By DAN GOOD, Press of A.C. Staff Writer | Monday, February 22, 2010

New Jersey residents, fear not.

The MTV reality show “Jersey Shore” hasn’t destroyed America’s perceptions of the Garden State – at least according to the latest Fairleigh Dickinson University Public Mind national poll.

According to the poll, three in five respondents who have seen the show have a favorable view of New Jersey, compared to 44 percent who have not seen the show.

About 20 percent of respondents have an unfavorable view of the state, regardless of whether they’ve watched the show.

The program involved eight housemates spending a summer in Seaside Heights, Ocean County. One episode showed the castmates visiting Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City.

Lawmakers and citizens railed against the show’s portrayal of Italian-Americans … New Jersey shore life … the country’s decaying education system and moral fiber …

Despite all the tanning and juiced bodies and hair gel, the show didn’t shred the country’s perceptions of New Jersey, according to the poll.

Which begs the question – is America’s perception of New Jersey already that low?

Dan Cassino, a professor of political science at Fairleigh Dickinson University, discussed the poll results in a press release.

“I don’t think anyone would claim that the TV show has anything to do with the real New Jersey,” Cassino said. “Still, the image it portrays doesn’t seem to be hurting the state as some have feared.”

The poll involved 1,001 telephone interviews conducted between Jan. 22 and Feb. 4.

The cast of the MTV reality show 'Jersey Shore'