RALEIGH COUNTY -
The Appalachian region is portrayed in a negative light by shows such as "Beverly Hillbillies" and "Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia." Thanks to brand new MTV reality show "Buckwild" airing this January, that image is about to be stereotyped again, and some says its even worse.
59 News Reporter Jessie Gavin hit the streets of Beckley Thursday to show people the "Buckwild" official video trailer on YouTube and get their reaction. We found only one person who wasn't vehemently against what they saw.
"I could see it being a benefit so people could see that we aren't all toothless and incest," said Angela Parrish of Prosperity.
Others we spoke with were not happy with this show and the image they believe it reinforces of the mountain state.
"If you think that we have dirt floors and chickens running around, we're not. We're very intelligent people. and that's what they always seem to think is that we are stupid, and we're not," said Karen Sturigll of Beckley.
"I think that we are not like that, a lot of us, there might be some of us like that, but not all of us are like that," said Traci Cook of Beckley.
Anthony Scott tells 59 News he feels "Buckwild" depicts West Virginians as lazy and he disagrees with that stereotype. He says West Virginians are just the opposite. They are very honest, hard working people.
"We are very laid back, hard working people and that's all we do. That's all we've ever done. Yes, we like to have our fun occasionally, but not like that. Not the way they're showing it," said Anthony Scott of Beckley.
Angela compares Buckwild to current MTV reality show "Jersey Shore" and believes that it's all just fun and games. She thinks no harm is done by either show.
"(Buckwild is) ... our kind of fun instead of their kind of fun. They go out on the beach or whatever, and we go riding four wheels and go mudding."
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