‘Southie Rules’ cast member responds to backlash, defends reality show ahead of its Tuesday premiere

In a few short hours, viewers across the nation will get a heavy dose of Southie shenanigans thanks to “Southie Rules,” the first reality show to focus on a South Boston family.

While some Southie residents are happy to have the spotlight on their neighborhood, others aren’t so keen on the idea. The family cast has faced backlash from Bostonians who fear the show may give the city – not just the Southie neighborhood – a bad reputation.

According to A & E, the show spotlights a South Boston family battling the “relentless gentrification of their neighborhood,” but in cast member Jon Niedzwiecki’s words, viewers can expect “a funny family that has a positive outlook on life, adjusting to the changes around us.”

“Southie is a very prideful town, but the reputation has been up and down over the years,” he said.
Niedzwiecki shot down the idea that the show is comparable “Jersey Shore,” MTV’s drama-fueled reality show chronicling the drunken antics of eight housemates.

“There is concern that we’re going to exploit the stereotypes surrounding the town, but we have as much pride as anyone else in Southie, and we wouldn’t do anything to hurt its reputation.”

The show just wrapped up filming this month, with much of the action taking place in Niedzwiecki’s triple-decker home.

The soon-to-be reality star takes exception to what he calls “speculation” that the show is scripted.

“It isn’t,”  he said. “We’ve never been given a script. We’re not told what to say. We are who we are.”

The show premiers at 10 p.m. Tuesday on A & E.

See what people have to say about the show:

[View the story "Boston throws shade at Southie Rules" on Storify]