4. They Were in on the Joke
Continuing with my fame train of thought, my next argument is that after their every move started to become so scrutinised, how could the guidos/guidettess personalities have possibly remained unchanged? No, with this bunch of glory seekers, the attention would inevitable swell their heads or knock them back down to Earth. Well, apparently both happened (Mikes addictions, Vinnys anxiety problems). The problem is, though, with most reality shows the entertainment of it all is watching a bunch of nobodies becoming even more monstrous and egotistical than they already are, and then watching them tumble back down into obscurity. Admit it! We all love to see a douchebag fail! However, the Karadashian/Real Housewives format is kind of an odd fit for MTV. The joy of Jersey Shore was really from the observational, voyeuristic, documentary tone it gave us. We enjoyed watching a bunch of weird-looking, perma-tanned kids with thick accents (and thicker brains), odd catchphrases and, frankly, stupid dance moves, as they strutted around some shabby beach dive-town thinking they were it. It was fun escapism for some of us and gave some of us a target to which we could look down our noses at. Really, though, the joke was firmly on us after the gang got uber-famous because, now, they really are bloody IT. With massive paychecks, endorsement deals and, albeit, terrible brand products they are now the ones laughing all the way to the bank. Also, not only that, but the minute they knew what the audience liked and what they didnt like, they were obviously going to alter and edit themselves. Point positive meatballs went from a throwaway joke comment to a title of honour for Snooki and Deena (and was mentioned at any given opportunity); GTL, well could they even go a half hour without uttering it? And even the way they would act, like Deena and Snooki going on drunken benders in the middle of the day just for valuable camera-time, or Vinny and Pauly pulling pranks, Mike going on about his abs etc. etc.