"Jersey Shore" Under Fire By Group, Cast Member Says "We're Not Representing Italians"

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. (CBS/AP) One group wants the word "guido" - and other "Italian-isms" -- to be a no-go on MTV's "Jersey Shore."

The head of an Italian-American group wants producers of MTV's "Jersey Shore" reality show to go easier on Italian references in its second season and to cut down on shots of the Italian flag and use of ethnic terms such as "guido," which some Italian-Americans find offensive.

UNICO national president Andre DiMino says he met with officials of MTV parent company Viacom and they promised to recognize the requests.

"I'm cautiously optimistic," DiMino said. "With a program like this it's still trash television, and it would be unfortunate if they don't 'de-Italianize' the program."

Cast member Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, 22, has no problem using the "G-word." She says her "guidos" and "guidettes" in New Jersey miss her and she's looking forward to getting back to Seaside Heights, N.J., for filming next month.

"I'm excited to see the guidos and be back in my homeland, my hometown, and party it up at the shore," she told The Associated Press. "I think it misses me. We're not representing Italians, we're not representing any type of nationality. It's a lifestyle to be a guido, guidette."

The show focuses on a group of 20-something Italian-Americans at a rental house.

MTV says it has "made some adjustments" but won't interfere in how cast members refer to themselves.