W.V. Sen. Manchin decries MTV's "Buckwild" as a "travesty"

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., on November 20, 2011. / CBS/Chris Usher

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., is calling on MTV to cancel its new reality show about a group of West Virginian friends, decrying the program as a "travesty," and claiming it exploits troubled young people and plays to "ugly" stereotypes about the people and culture in his state.

Manchin, a conservative Democrat, wrote a letter to MTV President Stephen Friedman urging him to "put a stop to the travesty called 'Buckwild,'" which is slated to air in January on the network.

"As a U.S. Senator, I am repulsed at this business venture, where some Americans are making money off of the poor decisions of our youth. I cannot imagine that anyone who loves this country would feel proud about profiting off of 'Buckwild,'" Manchin wrote in his letter. "Instead of showcasing the beauty of our people and our state, you preyed on young people, coaxed them into displaying shameful behavior - and now you are profiting from it. That is just wrong."

The show, which is described on MTV's website as a show about "nine young, carefree and adventurous friends" who "find unique ways to create their own fun," is replacing "Jersey Shore" in the network's Thursday night lineup. Based on the preview, which features the show's stars fighting, drinking, body licking, arguing with neighbors, and flinging themselves out of human slingshots, "Buckwild" appears aimed at appealing to a Snooki-friendly demographic.

"This show plays to ugly, inaccurate stereotypes about the people of West Virginia," Manchin wrote."I am writing to urge you to reconsider airing this show. I hope that as you consider your decision, that you would consider your own state, your own community and your own children. Would you try to portray them in this light?"

An MTV spokesperson for the show declined to comment.

[bray1991]

i agree that this show needs to b canceled i mean since when did anyone support under age drinking and the sec some kid in America tries to do something that was done on this show and gets hurt or killed its just going to come right back on people in West Virginia like come on these kids are only following a script given to them by a producer in the real world everyone is sitting back thinking bout how much dumber people in West Virginia are

[larrylinn1]

There are teenagers in every State in our nation with similar behavior issues. Because he thinks that "This show plays to ugly, inaccurate stereotypes about the people of West Virginia," Senator Joe Manchin's solution is censorship. He is no different than Adolph Hitler and Nikita Khrushchev by demanding censorship. He supports the right to bear arms under the second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, but wants to nullify the freedom of expression under the First Amendment.

[Mike6u]

never heard of this show I will be sure to watch it now. PBS Frontline didn't do the state many favors either. But no one watches that! Oh and thanks for creating cheap, dirty energy that ensures most east coast states are bathed in acid rain, polluted air, and suffocates the development of alternative energy sources that cost 3 cents more, and dont kill fish children and the elderly.

[michael_connor]

I'm not from West Va. but I do understand how Joe Marchin feels it's called having pride in your state and now you are being made out to be a bunch of dumb ass's I support you Mr. Joe good luck getting it away from the money grubbers in the ad world