'Jersey Shore' to shoot Season 4 in Italy

LOS ANGELES  - Snooki and her fist-pumping pals are headed overseas.

U.S. network MTV announced Tuesday that season four will shoot in Italy this spring.

It is expected to air later this year.

"While the stateside 'Jersey Shore' locales have become iconic for our audience it's really the constantly evolving dynamic amongst the cast that keeps them coming back each season and Europe is a fresh spin on a show that continues to reach new heights for us," said Chris Linn, Executive Vice President of Programing and Head of Production for MTV.

"The cast is headed to the birthplace of the culture they love and live by. We can't wait to see what erupts as a result," he added.