MTV counters ‘Jersey Shore’ with serious shows, including week-in-the-life ‘World of Jenks’

MTV counters ‘Jersey Shore’ fluff with ‘Jenks’

NEW YORK — MTV has a ratings bonanza on its hands with “Jersey Shore.” But the network is also trying to add substance to its lineup with shows like “The Buried Life,” ”If You Really Knew Me” and the new “World of Jenks.”

“World of Jenks” follows Andrew Jenks, a 24-year-old documentary filmmaker who lives with a new young person for about a week. Jenks’ subjects include a rapper, an animal rights activist, a homeless girl and a 20-year-old with autism.

Jenks admits that meeting people and infiltrating their world isn’t easy. He calls it “incredibly uncomfortable” and “really awkward” at first. He tries to keep his production crew to a minimum to create an atmosphere like a home video.

“World of Jenks” airs Monday nights on MTV.

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Online:

www.mtv.com/shows/world_of_jenks/series.jhtml