Italian leaders say “Jersey Shore” cast “dumb as rocks,” celebrate removal of Italian flag

By Sean O’Connell Hollywoodnews.com: It’s not a good sign for MTV and its farcical “Jersey Shore” program when official Italian representatives want to distance themselves from the show and its cast. Today, UNICO National President Andre’ DiMino announced that the mural of the Italian flag, which covered part of the front of MTV’s “Jersey Shore” beach house at Seaside Heights, New Jersey, has been removed. The mural had been painted over the garage door of the shore house. The removal occurs after talks between Italian American leaders and MTV about derogatory Italian American references and imagery used in “Jersey Shore.” Ouch. Based on recent promos for the upcoming second season of “Jersey Shore,” set to debut on July 29, DiMino did admit he was “cautiously optimistic” about the potential lack of derogatory Italian American references and imagery in the new season. “I still believe the cast acts reprehensibly and continue to appear dumb as rocks, but, at least, the Italian American emphasis is not apparent,” DiMino said. But it wasn’t enough to keep the flag up. In fact, removal of the Italian flag mural reportedly is being celebrated throughout UNICO. “We are pleased MTV has stopped this desecration of the Italian flag and the image of New Jersey,” DiMino said. “For the Italian flag and the image of New Jersey to be associated with the poor behavior of the cast, including the first season’s stereotypical portrayals and violence against women and others, was a denigration of both images and an affront to Italy, Italian Americans, New Jerseyans, and anyone with good sense.” DiMino has made more than 40 major media appearances and been interviewed for dozens of print stories in leading UNICO National’s crusade against “Jersey Shore” and other shows stereotyping and denigrating Italian Americans. “Big networks see big profits in presenting negative images of Italian Americans to the rest of the world,” DiMino said. “These networks send the wrong message by promoting and glamorizing poor behavior and using ethnic stereotypes, racial and ethnic slurs. Shame on them!” UNICO National, founded in 1922, is the largest Italian American service organization in America. Its volunteer members support charitable, educational and community service projects while promoting Italian heritage. To learn more, visit http://www.unico.org. Award News, Breaking News, Entertainment News, Movie News, Music News, Hollywood News