While reading Jackie O's, "Help From Honey Boo Boo," I couldn't help but cringe. Jackie O insists that TLC's new hit show "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo," "gives Americans a look into the redneck culture of the rural south." Redneck culture? Do you mean to say the poor, "white trash," uneducated farmers of America. Or when you say "redneck" could you also be referring to the derogatory term used to attack Southern racists and conservatives?
Although TLC stands for "The Learning Channel," what am I actually supposed to be learning? "Honey Boo Boo" is a grim and sick mockery of stage moms, stereotypes, childhood obesity and teen pregnancy. Should we really be entertained by the exposure of underage children in which the television network typecasts them as "white trash." I can't help but feel sorry for Alana, aka "Honey Boo Boo." Forever she will be identified as the seven year-old reality star beauty queen who "likes to get in mud because I like to get dirty like a pig."
Jackie O presents "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" as a learning opportunity. However, I have a hard time believing that viewers are really looking for an riveting educational experience when they watch the show. I agree with Jackie O that we shouldn't be totally ignorant to how different people from different parts of the country live. However, there are a lot of more efficient ways to educate ourselves about who lives in our country and what culture do they represent. Books, travel and researching the demographics of your own community are all appropriate outlets to understand the "melting pot" that is America. However, reality television shows that represent the citizens of the American "redneck" South as a composite of dumbed down, cartoon versions of themselves is probably not a good place to start.
I agree. As I commented on Jackie O's post, it is nice to see a TV family outside of the wealthy norm such as the Kardashians. However, I think that the show does not teach audience anything. If TLC was going for the portrayal of a Southern family, they could find a family that is a lot less obnoxious that this one. Not all southern families are that obnoxious.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I do not believe that Honey Boo Boo holds any educational value and the reality is that people watch the show for its entertainment value. People are not interested to see how they live but are more interested in mocking the way in which they live. I have never watched a complete episode but I have seen memes or GIFS floating around making fun of the family. I have nothing against reality tv and enjoy watching quite a bit of it as a guilty pleasure. The only reason I have a problem with this show is because I do not believe it belongs on TLC. There are many other channels that do not pretend to inform their viewers of anything; channels solely marketed to entertain audiences. I believe that Honey Boo Boo should air on any one of those networks and instead of on TLC. Not only does the show not fit in with the network but it also starts to ruin the channels ethos by lowering the standards by which people regard TLC. People are now less likely to think that all shows on TLC hold an educational value due to shows like Honey Boo Boo.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad someone made a post about this. I've always thought reality televison was ridiculous, but this show really takes the cake. It doesn't teach viewers anything substantial, all it does is glorify childhood obesity, teen pregnancy and bad parenting. The worst part is that this little girl Alana and her family are unaware that they are being exploited by the network. Anyone who I know that has watched even one eposide says that these people are pathetic and disgusting. It's time to get this show off of the air. It's making TLC look bad.
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