McIntyre Family’s Antics on TLC’s “Honey Boo Boo” Getting Mixed Reviews in Small, Rural Town

McINTYRE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – McIntyre, Georgia is getting national attention because of a hit TV show on TLC, but some people say it’s not portraying their town in the correct light. “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” premiered last Wednesday with great ratings, but it’s getting mixed reviews in the small Middle Georgia town where it’s filmed.

“A dollar makes me holler honey boo boo…” says 6-year-old Alana Thompson, who’s now known as Honey Boo Boo on the hit TV show.

As with most reality TV, if it gets people talking…it’s working…no matter what people are saying.

The spinoff show from TLC’s “Toddlers and Tiaras” follows the antics of the Thompson family and their 6-year-old daughter, Alana…a self-proclaimed diva beauty queen. The Thompsons became famous earlier this year when Alana and her mom showed up on YouTube as the over-the-top pageant mom and daughter.

Both Alana and her mother June declined to go on camera because of legal obligations with TLC, but 41NBC spoke wit some of their neighbors who say they’re of offended by the way McIntyre is being represented in the show.

“That’s not what we are,” McIntyre resident Tess Price says of the Thompson family, who, on the show are portrayed as uneducated country bumpkins. “People are dedicated–family-oriented, we don’t fart and burp the way they did on national tv that’s just disrespectful.  “

“The children are probably gonna have a lot of negative things said about them and they are,” says Sandra Coveson.

“We don’t let our children just talk like hoodlums,” Price tells 41NBC, “and there’s no way that I would let my little girl or any of my children be exploited the way that they are exploiting their daughter. “

Others in McIntyre say, if you wanna be famous, more power to you; and in a town where all many people know is going to work at the chalk mines, it’s nice to be known for something a little more fun.

“It’s a small town, something new…It’s something besides chalk man,” says resident Gregory Pitts.

The Thompsons neighbor, Ed Shauger says he has nothing negative to say about the show or the family. “I wish them all the best…you know I know Mike and June, and they’re good people, It’s a show right, that’s what its for is entertainment.”

“Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” airs on TLC every Wednesday night at 10 ET.