"Jersey Shore" Cast Appearance Causes Riot, 4 Arrested at Nightclub
Photo: Cast of MTV reality show "Jersey Shore."
PICTURES: "Jersey Shore" Naked Photo Flap
Property owner Dick Grabowsky told the Newark Star-Ledger that more than 2,000 people showed up at the 501 Lounge in Montclair on Friday night for the advertised meet and greet with the cast of the hit reality show.
Montclair Police Chief David Sabagh said fights broke out among the crowds, as fans were pressed up against the club's doors.
"They had crowds much larger than they could control," Sabagh told the Star-Ledger. "They had 600 upstairs, 200 to 300 downstairs and 400 outside...There were fights inside and fights outside."
Four people were arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and drunken driving, according to police.
Police closed a stretch of the main business strip outside the club, which has a capacity of 800, for two hours, according to the Associated Press.
The popular MTV reality show focuses on the escapades of eight 20-somethings thrown together at a summer shore house. The stars are mostly Italian-Americans and have taken heat for, according to some, portraying negative ethnic stereotypes.
The show has also garnered attention for on-screen violence. In one episode, cast member Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi was sucker-punched by a drunk gym teacher. In several other episodes, cast member Ronnie Ortiz-Magro got into violent altercations.
MEDIA
PICTURES: "Jersey Shore" Naked Photo Flap
MORE ON CRIMESIDER
January 22, 2010 - "Jersey Shore" Reunion: Snooki's Punch, Ronnie's Fights, Breakups, Arrests, Oh My
January 13, 2010 - "Snooki" Gets Punched, Teacher Brad Ferro Gets Fired
January 11, 2010 - Ronnie from MTV's "Jersey Shore" Was Arrested for Bar Fight
December 14, 2009 - "Snooki" Punched in the Face, Gym Teacher Arrested, MTV Pulls Scene from "Jersey Shore"