Growing up, Vinny Guadagnino wouldn't invite friends over to his...

Growing up, Vinny Guadagnino wouldn't invite friends over to his family's modest Staten Island, home. Now it's the backdrop for his MTV talk show, aptly named "The Show With Vinny." The 11-episode talk show launches Thursday (May 2) at 10 p.m. with Lil Wayne as the guest. Credit: MTV

The real stars -- the ones who caught our eye and made us laugh (or made me laugh) -- are Paola and Nino, but "The Show With Paola and Nino and Vinny" is probably too long a title, so "The Show With Vinny" will have to do.

As a host, Vinny needs work -- a lot of work. He laughs too hard (mostly at his own observations, or in the manner of an obsequious infomercial pitch- man). His questions are lame, incurious and star-struck. (Vinny, you have Wayne and all you can ask about is his fashion line and skateboarding skills?)

But there's charm here and -- you may hate me for saying this -- even some promise. Most of all, the host is very nearly likable. Now, he just has to grow a talk-show-host brain.

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