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The country has apparently chosen to embrace Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi and her band of dimwitted pals. TV Guide reports that ratings for Jersey Shore increased to 2.5 million viewers Thursday night. In the adults ages 18-49 demo, the show rocketed 27 percent to a 1.4 rating. Shore also earned a 2.2 rating among women ages 18-34.

Thursday’s episode made headlines days before its premiere, specifically after a clip of cast member Snooki getting punched at a bar went viral. MTV later decided to black out the scene.

Meanwhile Saturday Night Live had a rather funny “interview” with Snooki on Weekend Update. She loved it so much that she even tweeted about it. Watch that clip after the jump.