Pauly D Reality Show Will Be MTV’s First “Jersey Shore” Spinoff

Paul “DJ Pauly D” DelVecchio — reality TV’s resident heavily-gelled music aficionado — has became the first castmember of the hit MTV docu-soap Jersey Shore to land his own spinoff series.

Chris Linn, MTV’s Executive Vice-President of Programming and Head of Production, made the announcement on Wednesday, confirming months of speculation suggesting that the network had closed a series option deal with Pauly.

“At the heart of Jersey Shore is the unique and genuine cast and Pauly D. truly embodies both qualities,” Chris said in a statement.

Network bosses were particularly pleased with an unaired pilot Paul shot for his program in September.

“He’s distinguished himself onscreen as the fun-loving, well-coiffed and dependable guy you can’t help but want to hang out with,” Linn added, explaining how Pauly edged out competition from Shore faves Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi to land his own show. “Viewers are curious about his life away from the shore and we look forward to exploring new possibilities around that.”

“DJ Pauly D Starting Off 2011 Right !!!!!!!!…Soo Excited !!!!!” the 30-year-old Rhode Island mixmaster Tweeted about his new gig.

The DJ is the second highest earning cast member of the Jersey Shore housemates behind The Situation.

A premiere date for Pauly’s solo gig has not yet been announced, but you can get your “GTL” on with the Jersey Shore cast when the show returns for a third season on Jan. 6 @ 10 PM.