Television Review: Blue Collar TV
Rate This Article
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that stereotypes abound in almost every
episode, from making fun of rednecks to mocking "white trash."
Other things to keep an eye out for are some mild language,
innuendo, and social drinking.
Families can talk about labels and judging someone because of
where they're from or how they look. Why is it important to
accept people for who they are rather than base our opinions on
the color of their skin or their background? Does the show's
humor reinforce or undermine stereotypes?
In the WB's comedy sketch show BLUE COLLAR TV, Jeff "You Might Be a Redneck If..." Foxworthy (who previously tried his hand at TV with The Jeff Foxworthy Show) and his southern-fried comedian cohorts lampoon cultural phenomena and entertain a live audience a la Saturday Night Live. Each episode begins with Foxworthy's stand-up routine and then segues into skits that deal with everything from family life to conspicuous consumption. In one episode, for example, the players -- who include Bill Engvall, Larry the Cable Guy, Brooke Dillman, Ashley Drane, Ayda Field, Heath Hyche, Peter Oldring and Gary Anthony Williams -- made fun of actors in homegrown sausage ads and a woman who found a finger in her Wendy's chili. They then acted out a scene on a pretend show called Days of Our White Trash Lives.
The show is an offshoot of the very successful Blue Collar Comedy Tour, which featured the stand-up of Foxworthy, Engvall, and Larry the Cable Guy. The tour, in turn, inspired Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Movie, which has been a DVD best-seller.
While amusing at times, Blue Collar TV isn't for everyone. Those easily offended by humor at the expense of others might be put off by the skits, which get laughs by playing up stereotypes. What's more, viewers used to high-quality productions might find the amateurish-looking set dull.
Last Comic StandingSNL
MADtv
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
