Jersey Shore

The Situation is getting even richer ... now that he 's locked down ANOTHER 6-figure check to be the face of a new tanning salon business ... TMZ has learned.

Sources involved in the deal tell us ... Sitch just signed a 6-figure contract with the Boca Tanning Club. We're told The Situation's deal was pretty sweet -- because along with the FAT paycheck, the company he runs with his brother -- MPS Entertainment -- also got an ownership stake in the business.

We're told Sitch wants to open FOUR new salons in Jersey within the next year -- and he's already recruiting friends and family members to work in the shops.

No prom is safe -- TMZ has learned The Situation just locked down a brand new deal to endorse a line of TUXEDOS ... and if that wasn't shocking enough ... we're told it's worth SIX FIGURES.

It's all for a company called FLOW Formal -- a New York-based tux manufacturer -- and CEO Brian Weintraub tells us, Sitch is the perfect spokesperson ... because the company is trying to target a younger demographic.

Weintraub adds, “This is great for us and great for the industry. [Tuxedos have] become an old man thing."

Sources connected with production tell TMZ, the network is serious this time: if another cast member tries to walk off the show ... that person will be fired, and the remainder of his or her contract will be terminated. No exceptions.

We're told it's all a power play. With two cast members nearly jumping ship in the same week, MTV wants to reassert some authority ... and show the cast who's boss once and for all.

As TMZ reported Saturday night, Vinny and the cast went to dinner and a club last night, in an effort to heal the deep psychological wounds between them -- and apparently it worked. Vinny was spotted as he made his way into the house (above) ... carrying a bag of laundry.

We broke the story ... Vinny stormed out of the house a week ago and returned to his home on Staten Island, vowing never to return to the show.

What's interesting ... at the time he left the cast, crew and producers were happy about it -- or at least they said they were -- because he was a pain in the ass.

Question is ...

TMZ broke the story last weekend that Vinny was burned out with the show and left for good -- returning to his home in Staten Island.

Although almost everyone affiliated with the show was none-too-sad to see him leave, apparently some have had a change of heart. We're told the cast is actually going to lobby tonight for Vinny to return.

They plan on going clubbing after dinner -- so assuming no one gets knocked out ... it could be the rapprochement that makes for a decent storyline.

TMZ obtained a statement from Richard Wolfe, Mike's lawyer, who says Gotham Management's suit "is filled with lies and falsities." Wolfe says Gotham, which is suing for $1 million in commissions, "did MORE HARM than good to Michael and his career."

The one thing the Situation and Gotham agree on is that Sitch is famous. Gotham claims in its suit it made him famous, and Wolfe says Mike's brother Marc Sorrentino "works tirelessly to build the brand that is Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino."

The Manager's Co., Gotham NYC Entertainment, filed the suit today ... claiming the Situation dumped Gotham back in May for what he deemed a "lack of performance."

Gotham denies any poor performance -- but even if there was ... the lawsuit claims Sitch was contractually required to give Gotham 30 days notice ... and a chance to correct any issues.

Gotham claims it never got that opportunity -- and therefore Sorrentino is in breach of his contract.

In the suit, Gotham says it's managed Situation since the 2009 premiere of "Jersey Shore" -- and it not only discovered Sitch, but transformed "his career from relative obscurity to become an international celebrity."

Gotham is suing for damages in excess of $1 million.

• The Situation: I MIGHT Be Ditching 'Jersey Shore'
• Vinny -- Goodbye 'Jersey Shore,' Goodbye Career!
• 'Jersey Shore' Guys -- Man Down

Emilio Masella -- who dated Snooki for two short months last year -- just blasted the network over Snooki's plant-dance video, writing on his Twitter, "This is Disgusting. MTV's Jersey Shore is turning Nicole into an Alcoholic. They are killin her liver. That's not the nicole I knew! Poor girl."

Emilio doesn't fault the guidette for her behavior -- claiming, "The Vid on TMZ with Nicole Dancing with the plant, is a total embarrassment. I blame Production."

Mr. Sitch was strolling through Jersey yesterday, with a gaggle of chicks following behind him, when a photog asked, "Mike, are you splitting from the show or what bro?"

He didn't exactly deny it ... and when the photog wished him "luck" -- Mike replied, "I don't need luck ... I don't need it."

Sources tell TMZ ... The Situation has been antsy lately ... telling producers he doesn't need the show.

We're told he actually WALKED OUT of the house alone yesterday after expressing his frustration with the show ... but he's back in the house.

The reigning queen of drunken "Jersey Shore" antics seriously upped her game at a bar in Seaside Heights on Saturday -- by sloppily dancing with a decorative plant like it was a juiced-up gorilla version of Mark Ballas.

As TMZ first reported, Vinny bolted from the house after fighting with another cast member ... and made a beeline for home in Staten Island.

In the video, you see Vinny hop in a cab and drive away ... all while an MTV cameraman films from just a few feet away. As you can see below, Pauly D was with Vinny at one point as he loaded up the cab to leave.

Sources directly connected to the cast tell TMZ ... Vinny bolted from the house late last night after getting into an argument with another cast member. We're told Vinny was feeling "burned out" and went back home to Staten Island. We have confirmed that he is at his house in Staten Island right now.

Vinny threatened to leave a few days ago, after he complained of "being homesick." We're told the cast was able to talk him into coming back, but that didn't last long.

Sources connected with the show say Vinny has been a pain in the ass and no one will be getting on their knees, begging him to come back.