Bill would let towns regulate reality TV

ATLANTIC CITY - A bill introduced Monday would give towns where reality TV shows are filmed more control over the Situation. (Not to mention Snooki and JWoww, too.)

Assemblyman Ronald Dancer (R., Ocean) introduced the legislation for the "Snookiville Law," which would let towns license and regulate the filming of reality shows and impose conditions, including requiring crews to pay for additional police officers.

Dancer said in a statement that New Jersey has a tradition of being a desirable setting for reality 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," said Dancer, whose district includes parts of Ocean, Burlington, Middlesex and Monmouth Counties. "This bill will permit local officials to make sure taxpayers don't get 'Snook'-ered or public safety is compromised when reality stars such as Snooki or JWoww come to town."

Dancer named the law after Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, the most famous cast member of MTV's Jersey Shore, which recently ended its three-year run in Seaside Heights, 20 miles east of Dancer's district.

Cast members were involved in scuffles and drunken behavior in public, and police officers routinely were assigned to areas where they were taping. But the borough made its own arrangements with the show's producers to cover those costs.

The final season of Jersey Shore will begin airing Oct. 4.

Snooki and Jennifer "JWoww" Farley have been filming a spin-off in Manchester, a few miles inland from Seaside Heights. Authorities there have reported no problems with the filming. Michael "the Situation" Sorrentino is not involved in that show.

An MTV spokesman had no immediate comment on the bill.