The latest video from the Nonna Maria and Friends camp has gone viral. Shit Nonnas Say can officially be labeled the group’s most popular video. In just three days the video has been viewed over 155,000 times… and counting.
It seems to have hit a chord with loyal fans and new fans alike. Facebook pages and statuses are buzzing with accolades for the lovable puppet and her astounding character resemblance to nonnas everywhere.
Anthony Imperioli, the leader of the Nonna Maria camp (and the voice of Nonna herself), is overwhelmed by the response to their latest video.
“Really happy. At some points giddy. Excited. Anxious. Scared too. It’s a whole mash of emotions,” explains Imperioli.
“It just feels awesome hearing from Italians all over the world. Getting comments and Facebook messages from Australia, the UK, NYC, Jersey, Toronto, basically from everywhere and everyone who relates to the video. Even people who are non-Italian email me saying they watch the video, don’t understand a word, but laugh anyways. I’m not even sure what that means but I’ll take it as a compliment.”
The inspiration for the video came from another YouTube sensation called Shit Girls Say. Imperioli explains that the video has become an Internet meme and inspired other videos like Shit Guys Say, Shit Guys Don’t Say, and Shit Nobody Says.
“I figured there needed to be a Shit Nonnas Say despite the fact that our whole online series is basically a Shit Nonnas Say. There needed to be one rapid firing video of Nonna going off in all crazy directions yelling about everything and everyone,” Imperioli continues.
The Nonna Maria camp consists of friends Imperioli, David Iarusso, Erminio Iadeluca, Eric Carpanzano, and Melissa Salvaggio. Since 2009 the troupe has created dozens of videos featuring Nonna Maria, Chef Luigi and grandson David. The puppets now make appearances at Italian community events, and kids and adults alike swarm the gang for a photo opt.
“There’s this air of resurgence not only in myself but in the community at large. It’s a beautiful thing to discover where you came from and an even more beautiful thing to know you share that with a mass of people and, not only Italians, but people from other cultures too… it reminds us that our similarities outnumber our differences,” Imperioli adds.
To view the latest Nonna Maria videos, please visit nonnamaria.tv.
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