Jersey Shore is an American reality television series that ran on MTV from December 3, 2009 to December 20, 2012 in the United States. The series follows the lives of eight housemates: Jenni Farley, Michael "The Situation" Sorrentino, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, Paul "Pauly D" DelVecchio, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, Sammi Giancola, Vinny Guadagnino, Deena Nicole Cortese (seasons 3–6), and Angelina Pivarnick (seasons 1–2). The first season had five special episodes, with some airing after select episodes. Several after-hours specials have aired on MTV following select episodes along with various specials. The end of each season has been accompanied by a reunion show. Also a number of after-show internet specials titled "Jersey Shore: Hook-Up" hosted by Kenny Santucci have been released on MTV.com after select episodes. Additionally, there have been a number of internet specials exclusively on MTV.com. Series overview Episodes Season 1 (2009–10) For the first quarter of 2010, season 1 of Jersey Shore was the highest-rated original cable series among 12- to 34-year-olds, with a season-high 2.6 rating for the finale. The season also ranked #1 for its time period versus all cable competition among 12- to 34-year-olds. The season finale was MTV's highest-rated original series telecast in almost two years. Overall, the season averaged 2.7 million viewers. The season featured five special episodes, including a half-hour show titled Jersey Shore: After Hours hosted by Julissa Bermudez which aired occasionally after select episodes featuring cast members discussing the week's episode. Episodes 1.01 and 1.02 premiered back-to-back. Episodes 1.07 and 1.08 aired back-to-back. Season 2 (2010) On January 29, 2010, MTV announced that a second season of the series consisting of 13 episodes had been ordered and would air in Summer 2010. MTV announced that the second season would follow all of the first-season cast as they "escape the cold northeast and find themselves in a new destination". The second season was shot in the South Beach neighborhood of Miami Beach, Florida from early March to late May 2010. The second season began on July 29, 2010. For Season 2, the After Hours specials were expanded to one hour and received Top 15 Weekly Cable ratings. Like season 1, this season featured special episodes titled Jersey Shore: Hook-Up. Like Season 1's episodes, these are hosted by Kenny Santucci from the Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Fresh Meat and shown on MTV.com. Aired on a Sunday night at 7 p.m. ET before the 2010