The Value of Vinny.

Poor Vinny. Of all the winning housemates rocking out in Seaside Heights, he somehow managed to end up on the B squad. Not that some of this isn't his own fault. When you're most known in a house of people for having pink eye that one time, it's safe to say you're not getting a ton of screen time.

But we NEED Vinny. He's the looking glass through which we can peer at a wonderland of gym, tanning, laundry and snickers' face being smashed in repeatedly. He's the rare television character with one foot in the real world and one in the false reality of his television show. Would you have related to George Costanza or Kramer without Jerry there to mediate? Or been able to enjoy Arrested Development without Michael at it's center? Vinny may not get the MTV love (a mistake on their part), but he's the anchor of the show. He's the straight man (That doesn't have anything to do with his boning preference all you orange tanned people who are consuming everything JS right now).

No one denies the situation's situation. But the fact that another "guido," (Vinny) can point out Situation's mantra "gym, tanning, laundry" is not an enviable lifestyle gives the character depth.

Could Pauly D or Snooki have managed Vinny's feat in the first episode in which he took one look at JWOWW from 2 stories up and proceeded to immediately move his bags to avoid bunking with her? No FUCKING way. It was almost like he predicted her getting an eyeful of Pauly's penis steel two days later. Amazing

Even though he may not have abs like the Sitch, the word cadillac tattooed on his body, IN GIANT LETTERS, like pauly d, nipples that laugh at where nature intends them to point, like JWOWW, or two black eyes and a mushy forehead like Snickers, Vinny has one thing the rest don't. I'll deal with a few awkward moments and forced fist pumps if it gets me what no other character can provide: a brain.

I'll keep this first post short... but I've been happy for Vinny lately. He took the bosses gap toothed, herpes infested girl and may be looking to transmit those same herpes to "the man of the house's" sister in the near future. Now he just needs some more screen time so I can get a thinking guido's take on the best television show since the wire.