Controversial Snooki Event Sells Out in Three Days
February 25, 2010 • By Matt Sutherland, Contributing Writer
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HARRISONBURG, Va. — The controversial reality TV star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi will appear March 3 in front of a full house at the Memorial Auditorium.
Junior Stephen Eure, the public relations director for the University Program Board, said tickets quickly sold out Wednesday afternoon after going on sale 8 a.m. Monday.
“Before Wednesday we just had 30 tickets left for the event,” Eure said. The time it took for the event to sell out was “pretty much what we expected.”
Rising to fame through the hit MTV reality series “Jersey Shore,” Polizzi’s appearance has gathered positive and negative attention from students and faculty. She is notable for being punched in the face on one episode of the show.
After people posted several racist comments to the event’s Facebook wall, UPB decided to disable the wall. UPB said it welcomes students’ opinions via e-mail.
And students have opinions. In response to the event, more than 700 people have joined a Facebook group titled “Stay off my campus, Snooki.” The group members have expressed their distaste for “a show that glorifies an outrageous stereotype of Italian Americans,” the group’s description reads.
Some students, such as freshman health sciences major Dineen Connolly, did not buy a ticket because they are merely displeased with the misrepresentation of the locale.
“I hate that show so much,” Connolly said. “I am from the Jersey Shore, so ever since that show came out, everyone judges me even more.”
Other students think UPB should use the money for more student-aid opportunities.
“Instead of using the money for UPB, why can’t they just donate the profits to something like Madison For Keeps?” said Richie Blessing, a senior geology major. “I like the show. It was hilarious but because they were easy to make fun of. What’s she going to do, back flips in her underwear?”
Sophomore history major Tim Szeto wasn’t able to get a ticket but would have been willing to see Snooki for her entertainment value.
“The show was hysterical,” Szeto said. “Too many people are making a big deal out of the stereotypes of Italians. Just because those guys on the show act like that does not mean all Italians do.”
Although the event’s Facebook page has more than 3,000 confirmed guests, Memorial Hall’s capacity is only a fraction of the roster, seating 1,045 people. Although the event could have attracted more ticket-buyers, Eure said the venue had to be picked prior to the ticket sales.
Eure is not sure of a possible protest or the occasional crowd outbursts but is confident these distractions should be kept to a minimum.
“Whatever happens the night of the event, we hope that the JMU population handles themselves respectfully and extends the same courtesy that they would to any guest of our campus,” Eure said.
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Thanks for writing this article John,
I think what Stephen Eure and UPB will fail to admit is that they didn’t know if “Snooki” would sell. UPB has been struggling for a while now to put on successful shows, and I think now they are confusing “successful” events with controversial ones. Concerts like Cory Smith did not sell out and i think its safe to say that UPB has been slightly unnerved at their ability to bring popular events to campus.
Bringing Polizzi to JMU is just an excuse on behalf of UPB to actually bring a decent artist to campus. The fact that it sold out doesn’t prove anything about UPB’s ability to make good decisions.
Of course the Jersey Shore is going to sell, whether you like it or not, everyone is trying to get in on the action; if you don’t believe me look at North 38th’s add on the back of today’s paper.
I think UPB should focus on smaller events instead of trying to find one artist to sell out the convo center each year. There is a variety of taste, style and arts at JMU and it seems as though UPB fails to recognize this. There attempts to unite the entire campus with one event will never happen; instead they should realize that if they brought smaller artists and events to campus that covered a variety of aesthetics, more students would find interest in their events.
Random surveys are not accurate enough to base decisions on. UPB needs to find out what students want not by surveys, or their own personal desires, but to actually interact with students. Hopefully they will realize how diverse our student body is.
Guest speakers like “Snooki” damage our reputation as a school. I think its selfish of UPB to sponsor events like this just so they can have the satisfaction of selling out a show.
It truly is remarkable how many people have taken issue with this event. Say what you want about the UPB but they set up an event that sold out in three days. Say what you want about Snooki, but the girl has organizations lining up waiting to cut her a check to get her to show her face. If a member of the student body or faculty has an issue with this selection then there is truly one simple solution…don’t go. There are numerous events that go on during an academic year that students either disagree with or do not know about.
