My fascination with “Jersey Shore” is no secret, so when I had the opportunity to interview Angelina Pivarnick, the show’s outspoken, love-her-or-hate-her villain, I jumped at the chance. But what was supposed to be a quick interview over a drink turned into a two-hour talk-a-thon between myself, John Earney, co-interviewer, occasional Times writer and fellow “Shore” fanatic, and the notorious beeyotch who turned out to be, well, kind of a grade-A sweetheart.

All this while 6.1 million people were tuning into MTV for the show’s season finale. Surreal.

Check out our interview after the jump.