PHOTOS Jersey Shore cast returns to Seaside Heights to film Season 5

The prodigal sons and daughters have returned! The cast of Jersey Shore are back in their old digs in the infamous beach house where it all began to begin shooting Season 5 of the show on Monday.

Taping picks back up just a little over a week after JWoww, Snooki, Pauly D, The Situation, Vinny Guadagnino, Sammi Sweetheart, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro and Deena Cortese finished filming Season 4 in Florence, Italy. MTV reportedly wants to keep the guys and gals “in the zone” and thought it would be easier to maintain their chemistry if they picked up right where they left off in Italy.

^ Snooki was her usual fashion-forward self in a black mini skirt with animal print boots and matching fingerless gloves (Jackson Lee/Splash News)

In further attempts to maintain chemistry, the cast has been sequestered since their return stateside and haven’t been allowed access to phones, internet, friends or family during their short time off. Pauly D had a previous DJ-ing engagement in Las Vegas and Sammi and Deena were allowed to shoot a scheduled commercial – but those were the only exceptions. I’m sure there was some reluctance on the part of the cast when they were surprised by MTV’s plans, but I’m guessing their recent pay raise plus the probable time off extension before Season 6 helped persuade them all to get on board (rumors that the cast would be replaced after Season 5 were shot down by MTV reps).

^ Seaside Heights prepares for another Situation (Jackson Lee/Splash News)

The cast looked fresh as they unpacked their suitcases and prepared for five more weeks of drama on their home turf. No word if MTV offered the duck phone enough money to return or if The Situation’s new double-your-pleasure co-ed twin girlfriends will be making the road trip up to Seaside, New Jersey from Gainesville, Florida. I guess we’ll just have to stay tuned!

Here are more photos of you favorite Guidos and Guidettes returning to their natural habitat:

^ JWoww was jaw-dropping as usual (Thelonius / Splash News)

^ Pauly D and Vinny Guadagnino ascend some familiar steps (C.Smith/ WENN.com)

^ Deena Cortese is all smiles for now (C.Smith/ WENN.com)

^ Sammi “Sweetheart” Giancola and her dead body sized suitcase arrive in Seaside Heights (C.Smith/ WENN.com)

^ Deena, Sammi and Snooki on the stairs (C.Smith/ WENN.com)

Top Photo: Jackson Lee/ Splash News