I'm starting to think I was quick to judge Honey Boo Boo and her family

[LynneSin]

I was just reading Huffington Post and it turns out that Honey Boo Boo, the redneck 6 year old beauty pagaent contestant who was given her own show on TLC (and btw her whole family calls themselves rednecks) has an uncle who is gay and has appeared on the show. She calls him 'Uncle Poodle' and it seems like the whole family is very supportive of him, which is good because this guy has not had it easy being both gay and living where he lives.

Although I do not watch this show (I don't even have cable anymore so I can't), I'm guessing the typical audience type that this show gets and it's nice to see that a bunch of southern rednecks can still be who they are and also support LBGT cause.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/19/lee-thompson-honey-boo-boo-uncle-poodle-gay-in-the-south_n_1988820.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

Lee Thompson, Honey Boo Boo's 'Uncle Poodle,' Talks About Being Gay In The South For Spirit Day

Honey Boo Boo's gay uncle, Lee Thompson, whom she lovingly refers to as "Uncle Poodle," spoke out about what it is like to be gay in the South and shared some of his more painful memories in honor of Spirit Day.

"Being gay in the South, people don't like it," Thompson, who has appeared on TLC's "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo," told GLAAD. "Why? You have homophobes that wanna beat you, and bully you, and name-call you, and hurt you in any kind of way."

Growing up a gay in Milledgeville, Ga., Thompson was the target of hate. He suffered broken ribs and a broken jaw, and has had his car vandalized. "But I have a family that stands by me, supports me," he said. Adding, "I'm wearing purple today to let every youngster and every teen know it is okay to be who you are. Don't let nobody change that."

Miss Honey Boo Boo herself, otherwise known as Alana Thompson, supports her uncle through and through. On the season finale of her hit TV show, Alana voiced her pro-LGBT stance, saying "ain't nothin' wrong with bein' a little gay." Her uncle Lee is her favorite "Poodle."

<<<<snip>>>

"We've always supported gay people, even long before the show started," Mama June, Alana's mother, told E! News. "We didn't just do it because we have the show. Some people are kind of scared—what you'd call homophobes—but everyone knew Sugarbear had a gay brother. It's not a big deal."

[NYC_SKP]

1. The scorn I see directed toward the Thompson family is bigotry, plain and simple.

They are a family like any other.

Scorn directed toward TLC for some of their exploitative tactics, on the other hand, may be well deserved.

[snooper2]

2. If you're okay with having somebody video tape a pig shitting on the kitchen table

Then let them take said video and produce a show available to 10's of millions of other people to watch...


You are probably going to get a few chuckles LOL

[Th1onein]

17. You're absolutely right.

I have a very strong Texas accent and I notice that, when I'm talking to scientists, they automatically assume that I'm an idiot. Until they discover otherwise.

[riderinthestorm]

3. I've also only see bits on youtube and I see a loving family

Whacky. Very different than mine. Certainly much more uninhibited (is that all bad?) But certainly there is love there and kindness.

The whole beauty pageant thing is so foreign for so many people - especially these tots in tiaras thing - it seems so exploitative. I was prepared to really dislike this family.

But surprisingly I didn't. Granted I have never, ever seen an entire episode - maybe 10 minutes total of their lives and only bits of televised stuff which is most likely very, very different than reality. But still, I was pleasantly surprised.

[TreasonousBastard]

4. A gay uncle is interesting, but doesn't every family have...

at least one gay member?

My opinion hasn't really changed much-- a family many people would find repulsive if they ran into in Wal-Mart has brilliantly managed to con an entire country and is getting rich off it.

The American Dream in action.

[LynneSin]

7. Unfortunately many of those families won't even acknowledge their gay family members

So it's nice to see a show where that is not the case.

[TlalocW]

8. Wouldn't it be funny

If when the cameras stop, they reverted to their true personalities - maybe old-money, New England types?

