November 10th, 2010
05:53 PM ET
VH1's 'Big Friggin' Wedding' spurs protestIt seems "Jersey Shore" producer Sally Ann Salsano has got another situation on her hands. First Italian American group Unico National criticized the MTV series for reinforcing stereotypes, and now Salsano is facing similar sentiments over her VH1 show, "My Big Friggin' Wedding." The bridal-themed reality series follows five outrageous couples as they plan their over-the-top nuptials. Many of the cast members are Italian, and according to Unico, they are being both stereotyped and exploited.
"Stereotyping and slurring young Italian Americans means big, big bucks for bottom-feeder networks like MTV and VH1," says Unico chief media executive Andre' DiMino, who blames Salsano and her 495 Productions company for giving Italians a bad name. "No one does this better than Salsano, who's done more harm to the perception of young Italian Americans than everyone before her, combined," DiMino says. "It's hard to believe, but Salsano actually tops the damage she did to the Italian American community with 'Jersey Shore' with her newest pile of garbage on VH1."
Next entry »Diddy's Sean John flagship to close
« Previous entryChanning Tatum taking the lead in '21 Jump Street'?
 |
  About this blog
Our daily cheat-sheet for breaking celebrity news, Hollywood buzz and your pop-culture obsessions.  |
Shut up ya Whops!
Half the people on this joint are from Strong Island! Where's the protest from that sub-human group of losers?
they are right, I am so glad I live far far away from you freaks in Jersey if even 50% of Italians portrayed on JS & MBFW
are like that. Creepy
Stereotypes are stereotypes because they are true... 'nuff said
Who friggin cares?
These types of shows are ENTERTAINMENT! They are being paid to make jack*$$es of themselves. I know plenty of Italians, most don't act the way Italians are portrayed on JS & MBFW but some do.
Having seen the show a couple of times along with Jersey Shore, it would seem that they are stereotyped people from New Jersey verses just Italians. Personally I think I would avoid New Jersey at all costs. I'd be more afraid of running into some of these people verses the Jersey Devil.
the main thing i dont understand is how someone could get offended by the show. i mean come on, its not your dirty laundry be aired on tv. if thats not the way you act, then how is it offensive? it sounds more like your insecure of who you are.
These shows just depict how these young guidos really are. Cheap obnoxious fools who wear too much hair gel and gold jewelry.
Everyone already knew that and made fun of them anyway. If you see a old camaro or mustang revving the engine up with a big haired girl in the passenger seat, you just know some low rent guido with a spike hairdo and gold chains is getting out.
I agree, people take shows way beyond what they really are. no matter what race they put in the house on the show, would do the same things the current cast does. every single race has people who do the same things the cast of jersey shore does.
They are from jersey first and Italian second but since most people from jersey act that way they don't complain so the Italians have to
* Stop making everything about race/ethnicity. If these people want to sign up for these shows & make fools of themselves, let 'em!! Its great entertainment! I didn't hear anyone complaining about how ghetto Flavor Flav made himself look, or how trashy Brett Michaels looked. Get over it.
so the ones assuming they are all italian are clearly stereotyping more than the show is.
not all of the cast are italian. the ones saying the show stereotypes, obviously do to, because not all are italian, and the show is called jersey shore. its not called representation of italian race. its not saying that either. its just a show about a group of young people who like to party at the jersey shore.
For those of you saying that the stereotypes are true, are you saying that the stereotypes of your race are true too and represent how everyone in your race is?
That jwoww girl is polish and snookie is ecuadorian.
First off: those shows are just stupid. But its not the shows that are to blame for the sterotypes- its the cast. Thats not acting- thats how THEY are. You cant take six of the dumbest people on the planet of ANY creed or color, put em on TV, and say the represent an entire demographic. So stop complaining and change the channel.
rubbish!
Some of my best friends are Italian!
She wouldn't make the show if there wasn't an audience. I think the fact that people care enough about the show to devote their time to it is more of a concern than her making it.
@grammer_police Two things: 1. It's spelled grammar. 2. Your comma in the post informing someone else they had too many commas is unnecessary. It adds pause where pause doesn't need to be and, frankly, makes you look a little silly.
@ Mr. Seagal: "Whiny" is spelled with two n's. And please stop being a perv now. My kids read these blogs.
Elizabeth, whiny is spelled the way I spelled it. You're an idiot. Perhaps you should ask your kids to help you with spelling.
Shocked by most peoples responses. I'm Italian american and I'm offended by these shows. I'm not sure how you couldn't be. I'm not complaining that these shows exist. However you would be ignorant if you didn't understand how stereotypes negatively impact Italian americans in this country. Same goes for other ethnic groups. The characters are unfortunately real and embarrassing . I grew up with thousands of Italian americans in my hometown and rarely did I come across the types of persons seen on the jersey shore. Its about greed and keeping simple minded viewers entertained . If you don't like it the first thing to do is too change your channel. Jokes and big hair aside its just plain sad and embarrassing how my people are portrayed.
Carl's Jr next advertisement (ad): "Snooki" does Philly!
italians aren't the 1st nor last to be "sterostyped" whites mexicans whites and asians been sterotyped for yrs so join the party....but as for the producer exploiting them etc...those people signed on for this and I'm sure the cast of jersey shore doesn't mind look @ how much there paid
Antiques Roadshow is actually pretty good.
Married 2 an Italian,she is not rude,loud,sweaty,jewelry wearin. Some of my cousin r puertorican n they fit that description. We continue these stereotypes by continuing to use these classifying terms. Break the cycle folks,love your neighbor. God loves you and so do I ! He dont care what we look or smell like, he just wants us 2 love him and each other.
Italians are half eggplant.
No one is forcing these stupid italians to go on these shows and make asses of themselves. Italians for the most part are loud,rude, and obnoxious. These groups just don't like the fact that their true nature is being televised to the entire country.
It's a blog, and you have too many commas.
Hey, @shyneboogie, this is CNN, not a text message.
haha wil im half italian and i think reality show r f@&:&ing gay so pls, stop being gay now
Its tv nt ur history nor ur legacy its a fad its gonna pass. u shud put mre efforts w in ur community 2 remind and teach ur heritage history educate ppl and jus let em get their 15 minutes of fame
What the hell was that?
Qwitcher com-blitchin. There are other things on the tube. And...if u don't like what u c...develop the alternative. And I'm pretty sure those on TV r there cuz they wanna b. Just so happen the ones at the bottom of the barrel accepted. They got what they paid for.
Wow. Chill out DiMino, these people chose to be on these programs. If you don't like it, feel free to pick up your remote and change the channle. I'm sure antiques roadshow is on.
I know an italian who isnt any of those "stereotypes" at all. Not every italian wears gold chains or jogging suits.
I'm italian-american. No, I don't look or act like these "stereotypes," not by a long shot. But am I offended? Absolutely not. Its friggin' entertainment!
not just her chest, but the rest of her body is beautiful too!
Iam pretty sure that the cast members of Jersey Shore are legally retarded
Oh come on, if you're not all like that how come every Italian I know is? Gold chain wearing, sweaty, stupid pretty sure that's the standard model.
Funny...I'm Italian, and I have a PhD. Pretty stupid right? Additionally, I haven't donned a jogging suit since I was in the Seventh Grade, nor do I scream at my family.
Get the f*** over it! These people wouldn't do the show if they didn't want to first of all. So quit your b*******!
Exactly. No one is putting a gun to their heads. Actually it just proves what people will do for exposure and money
Schtaminguia!!!
Ah quit your b!#&@in!