If MTV does look to replace the likes of Snooki and The Situation, our guess is that there won't be a lack of applicants. New Yorkers, it's time to get guidified. This could be your big break.
Kimberly Rae Miller is a writer, actress, and host living in New York City (kimberlyraemiller.com).
