America's Obsession with 'Jersey Shore' star Snooki: She's the 2011 version of the pet rock
When Snooki Polizzi from the MTV reality show "Jersey Shore" was paid more to speak at Rutger's University than Nobel-Prize winner Toni Morisson was, writer S.E. Cupp went to investigate just what is up with one of our generation's newest obsessions. Do you think it is fair to say our generation is more entertained by this "Gym, Tan, Laundry" lifestyle than we should be? Is being a fan of the show excusable after considering S.E. Cupp's argument that every generation has a dumb cultural trend? Or is this show on a whole new level of stupidity that reflects poorly upon the fans of this generation? One final thought to consider is what are the implications of this regarding our society's values?
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12 comments:
First off, I heard this last year and loved it!!! I wonder what she spoke about??? I just looked and the first thing I came across was an article on Fox News(I know there is bias on there), but it quoted somebody that said that they were outraged at paying her $32,000, they should have just paid her with a case of beer. I thought that was hilarious. Ok, I just looked up what Snooks said, and they said that she said to "study hard but party harder"... classic Snooki. But for real, to the questions. I think every generation has their "dumb cultural trend," our's just might be one of the dumbest. I think that is all fun and games until people start taking it seriously(which you know people will). Also, considering the implications regarding our society's values, I do believe that with each generation our societies values get lower and lower. For instance, look at how many people are in debt and how many divorces there are. Back in the day(so I hear...I wasn't there) people used to have more pride, and they would do anything(like work 3 jobs) to stay out of debt. I do know that there aren't as many "good jobs" out there and people don't want to work at McDonalds, but that ties back into the pride thing. You have to pay your bills(yeah some people don't thats a whole other story) so just do it. Also with the divorce rate and everything, I do know that sometimes it doesn't work out and it is bad, but you can't just give up. I was on a trip with a couple that were in an arranged marriage. We asked them how they did it? They said you just have to no questions asked give a little get a little. So back to societies values, I do believe that they have diminished over time.
I believe that every generation has its proud and shameful moments. Even though the divorce rate has increased, women are no longer socially required to stay in an unhappy marriage, but thats besides the point. Jersey shores exemplifies our natural human desire to be entertained. However, Jersey Shore entertains us in a different sort of way. The German term shandenfrude means taking pleasure in other peoples pain. Jersey shore is filled with anti-antillectual content. I usually find myself laughing at or feeling pity for the cast members. But, this is not a new concept. People used to pay to watch men get ripped apart by lions in the collesium of ancient Rome. It is a human instinct in all of us. However, I believe new mediums such as TV has made it easier for the mass public to access trashy content such as Jersey Shore. Which, in turn, makes it easier to watch Jersey Shore over say news channels.
I'm not sure if it is fair to say our society is too entertained by this "Gym, Tan, Laundry" lifestyle than we should be. What should we be entertained by? I mean, I do not watch the show, but honestly, if I just wanted to watch something that was totally different from my life, I'd probably watch that. I think once you look past the fact that the people on that show are getting paid tons more than I'll ever make to do nothing but party and have a good time, it's probably pretty entertaining. Sure, it's probably a dumb cultural trend. As long as watching the show doesn't make everyone be like that, I don't really care. I really think other shows should probably be more popular, like educational stuff but like that would ever happen. People are amused by whatever they're amused by. I wish people would be happier to listen to the Nobel-Prize winner, but that's just not reality.
I agree with you Sarah!
First of all I think it is a little ridiculous that Snooki was paid 30,000 for one event, but granted she is a “celebrity” and they get paid an obscene amount of money at times. College kids would rather see someone who they watch on tv on a regular basis instead of a Noble-Prize winner that many people might not know a lot about. If students were buying tickets, so many more of them would pay to see Snooki. Every generation partakes in many stupid obsessions, and with the media present in our generation, more people know about what other people are doing. When it comes to societal values, every generation wants to have fun, and different people will do different things to stay entertained. While many people still have high morals and values, society has come to accept what would have been disgraceful behavior a few decades ago.
