HOLLYWOOD—The reality phenomenon that is known as “ Jersey Shore” is back. The adventures in Italy are long over and the gang is heading back to its original stomping ground in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. Is it me or does the series appear much better when the show is in Jersey? I vote for Jersey. Seasons one and three were must-see. If you missed an episode you were bound to be asking everyone “What happened on ‘ Jersey Shore’ last night?” 

With the cast heading to Italy, thoughts were running through my mind of the antics our favorite self-styled Italian Americans would get into overseas, but that wasn’t the case. I must admit season four of the reality hit was a bit of a bummer, as there was not as much drama as I expected. The return to Seaside Heights will bring back the craziness audiences have come to love. 

There’s no arguing that Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and Nicole “Snooki” Polozzi are the biggest stars of the show. It wouldn’t be “ Jersey Shore” without these two. To say that they are unique would be an understatement.  No one can replace Mike or Nicole: we tune in to see what outrageous things they will say and do each week, not to mention to see the two of them bicker. Last season, we saw Snooki in a bit of a bind as rumors swirled about a hook-up between her and Mike. Oddly enough, Mike was a bit of an outcast in season four, so here’s hoping he’s back to being in the spotlight in Jersey.

Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino on the "Jersey Shore."

For those reality addicts who have been keeping up with the series, the trailer for season five pinpoints some interesting storylines. It looks like Ronnie and Sammi are cordial with each other, Deena continues to follow behind Snooki, Snooki and Mike continue to battle with one another and Vinny may be leaving “ Jersey Shore” for good. (Say it's not so!) Anyone who follows news online is well aware that Vinny returns to the house, but the question viewers want to know is what causes him to leave Seaside?

Expect plenty of hook-ups, a surmountable amount of time spent at hot spot Karma and the crew having to work at the famous T-shirt spot on the boardwalk. To this day, it boggles my mind why the cast has to continue working there when they’re bringing in so much money. With five seasons down the drain, spectators are beginning to wonder if this is the last hurrah with the gang. 

That may be the case, unless MTV chooses to introduce a new character or two to shake up the dynamics in the house. Another approach to take is to send the cast packing, perhaps to Las Vegas or Hollywood, both places where our favorite fist-pumpers could get into quite a bit of trouble. New episodes of “  ersey Shore” begin airing Thursday, January 5 at 10 p.m. on MTV. I’m sure I won't be the only one glued to my television set Thursday nights for the next two months.

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