Club owner says reality show proposed for Seaside Heights won’t be like MTV’s “Jersey Shore”

When news broke last night about an upcoming casting call for another reality show to be set in Seaside Heights, controversy quickly ensued. 

The Seaside Heights Boardwalk group on Facebook came alive with fearful comments about the potential show in the borough, which became world famous after MTV’s “Jersey Shore” debuted in 2009.

“Jersey Shore” featured the escapades of a housemates, such as “The Situation” and “Snooki,” who often were involved in binge drinking and conflicts, both verbal and sometimes physically violent.

“I hope this is not real! OMG! We do not need another Jersey Shore show coming to Seaside!” Seaside Heights Boardwalk group member Jean Cocarro wrote. “This town is finally heading in the right direction and this will turn the tides!”

The proposed show, according to an announcement posted on the Bamboo Bar Facebook page, will chronicle housemates that work on the beach during the day and the Bamboo Bar at night.

After suffering damage during Superstorm Sandy in 2012, followed by the massive boardwalk fire in 2013, Seaside Heights has made strides to move away from its party image toward a softer, family friendly vibe. 

The news of the casting call set for Saturday night at the Bamboo Bar reportedly blindsided borough officials.

Borough administrator Christopher Vaz said the casting call — seeking out “expressive and outgoing” single men and women who are “loud and fun” — on its face, is a challenge to the borough’s vision of becoming more family friendly. 

“Borough officials have no idea what the Bamboo Bar casting call is about and we will not depict Seaside Heights in a negative light,” he said.

But John Saddy, the Bamboo Bar owner, tells APP.com that the “I Love Summer” reality series will be geared toward a different audience than Jersey Shore.

He told the website that the show would be like an East Coast version of ‘Vanderpump Rules,” a Bravo reality series that follows restaurant co-workers in and out of work.

Saddy said the project is still in the preliminary stages and that they have not yet filed for the necessary permits with the borough. 

In recent summers, the borough has offered a diverse programming schedule, including free concerts, movies on the beach, and family fun nights.

Borough administrator Christopher Vaz said the casting call, on its face, is a challenge to the borough’s vision.

“Borough officials have no idea what the Bamboo Bar casting call is about and we will not depict Seaside Heights in a negative light,” he said.