(CNN) - "Whatever happens, happens."
That's the motto of the cast of the new MTV show "Buckwild," which has drawn the eye of a U.S. senator.
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Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, described "Buckwild" as a "travesty" in a letter to the television network.
"This show plays to ugly, inaccurate stereotypes about the people of West Virginia," he wrote.
Appalachian party animals bring together booze, brawls and backwoods, filling the void left by "Jersey Shore," the MTV hit that is going off the air after six seasons. On the characters' agenda: "throwing a dump truck pool party" and "building their own human slingshot," the show's website says.
Manchin called for the network to cancel the show, which is set to begin airing in January.
MTV had no comment on the request.
"Let me tell you: our people have given their all for this great country," Manchin wrote of his fellow West Virginians. "They've done the heavy lifting to produce the energy that is needed to produce the steel that builds our factories and cities. The proud veterans of our state have shed more blood and made more sacrifices than most other states to keep America free. We're proud of all we do to make America strong and secure the cherished freedoms that you seem so determined to abuse."
"Jersey Shore" also drew objections from political leaders in the Garden State.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie vetoed tax credits for the show approved by a state economic development board in 2011, saying, "As chief executive I am duty-bound to ensure that taxpayers are not footing a $420,000 bill for a project which does nothing more than perpetuate misconceptions about the State and its citizens."
– CNN's Rachel Wells and Stephanie Goldberg contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
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There is more trash on TV than ever. Time for the FCC to clean things up a little.
It is interesting that West Virginia, despite electing this traitorous Democrat who has voted against the President and his own party, went way Red in the recent election. Polls showed that an overwhelming majority of white people in West Virginia voted for Romney, despite the fact that everything he stood for was against their own best self-interests. One can only presume the basic racist tendencies of many West Virginia citizens. When Republican-backed coal mine owners do everything they can to ignore federal safety rules, resulting in the deaths of miners, and they still vote for Republicans, leaves me with this thought: "You get what you pay for."
And this is part of the problem. Politicians think they can use their positions and political influence to try to get speech they don't like shut down. Whether it's a stereotype or not, offensive or not, irrevelant or not is irrelevant. You. Do. Not. Do. That. You accept that freedom of speech doesn't include fredom not to be offended and move on. You, senator, are the "travesty".
Or possibly this show stings a little bit because it is a fairly accurate representation of the state. We don't know because it doesn't air until January. Which is why this is kind of ridiculous. I've seen the ads and, yes, it's trying to shock people. That's how shows become popular. But how can anyone say it's not accurate whenever we haven't even viewed a single episode yet? MTV playing to stereotypes and giving the public what they want? Oh, the horror.
Joe, what did you expect? anything for a buck, television corps have no soul, and would parade their own familys dirty laundry for a paycheck
Do the research right to work states have the lowest paid wages, sounds like another wisconsin, the republicans sure can pick em, scott walker, rick the crook down in florida. wake up people, this party has to go
Why is it ok to shoot someone out of a cannon at a circus but a travesty to build a human slingshot in the backwoods of West Virginia?
What happened to belief that "free market solutions" are always appropriate? Manchin might have a D in front of his name but on all of the important issues he is to the right of moderate Republicans. He's a Civil War relic D.
Wonder why the senators from the other 49 states aren't objecting, or why this one didn't object to Jersey Shore? Bet you can guess.
Come on Joe-there are more important things to worry about in West Virginia than some "reality" show. How about worrying about the health of our citizens? How about worrying about the effects that coal mining has on our state? Stop complaining about little things like this and do what we the voters of West Virginia sent you to Washington to do-help fix our state and our country.
Sometimes the truth hurts. Over the course of history, West Virginians have had little opportunity outside the coal industry or the military. "Buckwild" will be no less depictive and stereotypical than "The Hills", or "Jersey Shore". Don't like or agree with it, easy, don't watch it.
There is always going to be an industry to throw WV under the bus.
Who cares, it is about money and tv ratings. Any state in our country could probably be on tv and something negative will be shown. The senator needs to worry about important things not petty things.
"They've done the heavy lifting to produce the energy that is needed to produce the steel that builds our factories and cities. The proud veterans of our state have shed more blood and made more sacrifices than most other states to keep America free. We're proud of all we do to make America strong and secure the cherished freedoms that you seem so determined to abuse."
If all that is true, HE should be throwing the citizens of his state a party so they wouldn't have to use a dump truck for a pool.
The things people call "entertainment" today, are just unbelievable.
All he is going to do is cause the "Barbara Streisand Effect".
Google it is you don't know what it is.
And exactly HOW is MTV relevant anymore?
FCC doesn't need to do a thing and likely they can't (you can't censor a show for being stupid), people just need to enact an iota of self-respect and not watch it. Parents with kids–block the channel. Viewer ratings are the only voice networks listen to anymore.
I'm so glad someone in WV government has spoken up for the state and the people in it. Television panders to the lowest common denominator in viewers. They trashed NJ and now they want to start on WV. Every state has idiots in it but I've lived in many areas and found that TX and AZ have the most objectionable. WV has mainly honest, sincere and friendly people. Thanks, Governor, for defending your state and its citizens..
Complaint acknowledged! However, the show must go on! Then, if there's a deluge of negative mail from other citizens, the network may think about either tweaking the show, (cleaning it up a bit) or cancelling it! 1 Senator= 1 citizen! In a proud nation of free speech, it's amazing how many lawmakers want to shut down the stuff they don't agree with, or force their personal beliefs on us! These are the people who should know better & should uphold the principle of free speech! Why should only the pleasant "reality" of life be represented? Sometimes shedding light on situation can cause change, such as people realizing education is important, or that poor people can teach the rich a lesson in family values & being satisfied w/your lot in life! Or it can just shed light on silly entertainment for 30 minutes! Whatever the case, politicians would do better worrying about what's truly disturbing, like people on Sci/Tech committe who believe the earth is 6000 years old! That's worth a complaint letter!!
Bad Bad Washington Senators, Congressmen, President, !!! None ....NONE of any of you should have left your job undone so you could take another vacation!!!! You left work undone that could hurt your company and said "See Ya! I'll get on it after vacation".. Only in this case the company is our country. I wouldn't be sorry to hear that some of you didn't make it back to Washington...
Granted, there is a lot of nonsense on television.
But it is up to the general public to decide what they want to watch, or not watch.
Way to make the show a hit Senator! No one was watching Jersey Shore until a fuss was made about it. congratulation MTV- another sucker has bitten!
MTV is still on the air?
for some reason I don't recall the good folks down here in Texas getting all upset when Dallas was on the air, I mean all that greed and immoral stuff that went on in that show. Made rich people look like evil greedy money grubbers sleeping around and backstabbing each other. Yet if you want to see what Texas really is then watch "King of the Hill" that show has this state down pat!