Were You Always a Guido?

What started as a second rate reality show has quickly become a phenomenon. The Jersey Shore, places eight housemates, four men and four women ranging in ages from 21 to 29, together for a summer at the shore. The male cast members are Mike aka “The Situation” known for his cocky attitude and his ripped abs, DJ Paulie D, the king of the blow out, Vinny a self professed mama’s boy and rabid fist pumper, and Ronnie, muscle bound lover and fighter. The females are led by Nicole aka “Snooki” whose only goal in life is to find a guido, marry him and have babies, J-Wow a female predator with enormous breast implants, Sammie Sweetheart, romantic interest for Ronnie, and a short stint by the tough talking Angelina.

Outcries from Italian American groups, protesting the derogatory stereotypical depiction of Italian Americans, have only helped to thrust the MTV cast further into the spotlight. The Guidos and the Guidettes, as they prefer to be called, have achieved notoriety on a worldwide level and have become the cultural equivalent of professional wrestling and roller derby. While few will admit that they watch, many actually do.

The guido archetype is nothing new. Maria Laurino describes a similar group from her past in her book of essays; Were You Always an Italian?

“In high school, the Italian-American boys were known as the “Ginzo Gang”; they were greasers with beat-up cars that first chugged then soared, thanks to their work at the local gas station (Palumbo’s), owned by the father of one of them. Olive-skinned and muscular, they were sexy in their crudeness; and their faint gasoline scent and oiled-down hair defined the image of Italian-Americans in our school. The young women who hung out with them had little separate identity other than that as the girlfriends of the Ginzos.”

John Travolta brought this stereotype into the mainstream with his portrayal of Vinnie Barbarino in Welcome Back, Kotter. It is no coincidence that his last name resembles the word barbarian. We laughed at ourselves a little easier in those days as we watched Vinnie swagger into our living rooms for each of seventy eight episodes that aired between 1975 and 1979. Travolta took on the nightclub scene via Tony Manero, in the smash movie hit, Saturday Night Live, which put disco on the map for many. During this era, Travolta won hearts with his portrayal of Danny Zucco in Grease, as another none too bright pretty boy with tight pants and a slick hairdo.

The guido lifestyle is portrayed as an obsession with physical appearance. The guidos and guidettes spend their days tanning, pumping themselves up with weights, and applying hair products, specifically hair gel. By night they cruise the night clubs and “hook up” with random partners. Their personas are swarthy, exaggerated caricatures of macho bravado, and I am not just talking about the men.

The origin of the word Guido is the Italian equivalent of the name Guy. It is also closely related to the verb guidare, which translates as, to lead or to guide. The term guido, as used in the US, has a negative connotation and has often been used as an ethnic slur. So why does this group of young people choose to embrace this label and adopt this archetype as a lifestyle? The answer is simple. Why do young people in general like to dress and act in overtly rebellious ways? Because they do, that is all. Each generation searches for new territory to exploit and explore so they can believe, even if for a little while, that they are different. Rebels without a cause they may be, but no one can say they aren’t at least rebels.

The protests by the Italian American groups are not without merit, even if they do smack somewhat of another look down the proverbial nose at the mezzogiorno. The age old battle between Northern and Southern Italians wages on. At some point each group must embrace the other as part of “Italianness.” As a fifty something woman of Italian descent, firmly planted in the heartland, far from the Jersey Shore, I think we do protest too much. We must look at this for what it is, entertainment. Reality shows are based upon the extreme rather than the norm and I do believe that most people are intelligent enough to understand this. As Italian Americans we are not by default guidos, guidettes, mobsters or mamma boys, but fearing to acknowledge the existence of these characters, only serves to highlight our insecurities.

Laurino goes on to reflect upon her own feelings about the Ginzos;

“The Ginzos were my rearview mirror, a reflection of the near past that I wished to move beyond.”

Rumor has it that due to the unprecedented popularity of the show, season two is in the works. Across the nation, Jersey Shore parties are popping up. The cast of the show has been on every talk show and red carpet and it members have become overnight celebs. What can we do? Not much but laugh, roll our eyes, and take some pleasure in the fact that Snooki and Sarah Palin once sported similar hairstyles.



 

Grammys are for Grown Ups

Grammy night, the ultimate evening of guiltless pleasure for the music enthusiast, rocked in the night like a rollercoaster. It was up and down, then round and round. Lady Gaga opened the show with Poker Face followed by a trip to the fire pit, only to rise from the ashes in a dueling pianos duet with Sir Elton John. Putting these two together was nothing short of brilliance as the lyrics of Gaga’s Speechless were interwoven with that of John’s Your Song.

Throughout the evening, pairings of the oldies with the newbies made for some interesting entertainment. Leon Russell looked the part of father time as he collaborated with newcomers the Zack Brown Band on a harmonious rendition of America the Beautiful. One combination that fell short was that of Taylor Swift with Stevie Nicks. Now Taylor fans don’t get your bobby socks in a bundle. I am sure that Taylor is a fine talented young woman, no disparaging remarks to be made here. I must however make note of the fact that Taylor sang off key for most of her performance. What she lacked in talent she made up for in enthusiasm and I will give Ms. Nicks much credit for her patience with the situation.

And the beat goes on…. Sorry another era.

Pink twirled around in a body suit that looked like it was made of masking tape and left little to the imagination. It was truly awe inspiring and I watched in amazement and wondered aloud, “How can she sing like that?” However breathtaking, I am so pleased that I was not one of those in the audience that got water whipped as she spun about flinging droplets like a lawn sprinkler.

My favorite quote of the evening came from comedian Stephen Colbert as he wondered to the crowd why Susan Boyle was not in attendance. "You may be the coolest people in the world. This year your industry was saved by a 48-year-old Scottish cat lady in sensible shoes," Colbert poked.

There was too much rap for my taste, but of course, any rap is too much rap for my taste. I’m sorry; I just do not get it. It all sounds the same. Bad. I will make an exception for The Black Eyed Pea’s, I Got a Feeling which has a hip hop, rap, but feel good kind of sound, and with lyrical genius such as; “I got’s my money, let’s spend it up,” well who could be unimpressed.

We can’t leave out Beyonce, the queen of the awards this year taking six to Taylor’s four. Thank god, as we did not want another replay of the outrage that was expressed by Kayne West last year at the MTV awards. I must confess that I could empathize with these feeling a bit as I watched Taylor receive the award for album of the year, but I am far too much of a lady to run up on the stage and say so.

Beyonce stole the show as she marched on stage with her posse of futuristic soldiers, grabbed her crotch, and belted out If I Were a Boy, followed by an Alanis Morrisette cover of You Oughta Know.

Other highlights of the evening included the shared splendor of Bridge Over Troubled Waters by Andrea Bocelli and Mary J Blige performed for Haitian relief, classic tunes by heart throb Jon Bon Jovi, a rocking medley by Green Day and tribute to Michael Jackson. No matter what your preference in music, Grammy night is a free opportunity to experience it all, take away from it what you like, and leave the rest. Where else can you see such star studded, eye popping performances fireside in the comfort of your home?

I for one, plan to get out there and buy me some Lady Gaga. Now I know what you are thinking. Does a fifty something female have any business becoming a fan of Lady Gaga? It just doesn’t seem right does it? But fan I must become. This might even make exercising fun. I could break out the old leg warmers and torn sweatshirts and bust out a little Flashdance action in sunglasses, red lipstick, crazy hair, and tights. I can see it now, the expressions on the faces of my friends and family as I show up to future functions Gagafied! Call the hairdresser, I need some help here! Forget the Red Hat Society, let’s form the Gaga Club.

Could be fun.