Season 6 of "Jersey Shore" just dropped another major bomb, TMZ has learned ... Snooki will NOT be shacking up with her fellow castmates this summer -- instead getting her own private nest nearby.

Sources tell us ... the mama-to-be is taking her pregnancy very seriously, choosing to live NEAR the "Shore" house rather than IN it because it's not worth it to be surrounded by boozy, loud roommates while pregnant.

If you recall, Snooki announced she was knocked-up in February -- when she was already 3 months along -- which means while filming this summer she'll be in prime popping position ... all the more reason to have a pad of her own.

The guidette's absence is just another in a slew of "Shore" changes this year ... which includes a sober Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino (who just got out of rehab) and the possibility of adding a Snooki-baby to the cast.

It's shaping up to be the most boring BEST season ever!

He can't drink ... but MTV's still taking another fat chance on The Situation -- casting him on Season 6 of "Jersey Shore" after his rehab stint for substance abuse -- and somehow, Abercrombie & Fitch is involved.

Here's how it all comes together: Situation just filed new legal docs in his ongoing battle with the clothing company over GTL-themed apparel. In the docs, Situation begs the judge in the case to let him skip an impending court date ... scheduled for June 14th.

The significance of that date -- Sitch says MTV has tapped him to return for another season of "Jersey Shore," which tapes from May 22nd to July 7th.

Sitch says he's required to be present at the "Jersey Shore" house 24/7 -- so he'd be violating his MTV contract by showing up in court.

Side note: Sitch also says he wants in excess of $10 million from A&F for trademark infringement. A judge has yet to make a decision on the court date issue.

Bottom line -- Situation's coming back ... more sober than ever! Woo.

Maybe we're still riding on the high of that awesome "Gypsy Wedding" catfight we posted ... but this catfight The Situation found himself in the middle of in Beverly Hills yesterday was so clearly staged for the cameras, we almost can't be excited about it. 

But it's still a catfight, so enjoy.

The Situation was back to his normal routine yesterday in New Jersey -- driving around in his Lamborghini, hitting up the car wash, the gym, and a vitamin store.

As TMZ first reported, The Situation checked out of rehab earlier this week after spending a few weeks at Cirque Lodge rehab center in Utah, where he was receiving treatment for substance abuse.

We've been told producers plan on bringing in new cast members for the next season of "Jersey Shore," so they can slowly phase out Sitch and Snooki. 

The show is set to begin filming this summer.

The Situation has CHECKED OUT of the Cirque Lodge rehab center in Utah ... where he was receiving treatment for substance abuse ... TMZ has learned.

TMZ broke the story ... Mike Sorrentino checked in to the famous treatment center several weeks ago ... claiming he wanted to "get control of a prescription medication problem I had due to exhaustion."

Sitch was spotted out moments ago at a nearby airport ... and even took a photo with a fan who happened to be on his flight.

Now comes the biggest test of all ... when Sitch re-enters the danger zone to tape the next season of "Jersey Shore."

Good luck ...

MTV had threatened to replace The Situation on "Jersey Shore" many times over the past two years due to his excessive drinking -- sources connected with the production tell TMZ.

According to sources, producers from MTV and 495 Productions sat Situation down for the first time while shooting Season 2 in 2010 -- explaining his drinking had become such a problem ... it was making it hard to shoot the show.

We're told Sitch promised to pull himself together -- but it quickly unraveled during Season 3, and producers had to speak with him again ... this time threatening to replace him on the show if he didn't clean up his act.

Sitch agreed again -- and made a concerted effort to reel in his bad habits between Seasons 3 and 4. We're told Situation showed promise in Italy during Season 4, but once the crew got back to the States ... he was back to his old ways. This prompted another sit-down ... and another threat of recasting.

Now, MTV's got the opposite problem -- Situation's in rehab and sobering up completely. As a result, sources tell us 495 Productions is looking for new castmates to add to the show ... in the hopes of phasing Sitch out entirely.

We reached out to MTV for comment ... which insists, "There are no plans to replace the cast of 'Jersey Shore.'"

