It's a Jersey Shore Halloween (and MTV is cashing in)

Let's face it - Jersey Shore is not only the most popular Halloween costume of 2010, but also the best thing that could have ever happened to MTV. Undoubtedly, the cast from Jersey Shore has created a social phenomenon that has made everyone wish that they looked and acted like they were from New Jersey. Maybe it's the slick black hair, the fake orange tan, or the excuse to act without thinking. Whatever it is, Jersey Shore has brought MTV the fortune they have been looking for.

The Jersey Shore Lap of Luxury

The cast members from Jersey Shore (including Angelina "Jolie" Pivarnick, Jenni "JWoww" Farley, Michael "The Situation" Sorrentino, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, Paul "DJ Pauly D" DelVecchio, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, Sammi "Sweetheart" Giancola, and Vinny Guadagnino) have boosted their personal earnings significantly throughout the seasons. From $5,000 per episode in season 1, to $10,000 per episode in season 2, to a reported $30,000 per episode for the upcoming season 3, these Jersey kids are making more than enough money to maintain their tanning and hair gel budgets.

GTL iTunes App

Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino set the tone for the negotiations on behalf of all of the cast mates in July of 2010 demanding from $24,000 to $47,000 per episode per cast mate. On top of the earnings they get from the show, the cast gets personal appearance payments for up to a reported $100,000 per appearance individually and they also get endorsements. The Situation's GTL iPod App is one of the top selling apps on iTunes. For a $5 one time fee, the GTL (Gym-Tan-Laundry) App will tell you the nearest gym, tanning salon, or dry cleaning store. You can then call the location or get directions with this app. The perks from simply being on the show seem to be paying for themselves.

MTV's Cash Cow

Although the costs of keeping the Jersey Shore cast mates rise each year, so do MTV's profits. The ratings for Jersey Shore are 5.1 for 12 to 34 year olds which is a 292 percent increase since its season 1 debut. Jersey Shore is also getting the best ratings MTV has seen in 8 years. In essence, MTV is actually underpaying the cast.

6.4 million viewers tuned in to watch JWoww take on Sammi in their highly promoted fight. These numbers were achieved even on top of Sunday night football which ultimately makes one think that Jersey Shore is unstoppable.

Viacom, who owns TV stations like MTV and Nickelodeon, has seen their stock rise 52 percent in the last year. Not only will they pay a dividend for the first time ever, but also there will be a $4 billion buy back. Viacom has not seen these numbers ever and can give thanks to Jersey Shore for making the high-end profits that they are experiencing.

The Jersey "Brand" Takes on Halloween

With the success of the Jersey Shore reality TV show, making a Halloween costume that corresponds with the most popular cast mates would only make sense. MTV has reportedly paired up with Rubie's costumes to make Snookie, The Situation, and Pauly D Halloween costumes.

Snooki's Signature Bump

Pauly D's Hair Do

You can buy Snooki's signature hair bump or Pauly D's spiked blow out hairstyle in wig form now, making your Halloween costumes easy and recognizable. Halloween stores are even known to "throw together" bags of Halloween costumes that represent Snooki's style.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Halloween stores that have sold out of the original Jersey Shore costumes will throw a pair of fluffy slippers, self tanner and an old  Amy Winehouse wig into a bag and call it a Snooki kit.

You can also buy a body suit of The Situation's abs, just like you can buy Batman or Superman's abs. MTV and Rubie's Costumes have the only patent on the textured abs costumes which gives them a leg up over the competition. Other competitors who are attempting to make The Situation Halloween costumes are forced to create costumes that have the signature 6-pack drawn on as opposed to beveled.

It is almost unbelievable how fast these Halloween costumes are selling out. Most stores no longer have any of the Jersey Shore costumes left and are scrambling to get their hands on more. In this year alone, the usual $600 million Halloween market is expected to increase to $1 billion this season.

Lady Gaga was reported to have been the number 1 costume of this Halloween season, but all three of the Jersey Shore costumes have already outsold the variations of Lady Gaga costumes. It looks as though every town will look like something straight out of Jersey Shore this Halloween.

When asked about the differing attitudes towards the Jersey Shore characters being the most popular Halloween costumes of 2010, Pauly D responded that it is "free publicity." In regards to people dressing up as him as a parody, he says that regardless of whether or not they are saying good things or bad, they are still talking about him and takes the Halloween costumes as a compliment, as he should.