MTV's New Series Irks Italian-American Group, Called ‘Trash Television’ AP

An MTV series is already in trouble with a national Italian-American organization called UNICO National even before it makes its debut on Dec. 3, the Associated Press reports.

An MTV promo for the new “Jersey Shore” says the Italian-American beachgoers who share a New Jersey beach house "keep their hair high, their muscles juiced and their fists pumping all summer long!" UNICO says the show is perpetuating crude stereotypes and bad behavior, and UNICO President Andre DiMino called the show "trash television."

An MTV spokeswoman said the show is in the network’s tradition of documenting sub-cultures and rites of passage, the AP says.

--Elizabeth Jensen