MTV's Made in Staten Island irks politicians and Staten Island residents

The New York Times

MTV says it's newest reality show, premiering tonight, is “grittier and edgier” than other reality shows as it focuses on young adults trying to avoid mafia lifestyles. But Made in Staten Island is being accused of stereotyping Italian-Americans. A petition objecting to the show says it perpetuates the notion that Staten Island is “a cesspool of gangsters, meatheads and low lives” and is premised on the idea that “kids from Staten Island all grow up surrounded by the mafia." New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has also blasted the show, accusing it of "peddling stereotypes in a shameless money grab." City Councilman Joseph C. Borelli says the show exploits young people. “We’ve been stereotyped before, but now they are playing this stereotype out among kids and glorifying a life of crime,” he says. One of the show's executive producers is Mob Wives star Karen Gravano, daughter of "Sammy the Bull" Gravano. “This show is anything but promoting crime,” she says. “I’m not out here asking kids to commit crime to be on a reality show.”