My Big Redneck Wedding

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My Big Redneck Wedding
My Big Redneck Wedding moment
Genre	Documentary Reality
Directed by	Elizabeth McDonald
Country of origin	United States
Language(s)	English
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	8
Production
Executive producer(s)	Bob Kusbit Lewis Bogach
Location(s)	United States of America
Running time	Approx. 24 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	CMT
Original run	January 11, 2008 – present
External links
IMDb profile
TV.com summary

My Big Redneck Wedding (2008) is an 8-episode, half-hour reality television series airing on CMT. Hosted and narrated by actor and comedian, Tom Arnold, the show debuted Friday, 11 January 2008 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. My Big Redneck Wedding is a Pink Sneakers Production directed by Elizabeth McDonald.

CMT states:

“

....After scouring the country to find the most down-home country couples, CMT documents their journey down the aisle, as outrageous and over the top as it might be. Each episode, hosted by Tom Arnold, will feature a different redneck wedding, each with its own rustic eccentricities, whether it is a four-legged best man, a romantic beer can canopy, a celebratory shotgun salute or a reception filled with mattress surfing and mud wrestling.

”

The show profiles country couples who plan over-the-top, country-western style weddings. The couples proudly celebrate their down-home heritage by getting hitched on horseback, exchanging vows with the help of ordained ex-cons, or hosting mud-wrestling competitions during the reception. Baked beans, roast squirrel, and turkey testicles make for finger-licking meals. Family members and guests contribute to the festive fun by buying unique lingerie for the bride or organizing shotgun salutes.

1 Casting Calls
2 Episodes
3 Reception
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Casting Calls

Casting calls were posted on the web September 21, 2007 for interested couples across the country. The posting indicated:

"CMT is currently casting for the new series "My Big Redneck Wedding." This show will document the planning and preparation it takes to pull off a truly fun, down-to-earth, redneck nuptial. From denim wedding dresses, to camouflage tuxedos, shotgun salutes, and arriving at the reception on an ATV--anything goes, as long as it's rowdy and redneck!"

In addition to requiring applicants to be "redneck and proud of it", CMT asked that applicants appear to be between the ages of 18 and 45 and that they are planning a "super redneck" wedding. CMT was scheduled to begin shooting immediately so applicants should have set a wedding date anywhere from September to December 2007. CMT also hoped couples "(w)ould like to share their lives and wedding day with us." Applicants were asked to send an email with name, contact information, wedding location, and a photo of the bride and groom.

Casting calls were closed on December 25, 2007.^[1]

[edit] Episodes

[edit] Season 1, Episode 1: Anna and Carl

First aired: 11 January 2008

Anna and Carl are like two crazy kids in love. Carl is a proud redneck through and through who spends his days growing pumpkins, tending to horses and sharing fresh chicken eggs with his family and friends. Anna is a beautiful countrywoman with a passion for horses (and for life). Carl likes to dumpster dive, go to garage sales and auctions, always in search of his next prize (or just something really quirky to collect). A bargain to Carl is like the Holy Grail. Anna thinks it's all crazy, but she appreciates the fact he manages to get so much cool stuff for nothing or next to nothing. She may look proper, but this is one lady who wants her wedding feast to feature foods like pig, chicken and squirrel.^[2]

[edit] Characters

Anna: "Growing up in the small town of New Castle, Ky., everybody knew everybody. The folks there are nice people. My family raised and trained show horses, and my grandfather owned an Allis-Chalmers dealership. I learned to drive a tractor at a young age and was a bit of a tomboy. As I grew older, I wanted to see the 'big city.' But I soon grew tired of the hustle and bustle and decided to move back to the country. I, then married, bought a house in the middle of nowhere, Perkin, Ind., and that is where this story begins. Carl and I were neighbors and became good friends. After both of our marriages hit the rocks, we grew closer every day. The next thing you know, we were in love. I truly did marry my best friend."

Carl: "I grew up in the small town of Sellersburg -- located in the southern part of Indiana. There, I lived a humble life learning from my mom, dad, brothers, sisters, and my redneck way of life. I learned to hunt and fish at a young age, and we raised pigs, cows and chickens, and a garden for our food. I learned also to respect what Mother Nature and the good Lord gave us. Later, I got married and moved to Perkin, Ind., and lived there for 16 years. Anna moved in down the street and we became friends. My marriage ended up not working out, and Anna and I would talk about our love for horses and our country childhood together. Eventually our friendship grew into a love that landed us right to the hitching post-marriage."^[3]

[edit] Season 1, Episode 2: Ron and Suzy

First aired: Friday, 18 January 2008

Ron and Suzy live in the horse town of Norco, Calif. They have three horses, two dogs and many escaped chickens in and out of their back yard. This beer-drinking, laid back, horse-loving couple has to come out of their usual redneck element, as they attempt to plan and pull off the wedding of their dreams.

