The premiere of MTV's highly-anticipated Jersey Shore Family Vacation on Thursday (April 5) proved to be successful for the cable network.

According to a report from Billboard, the new series became the most watched unscripted cable series premiere in six years. The show's first two episodes, which were part of a back-to-back two-hour special, averaged a score of 2.96 in the 18-34 demographic—higher than the 2012 season finale.

Jersey Shore Family Vacation was also a big hit on social media, with the hashtag #JSFamilyVacation trending for seven hours in the United States on Twitter. The series' success on social media may have also had to do with it being a global premiere—a first for MTV.

Like the original series, Jersey Shore Family Vacation follows housemates Deena Nicole Cortese, Paul “Pauly D” Delvecchio, Jenni “JWOWW” Farley, Vinny Guadagnino, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi and Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino for a reunion in Miami.

But one person missing from the reboot of the series is Sammie "Sweetheart" Giancola. On March 30, the former Jersey Shore housemate shared a message on Instagram detailing why she wouldn't be joining the series.

"I am not the same person as I was when I was 22," she wrote. "At 31, I am currently extremely happy in every aspect of my life and want to avoid potentially TOXIC SITUATIONS."

"However, it was a difficult decision as I love my roomies," the New Jersey native continued. "I've decided to focus on me, my future, and what truly makes me happy. I will forever be grateful to Jersey Shore and everything it has brought to me! I've just decided to live my life for me these days."

More From PopCrush