Being exposed to “guido/guidette” culture is like seeing the world through orange-tinted glasses, only to realize that these people just really love to tan. The first season of the MTV crossover phenomenon was not only entertaining, it was an introduction to an endless new vocabulary. For example: “The Situation pulled a robbery move on Vinny, after he was in full-on creep mode, grinding to the house music.” (Translation: Michael “The Situation” Sorrentino made sexual advances on the same young woman that castmate Vinny Guadagnino was dancing with at the club.) Their booze-inflected antics may have been over-the-top, but as this seasoned Jersey Shore vet can attest, it’s not hard to cut loose and make a few bad decisions on occasion. If anything, watching the crew “go fishing” gave high-def insight into the warped game that is dating on the entire East Coast circa right now.
What could possibly be left “uncensored” for the DVD? Aside from all the curse words restored for added color, the now famous guy-to-girl punch that put pint-sized Snooki on the floor is presented uncut. (Snooks isn’t fully exposed, though: All her body parts are blurred as she does a backflip on the dance floor.) Extra features include commentary tracks by Pauly D., Snooki and the Situation as they watch certain episodes and reflect. It’s almost as good as the show itself—a trash-talk session on hookups and juiceheads. The Situation shares many words of wisdom: “Everybody’s a player until they find that right person—or whatever.”—Allison Duda
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