Ron: "Hey! My name's Ron; my boys call me "Pappy." I live in a place called Norco where I met this gal Suzy (didn't remember her name at first when she gave her phone number to call after we met and all, but since then I've learned it). Anyway, after a time we decided to get married. I figured at my age and hers, she been married a few before, a small kinda wedd'n would do. But like all gals they want something to remember. So not hav'n the heart to let her down, I agreed. Well, needless to say we had one hell of a rodeo wedd'n and all, something I guess she had only read about in fairy tale stories.

Now, hav'n been married for a few months, things are good as they were before. Can't find much to complain bout, except that now wees married, suddenly she seems to think that when she need some money for somethin it's OK to just reach in my pocket. Well this didn't happen before we got hitched. So I kinda set things straight with her and opened up another account at the bank -- one for my money and one for hers.

Things are good. I think I got a good woman. Her kind ain't easy to find (good heart, pretty, strong, can ride a horse, likes her beer, hang with me and the boys) and when all said and done at the end off the day she puts out her cigarette, lays her head down beside mine and still tells me she loves me. Guess I done alright."

Suzy: "My name is Suzy Burger. I live in Norco Calif. (Horsetown, USA). This is where Ron and I met. I was out having a drink and I had seen him before in there. He usually rode his horse in with his hot girlfriends ... haha ... anyway he was leaving and I asked him why he was leaving. He kinda smiled and walked out. Well I guess he came back in and I was talking to someone else, and he left again. His friend John grabbed me and led me out to where he was getting on his horse. Well John told Ron I wanted a ride, so he asked me and I said yes, got on the horse and he asked me where I wanted to go. I said wherever you're going. I guess I found out later that he thought I was some city girl that wanted a ride around the parking lot ... haha ... not!!! That's how we met.

Ron and I do everything together, from cleaning stalls to playing men's softball, dancing and riding and what ever fun activities we can find to do on horses."

[edit] Season 1, Episode 3: Geneva and Kyle

First aired: Friday, 25 January 2008

Geneva and Kyle are 18 years old, redneck and in love. Deep in the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee, this worry-free couple chose the public golf course with its busy driving range for their chapel. Fearing neither flying golf balls nor Geneva's traditional parents, they're going whole hog with all the fixings -- pork rinds, ground souse meat and pickled pig's feet. Attire is camo for all the guests. A tractor brings in the bride. That is, if the groom survives his own bachelor party -- a full-on bottle rocket war where the fireworks are aimed at each other.

Kyle and Geneva actually met in nursery school. They didn't discover this until recently when they looked at childhood pictures and saw themselves in the same school picture. As far they knew, they had gotten to know each other online two years ago.

Kyle goes fishing for trout several times a week. He enjoys hunting several times a week during hunting season. He also likes four-wheeling and, of course, bottle rocket wars with friends in which they throw fireworks at each other.

Geneva is a great musician. In high school she was very involved with the school band as their top tuba player. She loves nature, exploring in the woods and climbing trees.

The couple decided on a redneck wedding because it represents their lifestyle and their community, which is important to them. They are very laid back, self-titled "hillbilly country." Their country-style wedding with camo attire really covers their woodsy town and their community's love of hunting. Geneva and Kyle point out that while some people hunt for pure sport, in their community, many people live purely off of what they kill, so it's an important part of their livelihood. Geneva loved the idea of an outdoor wedding and having their friends able to go barefoot because she's such a nature girl. Kyle was happy not to have to wear a tux.

In keeping with their traditional country values, it was important to keep religion and their preacher in the ceremony -- even if it took place in the outdoors instead of a church.

For the bride, riding in on a show tractor was also really special.

Geneva and Kyle, both 18, are looking forward to college. This winter, Geneva will be attending Dalton State College to become a high school English teacher. Kyle is starting Phoenix University online, studying liberal arts. He's very interested in history and religion and has a few years to enjoy studying and then will decide where that will lead him when he graduates.

[edit] Season 1, Episode 4: Christy and Kevin

First aired: Friday, 9:00 p.m. EST, 1 February 2008

Christy is a vet tech who's never met a stray animal she didn't bring home. Kevin's first love is hog hunting, followed by his love for his hunting dogs. These two camo-wearing lovebirds are planning the ultimate redneck wedding, complete with ATVs, mattress surfing and mud wrestling. But with Christy's sister, Sherri, insisting on a more traditional wedding, the country couple may have to overcome some roadblocks before they can take their four-wheeler down the road to wedded bliss.

Christy is from Plant City, Fla., and Kevin is from Seffner, Fla. Christy says the first time they met was through friends. "The second time we met up through me working at Southside vet clinic, he came in the clinic with sick puppies, I recognized him and he recognized me. We talked, exchanged numbers and he later asked me on a date (hog hunting) lol. What a date, right?"

