"Jersey Couture": The Garden State gets an upgrade

I guess we should blame "The Sopranos" for all the love New Jersey is getting these days. MTV's "Jersey Shore," Style Network's "Jerseylicious" and Bravo's "Real Housewives of New Jersey" all feature the Garden State. Or at least the part that features boisterous Italians, tans, big hair and plenty of cleavage.

The latest entry is "Jersey Couture" (Oxygen, 10 tonight), which also features an Italian family, big hair and plenty of cleavage. But I'd say this show has more heart than the others. These people are not embarrassing.

That might be because the Scali family owns a longtime successful business in Freehold, N.J. (where Bruce Springteen's native land). Diane & Co has been around for 32 years; mother Diane has run it from the beginning.

Now daughters Kimberly and Chrissy are involved. Brother Anthony and father Sal work the front desk, although Anthony is more interested in his burgeoning DJ business. Kimberly is married with a 10-month-old daughter. Chrissy is single and shook up the family by moving out of the house, and embracing the single life.

The show mostly takes place in the shop, and I have to say, it looks like a fun place to go and the Scalis give great customer service. Yes, they sell some of those dresses that make me glad I don't have a daughter going to a prom (garish prints, sequins, garish prints and sequins together, cut-outs and mermaid shape. Oh vey!), but also they have plenty of what I'd call tasteful stuff too.

These ladies know their inventory, (and it's vast); they can call up a specific dress that they think would look good on you. They are honest, too, no bland sales talk here, and mom Diane is a 'boobologist', supplying the proper padding to ensure your girls look good.

They even have a little song and dance they do when you find your perfect dress. It's kinda cute.

The Scalis come across authentic; they're people you'd want to spend time with. This part of Jersey I can deal with.