An Article about the Reality Shows coming out of Louisiana

[JanieDough]

Y'all may not be that interested, and it definitely goes a little too far in depth, but I think it's relate-able to any area that is shown on a reality TV series.

I wonder if you guys see these shows and think less of Louisiana, or if you think better of Louisiana or if you think it's interesting but you know not ALL people in Louisiana are like that.

"We have so many beautiful and good things about our state and our people," says Christine Corcos, an associate professor of law who also teaches in the Women's & Gender Studies Program at LSU. "But will these things make it into the episodes or will the episodes show the stereotypes? It seems to me that while people in general are willing to overlook stereotypes about the North, they are less forgiving about the South, and in particular about the Deep South."

But these aren't the kind of commercials that tout the state's growing high-tech industries, the Creative Capital of the South, any of the research under way at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, extensive public education reforms, and that Louisiana has thrice been named the best place in the South for jobs and investment.

That said, he admits that when it comes to reality television, he does "look forward to seeing more attention brought to the real Louisiana turnaround story." But industry insiders suggest the likelihood of a hit show about an average middle manager who works at an impressive high-tech job during the day and comes home to cope with the kids at night is unlikely.

Bracketing that alternative, Mulhearn says interest in reality shows might actually encourage viewers to visit Louisiana and see that there's more to it than what's portrayed on the show.
"Even though we don't want the world to think all of Louisiana catches alligators, if you consider all the interest and intrigue these shows generate, it's hard to put a price tag on that," Mulhearn says. "So many things come into play in terms of economic impact, including tourism and general interest in Louisiana, that didn't exist before the shows went on the air."

http://www.businessreport.com/news/2011/aug/22/reality-bites-gnit1/


And then it lists these shows - only one or two of which I have seen, and out of those I really only like/endorse Swamp People.


Here's a look at some of the reality television shows that have been shot, currently are shooting or are scheduled to be shot in Louisiana:

The Real World: New Orleans [MTV, 2000]

A diverse group of strangers lives together for several months in Belfort Mansion on St. Charles Avenue. The cast was assigned to work at a New Orleans public-access television station.


Hoarders [A&E, 2009]

Who can forget the episode that featured Augustine, the Louisiana woman who lost custody of her son because her hoarding turned her home into a haven for roaches, dead cats, mildewing clothes and rotting food?


Billy the Exterminator [A&E, 2009-present]

Billy Bretherton of Vexcon Animal & Pest Control in Benton, a former senior airman in the Air Force, dons Goth clothing and chases bees, killer raccoons, snakes, alligators, spiders, possums, roaches, beavers, mice, bats, squirrels, hogs, bobcats, skunks and other unwanted wild guests around the country.


Trashmen [TLC, 2010]

New Orleans trash mogul Sidney Torres took his multimillion-dollar garbage business to the small screen. In an hour-long pilot, Torres and his trash troops worked to keep the French Quarter clean on a Halloween weekend that included the Voodoo Experience and a Saints game in the Superdome.


The Real World: New Orleans [MTV, 2010]

Another diverse cast lived in a house on Dufossat Street in Uptown and worked at the New Orleans Mission and with Habitat for Humanity. New Orleans Police were summoned to the house over an incident involving urination on a toothbrush.


Steven Seagal: Lawman [A&E, 2009-10]

For two seasons, viewers rode shotgun with the former tough-guy actor as he worked as a fully commissioned deputy with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. A lawsuit full of bizarre sexual allegations filed by his former personal assistant delayed filming in the second season; she later dropped the suit.


Swamp People [The History Channel, 2010-present]

Follow Cajuns through the 30-day alligator hunting season as they fight to maintain their ancient way of life in a rapidly modernizing world. Wait for the magic words: "Choot 'em!"






Sons of Guns [Discovery Channel, 2011-present]

Will Hayden and his crew at Red Jacket Firearms in Baton Rouge sell, trade, buy, build and customize one-of-a-kind guns, knives, swords and cannons.


Bad Girls Club New Orleans [Oxygen, 2011]

This series brings seven new "bad girls" together in a house where the women recognize that their outrageous behavior has hindered their relationships, careers and lives. They claim to want to change, but will living together help them turn their lives around or will chaos rule?


Ultimate Cleaners [TLC, 2011-present]

From sewage spills, fires and hoarders to crime scenes, suicides and meth labs, the Douglas family of Xtreme Cleaners in Baton Rouge takes on the cases that no one else can or will. This dirty family business takes former cop Larry, his brother Matt, Matt's son Josh, aunt Becky, and friend Patrick to the most hazardous homes on the brink of bulldozing and magically brings them back to life.


Ghostbreakers [ABC affiliate New York, debuts this fall]

A satirical half-hour show spoofing reality television ghost hunters is being produced by Fort Worth, Texas, filmmaker Benjamin Wilbanks. The program was filmed in old houses, businesses and public buildings around the Shreveport area, many of which have real reputations for being haunted.


Girls, Guns & Gators [Travel Channel, in production]

This series examines the trials and tribulations of 25-year-old Lindsey Simmons as she adjusts to taking over the family business, Simmons Sporting Goods.
Caged [MTV, 2012]

A serial documentary following a subculture of 20-somethings in rural Louisiana who gather to fight in cages, all the while trying to figure out what to do with their lives.


Crawfish Cowboys [in production, no air date]

Follow Lake Arthur resident Cody Newman as he harvests crawfish from his ponds and conducts his daily business. Show creator is Raymond Segura, a Jennings native who came up with the idea for the show during a visit home.


Cajun Croc Hunters [in production, no air date]

Louisiana alligator hunters team up with Filipino crocodile hunters to take out saltwater crocodiles in remote fishing villages in the Philippines. The lead production company is Pateacus Entertainment of Mobile, Ala., and casting calls were held this spring in Houma.


Bayou Billionaire [in production, no air date]

No information is available on this reality series being filmed through the end of August in Shreveport by Magilla Entertainment, whose executives have created shows for the likes of ABC, HBO, Bravo, MTV, Discovery, fX and E!


The Wank [in production, no air date]

This reality program from SSS Entertainment follows the party-fueled lives of young guys and girls living on New Orleans' Westbank, where every weekend is Mardi Gras.

 

[PoopaSwoof]

I watch Swamp People and Sons of Guns mainly because I like to watch other people do what I would like to but probably never will.
Who wouldn't want to catch gators. shoot cool guns. and blow shit up?

I certainly wouldn't judge the state or the region by shows like this.

 

[Azazel]