It was bound to happen. After MTV secured the cast of Jersey Shore for a second season (paying each cast member a reported $10,000 an episode), the network is reining in its self-proclaimed guidos and guidettes.
The stars of the spray-tanned, hair-gelled reality show have been scoring extra cash with personal appearances at clubs and bars – sometimes worth up to US$7,500 per night. But MTV wants them to cut down on the appearances, and fast.
"MTV has told the Jersey Shore crew they can only do two personal appearances a week, and that all of their gigs have to be approved by producers,” a source told The New York Post.
“They've threatened the cast that they will be fined if they flout the rules – but some don't care and are blatantly going ahead to earn as much cash as they possibly can."
Each cast member – including Nicole (Snooki) Polizzi, Mike (The Situation) Sorrentino, Pauly (Pauly D) Delvecchio, and Jenni (JWoww) Farley – has signed a $180,000 contract to film a new 18-episode season this summer.
"We have to put in controls to protect the brand. We don't want them out all over the map at every single bar in the country,” said another source.
"They have to get permission from MTV prior to doing a personal appearance – we don't want one of these kids appearing in a topless bar. Pauly D's fan base is about 85 per cent women between 12 and 21, we have to protect that."
Said Michael Schweiger, who manages the cast members except Snooki, "We're incredibly busy. It's a hell of a ride right now. This is something like America hasn't seen before as far as reality TV goes. Rather than let it run like a train out of control, there has to be some rules put in place."
To wit, Schweiger told The New York Daily News Delvecchio was offered US$50,000 to walk a Californian bride down the aisle. But, he said, “We rejected the offer, because Pauly is a serious DJ.”
Originally set at the Seaside Heights resort in New Jersey, the reality show will move to California for the next season.
Since December, says OK! magazine, The Situation and Pauly D have reportedly been making $7,500 per appearance, while J-Woww cost about $5,000 in December. Snooki has at one point raked in $10,000 per appearance.
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