The Central Pennsylvania Film Office wants the stars of MTV’s “Jersey Shore” reality show to go to the tiny borough in north-central Pennsylvania or to nearby Williamsport to shoot a planned spinoff of their gym-tan-laundry lifestyle. The commissioner of the film office, Lorena Beniquez, was quick to jump on the news that officials in Hoboken, N.J., had refused to issue a permit for the new reality show that will feature hard-partying stars Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi and Jenni “JWoww” Farley.
So, Beniquez thought, why not invite the “Jersey Shore” stars to the borough of the same name about 140 miles northwest of Philadelphia and only slightly farther than that from Hoboken? Failing that, Beniquez is hoping the producers might consider shooting in Williamsport, the Lycoming County seat. “Most of the time, when we make headlines, it’s for the Little League World Series,” Beniquez said, referring to the global tournament played in Williamsport each summer. “Or the gas industry. We want to be known for something once the gas industry is done and gone.”
A phone call and an email seeking comment were left with 495 Productions, the Beverly Hills, Calif., production company that was snubbed by Hoboken. But MTV said it was “flattered by the invitation” to Pennsylvania. “We love all Jersey Shores!” it said. Officials in Williamsport, population 29,000, and Jersey Shore, which has about 4,300 residents, say they’re all ears if MTV or the production company wants to pitch the show to them.—Agencies
