MTV GETS SUED FOR STEALING THE JERSEY SHORE IDEA!

MTV may have itself a "Situation." And we're not talking about Mike Sorrentino.
The cable network faces legal action from writer and producer Christopher Gambale, who alleges MTV stole his idea for the reality series "Jersey Shore."

Long before America met Snooki and the gang, Gambale wrote a treatment called "Guidos: A Reality Series," and in 2006 registered it with the Writer's Guild of America.

The proposal describes its subject as "a sad, pathetic excuse for a male; not necessarily of Italian descent, but most likely; usually native to the New York/New Jersey tristate area." Gym-toned, tanned and accompanied by "his counterpart, the Guidette," the Guido enjoyed "nightclubbing in the lesser" beach towns and performing the "Guido fist pump."

On a friend's advice, Gambale says he submitted the idea to MTV programming exec Tony DiSanto (who left the network in September). Gambale then got wrapped up in other projects and assumed nothing had come of "Guidos" — until a friend told him about a hot new show that bore striking similarities. "Jersey Shore" even originally had the working title "Guidos."

Now the clock is ticking. On Nov. 10, Gambale's attorney sent MTV execs a letter notifying them of his client's concerns, and he's giving the network a month to respond before filing suit. (MTV did not respond by deadline).

Of course, Gambale admits he can't claim credit for the outsize orange personalities that have made "Jersey Shore" a hit. "None of the Guidettes I knew were that outrageous," he says, adding of Snooki, "nobody can create that."

Gambale also feels the show neglects the "extreme element of danger" he remembers from his youthful observations of the Guido lifestyle — drugs, alcoholism, rape — in favor of a "cotton candy" portrayal.

In fact, he claims he can't bear to watch the show.

"It's like torture," he says.