With only one day to go before the big Jersey Shore premiere, we can't wait to hit the beach and find out what happens when people stop being polite and start throwing hair gel. But for all the excitement surrounding the (as-yet unseen) documentary-style series, there are those who feel the show's promos -- and hard-partying cast -- portray Italian-Americans in a less-than-positive light.
Among the show's biggest early detractors? Andre DiMino, a New Jersey-based activist who told MTV News he's tired of seeing Italian-Americans portrayed as "either Mafiosos, buffoons, bimbos or bums" and worries that the show may perpetuate negative stereotypes. "Just because these young people refer to each other [as 'Guidos'] doesn't make it proper," warned DiMino, whose organization (UNICO) voiced similar concerns with The Sopranos and Growing Up Gotti.
So how does the Jersey Shore cast feel about all this pre-show controversy? Well, if Mike "The Situation" Sorrentio's any indication, we'd say they're taking it in stride.
"It's not necessarily a stereotype; it's just how it is," Mike told MTV News. "I just happen to be 100 percent Italian. I happen to be in very good shape, and my hair happens to be spiky." Oh, and for the record, Mike said he's "not too worried" about what other people think. "Is there a dictionary definition of how Italian-Americans should be portrayed? I know I didn't hold back ... [w]hen I look in the mirror, I feel good."
+ Join in on the discussion, but first, see the show's premiere for yourself, tomorrow night at 10pm.