TV: Here Comes Honey Boo Boo

Network: TLC

Genre: Reality TV

TV Rating: TV-PG

Other Choices: Breaking Pointe, Flying Wild Alaska, Dancing with the Stars

Available On: Online

Common Sense Says: Beauty pageant spin-off is comical and crass.

Common Sense Rates It:

Parents need to know
Parents need to know that Here Comes Honey Boo Boo is a spin-off of Toddlers & Tiaras, and focuses on a child pageant star's unsophisticated family with lots of stereotypical references to "rednecks." It also contains some bleeped cursing ("s--t," f--k") and lots of bathroom humor. There are comical references to being sexy, and a few images of lewd dancing and people drinking beer.

• Families can talk about stereotypes. Why do people use stereotypical terms to define themselves? What are some ways the media perpetuate stereotypes? What can we do to diffuse them?
• Why do you think the Thompson family agreed to appear on a reality show? Is it fame? To promote Alana's pageant career? Money? Do you think they behave the way they do on camera in real life?

What's the story?
HERE COMES HONEY BOO BOO, a Toddlers & Tiaras reality spin-off, features the colorful Thompson family as they enjoy summer life in Southern Georgia while working hard to help the youngest daughter's efforts to become a successful beauty queen. It features 6-year-old Alana Thompson, a.k.a. Honey Boo Boo Child, whose amusing but unpolished performances has led to a string of losses on the pageant circuit. But there to support her and help her be successful is June "Mama" Thompson, her dad "Sugar Bear," and her teenage sisters, Anna "Chickadee," Jessica "Chubbs," and 12-year old Lauryn "Pumpkin." From mud belly flopping in the Redneck Games to perfecting arm pit noises, this clan creates their own brand of fun. But in the end, they are proud of who they are and are always there for each other.

Is it any good?
The series highlights the day-to-day lives of a family who has made a name for themselves by being confident in who they are, despite the fact that who they are doesn't usually reflect the standards of the people who participate in beauty pageants. But one has to wonder what drives June's stage mom-like presence, as well as what motivates them to encourage their youngest daughter to participate in something that expects her to behave differently than who she is.Some folks may not appreciate the endless bathroom jokes and other behaviors, many of which are stereotypically characterized as being "redneck." Others may be troubled by June's insistence on putting her daughter in pageants despite the fact that she does not have the same competitive edge as the other little girls. And there is the problematic issue of watching people's outrageous behavior in order to make fun of them -- not a great message for kids. But for a guilty pleasure, there is definitely entertainment here.