• The Star-Ledger/NJ.com, Wednesday, August 24, 2011 12:45 PM

Here's a take from a major New Jersey newspaper about the state's emergence as a reality show mainstay. These shows are "centered on average Joes and Janes with larger-than-life personas," writes Lisa Rose, who also quotes a Montclair State University professor: "New Jersey has become like an industrial ingredient for reality TV."

A new Jersey entry, "Bear Swamp Recovery," about Trenton repo men, starts Monday on truTV. In October comes DIY's "Brothers on Call," about bickering Ridgewood contractors. They join MTV's "Jersey Shore, TLC's "Cake Boss," Oxygen's "Jersey Couture," Style's "Jerseylicious," DIY's "Man Caves" and Bravo's "Real Housewives of New Jersey."

Another professor, from Monmouth University, tells Rose the reality shows are fostering a stereotype of Italian-American Jerseyites. Ironically, this is all due to the influence of a non-reality show, "The Sopranos," notes TV Guide editor Bruce Fretts.

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