The young ladies and gentlemen of MTV’s hedonistic reality series Floribama Shore are coming back! The network officially announced earlier today that the entire cast will be returning as they relocate to Tampa/St. Pete!
“After a dramatic wrap up in Panama City Beach last season, season three reunites original castmates, Jeremiah Buoni, Codi Butts, Kortni Gilson, Aimee Hall, Kirk Medas, Nilsa Prowant, Candace Rice and Gus Smyrnios and the gloves are off,” reads MTV’s press release. “From hookups and breakups to laughs and tears, they’ve been through it all together. Now, in a new city, there are fresh stories to tell as the crew parties it up and puts real life on hold for another summer.”
The show’s Twitter account used a less formal method of announcing the show’s return and new location as they posted a text chat between cast members:
It's puke and rally time… #MTVFloribamaShore pic.twitter.com/rmiUWVEeRC
— MTV Floribama Shore (@FloribamaShore) June 11, 2019
There is no premiere date yet, but MTV’s press release states that they are “targeting a fall premiere.”
Why Did Floribama Shore Leave Panama City Beach?
So, why did the cast elect to leave Panama City Beach and “The World’s Most Beautiful Beaches” behind? Some viewers are speculating that the cast’s antics got them booted by city officials, but an actual city official is quick to dispute that claim.
Bay County film commissioner Julie Gordan said damage from Hurricane Michael, including show staple backdrop Club La Vela, was the main reason. “I would have loved to have them back, they had a great economic impact for us, but I’m happy they’re staying in Florida,” she told The Tampa Bay Times. She explained that rental prices have skyrocketed due to Bay County residents being displaced and living temporarily in beach condos and rentals.
Julie acknowledges that the show had its fair share of detractors, especially area residents who thought it showed Panama City Beach in a negative light. “You can ask local officials, and they’ll say it’s the most god-awful thing they ever saw,” she admits. “Well, it’s not for you, it’s for 25 year olds.” Julie points out that filming locations for the show have become tourist attractions in themselves.
She also reveals that she has clearly actually watched the show by arguing that Floribama Shore isn’t all about partying, getting drunk, and hooking up. “When the kids lost their granddads, they rallied around each other, they prayed together, they lifted each other up. The show is not all pure nasty.”
Where Will Floribama Shore Be Filming In Tampa And St. Pete?
The producers of Floribama Shore are quite familiar with the Tampa/St. Pete area due to the fact that they previously filmed their CMT show Party Down South there. The Tampa Bay Times spoke with Pinellas County film commissioner Tony Armer, who was unable to reveal the exact location of the residence where the cast will be living. However, the site was able to find public records indicating that show producers have acquired “permits to shoot on location in Clearwater Beach, Gulfport, Main Street Dunedin, Madeira Beach, Downtown St. Petersburg, Pass-A-Grille and a location on Punta Vista Drive in St. Pete Beach through July 15.”
Tony shares Julie’s take in poo-pooing those who wish to ban producers from filming the show locally. He points out that the First Amendment protects the show, as far as the kind of content they wish to create. “Frankly, I think people overthink it,” he says. “It’s really just a group of young, 20-somethings dealing with relationship issues. What’s the big deal?”
Show producers have a pretty hip sense of humor, so I think they should consider embracing Tony’s summation as an unofficial slogan for the show:
So, will you be tuning in to watch more hi-jinx from the Floribama guys and gals?
Asa Hawks is a writer and editor for Starcasm. You can contact Asa via Twitter, Facebook, or email at starcasmtips(at)yahoo.com