I watched the show from start to finish and I can tell you that I have not developed a stereotype for people from the Jersey Shore. The people who are adding the this “stereotype” are the people from the area who have taken ridiculous offense to the show. Since when does a reality television show on MTV get taken so seriously as to cause a national outcry? Ok then..lets play that game. I don’t like the way that Spencer ( cast member on The Hills) portrays white males. I don’t like the way that the Bachelor twists the task of finding a significant other into a game show like series. I don’t like how the show Extreme Home Makeover misrepresents that ability to build a house quickly. I don’t like the way law shows present the litigation process. For that matter, I don’t like how Mickey Mouse creates a stereotype for all mice.
The list can go on. Its a shame that people want to jump on the “creating stereotype” bandwagon so quickly. These shows are created for entertainment, these appearances are designed for entertainment.
At the end of the day, how much control do you have over this situation? People just seem to want to get their shots in before the Jersey Shore cast fades in the reality show myst. Before you throw stones realize that these people were selected for an MTV reality TV show, they are nationally recognized, and they have an endless amount of organizations lining up to pay them thousands of dollars for them to visit. What have you done even close to that?
This speaker does not damage any reputation, and to make such a claim ridiculous and pathetic.
I don’t want to make an issue of the Jersey Shore. I understand it rather well and am actually looking past it.
These viral stars that emerge from reality tv never last long; time will eventually make fools of them all. While I don’t have endorsements from clubs, clothing companies or cameos on daytime talk shows, I would argue that you and I are more real than any “reality star” will ever be.
I would hate for someone to reason success as sum of money or an amount of time spent in the spotlight. This however, is how we are preconditioned to think in our society and i understand if this is how you choose to see it. If these are your means of success, then no, I am not successful at entertaining you. But I have gotten you to think; that’s all I ask of the JMU student body, whether you agree with me or not, just think.
The issue I am taking up with UPB is that after four semesters at JMU, the organization who “strives to enhance the overall JMU experience by providing a variety of creative, educational and entertaining programs that appeal to diverse audiences,” has not yet delivered on these promises for me. Might I also conclude that UPB gets a fraction of my tuition, so whether I go to these events or not, I indirectly support them. I just wish once there would be something more stimulating than the music of Boys Like Girls, Cory Smith or 3 6 Mafia. Additionally, if students’ tuition fund theorganization, why is it necessary for students to buy tickets for events. But I’m sure some non student sitting behind a desk in UPB needs a paycheck.
I wouldn’t have a problem with UPB if my money didn’t fund their endeavors, but since it does, i feel obligated to speak out. It would be nice if when I payed my tuition I could check a box that would prevent UPB from receiving any part of my tuition. I could then use this money to go to the events off campus and in other cities that actually interest me.
For those excited to see Snooki on Friday, I am relieved that you are getting something enjoyable out of UPB. I have just come to terms that out of the four years I will spend here at JMU, UPB will always disappoint me.
Really? Has it come to THIS? UPB, shame on you for pandering to the lowest common denominator–Reality TV. In the face of certain budget cuts and an economic struggle, you bring forth “Snooki” as your legacy of providing top entertainment and activities to the JMU populace? Is this how you want to be remembered? Is this your definition of entertainment value? Frankly, I’m surprised that our beloved JMU would want to be affiliated with this kind of programming.
Man, we are SO much better than this. I don’t want to go into “back when I was a JMU student” diatribe… but we have our heads held high because of shows like Jimmy Buffett, Bob Hope, UB40, Bruce Hornsby, Little Feat, Gwar (yes, Gwar!), The Temptations, 38 Special, Steven Wright–and countless others who are ENTERTAINERS. People who have honed their crafts. Oh, and if we needed to cash in on “hype,” we got Oliver North. Oh… and Public Enemy (with Flava Flav, thank you very much…).
I’d rather see UPB put on a Battle of the Bands than have Snooki show up as an entertainment feature in the Breeze, or worse yet, a yearbook.
I know booking is difficult… I know you’ve got to worry about selling tickets… BUT, you’ve also got to worry about “SELLING OUT.” JMU is better than this. The UPB is BETTER than this. You’ve got a campus full of creative, intelligent stars in the making who deserve to be inspired by talent worth their aspirations–don’t dumb down the programming just to make a buck. Book stuff that you’ll be proud of in 5 or 10 years.