Snooki Brings Fist Pumps, Poofs to JMU
March 4, 2010 • By Torie Foster,
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HARRISONBURG, Va. — If the extra security guards didn’t demonstrate enough how momentous Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi’s appearance Wednesday night was, the excited chatter and squealing echoing throughout the packed Memorial Hall e may have been.
It was past the planned start time of 9 p.m., and the star of MTV’s “Jersey Shore” was still en route to JMU. By 9:30 p.m. (her flight was delayed, UPB said), the audience erupted into an eager “Snooki” chant.
Comedian and host Michael Dean Ester took center-stage and fed the audience with college-related banter. Once he finally announed the guest’s arrival, the crowd exploded.
Polizzi, dressed in her signature look, posed amid blinding camera flashes that even her oversized sunglasses couldn’t shield. Though Polizzi acted much like the diva she is known to be, she did begin by clarifying her reputation.
“The show gives [fellow cast members and me] a bad name,” she said. “We have a calm side — like right now, I feel calm. I want people to know we’re not crazy.”
Polizzi also recognized the enormity of the show’s impression. Though she didn’t expect it to be so successful, she expressed gratitidue for the opportunities provided.
“Some celebrities wait their entire lives to do what [the cast and I] did in a month,” she said.
Sophomore Stacey Sulko thought Polizzi had an even greater impact than just the show, shown by the event selling out about 1,000 seats in three days.
“Snooki is a stamp on our culture,” Sulko said. “It’s entertaining to watch.”
The night took a turn once Ester shared one of Wednesday’s headlines. In response to Obama’s health care bill, Rep. Paul Broun quipped that Polizzi contains “more substance than President Obama’s offer.”
A near-chorus of boos pervaded the theater. “Did you ever think you’d be this famous?” Dean asked Polizzi. In response, a stoic Polizzi simply said: “Snooki for President!”
Many in the audience praised Polizzi’s appearance.
“I think it was good to prove that she’s not such a party girl and to bring her down to Earth,” freshman Kenzie Fisher said.
The comedian segued into “Do You Have More Substance than Snooki?” modeled after Fox’s “Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader?” Five volunteers answered various questions related to James Madison’s history. The end result: 3 for Madison, 1 for Snooki. Ester also integrated a True/False game with similar content.
Six of JMU’s most-toned men also took to the stage for a competition of abs. Another of the show’s members, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, was known for constantly working out and bulking up his muscles. The prize? Snooki signed the best set of abs.
Polizzi did fuel her reputation with several moments during the night. What one thing can’t she live without? “Definitely bronzer.” What drives her in life? “House music. No joke. And shots.”
She taught audience members how to fist pump, create her signature “poof” in a few seconds and performed a backflip — all widely anticipated by the audience.
Some of the questions from students were about what, if anything, Snooki regretted during the show’s season. Her automatic and only response was the first night, when she got drunk, blacked out and missed the next day of work at a souvenir shop.
“We had a porn star a couple years ago, Ron Jeremy, so I really don’t think it’s any worse,” freshman Michelle Sposato said.
Though Polizzi admits to being “kooky,” she expressed few regrets and seemed entirely content with herself and the show.
“We don’t care what people think about us,” she said. “We just say what is on everyone else’s mind.”
As for criticism due to her portrayal of women, Polizzi seemed unaffected and defended herself.
“You’re telling me you’ve never gone to a bar got a little out of control, and hooked up with a few guys?” she said. “It’s human nature. I’m young.”
After the University Program Board announced the event Feb. 17, some students expressed discontent over the event and posted inappropriate comments on the Facebook event’s wall. UPB immediately disabled the wall.
“I support Snooki completely,” sophomore Ryan Lynch said. “I don’t believe that she’s sustaining any negative stereotypes towards women or Italians. It’s just entertainment.”
Freshman Emily Tilman agreed.
“I really enjoyed it,” she said. “She brought a better name for herself. She’s a lovely girl.”
While many didn’t know what to expect before the show began, UPB and much of the audience said they were pleased with the outcome. Snooki even tweeted after the show: “@sn00ki: JMU you guys are awesome! Had soooo much fun, thank you!! Def gonna remember you guys for a long time!!!”
“I actually thought the comedian would make fun of her, but he kept it PG-rated,” senior Meriden Vitale said.
