Reports: 'Jersey Shore' cast member leaves

Vinny has left the building: After four seasons, and during the taping of season five, Vinny Guadagnino of "Jersey Shore" packed his bag and left the show's Seaside Heights, N.J., house on Friday -- and possibly the show itself, fueling Internet comments as to whether his departure is a publicity stunt.

In photos and at least one video shot Friday night, Guadagnino, 21, was seen getting into a cab and being driven away. This came after a threat to leave days ago, according to TMZ.com, after Guadagnino complained of being homesick.

The website said his fellow cast members convinced him to stay at that point, and as late as Friday afternoon, he and Ronnie Ortiz-Magro were taking in the amusements along the Seaside Boardwalk -- racing go-karts and throwing balls at statues of Osama bin Laden and Michael Jackson.

Hours later, however, after what TMZ called a heated argument with a cast mate, Guadagnino left the beach side house and returned home to Staten Island.

MTV, in a statement, said "We don't comment on the series while they are in production, but viewers can be assured they will have answers when Season 5 premieres."

Season four, shot in Italy, is set to premiere Aug. 4. Guadagnino, as of Sunday afternoon, had not posted on his Twitter page since June 26.

The least flamboyant of the "Jersey Shore" cast, Guadagnino attended SUNY New Paltz and then CUNY College of Staten Island, where he got his degree, and he worked for a time for Staten Island state Assemb. Michael Cusick.

Eight months ago, he shot a public-service announcement for MTV's "A Thin Line" campaign against gay bullying and hate speech.