It’s A Shore Thing: The Geordies Are Back!

July 5, 2012
By: Becki Dickinson

Geordie Shore came bounding back onto our TV screens a week ago, with our favourite Geordies being let loose in Cancun, to undoubtedly cause Chaos, hence series three: Chaos in Cancun.

The ‘no Angels of the North’ troop slapped on the make-up, doused themselves in fake tan and squeezed themselves into their too-tight-tops and headed for Mexico, where inevitably the same dramas, outrageous sexcapades and drunken fights would take place, but instead with the glorious beaches and sizzling sunshine backdrop of Cancun. And not to mention under the intense supervision of Cancun Chris.

After the popularity of the first series, MTV were dubious whether the English take on Jersey Shore would sustain its high ratings, and whether it would ever live up to its American predecessor. But, surprising or not, Geordie Shore has captured our hearts with those adorable accents, the typical romantic saga starring Charlotte and Gary, and the ever entertaining barrage of hilarious one liners: ‘gotta splash the cash to get the gash’, ‘any hole’s a goal’ and ‘sexico in Mexico’ – how can we resist?

Jersey Shore seemed, after its second season, doomed to fall into predictability, what with the Ronnie and Sammy debacle every single episode, with the phrase ‘I’m done’ being thrown around more than the girls’ underwear, it started to wear thin. But there is something about the charming (can we really call Charlotte charming?) Charlotte and Gary will-they-won’t they saga that has us all hooked, positively wishing them to get together, in a union that lasts beyond the bedroom.

Series two concluded during mid-march following the introduction of two new housemates Rebecca and Ricci. The series did not disappoint, and delivered all the drama and comedic genius comments and scenarios from series one, but brought in new ‘characters’ and a new couple, no longer Vicky and Jay, but Vicky and Ricci. Whether its Ricci or Jay, as long as Vicky is in the equation it will always equal temper tantrums. Following an up and down season of Vicky’s love interests, pitting model-like Dan against buff boy Ricci, we all tuned in to see which boy would win our VIP lady’s heart. With the season finishing and the Reunion confirming that they were still a couple, and going strong none-the-less, are we to hear wedding bells in the near future, or witness a proposal in paradise, just like rival TOWIE’s Lucy and Mario?

With the new couple joined together constantly at the lips, or torn apart by the most insignificant of arguments, the Barbie (Vicky) and Cindy (Becca) rivalry seems to have been quashed for the time being (but how we all wish it would spark up again). It seems that the main female action is coming from Becca, Holly and Charlotte, as Sophie ‘has a face like a slapped arse’ (Gary, episode 2) over her worries for ‘boyfriend’ Joel, regularly referred to as ‘the prick’ by the housemates. As Charlotte tries valiantly to resist the parsnip, Holly pursues the leg over on the The Combover and Becca continues to bond with the girls whilst temperamental Vicky is distracted by Ricci,  these are just a few scenarios we tune in weekly to witness as they hilariously, or catastrophically develop. With Garry pummelling girl after girl, finally going national in his escapades, and wingman Jay being locked down by a missus at home, and other housemate Ricci seemingly no longer ‘one of the boys’, James has a lot to live up to in his conquests. However, at the close of episode two James has still yet to pull, a predicament we have become used to watching most cringingly, as he continues to protest that he is after ‘worldies’ and not just any stray that graces his path – he wants a challenge. However, the challenge seems to be getting a girl at all, as Gary snogs in the sea, James is marooned on the shore making small talk with every hottie that has sidled over to him. Is he really looking for a higher standard, or is Holly secretly the only one for him? With all the ‘flanter’ occurring I’m definitely of the opinion that our Holl is the girl for him!

So, why do we love this show? Well, apart from Mr and Mrs Parsnip, The Combover’s dire attempts at pulling and Charlotte’s ability to seemingly get herself into the most unattractive yet hilarious predicaments, it seems that we just can’t resist these tanned northern beauties.  Even if you are a reality crazed fan like me, who tunes in to Made In Chelsea, Towie and even, ashamedly, Desperate Scousewives, just to see how each geographical rich and glamorous group live, I can safely say that the Geordie’s take first place. There is something so natural and irresistible about the show, something that doesn’t need scripts, set-ups or the contrived scenarios that the warning although the people are real ‘some of what you see has been set up purely for your entertainment’ warrant – and yet Geordie Shore is pure unadulterated (literally) entertainment, that does not need to be preordained. We love it because it’s real, and it reminds us of last Saturday night, or the last all girls/boys holiday we went on last summer. We know it doesn’t represent all Geordies, and we know that drinking until you pass out, sex with strangers and intoxicated brawls are not the perfect advertisement for youths of today or English culture, but it’s entertaining, and like it or not this is what is real (however probably not to the proportions we see on the TV every week). We love that they deal with the problems we deal with, that the girls are mortified when their hair extensions are stolen from their head or when their fake tan starts to melt off. We like that the boys, although occasionally chauvinistic, patronising and derogatory, make their way through women, but are honest about it, with their get ‘in and out’ philosophy.

Really, there’s something actually quite endearing about the whole thing. In a strange twisted way. We like that they are the run of the mill, down to earth individuals that they are, and that they’re not the born with a spoon in their mouths spoilt brats of other TV series (although I still love that sort). We like that the girls shop in Primark and not Gucci and that their extensions are clip ins and not the sophisticated types worn by grade A celebs. And not to mention, we love the simplicity of the boys’ routine – gym, tan, girls. Even though we see the same drunk antics, ever more girls being ‘Gazzed’  and James’ relentless pursuit to get laid, we will tune in every week until the end. We love the Geordie Shore, and we love even more that they aren’t the angels from the north.

 

 

 

 

Sources:

http://www.mtv.co.uk/shows/geordie-shore?s_cid=359&gclid=CLuY9t3DgrECFc8KtAodnlub9w