The Situation

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Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi at Barnes and Noble Old Orchard.

CHICAGO – In 2010, the cast of the reality show “Jersey Shore” was named one of Barbara Walter’s Ten Most Fascinating People. Among those fascinating folks is Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, arguably one of the most familiar of that show’s regulars. Her new book is “Strong is the New Sexy: My Kickass Story on Getting my ‘Formula for Fierce’” and she made an appearance to promote that title at the Old Orchard Barnes & Noble in Skokie, Ill.

CHICAGO – When most people hear that I’m a TV critic, they usually make a snarky comment about the disaster of reality TV. While I agree that a vast majority of it is nearly unbearable, I don’t think it’s fair to lump the entire genre into one negative bundle. It’s not surprising that I love the critical darlings like “Survivor,” “The Amazing Race,” and “Top Chef” but jaws drop when I try to defend MTV’s massive hit “Jersey Shore,” the third season of which was just released in an uncensored, 4-disc set.

CHICAGO – There’s something about “Jersey Shore” that makes it unbelievably watchable. I’ll never understand why people have taken to the oversaturated “Real Housewives” franchise or the draw of “Hoarders,” but I totally get “Jersey Shore.” It’s difficult not to be entertained by personalities this larger-than-life and the bonus is that they feel as close to real as reality television has been in years. “Jersey Shore” never seems nearly as scripted as “The Hills,” reminding viewers of my generation of the “Real World” dramatics of the show’s first few years — back when it felt, you know, real.