The Funniest Lawyer in NJ Takes on Snooki and Friends

Filmmakers, Jersey fans, or both are invited to compete in a video contest showcasing the "real Jersey shore." The contest is an attempt by Assemblyman Jon Bramnick to change thoughts about New Jersey that are based on the MTV reality show. Challenging residents to develop 30-second videos about what they like about the Shore, Bramnick will give awards out during a film festival of his Shore clips.

"I consider it a bar fight," Bramnick said of the reality show. "I don't think the Jersey Shore is one big bar fight."

Bramnick admits to watching between five to 10 minutes of antics of Snooki and friends as they summer in Seaside. A close ally of Gov. Chris Christie, Bramnick said he agrees with the governor that the show, which debuted for a second season this week, is not helping the state's image. Bramnick did say he did not think it mattered that most of the cast came from New York, which Christie brought up on Sunday during an interview on ABC's This Week.

"The truth of the matter is whether they are from New York, New Jersey or Oklahoma, a bar fight is not the Jersey Shore," he said. "I grew up going to the Shore and there are boardwalks and all kinds of entertainment."

Bramnick is asking residents to send 30-second videos to asmbramnick@njleg.org showing their favorite Shore moments. He will have a panel of shore based legislators judge the best and plans to host an event to showcase the clips. He said he is still in the process of putting the showcase together. No date has been announced.

Bramnick, who moonlights as a stand-up comedian and has been voted the funniest lawyer in the state, said he is taking this all in good fun. He said he just wants to showcase that the Shore is more than Snooki.

"I am having fun showing the alternative," he said. "I have no animosity to the entertainment business."