Ian Spanier Photography/MTVGuid-noooo!
MTV today officially announced the end of a reality TV era: Jersey Shore's upcoming sixth season (premiering Oct. 4) will be the last. Please grab your hair gel and join us in a mourning circle. But don't sit too close to us lest our spray tan rub off on you.
Seems like only yesterday we were being introduced to something called a "Snooki" and a "Situation," and now the cast of Jersey Shore is about as famous as reality stars can be. The show became a huge hit, but ratings have been on a steady decline over the past couple of seasons. The network's plan is to launch a marketing storm touting Jersey Shore's sixth season as our last chance to bond with the gang. Mostly, we're concerned how Pauly D and Vinny will manage this breakup.
As part of its promotional push, MTV will air a Jersey Shore marathon, as well as a one-hour retrospective special titled "Gym, Tan, Look Back" on Sept. 6 before the Video Music Awards. The cast will also be part of the VMA's preshow to talk about the final season.
Jersey Shore has launched two spinoffs since premiering in December 2009. MTV has already ordered a second season of Snooki & JWoww, but a renewal for the Pauly D Project looks grim due to the low ratings.
The final season will surely be an interesting one, since it will revolve around Snooki's pregnancy. Jersey Shore cameras were also there to capture the birth last week. Doesn't it warm your heart to know that Lorenzo will one day be able to watch himself crowning coming into this world as part of the monumental final season of Jersey Shore? That's a memory you can't put a price on.