When we learned the fourth season of Jersey Shore was to be filmed in Florence, we were nervous the behavior of the guidos and guidettes would negatively affect the already unfavorable view Italians have of Americans. Granted, Americans have bad reputations in places other than Italy, but I think nowadays most of us are careful to act and carry ourselves respectably when traveling abroad so we can show how stereotypes about Americans are untrue and unfair.
But the ways people negatively perceive the Jersey Shore group have never mattered to the guidos and guidettes, and so it was clear that once the eight friends were in Italy (or their “motherland”), they had no intention of showing the Italian people how Americans aren’t as terrible as they are believed to be by acting respectful and dignified. Instead, it became clear that Jenni, Mike, Deena, Pauly D, Sammi, Snooki, Ronnie and Vinny planned to introduce Italy to what it means to be an American with an Italian heritage today, which meant they were going to exhibit the same kind of poor judgment and recklessness they championed in Seaside Heights. And if the thorough education they gave the country wasn’t unpleasant enough the first time around, we can now remember how unwelcome we are in Italy by watching the completely uncensored fourth season on DVD when it comes out on December 27th.
In addition to the enjoyment that comes from having the opportunity to repeatedly watch Deena making an innocent little marionette do the Jersey turnpike, the DVD allows us to re-live all the glorious tension between the housemates without any interruption. We can watch as Snooki effortlessly argues with her boyfriend back in the states despite the extraordinary time difference, and as she ferociously attacks Mike for spreading rumors about her to the other roommates. We also get to relish how Mike slowly falls out of favor with the group, and even the fight with the concrete wall that gave him a concussion. And the best part is: none of it ever gets old.
In addition to all twelve uncensored episodes of the season the disc set also boasts various special features, like the entire Jersey Shore cast reunion, deleted scenes, confessionals, and a segment showing what clothing and accessories Pauly D and Deena purchased while abroad. There’s also a spot where we’re re-introduced to Louis and Joey (Pauly D and Vinny’s alter-egos). But perhaps the most enjoyable extra is the one that chronicles how far the cast has come since the beginning, and allows the friends to get nostalgic and as they remember the first, second, third and fourth seasons – which for any true fan of the show, pretty much warrants immediate purchasing.
