A Visit From Snooki

It always bothers me when adults, especially older ones make negative general statements about young people like they all fall into the same category. There has always been a disconnect between generations and there always will be. Go back to the 50’s when parents could not understand and accept their teen-agers love to Rock N Roll music and a decade later when The Beatles arrived on the scene some thought it was the beginning of the end. Regardless whether its music, clothes, hair styles, tattoos, piercings or whatever there will always be gap between young and old…it’s just the way it is. I do think my generation is probably much more understanding and accepting of this fact and there is little a teenager could say or do today that would surprise me.

However with all of that said even I find it a bit disturbing that hundreds of people, mostly teen-agers, waited in line yesterday at Barnes & Noble in Brick to see “Snooki.” One of the stars of the hit MTV Show “Jersey Shore,” she was on hand to sign copies of her book “A Shore Thing” which undoubtedly will become a best seller for no really good reason. Today’s Asbury Park Press estimates that about 700 people were on hand to greet “Snooki” and many of them dressed and looked like her, which frankly should not make their parents very happy. The author, who probably never read a book before her own, was 30 minutes late but it probably did not bother her adoring fans who gladly paid $24 to get their autographed copy and get close to the trampy-looking TV star. By the way the book is not an autobiography but a novel that according to the publisher includes “big hair, dark tans, and fights galore.” In other words it probably is pretty much a story of her life.

Seriously you can’t make too much of this because being a teen-ager allows you act stupid at times…it’s a rite of passage. Quoting a 16-year old who was among the first in line, “We love Snooki. We do everything like she does and we dress like her.” Another said “we want to be just like her.” Odds are pretty good by the time they get out of college “Snooki” and her crew will be yesterday’s news.

On an unrelated note, high school basketball fans can see some great action this week at The Hoop Group’s Boardwalk Showcase, which will be held at Monmouth University. There will be five boys’ games tomorrow, starting at noon when Jackson faces New Egypt. The Shore Sports Network will broadcast the 3:20 meeting between Monsignor Donovan and Point Beach on WOBM AM 1160/1310. The girls take the court on Sunday with Jackson facing Point Boro in the first of five games. More information you can visit www.hoopgroup.com