What is the local reaction to 'Jersey Shore'

We were just in Italy and I was surprised at how many of the young Italian guys looked like they could have walked off the set of "Jersey Shore". Lots of "Guidos" everywhere. The young Italian women, though, didn't look a bit like the young women on the show. They were classier.

How terrible that the whole Jersey Shore bunch are bringing there terrible manners to Italy! Not sure why anyone wants to watch people acting badly in staged situations but its these UGLY Americans that make the rest of us Americans look bad. UGH!

Does anyone know when they will be done filming? We will be there in mid-July! I hope they will be gone by then...

I'm sure the society that pitted slaves against slaves, criminals and/or wild animals in a bloody battle to the death, for the sole purpose of public entertainment, can handle a drunken bimbo getting into a fender-bender. :-)

One of them drove into a police car and her international driver's license had been revoked.

'her international driver's license had been revoked' Since there's no governmental issuing authority, there sure isn't a revocation authority. Maybe they could get a big black magic marker or something and blob out the sanskrit section. Steve's humor is a little hard to figure out sometimes.

My local "I live by the Jersey Shore" reaction is disgust. I'd hate to think anyone actually believes that is what people on the Jersey Shore are like. I've never watched the show. I have no desire to watch the show. Its disturbing that the show is so popular.

Ya know I grew up in South West Philly a large Irish and Italian Catholic area. Our summer vacations were spent "downashore" as we call it, in North Wildwood. As we got older, yes we went there to drink and party and hang with friends but we NEVER acted as ridiculous as those NY kids do on that show!! If I pulled half the shit they do, my parent's would have beat my ass and drug me home to Philly! The fact that those kid's family's are not ashamed of how their kids are acting on TV and allowing them to act like that and then move back home when the summer is over just shows their lack of family morals, decency, etc... I am embarrassed and disgusted for all American travelers that these morons are over there...

Laurie, I read that they returned to the US last week. Filming of that stupid show in Italy is done for now.

I'm just back from Florence -- as of yesterday, they were still filming.

I have never seen the show but my understanding is they are not really Italian. I told my family I hope I do not go all the way to Florence to experience a wonderful culture and some of the greatest art in the world, only to run into Snokie (or whatever their names are)

Well two of them are not Italian, the rest are...either way their ALL trash and their family's should be ashamed!!!

It's standard practice for the camera crews to stick around a location for awhile after the cast of a show has left, in order to shoot all the the "b-roll" stuff - random shots of the location that get interspersed into each episode. So it's very likely that the cast has indeed left Florence, while shooting continues as Michael witnessed. Kinda reminds me of the time when MTV's "The Real World" was here in Seattle for a season. Many people were so irked that they'd camp outside the MTV "house" yelling "go home", "MTV sucks!" and other things I shouldn't print here. Ah,... the 90's. How I miss 'em. ;-)

No Bob, they are still there and will be for some number of weeks. Why do you think it is likely they have left? Their exploits are being followed daily by some Brit tabloids and US gossip websites. Google it to see the Vinny and Pauly D fake fight yesterday. Trust me, after the last week there, I can assure they ain't left yet.

My husband and I ran into the cast twice in Florence in mid-May around the Duomo. The only people that I saw point and stare were fellow American tourists. I know they play the show on Italian MTV, but I'm not sure what their Italian following is like.

"No Bob, they are still there and will be for some number of weeks. Why do you think it is likely they have left?" Because Ellen mentioned above that she read that the cast had left Italy. I was only trying to explain how you could've seen filming if the cast had indeed left. Whether the cast and/or crew is still there durring my trip is of little concern to me. I'm there to see the best of Italy, not the worst of America.

The Italian version of MTV practically has it on a loop. It isn't dubbed or censored, so lots of f-bombs that wouldn't be on here (I was just passing by). I know everyone thinks this bunch is too lowbrow for Italy. If so, you need to check out a show on in primetime called Lady Burlesque. It is like American Idol for strippers. Makes the Jersey Shore kids look like Masterpiece Theatre. It is very revealing. I only tuned in to try to gain insights on Italian culture.

I live in Florence, and have run across the filming 4 times already. I asked one production person how long they would be here, and she was not allowed to answer. I can't fathom they are staying here for the summer - I think the show will run for 4 months, but I think that is from what they film in a few weeks. But the question was - what do the Italians think? The typical reaction is that the kids love it and are excited to see a TV shoot, and the adults really have no clue about it and could care less. As an American from NJ I am trying hard to ignore it...

When I heard they were there I was so glad my trip is next year.

Really... Guidos and Guidettes going to Rome for Vacation? I don't think so. They spend all their money going to Vinnie's Bar.

The JS kids continue to spread American goodwill in Florence (in case anyone thought they had left): http://tinyurl.com/3quco7o

Good grief.........

Hilarious! How times have changed. I fondly remember the days before reality TV, when the Brady Bunch would take a vacation to the Grand Canyon, or Hawaii and through some wacky mishap become honorary members of the local tribe with Vincent Price and Don Ho providing comic relief. Marsha.....Marsha Marsha Marsha:)

There is so much garbage on TV these days; lately, I've been watching "Antenna TV" which shows all the old sitcoms and I am VERY HAPPY!

"I only tuned in to try to gain insights on Italian culture." You're funny Michael! :)

Believe it or not, my Italian friends are excited the cast is in Italy filming. It comes up in conversation a lot.

Yes they are still here - saw them yesterday - heading to the new Hard Rock Cafe (I am not joking...).

Melissa, I can totally see how young Italians would be excited to have the spotlight on them and their city. It must be very strange - difficult even - to grow up Italian, with all that ancient history piled on top of you. It must send this subliminal message that nothing good or noteworthy has happened in your culture since the fall of the Roman Empire. To have one of the most popular shows on TV (or at least one of the most talked about) come to your town gives the kids there a chance to feel as if they are part of the "now" and not just the care takers of ancient history. Every generation needs something to call its own. Something to hold up to the world to say "we are not a repeat of what came before us, we are THIS". I only wonder if the "Jersery Shore" is something anyone should be proudly claiming as their own.