12/7/2009

in

Two reality shows have been getting heated responses from the audience

Allison Manchel

Jersey Shore, a new reality TV show on MTV, takes eight people in their mid-twenties and puts them up in a beach house. The show has not been on the air for too long and already has drawn complaints that it reinforces negative ethnic stereotypes and it has already caused at least one advertiser to steer clear of the show.  
  
On ABC, another reality show, "Find My Family," has angered members of the adoption community. "Find My Family" attempts to reunite adoptees with their birth parents. Critics say this practice can marginalize parents who adopt and raise children.  
  
"Jersey Shore" focuses on Italian-Americans from the Northeast living together in Seaside Heights, N.J. Unico National, the Order of the Sons of Italy in America, and the National Italian-American Foundation, three groups that represent Italian-Americans, issued statements against the MTV series, stating that it used "ethnic slurs, violence and poor behavior to marginalize and stereotype Italian-Americans," according to a report by the [NY Times](http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/07/business/media/07reality.html).  
  
"Find My Family" has been called "exploitative" by Martha Osborne, the founder of an adoption advocacy website. She agrees with the thought put behind the show, but the way ABC goes about filming everyone's emotional breakdowns are what Osborne disagrees with.  
  
While some are opposed to "Find My Family," there are some groups that think it is a great idea. Lorraine Dusky, an author of a blog that discusses issues among women who have given up children for adoption, praises the series.  
  
"Jersey Shore" airs on MTV on Thursday nights at 10 p.m. and "Find My Family" airs on ABC at 9 p.m on Monday nights.