With the recent publicity of Teresa Giudice and her recent homecoming to her Montville mansion, it reminded many New Jersey residents of the plethora of reality shows that are just around the corner. Can you recognize many of the homes if you passed by them? Could you figure out which home belonged to which reality show? Well, take a look at the few we can think of and find out how big of a fan you really are?
Brick City | Hosted in Newark, N.J.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons/Alexisrael
This American documentary premiered on the Sundance channel and ran for two seasons. This location makes a great start to our tour because it was hosted mostly in a public building that can be accessed during most business hours. Brick City was filmed at Newark City Hall, located at 920 Broad Street, directly next to the city courthouse and a post office that is well known for staying open late on tax day. There is also the home of characters Jayda Jacques and Darel “Creep” Evans, which will remain private for several reasons, but they do reside in Newark. Lawyer Brooke Barnett’s office is located right down the street from City Hall at 60 Park Place, across from the new Prudential Tower.
Comic Book Men | Hosted in Red Bank, N.J.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons/Nightscream
Gaining in popularity, Comic Book Men has brought a lot of notoriety to Monmouth county outside of the Jersey Shore. Here a popular local comic store, Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash, is located at 35 Broad Street in lively Red Bank, just a few blocks from the train station and Count Basie Theatre. Locally, they are known for hosting card games and the traditional collector’s comic release of choice. Nationally, however, it’s known as the setting for AMC’s “Pawn Stars for geeks.”
Jersey Shore | Hosted in Seaside Heights, N.J.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons/Hypnotica Studios Infinite
Arguably the most popular reality show in recent history, MTV’s Jersey Shore has made a landmark of its location. Many people residing in the Northeast region make a point to visit the Jersey Shore during the summer. Now, because of the TV show, they make a point to visit Seaside Heights specifically. While enjoying the boardwalk and amusement attractions, visitors find an all too familiar piece of real estate one block off the beach, “The Jersey Shore House.”
Right off the boardwalk between Kearney and Fremont Avenues, there stands a two-story shack with the iconic Italian flag painted over a garage and a feeling of déjà vu. You have arrived at 1209 Ocean Avenue, and for three years this home has entered our television sets with a cast of eight that personified the common stereotype of the locals.
The best part about visiting this home is you can rent it out and live just as the cast did. Because of the show, the local nightlife has increased and the food has always been delicious. If you plan a trip to Seaside Heights, make time to see if the home is available during your stay.
Jerseylicious | Hosted in Green Brook Township, N.J.
Following the popularity of Jersey Shore, viewers could not get enough of the “Jersey accent” and out came Esquire’s Jerseylicious. Sitting on the end of the Green Brook Shopping Center in Somerset County, this unassuming hair salon was a great location for a reality show. If you have ever visited, you get to see why this show ran for five seasons. Green Brook Township, is mostly a residential municipality so it is not likely you know of it, unless you have a reason to. However, it is located on one of the main arteries further into Somerset County, U.S. Highway 22, so you may have a reason to casually pass by this landmark place of business.
Miss America Pageant | Hosted in Atlantic City, N.J.
This does not exactly qualify as a reality show. It barely fits into the competition reality category. However, due to the recent press on Steve Harvey and the onslaught on Internet memes, this made the list. The Miss America Pageant is usually held in Atlantic City at the Claridge Hotel on South Indiana Avenue. This year, it was moved to Las Vegas, but we appreciate it just as well.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey | Hosted in Franklin Lakes, N.J.
Bravo has a series of reality shows highlighting the affluent lifestyle of a collective of women organized by area. In New Jersey, the wealthiest county is Bergen County, and it sits in the northeastern most corner of the state. Residing toward the western end are the Real Housewives of New Jersey and the very entertaining lifestyle they lead. To a point, they are not exactly neighbors. Danielle Staub stays in Passaic County in Wayne on Shadow Ridge Road. Jacqueline Laurita and Dina Manzo stay in Franklin Lakes, Waterview Drive, and Saber Court respectively. Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga stay in Morris County in Montville.
Run’s House and Rev Run’s Renovation | Hosted in Saddle River, N.J.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons/David Shankbone
Joseph Simmons, better known as Rev Run, has such an entertaining family that he has three reality shows on three separate networks. He stars in Run’s House on MTV, Rev Run’s Renovation on DIY, and also Rev Run’s Sunday Suppers on the Cooking Channel. The majority of the shows were hosted in the family’s Saddle River mansion. However, the house was put up for sale recently and has most likely sold.
Follow the Rules | Hosted in Saddle River, N.J.
The newest addition to the reality show family is former rap artist Ja Rule‘s show Follow the Rules, hosted on MTV. Ja Rule opens his home to the world and provides access to his large family residing in his Bergen County custom-built mansion. The show is still on its first season so time will tell how their entertainment factor compares to their neighbors, the Simmons.
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