Juice & Abuse: Why "Jersey Shore" Isn't Just a Joke

Admittedly, I have a history of being overly analytical of media — particularly anything that features alcohol, grinding, mascara-streaked cheeks, and copious amounts of eyeliner. And, in light of my tendency towards criticism, my hour-long adoration of MTV's newest reality show, The Jersey Shore, becomes even more surprising.

The Jersey Shore brings together four male and four female 20-something Italian-Americans to spend the summer at a party house on the Shore. It's a little like The Real...