Four seasons of “Jersey Shore” have

come out and the fifth is again coming soon. If you have not seen

the series it is commonly known for public intoxication and

indecent exposure; issues we all consider shameful and

embarrassing. But sadly the humiliating and degrading conduct which

is only acceptable in Iowa City and Las Vegas changes it’s tone

when money and publicity are involved.

Flagrant behavior is bad when it is

of a private nature. No one aspires to see his or her name in the

police blotter, and promiscuity is frowned upon in most all social

circles. Parents expect us to be ladies and gentlemen, and most of

us feel a certain sense of disappointment when we act contrarily.

So why is this behavior accepted as entertainment?

Entertainment comes in thousands of

forms which we all enjoy while it still reflects our private

virtues and principles. We don’t need to cross into the base to

have a good time, and in most instances base and entertainment are

incompatible. For example, Snooki’s actions might be considered

promiscuous, unchaste, and loose. To say it nicely, it’s smut. Yet

Snooki’s character is one of the most popular in pop

culture.

We give the soiled, brash behavior

more than acceptance and toleration when we contribute to its

public spectacle. By buying into the new standard of entertainment,

we’ve raised it to a new level of glory and greatness. Everyone

dreams of glory by doing great things, saving lives and

contributing to the common cause. We value fortunes made by hard

work and innovation.

What innovation do we support

through Jersey shore? In season one each character was given $5,000

per episode to entertain the public in the most outrageous ways

possible. They succeeded and in season two they received $10,000.

By season three the top stars, Snooki, Pauly D and The Situation,

were paid $30,000.

This doesn’t include Pauly D’s

$80,000 a week as a DJ, Snooki charges a $20,000 fee for

appearances, or The Situation’s new brand. We pay unconscionable

behavior with deference and cash. We’ve made the most piteous of

men into the most fabulous and famous members of

society.

We hold each other to higher

standards than we hold our celebrities, yet we pay them greater

interest and provide them with more glamor than we provide one

another. We value entrepreneurs, yet we pay the classless. While we

aspire to be heroes, we elevate the superficial to heroic

levels.

We should hold those who entertain

us to the standard we hold each other, Instead of idolizing

individuals such as Snooki, look toward the skilled and artful

singers, actors and entertainers our society has to

offer.