Hillbilly: The Real Story

Our friend Cat from over at Mouth of the Holler sent me a note a few weeks ago to tell me that Moore Huntley Productions were going to have a special on the History Channel titled Hillbilly: The Real Story.  Naturally this could cause some trepidation on the part of an Appalachian advocate but the accompanying description let me know that this was at least a Boswellian social history of our people and may indeed end up being a pro-hillbilly piece of propaganda.  I reckon some folks like David Moore-Huntley realize that resistance is futile and that they are hopping on the Hillbilly World Domination bandwagon early.

The two-hour special, hosted by celebrity Billy Ray Cyrus, brings these mythic people to life through stories that span 300 years. Outcast immigrants, war heroes, isolated backwoodsmen, hard working miners, fast moving moon shiners, religious warriors, musicians and statesmen make up the rugged cast of characters.   from the History Channel site

Rating: TVPG

In the email apparently sent out by David Moore-Huntley, he mentions the battlefields of the English-Scottish border and Northern Ireland.  This makes me think that this production company has a better understanding of the social and political situations in Britain that led to the creation of this unique ethnic group and their home region compared to most film makers who focus solely on events in America.  Hillbillies were created in Northern Ireland and then moved to Appalachia where they “recruited” peoples from other cultures and backgrounds.

I am also happy to see that someone so representative of contemporary Appalachians is hosting the program. Billy Ray Cyrus, like Appalachians in general, has had his share of ridicule for no good reason but just seems to keep on going.

I am optimistic that this two hour special will help to reverse so much of the damage that the media has done to our image.  Please send us your thoughts and reviews on the program.

Schedule

Sunday, September 23 08:00 PM

Monday, September 24 12:00 AM

Thursday, September 27 08:00 AM

Thursday, September 27 02:00 PM

Comments

[Cat]

Thanks, Tod, for posting the airing dates. I can surely catch one, but hopefully two of the times. Bears watching, dudn't it? :)

[anne johnson]

Oh, thanks so much for the tip! I'm gonna either watch or tape it. Then, yes, I'll probably have some blather to say about it.

[Mark]

I saw it. It was definately pro-hillbilly, In fact, I got the sense that at the end of the program Billy Ray Cirus was justifying the characteristics of that Notherners have come to dislike about hillbillys in the first place. I have always disliked hillbillies. They are the most ignorant, racially insensitive people in the U.S. and thats a FACT not an opinion. I have dealt with it personally in North Carolina. Dont tell me I should accept the fact that they dont want to join the 21st century. There are REASONS why hillbillys have made themselves outcasts. We are supposed to justify that now??? By the way, I am a white male in case you were wondering.