- Follows the Thompson Family of McIntyre, Georgia, as they go about their daily lives.- 1 season so far: aired on TLC from August 8, 2012, to September 26, 2012- Intended to entertain family audiences.

“Mama” (June), age 32- Takes charge of the family- “Coupons” to save money

“Sugar Bear” (Mike), age 40- The only man in the house-Enjoys “redneck” activities like dirtbiking

“Chickadee” (Anna), age 17- Oldest daughter- Pregnant

“Chubbs” (Jessica), age 15- Described by Alana as her “favourite” sister

“Pumpkin” (Lauryn), 12- Described by Alana as the “craziest” sister

“Honey Boo Boo” (Alana), 6- Title character of the show- Participates in beauty pageants

• The Thompson family goes about their daily life and showcases their bizarre traditions and lifestyle: making “sketti” (butter and ketchup on noodles), visiting a wig store, attending the Redneck Olympics, etc.

• Other reality TV shows that depict the daily life of a “normal” family:– 19 Kids and Counting (about a family

with 19 children)– Sister Wives (about a polygamous

family)–Wife Swap (shows different parenting

styles/family lifestyles, especially ones that differ greatly)

• The family’s poverty (a major selling point of the show) is real

• Does not include a lot of dramatic fights/conflicts typical of other reality shows

• “Our life isn’t scripted like other reality shows. Yeah, there are some things we’ve done that we wouldn’t normally do, like, that day, but it’s pretty much our lives. Honestly.” – June (Juzwiak, “A Portrait of a Portrait of an American Family”)

• For example, they may have been prompted to discuss weight loss—but it is still a real issue for most of their family

Who’s really laughing?

Meanwhile, the family laughs at other people

Producers want viewers to laugh at the family’s “redneck” lifestyle

…in the end, isn’t the family just like us? And don’t their lives seem real and relatable to the viewers?

• Should Here Comes Honey Boo Boo’s 15 minutes of fame be over?– No: despite some inevitable staging, the

show does reveal a real type of modern family. We shouldn’t avoid shows focusing on unconventional families/people.

– Here Comes Honey Boo Boo seems to manipulate the cast and viewers a relatively little amount.