Italian-American group that slammed 'Jersey Shore' goes after 'Nicky Deuce'

The same Italian-American group that slammed “Jersey Shore" -- with the absolutely unintended consequence of bestowing an enormous amount of prelaunch publicity -- has now gone after that Nick TV movie adaptation of the book by former “Soprano” Steve Schirripa. The movie, “Nicky Deuce,” got a blast of publicity a couple weeks ago when much of the core cast of “The Sopranos” agreed to cameos.

Now this: “It is beyond reprehensible that a children's network like Nickelodeon would so grossly abdicate any semblance of corporate responsibility and target young children with a racist, stereotypical movie on Italian-Americans. This is gutter television at its very worst, and all parents whose children watch Nickelodeon should be forewarned about 'Nicky Deuce.'"

That's only part of the statement attributed to Andre DiMino, president of Italian-American ONE VOICE Coalition. 

“iCarly's” Noah Munck plays Nicky; here's how Nick happily announced the movie in mid-August: 

Welcome to the family… Nickelodeon, R&R Productions and MarVista Entertainment have united a star-studded cast including “iCarly’s” Noah Munck and “The Sopranos’” Steve Schirripa, Michael Imperioli, Vincent Curatola and Tony Sirico, in addition to Rita Moreno, for the original kids TV movie “Nicky Deuce.” Based on the same-titled popular children’s book by Schirripa and Charles Fleming, the movie also features Cristine Prosperi ("Degrassi”) and Cassius Crieghtney, with potentially more guest appearances to come. Production is under way in Montreal, Canada, with a premiere set for 2013 on Nickelodeon and on YTV in Canada.   

Hard to say what the Coalition is basing its opinions on -- no clips are yet available, but the book did well, and its contents certainly aren't a mystery. Check out this brief clip, voiced by Schirripa -- Bobby Bacala, of course -- of a book excerpt.

Will get you a comment from Nick as soon as I get one.