Jersey Shore: The reality series that has taken over the minds of the youth and T.V. ratings

Hello loyal readers,

Today I will be profiling the personality types of the Jersey Shore cast.  The Jersey Shore T.V. show has had incredible success and influence in our culture these past couple years.  It first aired in December 2009, ratings started slow at around the 1 million mark.  However, it started to catch on and after the help of a Saturday Night Live spoof it really took off.  By season 3 it ranked as M.T.V.'s highest rated telecast ever in viewership, higher than series like Real World, Road Rules, True Life, T.R.L. or any of the dating shows.   In addition to the high television ratings, many members of the cast have cashed in on their fame and become spokesmen for various products(Ronnie with Hydroxycut, "The Situation" with fitness products, etc.).   Several cast members have also written top selling books or appeared on late night T.V. shows like Jay Leno, Dave Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Chelsea Handler, etc.   The show's characters have become household names with "The Situation" and "Snooki" now practically street lingo.   The show offers typical reality T.V. fodder, at least reality T.V. targeted for younger audiences.  It's a modern day coming of age series.  The cast members are finding their identities, finding love, fighting, getting drunk, and dealing with family/friendship issues along the way.  I will go through a brief run down of what personality types match each cast member in my opinion with a justification of why I believe this to be so.

Sammi "The Sweetheart"-Sammi lives up to her nickname, often coming across very sweet and wearing her heart on her sleeve.  She is a definite F.  She doesn't seem overly extroverted as initially she seems a little socially insecure integrating with the house, also she seems to depend on her boyfriend Ronnie through the series which seems more Introverted.  She seems more reality based and literal, thus an S.  I would type her as ISFP or ISFJ.  If I had to say one I would say she is ISFP.

Nicole a.k.a. "Snooki"-Snooki is probably one of the most famous cast mates, probably because of her name alone, I mean Snooki is an unusual kind of funny name you have to admit.  She is outgoing and assertive about what she wants.  She tends to rely on her emotions and the acceptance of others means a lot to her, especially male acceptance.   I think F's tend to be more dependent on other's opinions of them, where T's might not care as much or may be able to ignore negative opinions more easily.   Snooki is also opinionated and demanding about what she wants.  I would say Nicole is S and J.  Overall, she is definitely an ESFJ in my book.

Angelina-Angelina was briefly on the series, she had trouble getting along with the other castmates.  She seemed kind of manipulative.  My quick reaction would be ESFJ.

Jenni a.k.a. "J-Woww"-J. Woww intiially came across as a cast mate with a very hard shell.  In her cast introducution at the start of previous episodes she said something about cutting a guy's head off if he hurt her.  Similarly, she got in several fist fights.  I definitely see her as a literalist, real world S and a security seeking and decisive J.   I would type her more as an I as she seems to take the less assertive role socially, usually Snooki starts social interactions as they always hang out together.   As the series goes on you see her softer side as she supports cast members through times of trials and goes through her own problems.  I would type her either ISTJ or ISFJ.  If I had to go with one I'd say ISFJ.

Deena-Deena was an additon to the third season after Angelina left.  Deena is good friends with Snooki and is a very lively, enthusiastic cast member.  At times she can be slightly insecure as she is new.  Overall, I would say she is best typed by ESFP.   A partier, fun, outgoing and spontaneous.

Now for the Jersey Shore guys!

Mike a.k.a. "The Situation"-The nickname says it all for The Situation.  A marketing genius would have to think of that nickname and The Situation seems to be a marketing genius as he keeps the show entertaining, even if it means playing different sides to different cast mates to get the right reaction, snitching, instigating drama, coming up with funny phrases like calling himself the general of the male case members, calliing a drunk female cast member "slopapotamus" or calling himself and/or any unusual circumstance a " Situation".  Mike is a funny, cocky, competitive, headstrong guy.   He is definitely an ESTP in my book.   He is pragmatic about getting what he wants and you'll notice in social situations in the house he is always very quick to respond with a comeback or say the thing he needs to in order to get out of drama. 

Vinny-Vinny is a laid back, self assured guy, he seems to be one of the least dramatic cast mates as he doesn't have many girl problems or much interpersonal conflict.  I would have to say Vinny is probably ISTP.  He is good natured, realistic, laid back and fun.

Paul a.k.a. "Pauly D"-Pauly D is the life of the party, often witty and funny and seeming to get along with everyone.  I would say Pauly D is ESFP.

Ronnie-The other half of the Sammi relationship, Ronnie is an athletic guy and like The Situation is big into working out.  He is pretty expressive and easy to read.  He seems to be a conformist and tends to go with the crowd and group majority.  For example, I notice he'll repeat Vinny, Pauly or Situation's catch phrases.  I also notice he is fairly emotional and quick to react to situations(see the knockout fight in Seaside Heights or the blowup with Sam).  I would type Ronnie as ESFJ.

So those are my typings of the Jersey Shore cast, feel free to agree or disagree.  I do think it is interesting to note all of the cast is S.  S would probably make for better T.V. in terms of ratings as they are more action oriented and less abstract.  In other words they are easier to watch for the average person.