Entertainment

‘Shore’ sidekicks

Jionni LaValle

Jionni LaValle (Amanda Schwab)

Jonny “The Unit” Manfre (WENN.com)

PARTY PEOPLE: Introducing Snooki’s BFF, Ryder (left with Snooki), her boyfriend, Jionni (right) and her enemy The Unit (center). (
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There’s fresh blood in Seaside Heights. Here’s what you need to know about the new ‘Jersey Shore’ regulars

1. Caitlin Ryder: We’ve been hearing about Snooki’s lifelong bestie, Ryder, since Season 1. She’s the one Snooki always calls when she’s homesick.

But this season, Ryder is in residence — and getting around a lot more. The friendship seems to have survived Ryder’s romance with Vinny (who Snooki was crushing on at the time) between Seasons 2 and 3.

Ryder also apparently got it on with Sitch’s friend, The Unit, in the same room when Snooki was (allegedly) smushing Sitch.

And in the Season 5 premiere, Ryder is seen making out with and cuddling with Pauly D.

“Everybody Ryder, just like a bus route,” is the boys’ new catchphrase for her.

Vinny suggests that she hook up with Ronnie next, “so it’s like guido Bingo.”

2. Jonny “The Unit” Manfre: The Situation’s new BFF was introduced last season in Italy as being “the witness” to an alleged Snooki/Situation hookup. Every time Snooki denied it, Sitch threatened to call The Unit.

This season, he’s been hanging out in the house trying to stir up trouble, without much success so far. He and Sitch lay in wait for the hookup fight to spark with Snooki, again — but all is calm, so far, on the homefront.

The legend of The Unit’s nickname goes like this: “[Sitch] turned to one of my photos in which I was naked. He went on to tell [a] reporter that my name was ‘The Unit’ and told everyone that we came across for the next several months that I have a ‘mini-baseball bat in my pants.’ ”

Manfre, 32, may have some trouble now that filming is over. According to radaronline, he was busted outside of the “Jersey Shore” house on July 24 for drug possession.

3. Jionni LaValle: Snooki’s boyfriend Jionni has lasted a lot longer than anyone expected.

After an explosive fight in Italy, Jionni left Snooki, who rebounded right into Vinny’s bed. All has been forgiven, and they are back together this season.

Snooki has so far managed to silence The Situation and The Unit, who are anxiously waiting for the right moment to spill the dirt on Snooki to Jionni.

The Situation is setting up Jionni for the bad news.

He makes Jionni breakfast; tells him, “You’re the nicest guy I’ve ever met”; and buys him shots at Karma. Jionni, sadly unaware of the motive, tries to convince Snooki that Sitch is just a nice guy being friendly.