MTV has received some harsh criticism over its portrayal of Greek Americans as it releases the series Growing Up Greek.

Premièring on December 3, the show has been likened to a Greek version of the Jersey Shore.

The trailer shows local Greek Americans in Florida smashing plates, a young Greek man boasting that he’s seeing two women at once and fights breaking out.

The show has been slammed for representing a completely skewed and offensively stereotypical view of Greek Americans.

In the official synopsis of the show, MTV states “in this bustling town, everyone is either dating, related or working together at one of the three feuding Greek restaurants”.

One man featured on the show says “I’m an American citizen, but don’t call me an American, I’m Greek”.

A change.org petition has received almost 5,000 signatures to cancel the show, with the petition organisers saying it’s “a gross misrepresentation of what it means to ‘grow up Greek'”.The petition argued that MTV would never consider airing a show titled Growing up Black, Growing up Jewish or Growing up Iraqi, meaning the Greek community should not be subjected to that treatment.

Copies of the petition have been sent to the Greek Orthodox Archdioses of America, AHEPA and the Federal Communications Commission.