You Better Redneckognize

Every few years there is a TV phenomenon that happens that no one is prepared for. Before we have had the Kardashians, The Hills, Big Brother and talent shows like The X Factor. They come from nowhere and instantly become the water cooler talking points. They are shows that develop intrigue and have us all chatting/bitching/appreciating. Well right now it seems to be the year of Honey Boo Boo aka Alana Thompson and her crazy amazing family.

Alana first caught people's attention on 'Toddlers and Tiaras'. A show I have to admit that I haven't watched a whole lot - it follows young children as they compete in beauty pageants. It kind of freaked me out as these 4 year olds were caked in make-up and hairspray, dressed in an outfit made entirely of sequins and shoved on a stage to dance, twirl and wave. They even wore fake teeth. I saw one clip where one girl was dressed as Julia Roberts - FROM PRETTY WOMAN!. It was a show that just never got my attention. However, there was one girl that stood out for all the right reasons. Honey Boo Boo was not like the rest, she had a personality and a style all of her own. She was unintentionally hilarious and she looked normal amongst these toddler mannequins.

It was the best idea to give her her own show. Instead of following her pageant career they chose to focus on her family life at home in McIntyre, Georgia. We were introduced to her family Mama, Sugarbear, Pumpkin, Chickadee, Chubbs and Baby Kaitlyn. It is a laugh-out-loud show and it introduces this little English boy to a whole new way of living. Of course we all have our opinion of residents of the south of America - the word Redneck springs to mind. They wear their Redneck crown with pride. They have no shame that they call the dumpster the mall, they compete in the Redneck Games and they eat roadkill.

It is so easy to take the piss out of this show because they live a different way. However if I can get serious for a second this show for me is about one thing - family. They are beautiful together. Yes, they argue and fight like any normal family but at the core there is love.

It would be easy to assume that all this fame would go to their heads, you could not be more wrong. Sugarbear (The Father) still works seven days a week, Mama June still coupons and all the money earned goes into a trust fund for the kids that they can't touch until they are 21 - a decision made by Sugarbear and Mama. They have a happy basic lifestyle. Mama June spends as much time with her children as possible and gives them fun times aswell as life lessons.

I hope this show takes off in England. I want them to become huge as they are great people who brings the laughs but also the heart. Plus Johnny Depp has admitted it is the only TV show he watches.