Barbara Walters' 10 Most Fascinating People -- Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino is Making Bank

Barbara Walters' "10 Most Fascinating People" aired on December 9, 2010 on ABC. The cast of "Jersey Shore" were chosen as part of that "10 most fascinating," buts it's the guy with the perfect abs who is breaking out of the pack. The ex-exotic dancer is now the 10 million dollar man.

On Barbara Walters' "10 Most Fascinating People" there was Betty White, Justin Bieber, Kate Middleton, Mark Zuckerberg, Sandra Bullock, Sarah Palin, Jennifer Lopez, LeBron James, Gen. David Patraeus and the cast of "Jersey Shore." Once just eight young adults nobody ever heard of, today the cast of "Jersey Shore," who went from a mere $5,000 an episode to close to $30,000 an episode for season three, are nobodies no more.

A couple of the cast members make much more money than the others. Snookie has become more famous than the rest. But Mike, "The Situation," Sorrentino, 28, is perhaps the most famous, ranking in as much as 10 million dollars in 2010.

Once an exotic dancer, The Situation is known for showing off his buff chest and for living the life of a GTL or gym, tan, laundry guy. The Situation would not be caught dead without a fit body, a perfect tan and stylish Ed Hardy type clothes.

Where does The Situation get all of his millions? Although he will return for season three, he has successfully broken out of the "Jersey Shore" pack with a Devotion Vodka endorsement contract, a vitamin line for GNC, a workout DVD, his own clothing line with Dilligaf and more. And fans of "Dancing with the Stars" are familiar with The Situation as a contestant of season 11 dancing with Karina Smirnoff. Mike was the 4th contestant eliminated.

As obnoxious as many people feel the cast of "Jersey Shore" are, a show that has angered some Italian Americans for its controversial depictions, it's hard to dislike The Situation. Where the Internet was a buzz with anti-Bristol Palin remarks as she advanced regardless of her poor dancing, it seemed we were sad to see Mike, a guy who couldn't dance either, but who had a good sense of humor and who smiled a lot, leave the show.

Sorrentino and Palin appear in a public service announcement for The Candie's Foundation as part of Bristol's campaign of abstinence. The unwed mother promotes abstinence while the GTL guy promotes condoms.

Sources:

Barbara Walters' 10 Most Fascinating People on ABC

Jolie du Pre, Dancing with the Stars to Premiere Tonight; Will You Watch? , Associated Content

Audrey Fine, 'Jersey Shore' Cast Reaches a Big Bucks Deal with MTV, TV Squad

Devotion Vodka brought to you by 'The Situation', Salient News

Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino to Launch NoX Edge Pre-Workout Supplement in NYC, Market Wire press release

Dilligaf

Abs-fab! The Situation releases a workout DVD (that's if you REALLY want to look like him), Mail Online

Bristol Palin and The Situation Bring Us the World's Most Awkward PSA, Bitch Media

Jacquelynn D. Powers, Interview with Jersey Shore's Mike "the Situation" Sorrentino, New Times