Franca Sozzani Weighs In On 'Jersey Shore' Coming To Italy

Ever since we heard that "Jersey Shore" would be moving to Italy for season 4, we've been waiting for some sort of Italian authority to weigh in. And finally our prayers (and e-mails) were answered -- by Vogue Italia Editor-in-Chief Franca Sozzani in her latest blog. Reminder: English is not Sozzani's first language, but it's the message, people, the message. So what did she have to say?

We complain about "Italian Trash" when trash is something diffused worldwide. It happens in any country of the world. In America it's happening now and in Italu as well, Jersey Shore, a reality with eight Italo-Americans "vulgar and rude".

It doesn't make us look too good, and no matter how many protests there are in Italy, the series is a great success. It looks incredible that whatever is ugly, cheap, ignorant, foul, and doesn't make much sense other than being seen (like Big Brother, the Vip Island, and all the foreign formats) young people screaming and fighting, insulting each other, get drunk and make love, is a success. It's like that. And they get success.

Why does ugliness attract, and especially a young audience? What's so interesting about watching ugly people, poorly dressed, and that speak vulgar? Why should anyone fall down to that level? It's sounds impossible that people would want to lower themselves this much. It's ignorance, lack of real interests.

So what does Sozzani suggest? Definitely not a night out with Snooki and JWoww:

I think we should have more passion and tell our story at best without alweays showing the bad things like trophies. It's just as nice to let good things come out and helps in moving forward. The ones in the government should take their responsibility and help the country put its assets forward. The country of history and culture.

You hear that? "The country of history and culture," not of grenades and smooshing. Read the rest at Vogue.it.

Comments

[Susan1122]

11:57 PM on 04/01/2011

I've only been to Italy a couple of times and have never watched the show, but in my mind
"Jersey Shore" and Italy have nothing in common. I'm not even sure if "Jersey Shore" has anything in common with the Jersey shore.

[JFKBLUEDOG]

02:22 PM on 03/02/2011

Wow...guys get over your own pretentiousness...you speak as if you are being forced to watch them at gun point...they are mindless entertainment...thats it dont watch...but dont act as if this is a total break down of american culture and sensibility because this show is popular, or they are the first group of kids to act stupid in their pursuit of feeding their "id" (pleasure principle for you lamen) Entertainment involves piqueing ones curiousity however suferficial the show is it works because of the constantly changing relationship dynamic between the actors....and because of the flat out stupid things they do along the way. Here is a great concept CHANGE THE CHANNEL...lol dont blame the jersey shore for morally bankrupting the country...i mean give FOX news some credit for that sheesh!

[VerizonCells]

11:33 AM on 03/26/2011

wow, you clearly dont get.

[Samirah1368]

07:36 AM on 02/03/2011

wow I think I love her. so what her English is not so good, what she said was elegant, truthful and sad at the same time. Never watched the show but I'm a bit ashamed of these Real Housewives shows I've been watching....real women, true friends don't behave like this so I know this can't be reality by poorly scripted cheap televison

[RationalCaliGirl]

09:40 PM on 02/01/2011

Never watched it and never will. Basura!

[quedog]

04:36 PM on 02/01/2011

i watched the show once and it is pure nonsense
our youth are in serious trouble if they look up to this bunch of un-educated fools

[Gaia8]

04:08 PM on 02/01/2011

Good for her for calling the show out for what it is. Our bar of entertainment is set so low these days. There is no reason this show should have lasted beyond the pilot. It is trash.

[godwithin]

09:03 AM on 02/01/2011

Jersey Shore cast are "americans". period. No different than descendants of other groups.

[Samirah1368]

07:37 AM on 02/03/2011

well as Americans they still suck

[americancolonyinhell]

11:43 PM on 01/31/2011

Jersey Shore is what comes from the democratization of media. Trash must outnumber class the world over 100 to 1.

[David Bartlett]

12:38 AM on 02/01/2011

i think her message is why do we as a society (american, italian, etc..) promote and accept vulgarity over intelligence. and frankly im over trash and ignorance in the media and agree with ms. sozzani.

[americancolonyinhell]

01:20 AM on 02/01/2011

She's right to ask to question; my point is a different one, namely, that there are no longer any gatekeepers per se where media is concerned, and because there are great many more trashy people, for lack of a better term, than sophisticated people in the world, low culture trumps high. This has been an issue in the art world for decades already.

[Milwaukeetj1]

07:14 PM on 01/31/2011

Well said, I can't even stomach watching the show! Straight rubbish to screen.

[PaddockGirl]

07:13 PM on 01/31/2011

Lei parla la verità! Brava Franca Sozzani! Brava!

[nickita731]

06:02 PM on 01/31/2011

Finally!!! It is such a shame that they have gotten this big and that people like them an want to portray them so much. they re nothing but trash and low individuals i hope they have a bad time in italy and that they get kicked out, they re not evenall italian and they can never be as nice, polite educated and cultured like the real italians.

[David Bartlett]

04:05 PM on 01/31/2011

Very well said Ms. Sozzani. My sentiments exactly: "Why should anyone fall down to that level? It's sounds impossible that people would want to lower themselves this much. It's ignorance, lack of real interests"

[dangerdanger]

04:03 PM on 01/31/2011

Did the author just put that letter into google translate?

[eric14]

03:49 PM on 01/31/2011

Egypt has a revolution.
America has revolting proles.

[mytwocents02]

03:06 PM on 01/31/2011

American tourists have already established a rather poor image overseas, we certainly don't need the Jersey Shore cast to further embarrass us. Thank you nothing, Jersey Shore!