'Made In Staten Island' Season 1: The reality of Staten Island vs reality TV shows on the forgotten borough
MTV's latest installation of a reality show based in Staten Island has already made the locals sigh "ugh, not again!" The southernmost borough is no stranger to a stereotyped representation of a Mafia dominated neighborhood, thanks to decades of such-themed shows that Islanders have to continuously defend their borough from the New Yorkers despite being from the same region. 'Made in Staten Island' is the fifth series featuring Staten Islanders in the last nine years from Viacom and other networks, including the Food Network and CNBC, that have also used the "forgotten borough" as a backdrop to their shows.
While the show has been at the receiving end of all the harshest criticism, the most savage comment has been made by city councilman Joe Borelli, who represents Staten Island’s south shore. Taking to Twitter, he first described it to be "embarrassing", and later in the interview explained that the major problem with the show is the glorification of crime amongst teenagers.
This can’t be serious.
— Joe Borelli (@JoeBorelliNYC) December 19, 2018
This is embarrassing.
I don’t even know what to say.https://t.co/yw56b9AlF6