Snooki, the Situation, Pauly D and the gang will be back on the small screen Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, when "Jersey Shore" returns for its fifth season, MTV announced Wednesday.
After spending season four infuriating and inconveniencing Italian citizens and politicians alike, the well-tanned (and better-paid) guidos and guidettes will make their triumphant return to Seaside Heights, NJ with the upcoming season, the network said.
"On their home turf and excited to be in their natural habitat, the cast hits the ground running to get their 'G.T.L' regimen back on schedule while also dealing with their evolving group dynamic amidst the tensions and hookup rumors left over from their time in Florence," MTV's statement reads.
The series, which captivated an unsuspecting world with its Dec. 2009 premiere, has shown little sign of letting up since then; the Aug. 4 debut of the fourth season was MTV's most-watched season premiere ever with 10.5 million total viewers.
The season overall averaged 9.4 million total viewers, with an 8.8 rating in the 12-34 demographic.
As we all prepare to mark our calendars and wait longingly by our televisions sets, check out this preview for "Jersey Shore" Season 5 below.
Get More: Jersey Shore (Season 4), Full Episodes
