Jersey Shore Pumps Up Ratings By 50 Percent

The cast of MTV's Jersey Shore may seem oblivious to the outside world as they party, pump their fists, and work out, but viewers are taking note of them: The show's second week ratings were up 50 percent in its second week, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Jersey Shore nabbed 2.1 million viewers, a big boost from the 1.3 million viewers that tuned in for the show's debut. The series follows eight twenty-somethings living together in a rented beach house in Seaside Heights, N.J. It has gotten widespread attention in part because of objections from Italian-Americans who say it portrays their culture in a negative light.

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Among the critics: Italian-American actress Alyssa Milano.

"My husband actually showed me the trailer on YouTube last night, and I got upset," Milano, 36, told Us. "It upset me. I was like, 'Turn that off!' So no, I don't think I'll be watching that!'"