I Was Honey Boo Boo

"I Was Honey Boo Boo" is a story of remorse -- for the viewers. It reminds me of Shakespeare, in that it was an epic human tragedy to make in the first place. If you really think about it, who is actually being exploited here?

Yes, the attempts to make some of the characters more sympathetic does break some ground, but I think that description would apply equally to a new landfill. As Alana and her family (mother especially) descend into Dante's "Inferno", it made me think of the usefulness of dumpster fires.

Perhaps it would be more interesting to watch, if you play "Boo Boo Shots" while viewing: every time "Boo Boo" is spoken, everyone has to take a shot -- perhaps of "Boo-berry" liqueur (hope your livers are strong!) And keep your barf bags handy, as sugar bears, pumpkins and other cutesy names litter the project like a saccharine sewer.

While it may seem a challenge as to improving this movie, maybe there could have been a "Alana Honey Boo Boo Thompson v. JonBenét Ramsey Cage Match" segment (c'mon AI, THIS is what you are for!) And why wasn't someone like Roseanne cast for the role of Mama June?

Well, if you were looking for at least one redeeming moment in the denouement, it was that this horrorshow actually did have to come to an end after more than two hours of torture.

Toss this one into the disposal while you can.

True confession: Honey Boo Boo is my reality TV junk food. I've followed the family since the beginning, so I know the story of the Shannon clan pretty well. What can I say? I'm stubborn about quitting things. Anyway, it only makes sense that a TV movie about their lives would end up on Lifetime (my other secret addiction). And surprisingly this television adaptation is shockingly accurate as it follows the family's turmoil as they navigate sudden stardom and worse. Narrated by the real Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson, it plays like a CliffsNotes version of over a decade of the family's highs and lows. I'm sure most folks will laugh at the notion that it is well made endeavor, but director Katie Boland and writer Emily Silver accurately depict events rather well. Also, a huuuuuuuge shout out should go to the casting director, who managed to find folks who really resembled their real-life counterparts. Neil Chinneck as Sugar Bear, Richard Emerson as Geno and Keith Alexander as Dralin are all great in their roles. Special shout out to the production designer who made sure Justin had the appropriate "King" necklace too. However, the real praise should fall to the three leading ladies on whom the film is built upon. Now, some might recoil at the notion that a TV movie about Honey Boo Boo actually has good acting, but the trio of lead roles (Mama June, Honey Boo Boo, and Pumpkin) are really well done. Chelsea Larkin has the unenviable task of essaying June and, while she might not look exactly like her (thank goodness!), she has Mama June's mannerisms down. Isabelle Ayres plays the teenage Alana aka Honey Boo Boo and really handles the complex emotional role well for a debuting actress and even sounds exactly like her at times. However, nothing could prepare me for Georgia Small as the grown-up Pumpkin. She sounds so much like her and had her mannerisms down that sometimes I thought it was the real Pumpkin on screen. It was eerie. Honey Boo Boo the show is kind of like that old pro wrestling adage: For fans, no explanation is necessary, and for critics, no explanation will do. I'm sure most will scoff at the idea of this even existing, but for what it is, the entire team did a great job.

June is the most awful mother ever. I can't stand her. I cringe when I see anything about her. They absolutely nailed the characters in this movie. Alana is amazing. She's going to go so far in life. June needs to be locked up for life as the worse mother ever. Definitely recommend this movie. The acting scenes characters are just great. They nailed pumpkin and Justin. Lifetime did really good with this one. I like that Alana finally got to tell her side of the story the truth about her horrible mother. Least she raised some great daughters without her guidance. June is lucky she's not in jail where she belongs!

This whole thing felt SO forced and contrived. Obviously a daughter is mad at her Mother (and sometimes for good reason). BUT this is nearly unwatchable and you can tell they filmed it and then needed Alanna to come in a explain "missing pieces".....but she adds "too much" attitude and one sided nonsense to this tale. They ALL were ignorant, naive, and stupid. Lastly, the jump for 6 year old skinny Alanna (who never existed) to 15 year old obese Alanna was JARRING. They need another actress BADLY for the middle years. Pumpkin telling a 6 year old about her sister being molested was shocking. Then 30 seconds later 14 year old Alanna can't take care of herself and "needs food" and us "babysat" by a tablet. OKAY. Nope. This whole thing was awful and unwatchable.

Broken heart to see the way they treated her. Watched her grow up on tv but really never knew how she felt and struggles that she was going through. She is only 19 now and glad she is finding her own happiness. She deserves happiness and looks like she is finding it. Hoping she does another so show without anyone from her family. Just Alana and Dralin. She is chasing her own dreams now and she will make them come true without anyone's help. She is no longer the little girl everyone fell in love with, now she is a young woman and real fans still love her and wish nothing but the best for her. She will be great at anything she does.