MTVAs the Jersey Shore cast prepares to fist pump its way onto Italian shores, it seems many of the locals aren't exactly embracing Snooki and The Situation.
In fact, Italians are comparing the gym-tan-laundry loving pack of guidos and guidettes to the "worst stereotypes of Italians," with one person going so far as to say that Osama Bin Laden "had a point" in attacking the United States.
Whoa! Why such hard feelings, Italy?
All this anger already and the hit MTV show hadn't even begun airing in the country until today. But the insult grenades are already being tossed the cast's way, with Italian columnist Roberto Del Bove dissing the Shore denizens in the Rome newspaper New Notzie.
"They embody the worst stereotypes of Italians, multiplied by thousands and Americanized," he wrote. (Tell us something we don't already know.)
One commenter on an MTV Italia website offered this little ditty: "When I see this, I wonder whether Osama Bin Laden had a point."
Bit extreme, perhaps? It's just entertainment people. Annoying? Yes. Causing America to be deserving of a terrorist attack? Wouldn't go that far.
Italy's most widely read daily, Corriere della Sera, described the octet as a group with "slicked hair, exaggerated narcissism, boundless love for the family and outlandish eccentricity."
OK, that was a bit nicer.
But back to the bashing. Aldo Grasso, a prominent TV critic for the same paper told the Wall Street Journal that he's "afraid" and that "the image if Italy abroad is already weakened."
The natives seem to be restless based on the casts' hijinks at home, involving the police, alcohol and lots of sex during their summers at the Shore, but the network has released few details about what the cast will be up to in their country or even where they will be living.
A well-known Italian talking head had told the Journal earlier this year that the show is "the last thing we need."
"I'm not worried about the characters feeling out of place," said Beppe Severgnini.
One place the hard-partying cast will be welcome though is on the club scene. The manager of one of Rome's most popular nightclubs, Babel, told the Journal that there's no question that they'll be letting the cast in to party.
None of this seems to be affecting the cast's good spirits about the new season though. According to MTV News, they are geared up to go.
"For some reason, I really want to go on a gondola ride, maybe I'll fall in love," said the newest castmember, Deena Cortese.
Aww come on, Italy, they're not that bad. Show a little amore!