(AP) ? The reality show "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" has been a ratings winner in recent weeks, capitalizing on redneck stereotypes and the oversized personality of a 6-year-old beauty pageant regular. The round-cheeked second-grader, who previously appeared on the TLC show "Toddlers & Tiaras," has a penchant for outrageous catchphrases ? "A dolla makes me holla!" and "You better redneckognize!" ? that have gone viral and raised some eyebrows. Some say it exploits and mocks small-town people and perpetuates offensive stereotypes of life in the South, while others say the series shows a loving family that doesn't let outside opinions bother them. The tiny town of McIntyre is nestled in a rural county that is a major exporter of kaolin, a chalky clay used in a wide range of products, including cosmetics, medicines, catalytic converters for vehicles and heat shields on space shuttles. The show has portrayed the area unfairly, choosing to fixate on shots of junk cars, garbage dumps and stray animals, Wilkinson County Chamber of Commerce president Jonathan Jackson said in a statement, adding that he'd like to see more of the region's positive attributes on the air. Anita McGahee owns a flower and gift shop near the family's home and said several fans have stopped by her shop to buy stuffed animals or balloons for Alana or her 17-year-old sister Anna, who recently had a baby. Some people who stopped by a gas station convenience store to pick up a burger or barbecue for lunch said they didn't want to discuss it, while others blasted the family's behavior. [...] in this close-knit community where most people know each other at least a little bit and word travels fast, none of those with strong negative opinions were willing to give their names. Since the show premiered last month, online criticism has focused on the family's behavior, weight and diet ? which often includes junk food and sometimes a mixture of Mountain Dew and Red Bull they call "go-go juice."
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