For fun, Christy likes hunting, fishing, horse back riding, line dancing, camping, four-wheelin' and just about anything out doors. Kevin, on the other hand, just likes to hunt and fish for the most part. "Activities we are involved in together are hunting and fishing. He's scared of horses, lol." They decided on a redneck wedding because they wanted to show people their Southern background and what they were all about and how to have fun. They wanted to combine a few of the things they both love to do and share them with their friends and family. Their plans for the future? "To settle down, have a few more youngens, get a bigger house with more land for more animals, lol, and open up a country redneck wedding supply/outdoor supply store, one day."

[edit] Season 1, Episode 5: John and Gail

John and Gail, two newspaper delivery carriers, are planning a redneck bash on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. In addition to an archway constructed out of beer cans, newspapers being used as tablecloths, and a good old-fashioned mechanical bull at the reception, John and Gail are going to have chickens released instead of the traditional dove release after the two say "I do." John's Mom, whom they live with, isn't thrilled when she finds out the wedding is taking place in a combination flea market/bar/convenience/gas station. Also, Gail's Internet ordered wedding dress comes in twenty sizes too small! It'll come down to the wire as the bride-to-be tries to button up all the loose ends of her wedding- not to mention her wedding dress. One thing is for sure; this paperboy wedding will be headline news worthy!

[edit] Characters

Gail: "Gail Ann Brittingham (Parker originally), ha ha, born 6/4/70 to Joe Parker and Terri (now Bailey). I graduated in 1988 from Parkside High School in Salisbury, Md. I have been married three times. I met John after separating from my 1st husband in 1989. I went to Wicomico Vocational Center while in high school and got my CNA while still in school. In 1993 I was married again, giving me my first child, Chelsea Marie Taylor, born 2/17/1994. Finding myself divorced before she was ever born. Shortly after she was born I moved to Florida and became a bartender/dancer. I stayed in Florida for 14 months and came back. Three years later I found myself giving birth to my youngest daughter, born 6/17/1999. In 2001 I became married again, which ended in 2007. After separating from my ex, I got back in touch with John, and on 12/15/2007 I finally married the love of my life!"

John: "John Fredrick Myers, born 1/18/1966 to Katherine Benner and William T. Myers. I graduated in 1985 from North Hagerstown High in Hagerstown, Md. While in school I took plumbing at a career study center in Sharpsburg, Md. In 1989 I meet Gail, while married, at a fireman convention in Ocean City, Md. We went our separate ways because I was married. My first daughter was born, Mackenzie Paige Myers, on 09/01/1990. On 8/24/1992, I became a daddy again to my son Lamar Fredrick Thomas Myers. I then found myself in 2000 being divorced, searching for the love of my life. Again, I found her by God's fate in 2007, and I said she's not getting away again! So on 12/15/2007 I made her my wife and companion forever."^[4]

[edit] Reception

Common Sense reviewer Melissa Camacho^[5] notes:

“

The series attempts to diffuse existing stereotypes about people from the South by using the term "redneck" to connote pride in one's Southern heritage. But the weddings here are presented as bizarre and eccentric and sometimes feature behavior that comes off as uneducated and crass. Instead of celebrating the fun, meaningful side of country-style weddings, the show actually perpetuates negative stereotypes about the South.

”

Camacho also noted that the show's "extensive alcohol consumption and some salty language" made it "rough viewing" for youngsters.

Deanna Goodson in her review, "CMT Should Ditch This Redneck Getting Hitched Schtick" (14 January 2008), states:

“

We’re not sure why we sat down to watch “My Big Redneck Wedding” on CMT. This travesty of a TV series premiered on Friday, January 11 at 8:30 pm CST. Hosted by Tom Arnold – oh yes – the thrice-wed ‘star’ of small and big screen himself – Redneck Wedding is one big Jeff Foxworthy joke come to life.

”

She continues: "The couple featured in the premiere, Carl and Anna, decided to have a western inspired wedding. Anna went to a costume shop to pick up her Doyle-Parton-esque ensemble. Carl wore a tux, but asked if’n he had to wear shoes with it. The duo lives right behind a train tracks because the price is right. The groom-to-be dumpster dives for his bride’s gift because he doesn’t believe in buying something when you can ‘git it for free’.

The bachelor party featured poker and deep-fried turkey nuts. Yes, Carl found turkey testicles, fried ‘em up and fed ‘em to his buddies. Meanwhile the bride tells her cake maker to bake them up some horse-manure so they can shove it into each other’s mouths at the ceremony. How classy! We’ve always envisioned shoving a tasty treat that’s made to look like horse poopie into our hubbies’ mouths…only when we were really, really mad at them.

The bride didn’t walk down the aisle and neither did her groom. The rode on in on horseback. They ate a feast that included a pig that the groom picked out special at the slaughterhouse as well as tasty edibles like squirrel. For the final touch, Carl and Anna rode off into the redneck sunset on a tractor with trash cans attached to it."

^[6]