Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino

Mike

Personality

Birth Date: July 4, 1982

Age: 41 years old

Unconventional monikers from "Dr. Oz" to "Flavor Flav" have graced television for several years, yet no one could hold a candle to arguably the greatest nickname ever uttered on the small screen: "The Situation." New York native Michael Sorrentino often went by this alias on MTV's reality program "Jersey Shore" (2009-12), where cameras followed a group of Italian-American 20-somethings partying the summer away in Seaside Heights, NJ. Sorrentino was portrayed as the show's villain, which, in the world of reality TV, also meant he was one of the viewers' favorite cast members. Sorrentino did not mind poking fun at himself, even appearing on "The Jay Leno Show" (NBC, 2009-2010) as a quiz show contestant, which helped extend his fame and cemented his reputation as the guy with the abs who America loved to hate.

Michael Paul Sorrentino grew up in Staten Island, NY, where he worked several odd jobs including managing a fitness center and exotic dancing with the All American Male crew. The self-professed "Guido" (a slang term for Italian-American men who conduct themselves with a macho attitude and have a penchant for excessive tanning, hair products and gaudy jewelry) moved into a Seaside Heights beach house in August 2009 as part of MTV's "Jersey Shore." The reality series brought together eight single and outspoken strangers - all of Italian-American descent - to live and work while cameras followed their every move. Sorrentino was the second oldest of the cast, which included Rhode Island musician Paul "DJ Pauly D" Del Vecchio and aspiring veterinary technician Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, among others. The show kicked off with a romance brewing between Sorrentino and housemate Sammi "Sweetheart" Giancola during the first episode. The tension mounted after fellow cast member Ronnie Ortiz-Magro also courted Giancola, who ended up choosing him over Sorrentino. From the moment he came on screen, the reality star unveiled his new nickname and began referring to his washboard abdominals as "The Situation."
Sorrentino made it hard for his "Jersey Shore" housemates to like him. He often teased Polizzi for her short, curvy frame and blatantly flirted with women at clubs whom his male roommates were interested in. He was cocky and conceited, yet Sorrentino entertained viewers with his undeniable swagger and self-love. In fact, The Situation and Snooki shared equally in helping make "Jersey Shore" a ratings hit for MTV as its two biggest breakout stars. However, not all viewers were happy about the show and its over-the-top cast. UNICO National, an Italian-American community organization called for a boycott, while major corporations such as Dell, Domino's Pizza, and American Family Insurance pulled out their advertising after the show's premiere episode. Sorrentino went on record saying he did not need to defend his frequent use of the term "Guido," nor the way he was portrayed on the show. His popularity went mainstream after "Saturday Night Live" (NBC, 1975- ) poked fun at Sorrentino and Polizzi with a skit that aired during a December 2009 episode. Both cast members also made guest appearances on talk shows such "The Jay Leno Show" where they willingly participated in a quiz show sketch, which in turn, showed they were in on the joke and made both more likeable. In January 2010, fellow "Jersey Shore" housemate Vinny Guadagnino confirmed the series had been renewed for a second season, despite conflict between the network and the cast over pay.

Not long after the second season of "Jersey Shore" premiered in the summer of 2010 - this time, shot in Miami, FL - it was announced by The Hollywood Reporter that Sorrentino was shockingly poised to rake in $5 million in 2010 from various endorsements, book deals, videos, beverages and exercise gear embossed with his name and likeness. To up the fame game, "The Situation" was announced as one of the contestants on the 11th season of ABC's dance competition show, "Dancing with the Stars" (ABC, 2005- ).

By Marc Cuenco

Credits

Statute of Limitations Hosted by Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino

Host
Show
2023

Impact X NightlineStream

Guest
News
2022

Access Daily With Mario & Kit

Guest
Show
2022

Jerztory: How Jersey Shore Changed TV

Self
Show
2022

Nick Cannon

Guest
Talk
2021

Tamron Hall

Guest
Talk
2019

GMA3: Strahan, Sara & Keke

Guest
Show
2019

Today With Hoda & Jenna

Guest
Show
2019

Jersey Shore: Family Vacation: Extras

Actor
Show
2018

Jersey Shore: Family Vacation: Extras

Self
Show
2018

Jersey Shore Family VacationStream

Actor
The Situation
Reality
2018

Jersey Shore Family VacationStream

Self
Reality
2018

Daily Blast Live

Guest
Show
2017

Reunion Road Trip: Return to the Jersey Shore

Self
Show
2017

Reunion Road Trip: Return to the Jersey Shore First Look

Self
Show
2017

A Violent Man

Actor
Boomer
Movie
2017

Page Six TV

Guest
News
2016

Celebrity PageStream

Guest
News
2016

Hollywood Medium With Tyler HenryStream

Guest
Reality
2016

Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars: Extras

Actor
Show
2015

Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars: Extras

Self
Show
2015

The Sorrentinos

Self
Show
2014

Marriage Boot Camp: Reality StarsStream

Self
Reality
2014

Bethenny

Guest
Show
2013

The Choice

Contestant
Show
2012

LIVE with Kelly

Guest
Show
2011

LIVE with Kelly

Guest
Talk
2011

SuburgatoryStream

Guest Star
Series
2011
91%

Comedy Central Roast of Donald TrumpStream

Actor
Special
2011

ConanStream

Actor
Talk
2010

ConanStream

Guest
Talk
2010

Access Hollywood Live

Guest
Show
2010

Worst Cooks in AmericaStream

Contestant
Reality
2010

Jersey ShoreStream

Actor
Reality
2009

Jersey ShoreStream

Self
Reality
2009

The Jay Leno Show

Guest
Show
2009

Watch What Happens Live With Andy CohenStream

Guest
Talk
2009

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Guest
Talk
2009

The Doctors

Guest
Talk
2008

The Wendy Williams Show

Guest
Talk
2008

Chelsea Lately

Guest
Talk
2007

Rachael Ray ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2006

Dancing With the StarsStream

Contestant
Reality
2005

The Insider

Guest
Show
2004

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Guest
Talk
2003

Comedy Central RoastStream

Actor
Series
2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

Guest
Talk
2003

Live With Regis and Kelly

Guest
Show
2001

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

Writer
Movie
2001

The View

Guest
Talk
1997

Access Hollywood

Guest
News
1996

Extra

Guest
News
1994

The Tonight Show With Jay Leno

Guest
Talk
1992

Entertainment Tonight

Guest
News
1981

Entertainment Tonight

Host
News
1981

Good Morning America

Guest
News
1975

Today

Guest
News
1952

News aboutMike “The Situation” Sorrentino