newjerseynewsroom.com

BY PAM LOBLEY

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

NOW THAT’S FUNNY

The cast of “Jersey Shore” is still gallivanting through season four in Florence, Italy, but has its mind on another summer back on home turf. That is, as long as there’s a pay increase involved.

The cast just renegotiated its contracts last July, and already they’re back at the trough. They have been making $100,000 per person per episode, and they feel they are worth more.

MTV must think they are too, because they have agreed to the demands. According to tmz.com, the cast is earning more — not a large increase — but enough to keep them partying all summer long.

And you can understand why MTV is doing that, because really, how are you going to replace that sterling collection of shining talent? Where else are you going to find a group of aging teens addicted to tanning and binge drinking? OK, Point Pleasant. And LBI. And Wildwood. The actual shoreline in New Jersey is over 100 miles long, so you could probably find a lot of young people that fit that description.

But would they be as sleazy? Would they jump in and out of each other’s beds with the same slamming alacrity? Would the girls slap and fight and swear with the same thong-wearing insouciance? Would the boys sweat and swagger and show their six packs with the same beefy insolence? Of course they would.

However, Snooki (Nicole Polizzi) et. al are beloved by viewers, and you don’t just throw out your beloved little gravy trains. You hang onto them. MTV knows a good thing when it has it. As much as it is paying these kids, the network is still making plenty of money on the show.