In November, “Frenchie Shore,” the French rendition of the well-known American reality series “Jersey Shore,” emerged as a highly debated topic in the realm of French entertainment, competing with Ridley Scott’s historical masterpiece, “Napoleon.”
Debuting on Paramount+ and MTV France on November 11, the reality show quickly permeated social media, particularly on TikTok, where users illicitly shared sexually explicit yet obscured snippets from the series. Currently reigning as the most-watched program on Paramount+ in France, a fresh episode airs every Saturday at 11 p.m.
Remaining faithful to the essence of “Jersey Shore,” “Frenchie Shore” delves into the lives of ten housemates residing in a vacation villa in Southern France, navigating a lifestyle filled with revelry and romantic entanglements. French Minister of Culture Rima Abdul Malak characterized the show as “borderline porno” and labeled it “the trashiest reality show ever produced in France” in an extensive interview with Le Parisien on November 20.
Beyond sparking a deluge of articles in various publications, the show has become a target for mockery on prime-time talk shows like Quotidien. Journalists on news channels BFMTV and CNews have gone so far as to deem it “dangerous” for the younger audience in France.
The last reality show to elicit such a fervent reaction was “Loft Story” in 2001, the French adaptation of “Big Brother,” which triggered protests outside M6’s headquarters in Paris. “Loft Story” depicted the debauchery of candidates confined in a house, marking France’s inaugural foray into reality television.
Addressing the controversy surrounding “Frenchie Shore,” Abdul Malak expressed concern over the potential impact on inexperienced teenagers, emphasizing that despite the age warnings on Paramount (under 16) and MTV (under 18), the content could be stumbled upon on social networks. She urged the French broadcasting authority, Arcom, to intervene, but the organization cited its inability to act due to MTV France and Paramount+ being headquartered in the Czech Republic and Germany, respectively.
Roch-Olivier Maistre, the president of Arcom, wrote letters to counterparts in the Czech Republic and Germany, highlighting concerns about content that raises issues regarding “the respect and protection of human dignity” and the “protection of minors.” However, a source close to the production asserted that the show complies with regulations, and the blurred sexual content aligns with appropriate ratings, making it immune to fines or suspension.
While the French broadcasting authority lacks jurisdiction over illegal content on platforms like TikTok, the latter has taken steps to delete certain videos under the #FrenchieShore hashtag, according to an AFP report.
Produced by Ah Production, a label of Satisfaction Group, “Frenchie Shore” prompted no comments from Paramount+ and Ah Production when contacted by Variety.
This marks the third rendition of “Jersey Shore” in France, following adaptations in Northern France (“Les Ch’tis”) and Marseille (“Les Marseillais”) by Banijay Production France. “Jersey Shore” has seen adaptations in Germany, Mexico, the U.K., Italy, and Spain, reflecting its global appeal.
