‘Honey Boo Boo’ is an entertainment tragedy

This past August, TLC premiered  “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo,” a reality show that features seven-year-old beauty pageant participant Alana Thompson (dubbed Honey Boo Boo), with her mother, father and three older sisters in and around their hometown in rural Georgia. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the fourth episode of the series, titled “I’m Sassified,” attracted almost three million viewers, which aired on the night of the Republican National Convention. Shockingly, “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” had the highest television ratings that night among adults ages 18 to 49.

To those who disassociate with the show, it is a conundrum why people find it so entertaining. The show, which is a spinoff from TLC’s “Toddlers in Tiaras,” delves into the personal lives of the Thompson family. The network essentially provokes the energetic toddler to act in an outrageous way to appeal to the viewer by putting her in an environment where she knows she is being recorded. Although many people may find the toddler’s antics entertaining, it casts a negative light on the Southern-American stereotype. Why must we enjoy other people’s unusual behaviors on public television? It is almost mean-spirited to watch a show like this. It is unlikely viewers view this show to actually learn anything, as some people watch the show just to scrutinize the seven-year-old and her family.

According to the Huffington Post, Honey Boo Boo and her family earn between $2-4 thousand an episode. This is upsetting to many viewers who again see the Thompson family’s fame as sardonic and cruel. For a mother who prides herself on coupon collecting, it is clear that this family struck up a reality television show deal with TLC to make extra cash at the expense of publically blasting their daughter. Viewers should take this into consideration the next time they sit down to enjoy the show.