JERSEY CITY AND BEYOND – If reports are true that reality TV star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi is pregnant, then the joke could be on the Jersey City officials who gave the go-ahead for a “Jersey Shore” spin-off starring the possibly preggers Polizzi, to be filmed locally.
Last month, Jersey City approved permits for the production company which films “Jersey Shore” to shoot a spin-off show starring Polizzi and pal Jenni “JWow” Farley on municipal streets and other public places. They are living at a converted firehouse downtown and have been spotted in the streets.
The city briefly basked in the media glow of if this approval after the neighboring city of Hoboken refused to let the spin-off be filmed there.
There was much speculation that Jersey City would benefit from its association with the spin-off, in much the same way Hoboken has benefitted from the more wholesome “Cake Boss,” another popular reality show.
But if Snooki is pregnant, as was widely reported yesterday, her condition could affect the show’s viability. Partying, excessive drinking, and post-club hook-ups are staples of the franchise “Jersey Shore” show, and were likely to be mainstays on the Snooki-JWow spin-off as well.
Polizzi and MTV Productions, which airs “Jersey Shore” and was set to air the spin-off program, have not confirmed reports of the pregnancy. But in a possibly telling sign, Polizzi seems to be no longer denying the rumor, as she was several weeks ago.
If the rumor is true, MTV has several options available. The entertainment channel could still film the show with Farley and a porky Polizzi, but would face massive criticism if an expectant Snooki hit the bars. This route seems risky. MTV could also decide to film the show and replace Snooki with another member of the “Jersey Shore” cast. But none of the other women from the original cast would draw as many viewers are Snooki.
The channel could also scrap the Farley-Polizzi spin-off altogether and build a show around Snooki and her pregnancy.
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