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

MTV counters ‘Jersey Shore’ with ‘World of Jenks’

NEW YORK — Yes, MTV’s got 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 now “World of Jenks.”

“World of Jenks” follows Andrew Jenks, a 24-year-old documentary filmmaker who lives with young people for about a week to experience what their lives are like.

“A lot of times we see magazine articles or pieces where people are only talking to a subject for a day or two,” Jenks said, “In this scenario we’re really with them and I ask them questions the entire time and you really get a sense for who they are.”

Jenks’ subjects include a rapper, an animal rights activist, a homeless girl and a 20-year-old named Chad with autism. Chad is like most guys his age. He likes video games, hates Monday mornings and is frustrated and confused by girls’ mood swings. But, on an excursion to New York City, the honking car horns, construction and other sounds of the city are too much to bear — and viewers get an idea of what it’s like to be him.

Jenks is the first to admit meeting a person and infiltrating their world isn’t easy.

“It is incredibly uncomfortable for the first two days. It’s really awkward,” he said. “There’s cameras and microphones and there’s a production team, but what we do is we try and keep it as minimal as possible.”

He also has to put his own life on hold while he’s focused on someone else’s reality. Jenks said that is the most difficult part of the job.

“I obviously want to maintain some sort of personal life. It’s definitely tough,” he said. “It’s not like I turn my phone off and won’t pick up if my mom calls. I’m still me. I’m still acknowledging what I do, but it’s definitely tough because I am to a degree cut from the outside world.”

This isn’t Jenks’ first foray into filmmaking. At 19, Jenks moved into a retirement home in Florida to capture the lives of senior citizens. The end result, a documentary called “Andrew Jenks, Room 336,” was bought and released by HBO, earning him rave reviews.

“World of Jenks” airs Mondays at 10 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time.

“The Buried Life” follows four friends trying to complete a sort of bucket list while simultaneously helping strangers achieve their dreams. Episodes follow “World of Jenks.”

“If You Really Knew Me” focuses on breaking down school cliques. It airs Tuesday nights.

__

Online:

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