Jersey Shore: I Love Hate You

If you've lived in New Jersey long, chances are you've grown accustomed to the ridicule. Garden State? More like the armpit of America. How about our accents? Obviously we say "Joisy" rather than "Jersey." We're trashy, get racially profiled by the cops, curse at all times and don't give a damn.

A few years ago, Jerseyans could push this to the side and say, "Now wait! Your stereotypes don't apply to everyone!" and we'd be right. But now, there's a problem.

It's called Jersey Shore. That's right, that show that everyone's been obsessing about since winter. I don't think I need to remind you of the tan, jacked "guidos" and made-up "guidettes" that invade television screens across the country each week. Vinny, Ronnie, JWoww, Angelina, DJ Pauly D, Sammi "Sweetheart," The Situation and Snooki have all become household names — and not just to Jerseyans.

It seems that any time I meet someone who happens to be from another state, I get the same smirk and the same look of judgment. Their eyes light up as they say, "Oh, you're from Jersey. Like Jersey Shore." I can't count the amount of times I had to assure them that New Jersey is not as classless as that show portrays it to be. They just laugh.

Now, I'll admit that up until last week I had never actually seen the show. After seeing photographs and hearing about several moments from my friends — Snooki's sucker punch and the Situation's booty shorts sale— it just seemed far too dumb of a show for me to waste my time on. But since so many people obsess over the show, I decided to tune in to an episode for purely educational purposes. Sure enough, it was exactly what I thought it would be. My reaction was a different story though.

Within the first five minutes, I was drawn in. I kept telling myself, "Your brain is turning to mush! Turn it off!" But I couldn't. While each of the heavily bronzed twentysomethings huddled around bickering about the letter to Sammi, I became engrossed. I was so prepared to hate it, so excited to point out its flaws.

Despite the brainless bubbleheads that pervade the airwaves, MTV does one hell of a job making things interesting. I tip my hat to them for making trash so appealing. Now I see what all the fuss is about.

Next time someone aligns New Jersey with Jersey Shore, I'll still be sure to straighten out the stereotypes. But I won't cringe nearly as much as I used to, and my words won't be as venomous. Because deep down, I just can't help but secretly love all those crazy kids and their crazy antics. I just wouldn't be friends with any of them.