MTV's 'Made In Staten Island' debuts Jan. 14; here's how residents are reacting

MTV has launched promotions for "Made In Staten Island," the long-awaited MTV show based on a group of young adults from Staten Island. (Photo by MTV)

It's happening

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The series that was once a loose concept living in the comments section of gossip blogs is headed to MTV in January.

Karen Gravano, former star of VH1's "Mob Wives," is set to produce the next borough-based reality TV series, "Made in Staten Island," featuring her daughter, Karina.

The show -- which will premiere at 10 p.m. Jan. 14 -- is described as a "coming-of-age series" detailing the lives of young adults from Staten Island who want to defy the borough stereotype.

The promotion for "Made in Staten Island," however, does anything but. Going with a black-and-white aesthetic similar to that of "The Godfather," the series is written in a similar tone to "Mob Wives."

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The opening line of the promotion video is, "We grew up surrounded by the mob but now, we're trying to find our own way."

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MTV has launched promotions for "Made In Staten Island," the long-awaited MTV show based on a group of young adults from Staten Island. (Photo by MTV)

Here's how MTV describes the "Made in Staten Island" cast

Karina (@karinaaseabrook) has a mafia bloodline and attitude to match. Luckily, she has the guidance of her grandfather, Salvatore "Sammy The Bull" Gravano.

Paulie (@pauliefusco) is a true hustler always striving for the top. His girlfriend Karina has kept him out of the street life.

Kayla (@kayla.gonzalezz) is the muscle of the crew. She has a reputation for never backing down from a good Staten Island fight.

Dennie (@dennieaugustine) is the "Godmutha" of the circle. She has thick skin and knows how to use her wit to get out of any situation.

Christian "C.P."  (@718cp) is a lover and a fighter. He has a big heart -- plus swag that makes all the girls swoon.

Taylor (@taylorotoolee) is a "guy's girl" with no tolerance for attitude or disrespect.

Joe (@joeotoole) is the "charmer of the South Shore" who is constantly tempted by the fast money from the streets.

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Cast and crew of "Made in Staten Island" film on the Staten Island Ferry. (Courtesy of Maria Peterson)

This show is a long time coming

The upcoming series, originally titled "Staten Island 10310," spent a majority of the summer months filming around the borough.

Crew members were spotted on the Staten Island Ferry, on Stuyvesant Place and at the Dove Diner.

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A film crew, claiming to be from MTV, shoots in St. George on July 11. (Staten Island Advance/Sydney Kashiwagi)

Staten Island kids are 'scrappy,' according to MTV

"In many ways life on the Island has such a different texture than the rest of New York," MTV/VH1 president Chris McCarthy told the enduring TV trade publication. "We get to see another side of these kids who are very scrappy."

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MTV has launched promotions for "Made In Staten Island," the long-awaited MTV show based on a group of young adults from Staten Island. (Photo by MTV)

Not everyone is ready to set their DVR for this

No surprise here: Audience feedback to the announcement of "Made in Staten Island" was not all positive.

While some relished in another show featuring their hometown, others expressed embarrassment and annoyance over another mob-driven plot representing Staten Island.

Shortly after the promotion dropped, a petition was made to ban "Made In Staten Island" from MTV or take Staten Island's name out of the title. The page racked up more than 500 signatures in two days.

Producers of the show did not respond for comment in time for publication.

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Of course, SILive had some fun with the idea of another borough-based series

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