The Situation must be going through an identity crisis in rehab -- because TMZ has learned, the treatment facility BANS excess skin exposure ... including abs ... as well as douchebag clothing.

TMZ obtained a copy of the "wardrobe guidelines" from Cirque Lodge in Utah -- where Sitch is currently undergoing treatment for substance abuse -- and according to the doc, Cirque bans muscle shirts, sleeveless tops, ripped jeans, hats, sunglasses, and all clothing with obscene language.

In other words -- 99.999% of Situation's clothing collection.

The guidelines also specify "no abdominal exposure" -- a rule intended for the female population -- but given the guy's claim to fame ... it clearly also applies to Mr. Sitch.

According to the rules, Situation also must avoid accidental thong exposure -- but let's cut the guy some slack ...

With Snooki pregnant and The Situation getting sober, the people behind "Jersey Shore" are FREAKED the show will lose its sex-crazed alcohol-fueled edge -- so they're looking to phase the two out ... in favor of newer, wilder castmates.

MTV released a statement earlier this week -- following news Sitch was seeking substance abuse treatment -- claiming the network expects the entire cast to return for Season 6 ... but sources close to 495 Productions tell TMZ, the production company is currently looking for new talent.

According to sources, 495 desperately wants to keep things fresh -- and folding in new castmates will help transition the show into a new generation ... while still keeping old fans hooked.

We're told 495 plans to limit Snooki and The Situation's roles on the new season -- giving new cast members more screen time instead.

The show is set to begin filming this summer. 495 had no comment.

The Situation is in rehab not just for prescription drugs, but also for alcohol, TMZ has learned, and this turn of events could pose big problems for next season's "Jersey Shore."

Sources involved in the situation (sorry) tell us ... the Situation went through detox at a facility before he checked into Cirque Lodge in Utah, and the detox involved alcohol.

Our sources also say The Sitch is "very open" with other patients at Cirque about his drinking.  He discusses how his club appearances escalated his alcohol use.

Now here's the problem for "Jersey Shore."  The Situation and alcohol have been tied at the hip for 5 seasons.  If the show allows The Situation to fall off the wagon to make the show better in season 6, they will look like crass enablers.  If they don't let him drink, there's a good chance they will lose viewers.

Stay tuned.

The Situation is undergoing rehab at the famous Cirque Lodge in Utah for prescription meds, TMZ has learned.

Several sources have told us The Situation is at Cirque for other substance abuse problems ... but as of now, we can only confirm prescription meds.

Our sources say The Situation is walking around Cirque, telling people he's gained weight -- and has made specific diet requests from the chef at the facility, hoping to get back into shape for the 6th Season of "Jersey Shore."

And just to make sure he gets his way -- one source tells us, Sitch is making damn sure everyone remembers how wealthy and famous he is.

We're told this is not the first time The Situation has undergone treatment for substance abuse.


1:50 PM PST -- Situation just released a statement ... claiming he has "voluntarily taken steps to get control of a prescription medication problem I had due to exhaustion."

He continues, "I have spent the past several weeks getting treatment for this problem and recuperating from my work and appearance schedule. I appreciate my fans support and love you guys."

Multiple sources close to The Situation tell TMZ ... the MTV star's hard-partying ways were worse than ever during the taping of the most recent season of "Jersey Shore" ... and the signs were obvious during the episode when the gang went camping.

TMZ broke the story ... Sitch recently checked into rehab for substance abuse after realizing his recreational habits had spun out of control.

Now, sources close to Sitch tell us ... the reality star had been showing signs of substance abuse for a while ... but "he was getting worse" as the season went on.

We're told ... several people noticed he was "acting paranoid" on the set ... and the unusual behavior was evident in certain Season 5 episodes that recently aired on MTV. During the ep when the gang goes camping, Sitch can be seen acting jittery, sweating profusely and just plain acting bizarre.

Sources say ... cast and crew members on "Jersey Shore" are happy he's getting help ... and hope that he will be healthy enough to join them for the recently announced Season 6.