Here Comes Honey Boo Boo Evaluation
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo
Reality television has become one of the most common forms of entertainment in the American household since the early 2000’s. From “The Bachelor” to “Jersey Shore”, no plot seems too racy or inappropriate for audiences of all ages. Recently, however, TLC aired their newest reality TV show, “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” that is thought to be one of the most controversial reality TV series of all time. The show encompasses the lives of a small-town, southern Georgian family who live a frugal lifestyle, and demonstrate the self proclaimed stereotype of rednecks. Fascinatingly, the series captures the quirky attitude of seven-year-old Alana Thompson, and her mother, June Shannon. Although the series has produced high ratings in its first season, (tying the ratings for the Democratic National Convention in the 18-49 demographic) critics cannot help but comment on the obscurity of this new reality TV show.
What has many viewers concerned is the perception of small towns that “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” portrays. The show highlights poverty, teenage pregnancy, and bad hygiene; leaving many of the McIntyre, Georgia residents upset. According to The Hollywood Reporter, one McIntyre resident reports “…it doesn't give a good image for the county since it is a small county, and it's a really family-oriented county, and we are basically, you know, church-goers down here, and a lot of the things they do ... we don't agree with it.” It’s true that many of the activities that Alana and her family take part in do not accurately describe small town McIntyre. From attending food auctions to participating in the Redneck Games, each episode features a new and entertaining activity that emphasizes the small-town stereotype even further. Throughout the series, main characters are referred to by their nicknames. Alana is known as “Honey Boo Boo Child”, and her mother, June, is simply referred to as “Mamma”. June’s other daughters (Alana’s half sisters) are known as
Reality television has become one of the most common forms of entertainment in the American household since the early 2000’s. From “The Bachelor” to “Jersey Shore”, no plot seems too racy or inappropriate for audiences of all ages. Recently, however, TLC aired their newest reality TV show, “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” that is thought to be one of the most controversial reality TV series of all time. The show encompasses the lives of a small-town, southern Georgian family who live a frugal lifestyle, and demonstrate the self proclaimed stereotype of rednecks. Fascinatingly, the series captures the quirky attitude of seven-year-old Alana Thompson, and her mother, June Shannon. Although the series has produced high ratings in its first season, (tying the ratings for the Democratic National Convention in the 18-49 demographic) critics cannot help but comment on the obscurity of this new reality TV show.
What has many viewers concerned is the perception of small towns that “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” portrays. The show highlights poverty, teenage pregnancy, and bad hygiene; leaving many of the McIntyre, Georgia residents upset. According to The Hollywood Reporter, one McIntyre resident reports “…it doesn't give a good image for the county since it is a small county, and it's a really family-oriented county, and we are basically, you know, church-goers down here, and a lot of the things they do ... we don't agree with it.” It’s true that many of the activities that Alana and her family take part in do not accurately describe small town McIntyre. From attending food auctions to participating in the Redneck Games, each episode features a new and entertaining activity that emphasizes the small-town stereotype even further. Throughout the series, main characters are referred to by their nicknames. Alana is known as “Honey Boo Boo Child”, and her mother, June, is simply referred to as “Mamma”. June’s other daughters (Alana’s half sisters) are known as
Cited: Sieczkowski, Cavan. " 'Honey Boo Boo ' Ratings Match Bill Clinton DNC Speech on CNN." 10 Sep 2012: n. page. Web. 4 Oct. 2012. HNLtv.com Staff, . "Here Comes More Honey Boo Boo ." HLN. 26 Sep 2012: n. page. Web. 4 Oct. 2012. The Associated Press, . " 'Honey Boo Boo ' Panned in Georgia Hometown." 09 Sep 2012: n. page. Web. 4 Oct. 2012.