Garden Staters are proud of New Jersey, but not so proud of MTV's "The Jersey Shore," a new poll reveals.
According to a Quinnipiac University poll, 67% of New Jersey voters say the show is bad for the state and 69% have an unfavorable opinion of the reality show (though there are 20% who say they don't know enough about it to make a decision). In addition, 71% say that Gov. Christopher Christie did the right thing in blocking the show from receiving a state tax credit for production.
One might think the younger age groups would be way more favorable about the show than the older folks, but it turns out that they're pretty close in general disapproval: 18 - 34-year-olds are 67% against the show; 35 - 54-year-olds are 79% disapproving. Each group has between 12 - 11% of respondents who just didn't know much about the show and couldn't render an opinion.
In late September, Gov. Christie blocked a $420,000 film credit originally approved for the show by the state's Economic Development Authority; the money was slated to pay for production costs on the reality show's 2009 season. The tax credit program was suspended in 2010 for budget reasons, but 2009 would have still qualified.
"I have no interest in policing the content of such projects," Christie said in a statement. "However, as chief executive I am duty-bound to ensure that taxpayers are not footing a $420,000 bill for a project which does nothing more than perpetuate misconceptions about the State and its citizens."
"Garden State voters agree overwhelmingly with Gov. Christopher Christie’s decision to slam the door on Snooki, The Situation and the rest of the 'Jersey Shore' crew,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute in a statement.
"The show gets heavy negative ratings from New Jerseyans, including the seashore neighbors. They think the Seaside-based show is bad for the state," he continued. "Although there have been legal arguments against his decision, voters agree that Gov. Christie was 'duty bound' to do what he did."
Guess they're just not into the GTL lifestyle.
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