I am not an avid follower of “Jersey Shore.” I will watch an episode here or there and I like the mindlessness of it, but I’ve never watched more than two episodes in a row. Really, it just isn’t my type of show. After spending close to a semester talking about rhetoric and what ideas we put forth/how we come across (and keeping in mind that I am not a “Jersey Shore” fan to begin with), I was a little disheartened to hear that there are two “Jersey Shore” spin-offs in the works: one with Pauly D and the other with Snooki and JWoww.
Americans look at orators such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Oprah, President Kennedy, and President Obama as examples of great American speakers who have eloquently put forth public appearances and highlighted the values that they stood for. “Jersey Shore” is best known for it’s phrase “Gym, Tan, Laundry.” I’d hardly say that this is on the same rhetorical level with “I have a dream.” Granted, the cast of “Jersey Shore” isn’t using the show as a platform to advance any political or societal stances. But, will we look back on our generation and only remember the fights that Sammi and Ronnie had or the time that Snooki was arrested on the beach? I would hate to think that the message we are leaving with society is one so closely related to tanning, drinking, and casual sex.
We find rhetoric in every aspect of life and it is the impression that this rhetoric makes that is remembered by other countries and generations. Are we really helping America or the controversial Italian-American stereotype by glorifying shows such as “Jersey Shore”?
I completely agree, its sad if that is really what america and our generation is going to be known for. The is no true meaning behind the show and no depth to it at all so lets home we come up with something better!
ReplyDeleteI am not a real Jersey Shore fan either, so I completely agree. I think its honestly a generational cult hit because teenagers and people in their twenties can identify with the cast members. Also, I think people watch to say "I might be messed up, but at least I'm not as messed up as THEM!"
ReplyDeleteIt really is pathetic how "important" that show has become for our culture. What really irritated me recently, though, was the fact that the Penn State campus 2 minutes from my house (York) decided to invite her to be a guest speaker!! Is that really something we as a college want to be associated with?
ReplyDelete