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Does Honey Boo Boo Give the World a Negative View of Georgians?

Does this reality show play into the mindset that all folks from Georgia are just plain, ole redneck?

There is no question that TLC's Here Comes Honey Boo Boo is a ratings success. According to Perez Hilton, the show recently received the highest ratings of its record-breaking season—nearly 3 million people tuned in to watch.

Here Comes Honey Boo Boo has become a pop culture phenomenon,” one show rep told Hilton. “What you see is what you get and we are excited to share even more of Alana and her family's unbridled hilarity, sincerity and love with our viewers.”

So what is it about this show that has so many people tuning in? And since it has such a wide audience, does it give its very large audience the impression that Georgians are all just plain redneck?

Do you watch the show and what do you think of it? Do you think it gives Georgia a bad rap?


Ryan Smith (Editor) October 4, 2012 at 04:09 pm
Okay, folks. I've just deleted a bunch of comments, some because they were personally abusive or profane and violated our terms of service, some that weren't violations but were direct replies and wouldn't have made sense out of context. I've had to say this a lot in the last couple of weeks, and it shouldn't have to be said, but here goes: Do not become vulgar or personally abusive on this site. This is a thread about a silly reality show. Adults should be able to discuss it without calling each other names.
Ex-customer October 4, 2012 at 04:16 pm
And now this southern yahoo is going to violate peoples freedom of speech.
Karsten Torch October 4, 2012 at 04:32 pm
Technically, when you're on somebody else's page, you have no freedom of speech. This is not really the same as your own blog, or standing on a street corner. Just sayin....
Diane October 4, 2012 at 04:33 pm
I know. He didn't take out Torch's comments, must be his friend. Who knew?
Karsten Torch October 4, 2012 at 04:47 pm
I didn't say anything derogatory about anybody on here. Nothing to remove. And it's obvious that what I said about HoneyBooBoo and her shallow gene pool of relatives was spot-on....
Ryan Smith (Editor) October 4, 2012 at 04:49 pm
Ex-customer and Diane: I've never met Karsten Torch. I didn't violate your freedom of speech. You violated the terms of service. If you personally insult people, your comments will be deleted. I don't necessarily agree with Karsten's comments -- she can back me up on that, given some of our previous exchanges on other threads -- but she didn't personally insult anyone on this thread or use profanity. Ex-customer, you did. Don't do it again.
Karsten Torch October 4, 2012 at 05:05 pm
He, actually. But well stated, Ryan....
Diane October 4, 2012 at 05:06 pm
yea, yea, yea
Ryan Smith (Editor) October 4, 2012 at 05:08 pm
Karsten,
Sorry about that! Darn internet anonymity!
Karsten Torch October 4, 2012 at 05:12 pm
Eh. It's not the first time, won't be the last. I also don't usually correct, as being taken for female usually gets me more leeway....
R++ One of the Famous Dacula Crew October 4, 2012 at 05:13 pm
They are "just FOOLS on television, getting PAID to play the fool."
R++ One of the Famous Dacula Crew October 4, 2012 at 05:14 pm
It’s Jersey Shore without the sand.
Karsten Torch October 4, 2012 at 05:21 pm
I am curious, though, Dianne - your opinions on the OP? Does this show paint southerners in a bad light? Or is it just a matter of them being a small percentage of people, there's people everywhere that are considered a little 'backwards,' and these people are actually fine, as they do seem to love their child and she's not abused, mistreated, or otherwise neglected by her family? In this, I agree (if that's your stand - if not, then obviously we don't agree). My point, and others on here, I think, is that this family is severely redneck, actually what many would consider white trash. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing - they're happy, easy to have fun, and truthfully, when the zombie apocalypse hits, they'll still be the ones alive and living off the land. But....they just don't make us southerners look intelligent to those that watch this show and assume that all Georgians are like them.
Is that better? And more respectful? Cuz look, I respect southerners. I consider myself one. With some very southern tendencies. Some of my best friends could blend right in to this family. But...doesn't mean I want them to be in a show and representin..... And I actually do care about your opinion on this....
Karsten Torch October 4, 2012 at 05:29 pm
Or the brain cells....
Diane October 4, 2012 at 05:36 pm
sorry i can't reply cause my comments get deleted. Were you always the teacher's pet
Karsten Torch October 4, 2012 at 07:01 pm
Brian - that was great! And, unfortunately, probably very accurate.....
Karsten Torch October 4, 2012 at 07:03 pm
Just be somewhat nice and try not to attack, and they won't be deleted. I was civil, it's not really that difficult to do.
Julieanne October 4, 2012 at 07:06 pm
And the Patch Staff reads LJ Atlanta.. For stealing my question.. UNH HUH.. See how y'all are. LOL
Diane October 4, 2012 at 07:19 pm
@ karsten: You Said:"the most ignorant, backwards, retarded person they can possibly find to interview. "
You think saying retarded is nice? Apparently Mr. Smith thinks it is okay.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) October 4, 2012 at 07:40 pm
To be truthful LJ, I wrote the question after one of the other Patch editors suggested it since it is such a hot topic. I'm not actually sure what LJ Atlanta is, but I will research it, because we are always looking for good material.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) October 4, 2012 at 07:41 pm
Do you have a link LJ?
Karsten Torch October 4, 2012 at 07:42 pm
I didn't attack you. And that was a generic person, nobody specific. But you have to admit, the news outlets do seem to find the worst we have to offer to give interviews...
Ryan Smith (Editor) October 4, 2012 at 07:48 pm
Diane:
I hate the word "retarded." However, Karsten did not apply it to anyone on this thread or, indeed, any specific person. There is a difference between direct attacks against other commenters and the expression of a general viewpoint, however much I disagree with that viewpoint. I have explained this repeatedly. The deletion of comments is admittedly a judgment call on the part of Patch editors, but if we see a comment we find to be personally abusive (and moderating hundreds of comments across multiple stories, we probably miss some), we will delete it, regardless of whether we agree with the political or social position the commenter is taking. If you don't want your comments deleted, don't personally attack the others on the thread. Simple as that.
Crystal Huskey (Editor) October 4, 2012 at 08:36 pm
Wait, Karsten, you're a he? My mind is blown.
Brian Crawford October 4, 2012 at 08:57 pm
Actually I think this is probably the first question that pops into most Georgian's minds the first time they are exposed to Miss BooBoo. At least those of us not directly related. She doesn't do much for the reputation of the pageant business either.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) October 4, 2012 at 09:02 pm
Yes, I actually do know Karsten - he is a Grayson resident. This is not the first time, and I'm sure it won't be the last, that he's been mistaken for a woman. It always makes me smile. You might get to meet him at the Chili Cookoff Crystal - he was there last year.
Karsten Torch October 4, 2012 at 09:39 pm
I'll be there....
When is it?
dan anderson October 5, 2012 at 07:21 pm
I am more surprised about who knows who she is :). I don't....
Elizabeth October 5, 2012 at 08:55 pm
Forget HBB, what about Lingerie Football coming to Gwinnett County. Talk about a sideshow of which not to be particularly proud!!
Karsten Torch October 8, 2012 at 01:41 pm
WooHoo! Lingerie Football!

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Put it all the questions on the Census...
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R++ "Put it all the questions on the Census..."Read More What does this mean?
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