Before Vitale and her friends sat down in the packed auditorium, they wondered what the audience’s response would be and if anyone would do anything stupid, especially after all the hype leading up to the event.
But only cheers and fist-pumps dominated the room. Besides having a JMU police presence, UPB hired security guards from Event Staffing, Inc., who also work at concerts.
While this is Polizzi’s first college apperance, she hopes to appear on TLC’s “Cake Boss,” and a clothing or hair-product line may be in store for the future.
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14 Responses to “Snooki Brings Fist Pumps, Poofs to JMU”
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I was actually the person who asked the question about how she further stereotypes women. I do think the show is fun and purely for entertainment purposes, but I have to say I was very dissapointed that she didn’t even address the message she is sending out to young women and men.
Did anyone show her Duke Dog Alley?
Also, I have to comment when did we see she was down to earth? And why are we proud someone who lives there life drinking and partying is a stamp on our culture?
Really Tara? You don’t know why someone who lives THEIR life on drinking and partying? Did you actually go to JMU?
“Polizzi also recognized the enormity of the show’s impression.” Actually, I feel pretty certain she has no idea what the word enormity means, much less its very negative connotation. Why on earth would an institution of higher learning have this person on campus?
Hey look that’s me with snooki hahah
Tara - she is not expected to be any sort of role model for young women but simply living her life the way she wants to, and seriously, who are we to judge her? I’m not approving of or condoning her behavior but let her live her damn life. I believe she was down-to-earth in that she was being extremely honest about her life and her habits and not trying to make herself seem above us — she invited people up on stage when she could’ve made it all about her. Also, our society (at least young adults), JMU and pop culture encourage that kind of behavior– drinking and partying, so DUH, she would be a stamp of our culture. It’s acceptable in people’s eyes and entertaining.
Kelly, I agree with her being herself, and I though what she did last night was fun. I’m not trying to say that she is a bad person. My point is exactly what you said our society encourages that kind of behavior, and that is exactly the problem. It should not be acceptable. Does no one else see the problem with this?
And for the person who commented about me going to JMU. I’m not saying drinking and partying is a horrible thing, but the majority of people watching that show are young people. There’s nothing wrong with having a good time, but there is something wrong with doing it without moderation and to the point of showing our genetalia on national tv. The fact that our society promotes these things and thinks is humorous to laugh at people degrading themselves and their self worth is pathetic.
It’s disgraceful that snooki was even invited here. That our newspaper supports this black mark upon our university is even worse.
The sole reason for her popularity is that she exemplifies the guido stereotype; and unfortunately people want to emulate this style because it’s the new ‘cool stereotype’. Grow up already, and don’t kid yourself; if Polizzi acted as she does, but was from, say Mississippi, she’d be labeled as just another ignorant, drunk, insane trailer-park queen. And that label would be correct. Except she’s from Jersey so people seem to think it’s suddenly cool. It’s not. You’re not. She is one in a long line of media-created cancers on society, and she will fade out just like parachute pants and the Fonz.
I agree with you, Tara, in that I also hate that our society encourages that behavior, and as I said, I don’t condone it, but it’s sadly just the way it is… it’s glorified and if you don’t drink or party or do drugs, you’re sometimes branded a “weirdo”, by society’s standards.
Did I watch the Jersey Shore? No. Do I feel Snooki is a good influence? No. Do I think it was a good idea for JMU to have her visit? Yes. Don’t like what she stands for? Get over it. I don’t think people watched that show looking for role models. It’s reality tv - drinking, parties, and drama are what people want to see. I guarentee that if it was rednecks from the south, people would still watch it. It’s not just because they’re form Jersey, so YOU grow up. Snooki’s just being herself. And, sure, young people watched the show, but don’t you think those same young people are watching American Pie or playing Grand Theft Auto? Those are terrible influences as well. I guarentee the Jersey Shore isn’t the only thing responsible for bad influences on society. For those of you who think it is a “black mark” on JMU, what about facebook groups about block parties? Or the reputation (though very untrue) that sororities and fraternities at JMU have? I promise you that hearing about Snooki visiting JMU did not change anyone’s minds about our amazing education at James Madison.
I wish I was there so I could have judged her in person.