Jennifer London writes that “decency sells over the long term”:
I was thinking about the Miley Cyrus kerfuffle the other night while watching a Duck Dynasty marathon. I’m a recent convert to the show, being wary of most of what falls under the category “reality show.” One can never be sure when treading into the dark waters of so-called “reality” TV that Miss Kay is at all different from Mama June.
Miley is taking a bit of a beating for her performance on MTV’s Video Music Awards. While the backlash is understandable — she is an adult and therefore responsible for her own behavior — did she really even stand a chance, given her parents’ willingness to dump her into the cesspool that is Hollywood?
Compare and contrast dads Billy Ray Cyrus and Willie Robertson: while both are Southern good ole boys, Billy Ray went Hollywood and Willie chose to stay backwoods. And there’s the difference. Willie chose what is best for his family, while still being able to become an American success story. For the most part the Robertsons have kept it real — that is, they’ve kept their lives family-centered, not celebrity-centered. Every show ends with the family seated around the dinner table in prayer. The message is very powerful, and the show’s high ratings support that message.
On the other hand, Billy Ray, like many other stage moms and dads before him, pimped his daughter out to the highest bidder. He has thrown her to the wolves for his own gain, and they’ve devoured her with relish.
