In Defense of Jersey Shore

If you're like the millions of people in this country who check Facebook constantly like it was the military draft lottery in 1972 (I can include myself in this) then tonight you will see hundreds of status updates that will fall into one of two groups. Those who love Jersey Shore and those who hate it and everyone who watches it. Maybe hate is a strong word, more like disdain for anyone who would lower themselves to watch such uncultured filth.

I'm not going to try to defend the show (never mind the title of this post) to those who are against it, or even justify the merits of the show itself. I admit, it's a stupid show full of stupid people doing stupider things. But, in the long run, who cares? People who hate a television show (or a movie or musical artist) because of its' negative effect on the culture are picking the wrong battle. People who watch Jersey Shore, if given another option at 10 o clock on a Thursday would probably find something else equally dumb to do. And there's nothing wrong with that. If Jersey Shore went off the air, millions of people wouldn't then pick up Crime and Punishment. It's escapist entertainment that serves its' purpose. It entertains. If you want to do something culturally beneficial, more power to you. Read a book, watch a Bergman film, write a poem. The fact of the matter is the majority of the country is not like you.

This sort of intellectual snobbery can also show up in other forms of entertainment. I had someone say to me recently "I don't understand how Britney Spears is famous". Seriously, you don't understand how a sometimes hot, blond white girl is famous in America? Same goes for the other most hated person in America next to Snookie, Justin Bieber. Yeah, he can't sing and he looks like a lesbian, but young girls crushing on a little boy singer is not some new strange concept like the hipster too cool for anything pseudo intellectual would want to believe (and let me just say I'm not a fan of either of them and no homo). Life is all about balance, there's no rule that says you can't read a great novel or enjoy a trip to a museum, but then also have a good time watching guidos on MTV.

So tonight, if you want to watch what happens with Ron and Sam's relationship that's fine. It's also fine if you decide to turn off the tv and read that book of sonnets you've been meaning to get to. Just remember society doesn't depend on you or anyone else doing either.

Now, let's fist pump.