Jersey Shore

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."

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.'"

Proving they're totally prepared for parenthood ... Snooki and her alleged baby daddy Jionni LaValle have successfully managed to go 4 whole days without misplacing or damaging their plastic infant training doll.

The pregnant "Jersey Shore" star has been carrying around the fake child since last week ... in what seems like a crash prep course on how to care for an actual living, breathing child.

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.

DJ Pauly D feared for his safety during a gig last night in South Padre Island and extra security (along with local police) had to be called to control the massive crowd ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to Pauly D tell TMZ his team became worried very early on last night that the venue, Louie's Backyard, was not properly equipped to handle the crowd. We're told Pauly D was assured extra security was being brought in to help out.

According to our sources, the stage Pauly D performed on was supposed to have a few feet of room between it and the fans. But as you can see from the photo above, that didn't happen and the stage became surrounded ... with some fans even trying to climb the stage.

When it came time to leave, our sources say Pauly D had to be escorted out by about 15 security personnel and police, and he still had his shirt ripped by the mob of fans.

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.

Only one of them is really pregnant at the moment, but Snooki and Jwoww both got practice being moms as they were spotted holding fake babies while filming their new "reality" TV show in Jersey City on Thursday.

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.

"The Situation" is in rehab for substance abuse ... TMZ has learned.

Sources tell TMZ the "Jersey Shore" star -- aka Mike Sorrentino -- has checked into an inpatient treatment program.

A rep for the Situation just contacted TMZ to say they are not confirming that Mike is in rehab ... just that he "has spent the past several weeks at an undisclosed location for much needed rest and recuperation after his extensive production and appearance schedule."

Like most of the 'JS' crew ... Sorrentino's been on a non-stop party train since the show debuted on MTV 2 years ago -- drinking and making paid appearances at nightclubs all over the world.

Sitch makes anywhere from 15K ... up to a whopping 50k per nightclub appearance.

MTV just announced "Jersey Shore" is returning for a 6th season ... which is scheduled to start shooting this summer.

1:10 PM PT -- The Situation is currently undergoing treatment for prescription pills at the famous Cirque Lodge in Utah.

Snooki and her "Jersey Shore" spinoff co-star Jwoww decided to spend part of yesterday playing with dolphins in Cancun.

Looks like their new show is shaping up to be a sober good time.

Mom-to-be Snooki enjoyed her first sober Spring Break party in Cancun today ... while her "Jersey Shore" spinoff castmate Jwoww enjoyed the kind of cocktail an unwed pregnant reality star cannot.

Jwoww from "Jersey Shore" is being sued for more than $150,000 ... all because she never warned her landlord that she planned to let the show film inside her pad ... this according to a new lawsuit.

According to the suit, Jwoww leased a pad on Long Island back in 2008 from a guy named Stuart Levine. But after she moved in, Jwoww opened her doors to 495 Productions to shoot scenes for the very 1st season of "Jersey Shore" (below).

Levine claims he had NO IDEA Jwoww allowed the shoot to take place until the show aired. He also insists she does NOT have the authority to use the house for commercial filming.

Now, Levine is demanding more than $150k from 495 and Jwoww.

Snooki's ex-boyfriend Emilio Masella doesn't give a rat's ass about her lawyers' legal threats -- telling TMZ, "I’m able to express my own opinions about her ... If they want to sue me, they're not going to get much."

TMZ broke the story ... Emilio thinks Snooki's pregnancy could have devastating consequences on her life -- claiming, "I hope for her sake ... not to be rude or anything ... but I hope she has a miscarriage."

Snooki's legal team had sent Emilio a cease and desist letter over offensive comments he made to the media earlier this year -- but after the "miscarriage" comment, they're now revisiting the possibility of a defamation lawsuit.

But Emilio's not worried -- saying, "If they want to sue me for being my own person that’s screwed up."

Emilio tells us, "I feel like they're trying to scare me for expressing my own opinions ... How can they sue me for stating how I feel? I don’t get why they have it out for me."