People amaze me sometimes. - Comments

@ tonic
I mean, I'm sure most people don't want to be represented that way. Some people don't care. I'm okay with people thinking I'm a total hick. My friends call me that all the time, despite the fact I'm not a total hick. I just think it's what you're personally okay with.

@ countrygirl62696
Regardless of it's commonness, no one wants to be represented that way.

@ ladyschrei
Lol, totally understand you. I mean, I get where he's coming from, I just don't agree.

@ tonic
LOL. Sad thing is, the things that take place on Jersey Shore could take a place all over our country. There could be a group of friends doing the same thing over in California. Same thing with this new show. Instead of West Virginia, it could be Texas. It doesn't matter where it really takes place because the same things could be happening all over a country.

Living in a different country, television shows (especially popular ones) cultivate our perspective of the unknown. I like "Jersey Shore", but I'll admit that it has affected my perception of New Jersey. Although I've witnessed and participated in some pretty stupid shit, I'd hate it if Australian youth was portrayed as dipshits.

Oh I'm not saying the show shouldn't air - people should always have the freedom to watch whatever they please - I'm just saying I agree with what the senator was saying. Lmao.

@ Airi.
I understand what you're saying, that the show will more than likely encourage stereotypes and that that's not right. I mean, it doesn't excuse the behavior of those. But I don't think that should stop the show from being aired just because there are those people who will believe those stereotypes.

@ ladyschrei
I get it. I do. I mean, I may not agree with your opinion 100%, but I see where you're coming from. There are those who are smart enough to realize everyone's not like that. And there are those who aren't. Like I said above, I don't exactly think the show shouldn't be aired just because there are those people who believe the stereotypes. Everyone will have their opinion about the show or similar shows, and I'm not saying they shouldn't.

He never denied it at first because no one really knew what the show was going to be, that it would turn into what it did and make our state seem like that. And then he and other higher powers in NJ really just wanted to get rid of it.

And that's exactly it, a lot of people don't have that sense. Maybe people in your area WV isn't all rednecks, and I understand that. Doesn't mean people in Cali or Jersey won't, though. And the same happened here. We all knew Jersey wasn't like that, but people from the rest of the country don't seem to. Lol.

@ countrygirl62696
I don't really think you're seeing the point I'm trying to make and I don't really understand the point you're trying to make. So a lot of people will know better than to believe it, does that excuse the people who will believe it and makes encouraging the stereotypes okay? I don't really know where this discussion has led us at this point so I think it's best just to agree to disagree and let it go. ^^

I dunno, I guess I won't ever understand why people like trash TV.

@ Airi.
Believe me, I know many people are arrogant. I see a lot of them in my school, and we're like 20 miles from the VA/WVA state line. I understand some people's view of these stereotypes will be encouraged by this show. But I also know there are us who don't believe in those stereotypes.

@ ladyschrei
Oh, I know there are some who thought NJ was trash because of Jersey Shore. And like I said, I understand where he's coming from. Just that I don't agree.

And I don't know if they would. That's the thing. I know Governor Christie(spelling?) denied something with Jersey Shore. But I didn't read anything about him making comments like the senator did. I just feel like, despite it possibly encouraging stereotypes, people should have the sense to know that not everyone in that group is like that. I know people don't have the sense sometimes. But it should be evident.

@ countrygirl62696
It's nice to think that people would be more educated than that, but it's not too realistic when you think about how humans really are. People are more ignorant than you're giving them credit for right now. There are a lot of people, Americans in particular, who are very ignorant and will believe this represents everyone in West Virginia. Humans can be very ignorant and unfortunately, Americans are some of the most ignorant at all. v.v A lot of people are ignorant and shows like these help breed that ignorance that can lead to hatred.

People have a tendency to care more about something when it happens to them, it's in our nature. That's probably why he's so upset over this one but not over Jersey Shore, because Jersey Shore probably effected him in no way at all. Humans can be very selfish creatures.

@ countrygirl62696
I wasn't saying you personally thought that, but people other people do. And they'll think that about any other state trash TV like that is based in. Everybody thought Jersey Shore would be fine and it made our state look like trash. Hell, they even banned them from filming in a few different places here in Jersey just to keep them out, so I understand what that senator was saying.

And you're right, if it wasn't his state he probably wouldn't have an opinion, but say it was based in TN or wherever, I'm sure a senator there would have his opinion, or if it was in Florida, a senator there, etc.

