Accidentially Famous

As this winter class comes to an end, I think we can all agree that we’ve almost exhausted talking about MTV’s “The Jersey Shore.” It just goes to show that it is the top “reality” show right now and it’s what’s on our minds. What I am wondering, is how did these people become this famous that fast?

This past week, DJ Pauly D and JWOWW, housemates from the Jersey Shore, made an appearance at a downtown DC bar. Already, these normal people just like me and you are getting paid thousands to make appearances. Just showing up, taking pictures and drinking for free has become their income after the airing of their show. Their life’s changed literally after the first airing of that show a little over a month ago. We see the demand for them on our own campus through the facebook event requests reading “Bring Pauly D to Thirsty Turtle.” Also, with all the controversy the show stirred up in the Italian community as well as the residents of New Jersey, it made people love it more. With a threat it would be discontinued, it furthered their popularity. Assuming these “guidos and guidettes” have not changed their appearances or personalities on air (slim chance) then they became famous for their culture, lifestyle and appearance. I’m not trying to bash them for becoming famous just by being themselves but it proves a point. That point is that us as viewers have a lot of power and say in who becomes successful in our culture. Who watches the shows/movies that gives them sky rocket ratings…we do. Who pays money to see them appear at a bar…we do. Us, as a cultural mass made them famous, and we continue to keep them famous.