Jersey Shore was amazing. It’s easily my most favorite reality show ever. I remember seeing the promos and hearing the buzz and thinking it was something I needed to check out. By the end of the first episode I knew MTV had hit a home run. The show did slip a bit in the last few episodes but it was downright awesome most of the way. And I agree with what people have said about why it worked so well.

First, it introduced most people to a sub-culture that they didn’t even know existed. The first episode had be smiling and laughing the whole time. I don’t know anyone like this and it was just great. I never heard the word “guido” used that much in my entire life before the first episode.

Second, it put 8 people who were very similar in a house together. This is usually the opposite of these kind of reality shows. Usually it’s 8 very different and diverse people who at some point clash big time. They actually hope that happens because fights draw ratings. Additionally, there are usually a few hook-ups amongst the roommates because they are maybe not used to the kind of people they are living with and it’s appealing to try it out. Jersey Shore’s cast was so similar that there wasn’t much conflict (at least far less than a typical reality show) and almost no hooking up between roommates.

The appeal of being exposed to a new sub-culture made the first few episodes must watch. Especially as someone in their mid-20s it was hilarious to me to see people like this. I couldn’t imagine the people I work with ever acting this way. But now the surprise is over. By the end of the series, it was more about the people and less about the appeal to the things around them. And the people just weren’t that appealing.

More importantly though as to why it won’t work, is the people. The first season was filmed over a span of 30 days. Much of that time was spent with people getting used to each other and feeling each other out. If you put the same people there again, you don’t have that build up, they all know each other. So I worry that a lot of conflict and situations will be forced. Plus they have been hanging out and doing appearances like crazy. They will be recognized everywhere they go and that will ruin it a bit, because the people around them will just be going for attention. The Hills worked because as Bill Simmons says, people know to leave the celebs alone in Los Angeles.

There is no way you can take the same 8 people and make a show that is appealing as it was the first time around. The suggestion that has been made that they should pick different sub-cultures and show people them is a much better idea. I wish I could find the list of all these people that someone suggested, but it was great.

The only way season 2 works is if they go to Europe. Somewhere these guys will have no idea what is going on and be totally out of their element. Putting them in South Beach or Vegas just won’t be as good. Of course, I hope I am wrong. Regardless I am sure I will watch. And so will you, bro.