December 2009

Join us this month for the December 2009 Edition of ITALICS.
First on ITALICS, we join the fray and wade into the muck and mire of the inter-media maelstrom unloosed by the release of MTV’s new Television reality series, “Jersey Shore.” The show's characters are eight self described Guidos and Guidettes, and the series depicts their activities at a dream beachhouse on the Jersey Shore for the summer. “Jersey Shore’s” perceived depictions of Italian Americans and use of the ethnic epithet “guidos” has raised the ire of individual Italian Americans, and various Italian American Political and Community Groups. ITALICS speaks with Distinguished Professor Fred Gardaphe and Professor Donald Tricarico who have both written on the Guido phenomenon and Italian American Masculinity, Leaders From Community Groups Leading the protests against MTV’s treatment of the Community and the Italian American on the street. Maybe we’ll find out the only thing we need to fear is ourselves.

Then ITALICS takes you to see “Kitty and Lucky, Photographs of My Aunt Concetta and Uncle Augustine”, by Larry Racioppo. The Exhibition, “Kitty and Lucky”, features 20 photographs taken over a period of thirty years. The photographs not only provide insight into their relationship, Kitty and Lucky’s were Mr. Racioppo’s favorite subjects throughout their lives, but also into the development of Racioppo as photographer and artist. “Kitty and Lucky” will be on exhibition at the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, on Staten Island, through January 3rd, 2010.

“ITALICS: December 2009” airs Wednesday, December 30th at 10:00 am, 3:00 pm, and 11:00 pm; on Saturday, January 2 at 8:00 pm; and on Sunday, January 3rd at 10:00 am.