Cage Match: Is Chris Christie Worse for the Citizens of New Jersey than 'Jersey Shore'?

On Thursday, Quinnipiac University released a study of New Jersey voters, who overwhelmingly believe that Jersey Shore—the MTV show featuring a variety of “guidos” and “guidettes” getting hammered at dance clubs—is bad for their state. Furthermore, 71 percent of those polled believe that Governor Chris Christie “did the right thing” by blocking a state tax credit for its production—including those polled in the under-35 age range, the exact demographic the show targets. Seventy-eight percent agree with Christie’s assessment that the show “perpetuates misconceptions about the state and its citizens.” 

The show gets heavy negative ratings from New Jerseyans, including the seashore neighbors. They think the Seaside-based show is bad for the state. Although there have been legal arguments against his decision, voters agree that Gov. Christie was "duty bound" to do what he did.

And while we agree with his block of the Jersey Shore tax break—which would have cost Jerseyites $420,000—there’s one thing we have to ask: is Chris Christie worse for New Jersey’s image and citizens than Jersey Shore? We thought it was an interesting question to pose, so we pitted some of Jersey Shore’s most embarrassing, lowest moments head to head with some of Gov. Christie’s, to see if we could figure out the answer.

Snooki is arrested drunk vs. Christie’s fun-filled helicopter ride

Last summer, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi was tanked at a Seaside, New Jersey beach (filming, of course) when police were summoned. She was arrested for disorderly conduct (read: she could barely walk, and was screaming “I’m a fucking good person” as the cops carted her away to the clink) and eventually was released with a summons. It was highly embarrassing, and didn’t stop her from binge drinking, but she eventually got over it.

This summer, Gov. Christie attended his son’s high school baseball game. Which would have been a harmless, wholesome activity, if he hadn’t arrived there in a spanking new, taxpayer-funded, $12.5 million HELICOPTER, driven by state troopers—after meeting with political donors from Iowa. He was immediately lambasted for his gross misuse of power. “It’s not just contributors, it’s people who want him to run for another office with a political agenda. That’s where he’s crossed the line,” said Assemblyman John Wisniewski. “He’s a governor who as U.S. attorney would rail against elected officials blurring the line. But this governor has selective memory and selective outrage.” 

WHO’S WORSE: Christie. Snooki’s infraction was a victimless crime, while Christie’s infraction was not technically a crime but cost his constituents an estimated $1,200 per hour for frivolous personal use—far more obscene than a blackout beach party.

The Situation and Ronnie almost get into a fistfight vs. Christie’s tax-and-slash budget plan

Jersey Shore’s on its final season and it’s obvious they know: the lesser-revered stars are going to great lengths to do something memorable, perhaps to expand their post-show career options. This goes for The Situation in particular, who seems to be coming unhinged: he’s spreading rumors and lies, playing hurtful pranks, and generally being more absurd than we remember him—quarter-life crisis? When Ronnie confronts The Situation for talking smack about something or other, the two beef-muscled juiceheads rumble around each other, each peacocking but neither daring to take a swing—until The Situation goes so ballistic he hits his own head against a wall and gives himself a concussion. It is perhaps the most absurd moment on a show built on absurd moments, and certainly one of the all-time stupidest yet most entertaining things I’ve ever seen on television.