First off, I'd like to say, Toni Morrison is the SHIT. I read her book "The Bluest Eye," my junior year of High school. Then had to write a research paper similar to the one we are writing now about it. So maybe I'm more biased than most the students at Rutgers University, but given the choice between the two, I'd pick Toni every time. That being said, I'd DEFINITELY go see Snookie speak. She's just an orange ball of fun! So yeah...I'm another product of my generation entertained by the stupidity displayed by the Jersey Shore. However, I'm not JUST interested in the lifestyle of reality tv stars. I think that just because they pay Snookie more to come, doesn't mean that our generation is dumb. Snookie is just more accessible than Morrison is. We don't want to turn on the tv and watch nobel prize winners giving speeches. When you get home, you want to turn on the tv and forget about the hard issues and worldly agenda after a hard day. We'd rather imagine what it is like to live a simple life of GTL.
I do think that societies values have changed, and it is reflected on the Jersey Shore. If you had put this show on tv in the 60's or 70's, it would not have been entertaining for even the young generation. Plus I don't think the clubbing would have even been the same.
OKay, I am a total fan of jersey shore. The show is like a bad car crash, you can't help but keep watching. I think that it is very fair to say that our generation has become more obsessed with the MTV type world then the idea of the actual world. I believe that the show is excusable to some extent. I wouldn't suggest that anyone follow in the footsteps of snooki and the jersey shore cast, just for the main point being that it is a dead end life. But, I feel that to watch the tv show on thursday nights in not that big of a deal. Everyone has to have some sort of mindless tv show they enjoy. It's how we stay sane in college. I think that the show leads some people in our society in a negative way but that it really for the majority of the population that watches jersey shore is just an outlet to unwind and something to laugh at. I wouldn't say that people are ever obsessed with the show or have a strong fandom of Jersey shore.
I do think it’s fair to say that our generation is a little more obsessed with GTL than they should be, but I also believe that it’s fair to say, “to each their own.” Even though it may seem as if people obsess over these silly reality shows too much, we all know the sense of completion we get inside from watching them. Whether it be The Real World, Jersey Shore or The Real Housewives of God only knows where, we all seemingly get to live our lives through the joy, sorrow and cat fights of other people. Personally, I believe that the show is a whole new level of stupidity, but that’s just because I’m not personally a fan of it. Being so obsessed with these “celebrities” may be the current obsession for whatever reason, but I did hear for every brain cell you loose from watching the show, Snooki has already doubled your loss in a fight somewhere between the beach and the club. And yes, I just added ‘Snooki’ to my Word Dictionary.
I agree that every generation has a trend that is ridiculous. However, I dont agree that is reflects poorly on our society or our generations morals. Every generation has plenty of people that love to party or drink. It is purely an entertaining show for people to watch. And because there are so many fans she got paid more.
I feel as though all generations have something that they are obsessed about. In the past there have been tie-dye, rock-n-roll, etc... maybe this could just be a new "fad". BUT on a different note, I believe that our society has taken this "fad" a but too far. I think this fad has sent a wrong message to the teens and adolescents. They are getting the idea that tanning, drinking, clubbing, and many other adult like things are okay for them to do. I know that high schools even have a "Jersey Shore Day" as part of their spirit week for Homecoming Week. What was once a fun fad, is now taken too far. I don't believe that it is right for Snooki to get more recognition than influential and meaningful people. "GTL" has taken over.
As others have said, I do believe that as a society we are a little too interested in GTL, but I also think that we wouldn't be interested if there wasn't such an air of stupidity surrounding the entire reality show, because we watch the shows to escape. How is it an escape to watch a show that simply has us watching what we're surrounded by every day? I do think that being a fan is excusable when taking Cupp's statement into account, because everyone needs to be entertained by something; I guess watching a bunch of fake, orange people make stupid decisions is pretty entertaining to society, which only goes to show how low not only our expectations of entertainment have sunk, but also our values in life as of recent.
I completely agree with S.E. Cupp's statement that "Jersey Shore" is just another "fad" of our generation. Personally, I do not watch the show, but I can understand why people my age do. Some, older generations may refer to the show as "mindless garbage" but that's kind of the point. On that argument though our generation could say the same thing about "Three's Company." Our world is changing and evolving, and with that so what will be seen as popular and entertaining. While I do think it's insane that Snooki was paid $30,000 to give a speech, I think it is also inane that ANYONE would be paid $30,000 to give a speech. It's talking. Not rocket science. So yes, older generations may be shocked that we may rather see Snooki than Toni Morrison but I would like to ask them: when you were a college student would have rather seen John Travolta or Andrei Sakharov (the 1975 Nobel Peace Prize Winner)?
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