Seven-year-old Alana Thompson could be described as a precocious pest. She’s a materialistic, fast-talking, ridiculous Southern girl, better known as “Honey Boo Boo” on TLC’s spinoff of  “Toddlers and Tiaras.” And she’s got a family to match.

“Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” debuted Aug. 8, and despite the fact that it’s a mess of redneck games, teen pregnancy and excessive obesity, its ratings were impressive. Sadly, those ratings reflect the sad state of our society in which the trashiest and most dysfunctional families are celebrated on national television for their eccentricities.

Honey Boo Boo’s mother, June, takes the criticism with a grain of salt, however, stating in her trademark over-confidence that “We like to be ourselves. You like us or you don’t like us. We just don’t care.”
The attitude may come in handy since June, who weighs over 300 pounds, isn’t the most likeable individual. She has a mouth like a sailor and a food-guzzling brood.

“Honey Boo Boo” may be boosting TLC’s ratings now, but any show that glorifies bobbing for pigs’ feet, dressing a 6 year old in clothing unfit for a teen, and going to crazy lengths for a quick buck, is a waste of time and brain cells. The show is a train wreck, and like any disaster, it is almost impossible to look away.