@ Airi.
Like I said, I understand why he'd be upset. I just think that it should be obvious that not everyone is like that. The thing that annoys me the most is that this senator makes a comment about this, but you never really had a comment about Jersey Shore. It's the same idea, just a different state and stereotype.

@ countrygirl62696
But that's the thing, this could turn into more than just simply laughing at yourself. People should be able to laugh at themselves and the stereotypes about their State, but that doesn't make it right for a channel to exploit that State for money and encourage stereotypes about that State. Encouraging stereotypes is never right, even if it's done to give you an opportunity to laugh and make fun of people. That, in my opinion, makes encouraging stereotypes worse because now you're exploiting people in a way. This is more than simple jokes between friends, that's not a very good comparison in my opinion. All I'm saying is I can understand why someone would be upset over a show perpetuating and encouraging stereotypes about their State and, essentially, about them as well.

*By the way, you is used totally in a general sense and not aimed at you specifically. ^^

@ Airi.
I think people just should be able to laugh at themselves a bit. Don't get me wrong. I can see where the man's coming from. My friend's family's from West Virginia and they always laugh when I make WV jokes. And I agree that they could be coaxed, but either way, lol. I just think it should be left up to the ratings to say.

@ ladyschrei
Oh, I know and believe all of you from NJ aren't like Snooki and whoever else. I mean, I didn't like the show, but I had to believe not everyone was that trashy. >_> And like I said above to Airi, I do understand where he's coming from. But I also know there are those who act like the stereotype in West Virginia. But I told my dad that if the show was in Tennessee or some other southern state, that senator probably wouldn't have had an opinion. I think everyone has this idea that everyone from the south is rednecks, when we're not. But there are those who are, and there are those who aren't. Just like any group of people you find.

I mostly agree with what the senator is saying. If I'm correct, when Jersey Shore started, here over in Jersey we got a lot more tourists. But I don't like the stereotypes, thank you. My mom's friend in California thinks that's how we all act/look out here, when in reality no one really does.

Funny thing? Only a few of them actually lived in Jersey.

We're not full of Italians with Snooki poofs and bad tans who spend our times GTL'ing. I wouldn't want that for another state, so I can completely understand :|

@ Airi.
I want to cry. I want to cry so bad. Everything I want to say but can't because I lack the mental capacity. Reality Shows are my fave btw. Not the 'Kardashian' and the 'Ice loves Coco' types. But more the documentary types.

The only tv show I watch religiously is American Horror Story. I'm still waiting on Game of Thrones to start back, the wait is like a slow painful death, I swear lol

I can see why the Senator would have a problem with a show like that. Shows like that do make people laugh because it's easy to tease and make fun of the people they feature. That's how they make money, they give us someone to laugh at. But at the same time, these shows are encouraging stereotypes which can end very badly. Encouraging stereotypes can breed ignorance and hatred which can end in people getting hurt, physically or mentally. I don't watch shows like Jersey Shore and I won't watch Buckwild, trash TV like that is not my thing. If I'm going to watch "reality TV", I prefer to watch educational things. Things that actually document people and actual problems instead of just giving us someone to make fun of. That's just my preference. So I can understand where the Senator is coming from, though I think the whole "we've kept America free" thing was overreacting a bit.

That being said, you never know if the youth on that show were "coaxed" to act how they will be. It's pretty easy to get some youth to do stupid shit, just flash some money at them and you've got them wrapped around your finger. Maybe that is real, or maybe it's all for show. Either one is possible though I think with most "reality TV", it's very scripted. Meaning, it's very 'for show' and not too 'real' in the end. "Reality TV" doesn't really represent reality most of the time.

I agree that people who don't like it could just change the channel but I also can see why someone would be hurt and offended by a show encouraging stereotypes against their homes. I mean, some people in some States are very sensitive to these things while other people in other States joke about their own stereotypes. Here in California, the majority of us get a kick out of making fun of ourselves and the stereotypes people have for us. In the end, I do think the Senator overreacted a bit but I can understand where he's coming from and why he'd be upset a show is perpetuating stereotypes against him and everyone else in that State. And yes, many people are ignorant enough to believe the people featured in Buckwild are an accurate representation of all of West Virginia. Unfortunately, many people are just that ignorant.

@ cotton.
I doubt he does have the power. It's just the fact of when someone who has any power at all makes a comment like that, it gets taken more seriously than when someone like you or me makes a comment.

@ countrygirl62696
True. And I'm not sure if he has the power to do that though. My bets are that he doesn't.