Jerry Davich: ‘Jersey Shore’ TV star out to ‘Snookify’ America

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Reality television star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi participates in a Wrestlemania XXVII press conference at the Hard Rock Cafe on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi paused for just a second before answering my question.

“Well, a lot of reality TV is scripted, but not us,” said Polizzi, one of the stars from the mega-popular cable TV show “Jersey Shore.”

I asked her why so many Americans are intoxicated, even addicted, to her daily exploits along the New Jersey shoreline with her knucklehead friends, Vinny, Ronny, Sammi and others.

“We’re real people and we’re willing to show the world what’s going on in our personal lives,” said Polizzi, who prefers to be called Nicole during interviews.

I didn’t agree with her reply — I’m convinced that having cameras capturing your every move undoubtedly alters your every move — but she was on a roll, so my point was moot.

Polizzi offered a rehearsed response for just about every question I asked during our 15-minute phone chat from her temporary location in Los Angeles. Still, she came across as surprisingly sweet although completely self-absorbed about her life, her lifestyle and her new thinner look. 

I talked with Polizzi late Sunday night, along with my radio show co-host Karen Walker, about a new phone app Polizzi created which is all about, you guessed it, her. (You can check it out online at www.snookiapps.com.)

“Girls can look tanned, gaudy and hot, just like ME!” the 24-year-old pop culture princess cheerily explained.

Polizzi has a new deal with Apps Genius for a suite of new apps, the first of which is “Snookify Me,” launched for Apple and Google platforms. The app allows users to make their own photo to be “Snookified,” with elements of her familiar look — large tanned chest, large sunglasses, hair style pouf, etc.

Sound ridiculous? It is. But teen girls will surely buy it (for $1.99), and so will older women, even though Polizzi said her target audience includes “dogs, cats, and fans from age 6 to 90.” I kid you not.

While talking to her, I wondered if she truly believed her own hype. I mean, even SHE didn’t expect “Jersey Shore,” now in its fifth season, to be such an international hit and MTV’s No. 1 series of all time.

“We try not to let the haters get to us,” she said, referring to herself and her boyfriend, Jionni, who was with her during our chat.

Nearly 9 million viewers tuned in for the start of Season 4 (not including cats and dogs), and a spin-off show also is in the works with Snooki and her gal-pal “JWoww.”

But, I asked, what if “Jersey Shore” never took off? What would she be doing with her life? Snooki didn’t hesitate, saying she would be working with animals at a veterinary hospital, or something similar. And going back to college to finish her degree.

“I would still be happy,” she chirped.

Instead, she’s all about “branding” herself these days, trying to emulate her idol Jessica Simpson, while hawking more products than she can remember.

“Oh my God,” she replied, rattling off several items, including books, slippers, purses, sunglasses, boots, nail polish, tanning lotion and more. (There are so many on the market she had to ask her manager for help.)

“My ultimate goal is to brand myself,” she said flatly, as if everybody lists such a thing as their ultimate goal in life.

I concluded that Polizzi believes this to be her purpose in life, at least for the moment. And this reminded me of a great quote, asking, “What is your purpose is in life?”

Before answering, first consider this clue: If you never had to worry about money in your life, what would you do? Your answer, I’m told, would be your purpose.

Anyway, back to Snooki, uh, I mean Polizzi. She someday wants to have a big family and then resume her life after the “Jersey Shore” tsunami stops making waves.

After our phone call, Walker and I were supposed to hang up our phone. But, instead, we eavesdropped on Polizzi as she waited to talk with other media members.

“Boop-be-doop, boop-be-badoopy-doop,” she sung to herself like a little girl, before asking her handlers what to expect next for the media-chat cattle call.

Thinking back, something she told us resonated with me regarding her show’s first season.

“I was young and naïve and did not know what was going on,” she told us.

The same can be said about her now, no doubt. But this 24-year-old girl from Seaside Heights, New Jersey, has her own empire in the making whether you think she’s a “star” or not. Only in America, huh?

Listen to my entire phone chat with Polizzi on my next “Casual Fridays” radio show, this Friday at noon, on WLPR, 89.1-FM, or online at www.thelakeshorefm.com