Community Corner

Poll: Majority of Residents Approve of 'Snookiville' Law

Quinnipiac University survey finds 72 percent in favor of bill that would allow towns to regulate television productions

Snooki, we've had enough.

That's the view of the majority of state residents polled last week by Quinnipiac University who expressed overwhelming support for the so-called which would allow municipalities to regulate reality TV shows, such as the "Snooki & JWoww" production that began filming in Manchester in August.

The poll, released Thursday, shows 72 percent of residents approve of District 12 Republican Assemblyman Ronald Dancer's efforts to reign in such productions as "Jersey Shore," which filmed its last season in Seaside Heights earlier this year.

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Curiously enough, the poll didn't concern other shows shot in New Jersey, like Comic Book Men, which has yet to offend a mass audience with gratuitous alcohol consumption, tanning and laundry. 

"New Jersey voters are smiling to see the last of Snooki and her crew. They think 'Jersey Shore' was bad for the state, and they think towns should have more power to keep 'Real Housewives' and other reality TV under control," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Find out what's happening in Red Bank-Shrewsburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The proposal is even more popular among younger residents, as 73 percent of those 18 to 34 support the law, the poll finds.

The legislation allows municipalities to adopt licensing ordinances and impose conditions on approval, such as requiring producers to pay for additional police presence. 

Manchester Mayor Michael Fressola has said he is not opposed to the law although it may not be "totally necessary.

"They've been very good neighbors," Fressola had said of the 'Snooki & JWoww' production.

Dancer said in a release that his intent is not to curtail such productions. 

“Although many people don’t want their neighborhoods to be used as scenery for Snooki, and J-Woww, reality television can be an asset to a host community and local businesses. The Snookiville Law proposal is enormously popular because it’s permissive legislation that lets local communities decide what’s best for themselves," Dancer said.

“New Jersey has a tradition of being a desirable location for reality TV shows such as 'Jersey Shore,' 'The Real Housewives of New Jersey' and 'Cake Boss.' These shows can attract crowds, which can benefit local businesses and challenge a community’s resources,” Dancer said. “My proposal will allow cameras to keep rolling without harm to the host community."

The "Snookiville" bill was introduced Sept. 27 and awaits consideration by the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee.


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