FEATURE
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"I don't think we're used to watching reality TV like this just because of how real it is. They're basically just like us — they're normal people," Naar says. "I mean, yes, they got famous off this show, but we can all relate to them; they're just a little crazier."
Even though Jersey Shore is a highly structured, mildly bogus situation, Robert Thompson, professor of television and pop culture at Syracuse University, says it's a lot closer to listening in on real people than a scripted program. It feeds people's natural curiosity about others.
Emphasizing the success of Jersey Shore's casting, Thompson compared watching the show to what it would be like if humans grew up to adulthood with absolutely no influence of civilization. "They look like us, sound like us and talk like us — as in, they're human beings — but then they behave like zoo animals. It's endlessly entertaining to watch," Thompson says.
That outrageous behavior is exactly what got Bradley Brooks, a sophomore from Olathe,
THEY'RE HUMAN BEINGS BUT THEN THEY BEHAVE LIKE ZOO ANIMALS. IT'S ENDLESSLY ENTERTAINING TO WATCH.
"We're beatin'-up-thebeat, that's what we say when we're doing our fist pump. First, we start off by bangin' the
GET TO KNOW THE CAST IN THEIR OWN WORDS.
From jerseyshorequotes.com
- Paul DelVecchio, "Pauly D"
On his signature dance move
ground. We're bangin' it as the build builds 'cause that beat's hitten' us so we're fightin' back, it's like we be beat up that beat."
> Robert Thompson
Professor of Television and Pop Culture at Syracuse University
watching the show from week to week. Even though he didn't watch the first season, Brooks always heard about it and how out of control it was, so he watched an episode of the second season and discovered how compelling it was.
"And then there are some girls that are respectful, that you actually have to treat like girls — like human beings."
"I don't go tanning anymore because Obama put a 10-percent tax on tanning. And I feel like he did that
"G.T.L baby. Gym, tan, laundry."
intentionally for us. McCain would never put a 10-percent tax on tanning because he's pale, and he would probably wanna be tan."
- Michael Sorrentino,
"The Situation"
On his daily routine
"Tall, completely jacked,
steroids, like multiple
growth hormones..that's
the type I'm attracted to."
Nicole Polizzi, "Snooki"
On what's wrong with Washington
- Vinny Guadagnino, "Vinny"
On chivalry
Jenni Farley, "JWoww"
On her ideal man
"That's what you get for putting a fat girl's ass in your face. That's how you get pinkeye."
- Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, "Ronnie"
On contracting eye infections
"Once you start watching a show like Jersey Shore, you can't stop," Brooks says. "I heard how out of control it was, and had to give it a try. It took me a little bit to understand who everyone was and what was going on, but it was completely worth it."
Like Brooks, not everyone who religiously follows the antics of Jersey Shore actually likes the show and admires the cast, but rather tunes in for sheer entertainment.
"I think the mode in which most people watch that show is not to imitate or want to
be like its cast," Thompson, the Syracuse professor, says. "I think most people watch that show to feel superior to it. You have to bring a lot of mockery to that program."
The last episode of season three aired last Thursday and MTV has renewed Jersey Shore for a fourth season, which will be filmed in Italy, tentatively set to air next fall.
EXPAND YOUR LEXICON
WITH THESE JERSEY SHORE
CATCH PHRASES:
From film.com
Contributed Photo Jersey following: The cast of Jersey Shore (and their hot tub) have become a television phenomenon. The show's third season premiered to record numbers
CREEPIN' // On the prowl for a hook-up at the bar. Example: Ronnie and Sammi got into a fight and now he's out creepin'.
**GORILLA** // A very muscular man; a meathead. Also referred to as gorilla juicehead. *Example: I got myself a gorilla!*
**GRENADE** // "A bigger, ugly chick," says The Situation. Example: The club was full of grenades.
**MVP** / Acronym for Mike, Vinny, and Pauly. Example: It's MVP night! No girls allowed — unless they're in our beds!
SLOPPY JOE // This is when a person is drunk times 10 million. Example: Did you see her rolling around the floor over there? She's Sloppy Joe, man.
*SMOOSH* // To engage in sexual intercourse. Example: Bro, I smooshed her last night!
on Harris/KANSAN ' maintenance
monks, students can expect to see construction beginning on 12th Street between Louisiana to Vermont streets because the Oread Neighborhood Lighting Project will finally be executed.
Additional funds that were needed from the Community Development Block Grant went through, so the final phases of the
Phase one has been contracted and workers are busy completing other projects before beginning
the city of Lawrence, the project will be broken down into four phases. The first phase will include construction on the sidewalk of 12th Street between Louisiana and Vermont streets to comply with handicap standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
they will wait until class is out and after graduation, so it's the least inconvenient to students"
Phases three and four include the installation of lights along 12th Street between Louisiana
Phase two, which includes 10-foot decorative light poles in South Park, will commence as soon as the materials are delivered.
should be completed before the end of the year, Thiel said, with the possibility that phase four will continue until 2012.
The project will help increase safety for students and community members who travel along that pathway.
SEE LIGHT ON PAGE 3A
Oread Neighborhood Lighting Project
CRIME|3A
TICKETS | 3A
Two campus crimes occur during break
Only cases of a stolen bicycle and some ill-placed graffiti stirred the spring break silence.
AEPIX
STAMP
REPE
TO:
Former athletics department employees now face steep fines and years of jail time.
PARKING & TRANSIT DEPARTMENT
UNIVERSITY OF KANASAS
1501 IRVING HILL ROAD
LAWRENCE, KANASAS 66045-7006
One more sentenced in ticket scandal
BY LAURA THOMAS lthomas@kansan.com
With the economic inflation and more students taking the bus, the University's parking and transit revenues are decreasing, leading it to make up for the lost revenue in some way.
Students planning on buying a KU parking pass for the next school year could be in for an unpleasant surprise. The parking and transit department at the University is considering a parking fee increase around campus.
Although nothing has been decided upon yet, the department has submitted different budgets to the provost's office. One of the budgets involving the red zone includes a percentage increase on various things like parking permits, fines.
SEE FEES ON PAGE 3A
"The parking and transit department is completely user funded," Donna Hultine, University director of parking and transit, said. "So we really rely on the revenue streams of parking permits, tickets, garage revenue and events."
Check out Kansan.com for more information about the potential increases in parking for the 2011- 2012 school year.
SOFTBALL | 8A
Jayhawks prepare to fight for first Big 12 victory against Huskers today
After recent losses to No.11 Missouri and No.8 Texas, and a split doubleheader against UKMC, Kansas turns its attention to Big 12 play in its upcoming game against No.16 Nebraska.