According to Nielsen ratings, this week’s Jersey Shore premiere scored 5.3 million viewers, the network’s biggest season premiere in more than seven years, surpassing last season’s ratings peak. Among MTV’s core demographic of viewers 12- to 34-years-old, this is the highest-rated cable telecast of the year. Phew, looks like JWOWW can afford Snooki’s bail, then! [ArtsBeat/NYT]