We finally know who to blame for the rise of "Jersey Shore" -- and ironically, it's one of the greatest television shows of all-time ... "The Sopranos."


TMZ ran into "Sopranos" star Joseph Gannascoli at Vincent's Restaurant in New York yesterday -- where he admitted that his show "paved the way" for Snooki & company ... who also play Italian stereotypes on TV.

And in a horrible twist of fate ... Jwoww and her reality show crew also showed up to the restaurant.

They must have given the milk jugs a day off.

Joseph Gannascoli -- best known for playing Vito Spatafore on "The Sopranos" -- was arrested early Friday morning and charged with DUI.

Gannascoli was busted on Kennedy Boulevard in Tampa, FL after officers claim they observed him making a wide right turn and then drifting between lanes. According to police, cops stopped Gannascoli and noticed he had bloodshot eyes, smelled of alcohol and slurred his speech.

He submitted to a field sobriety test and blew a .111. Gannascoli posted $500 bond and was released.