Jersey Shore is an American reality television series that ran on MTV from December 3, 2009, to December 20, 2012. The series follows the lives of eight housemates at a vacation home in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, on the Shore in seasons one, three, five, and six. The show debuted amid controversy regarding its use of the terms "Guido" and "Guidette" and its portrayal of Italian Americans. The Shore franchise spawned several international adaptations in other countries.