Mother: "Oh, Honey Boo-Boo (said in a loving teasing voice), are you ready for tea?"
Honey: "Oh, mater, I wish you would stop calling me that when the cameras are off. Tea sounds lovely - maybe some Oolong today?"
Mother: "All right, dear. I'll bring it to you in the reading room, and we can continue our discussion of Proust."
Honey: "Wonderful, mummy!"

TlalocW

[Bluenorthwest]

5. I've never seen any of the show..but I hear Boo Boo endorsed 'Marack Obama'

on some talkshow. So what's the criticism of these folks, that they are poor (well, not no more) or not pretty or what?

[LisaL]

15. Well she had no idea who Romney is, so I am not sure that is a valuable endorsement.

[CBGLuthier]

6. I wonder more about the people who MAKE and WATCH these shows than the subjects.

Something truly sick in the soul to find this entertainment.

[Are_grits_groceries]

9. I know the 'BooBoo's in some form.

I probably am related to them. I'd take them any day over the Kardashians or Snooki.

They would probably do anything to help you should you need it and they were around. They are simply a different culture than any you have seen. I'm sure there are different groups in areas that you live in.

If you find yourself in a BooBoo area, be careful mind you. There are the 'Deliverances' who live somewhere around. They will make the hair rise on the back of your neck. They radiate teh crazy. Pay attention to that feeling. It will break through any smiles and y'alls.

[ieoeja]

21. My 16 year old and I tried watching Jersey Shore last night.

Neither of us had ever seen an episode and thought we ought to at least take a peek since he hears about it all the time at school. About 7 minutes in he hit the exit button when he heard me begging the cat to scratch out my eyes and shit in my ears.

We switched to Willfred, a dog doing bongs and uttering foul mouthed philosophy to a neighbor who sees and hears him as a man in a dog suit while to the rest of the world he is just a regular dog doing regular doggie stuff. It sounds stupid, but it is hillarious, and the way it explores the world through the dog's eyes is great.

Man in dog suit : smart television.
Jersey Shores : painfully stupid.

[renate]

24. oh, I love Wilfred!

It's really clever!

My daughter (who despite her execrable taste in television) is a very conscientious, responsible, hardworking teenager) loves watching shows like Jersey Shore and the Kardashians, so they're on in the background a lot. How anybody could watch a bunch of screechy people whining about their nonexistent problems and starting fights for the purpose of entertainment is beyond me. Those people are so self-absorbed and loud and discontented it's just painful to watch. I should probably ban those shows but my daughter is such a good student and delightful person that there wouldn't really be much point... I just don't understand why she likes them.

[BlueStreak]

10. The family gets the last laugh

I could never enjoy watching that kind of show. But I did see the mother interviewed last week. It is clear that she gets it. This is a 15-minutes-of-fame thing and she is putting the money into a trust rather than spending it. She is a lot smarter than she appears on the show, I'd say.

[LynneSin]

19. Sounds like Kate Gosselin could learn something from Honey Boo Boo's Mom

If the Boo Boo family is smart enough to do that then they are alot smarter than we all think.

[theinquisitivechad]

11. Was always their fan and somehow

Knew they were Democrats. Can't tell you why. Maybe Alana's open attitude toward gay folk.

[LisaL]

14. They have never said they were democrats.

Have they ever expressed any interest in politics? Ever?

[theinquisitivechad]

16. Alana said she supported Barack on Kimmel

With her Mom by her side, smiling. So yeah, they have.

[LisaL]

18. LOL.

[Contrary1]

22. Alana called him "Mo Rock Bama".

That qualifies as an endorsement in my book.

[LisaL]

12. Oh good god.

It's good that they support their gay uncle.
I still don't have to like them, do I?

[LynneSin]

20. Nope not at all however....

If you think of the people who are watching this show, maybe they'll think twice before they scorn a family member who comes out.

[Oilwellian]

13. I love Honey Boo Boo

I've watched the show a couple of times and she just cracks me up. I wish my family was as loving and non judgemental as hers.

[flamingdem]

23. I like Honey Boo Boo too, plus she endorsed "Maraca Obama"!! nt