UPDATE: Rally planned after Hoboken denied permit for Snooki, JWOWW spin-off
UPDATE: The former publicist of “Jersey Shore” star JWOWW is calling on fans to join him in a rally demanding the City of Hoboken grant a permit allowing MTV to shoot a spin-off reality show there.
Todd Shapiro told Metro he expects about 1,000 furious fans to attend the rally Friday outside South Shore Island Tan in Long Island’s Franklin Square, JWOWW’s hometown.
“To not be able to film the number one show on television, that is playing politics with TV,” Shapiro said of Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer’s decision to deny the permit request. “Who is to say one star or show is better than the other? They wouldn’t be able to say no to George Clooney.”
“Jersey Shore” stars Snooki and JWOWW got a reality check after the City of Hoboken denied a request for a permit to shoot their spin-off show in the traditional party town.
Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer issued a letter to MTV and 495 Productions citing “public safety and quality of life concerns” as her reason for denying the permit.
“We want it to be a dynamic place to have fun, but we don’t want people coming and destroying the city,” Zimmer told Metro of the potential crowds that could be attracted to Hoboken while the show filmed. “We are a mile square city with bars and restaurants mixed in with residential areas and you’d have people coming from out of town, creating a lot of noise for residents and other potential public safety issues. I have to look out for quality of life.”
In the letter to MTV and 459 Productions, Zimmer warned that there will be “zero tolerance” for any filming that is not authorized.
“Any attempts to film in a manner that is not permitted without a permit will be dealt with immediately and aggressively by the City of Hoboken,” Zimmer wrote.
In another letter to 459 Productions from the Hoboken Local Film Commission, members expressed concern over a hoard of onlookers and lingering fans that would follow the crew and cast through the city streets.
“The density of our city does not lend itself to 24-hour activity as would be experience by our citizens,” the letter said.
It’s worth noting that “Cake Boss,” another popular reality show, films in Hoboken. That show, however, focuses on sugar consumption rather than alcohol consumption.
MTV officials had scouted Hoboken and Jersey City as possible sites for the upcoming reality show starring BFF’s Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi and Jenni “JWOWW” Farley, according to The Jersey Journal. The production company can appeal the Hoboken Film Commission’s decision, but no word on whether it will. A rep for Snooki could not immediately be reached.
The decision to ban the hard-partying reality stars comes just weeks after Hoboken opted to move its traditionally raucous St. Patrick’s Day parade to a weekday, prompting the parade committee to cancel the event entirely.
“We want to move away from this unfortunate and, quite frankly, destructive behavior that occurred during St. Patrick’s where residents felt like they had to stay in and protect their homes,” Zimmer said. “The behavior was unacceptable.”
Zimmer Bianco Film Commission 1-31-12
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