We’re used it in the United States, particularly with the long history – 26 seasons long dating back to 1992 if you can believe it – of The Real World moving around North America in order for its casts to be able to, well, keep it real on camera or something.
I’m talking about the phenomenon that goes something like: the show announces its heading to a new city, its residents grumble while some local officials grouse about moral integrity and decry all of the drunk making out in hot tubs or whatever (and wouldn’t that be a great dead ahead name for a reality show? Next on Making Out in Hot Tubs… I’m telling you, the ratings would be hot), and then the city reaps a boon of revenue from the production and subsequent publicity upon broadcast (in between all the drunk hot tub make out seshes, etc.).
So it’s just possible that our friends in Italy don’t completely get how to get with the program. Florence Italy mayor Matteo Renzi in particular is laying down some draconian stipulations for the production of Jersey Shore, which is focusing part of its third season (the second season technically comprises both the Miami Beach and Jersey Shore Year II arcs) in the Mother Country… even though not everyone in the cast is of Italian descent. The “rules” as published in the newspaper Corriere Della Sera, include:
First of all, the fact that these “rules” (and, sorry, I had to drop quotes around that word for a second time) were published in a newspaper is a little bit telling in how Florence’s elected leader is choosing to frame the city government’s attitude about the production. But really if you take these… wait for it, “rules” at face value Mr. Renzi is demanding something close to a pleasant/bland Rick Steves travel expose rather than the drinking, carousing, and cavorting that is inherent to your typical hour of Jersey Shore.
Some other quick thoughts:
