Television
“Jersey Shore” Returns For Final Fist Pump
By LaDale Anderson
Oct 4, 2012 - 8:49:06 PM

HOLLYWOOD—It’s hard to believe that the gang of “ Jersey Shore” will bid farewell after its sixth season which premiered on Thursday, October 4.  When the reality hit invaded MTV back in 2009 it was a firestorm with critics arguing the series depicted Italian Americans in a negative light.  That criticism just propelled the series to new heights as it still remains the network's highest rated series of all-time. 

The series which follows Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, Jennifer “JWoww” Farley, Paul “Pauly D” DelVecchio, Michael “The Situation” Sorrentino, Ronni Ortiz-Magro, Samantha “Sammi” Giancola and Vinny Guadagnino as they spend their summers in Seaside Heights, NJ partying and navigating their independence.

The cast of "Jersey Shore."

The first season was unlike any other as the roommates clashed, but ultimately bonded as a family.  The second season took the cast to Miami and is perhaps to this day my favorite of all the seasons; there was just so much drama happening.  Season 3 they returned to Seaside Heights, with new roommate Deena Cortese who feuded with Sammi early on.   The network chose to heighten the stakes for season 4 by taking the gang to Italy, whereas season 5 they returned to their original stomping ground. 

I will be honest things started to take a dip at the start of season four and the hype has slowly dwindled down.  It could be the fact that they’ve spent so much time in Seaside Heights; there is only so many times you can visit Karma and work at the T-shirt shop for the summer.  While audiences were still watching, the ratings were beginning to slip.   To be honest this last season will be quite interesting to see how things unfold. 

Pauly D and Vinny have the ultimate bromance.

The cast has really grown up on the show.  During filming of season six Snooki announced her pregnancy, “The Situation” went to rehab, Jenni’s relationship with Roger grew stronger, Pauly D got his own spin-off series, as did Snooki and JWoww.  With so much maturity in the gang, will they still party like its 2009?  Of course, but the audience is not likely to see Snooki at the club much this season, “The Situation” has sworn off alcohol, JWoww is in a committed relationship and Sammi and Ronni seem to be in a happy place for once.  That just leaves Pauly D, Vinny and Deena to enjoy the shore. 

From the trailer we know that Deena is headed to the slammer, Snooki decides its best for her to move out of the Shore house to ensure the safety of her child, Pauly and Vinny continue to build upon their bromance and The Situation finds himself abstaining from alcohol.  While they are indeed a fun bunch, the biggest stars of the series turned out to be The Situation and Snooki. Their personalities are unique; you cannot replace these people.  I will admit I am going to miss all of the fist pumping, the drinking, and the terminology that the show has turned into a pop culture phenomenon.  The final season of “ Jersey Shore” airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. on MTV.