TLC attempting to prey on Pony Community

[NichiTsukinoko]

It has come to my attention that TLC has been going to all message boards and online pony communities trying to advertise that they are "casting a show for TLC about people with unique collections or obsessions". They want anyone who is interested to contact them and provides an e-mail to do so. I don't know if she has hit this board yet, but I strongly suggest that if she does that people not agree.

The show is most likely My Crazy Obsession and the links on the TLC page for this show include things like "Freaky Eaters" and "Strange Sex" etc.

This is not a show that is interested in respecting our community or it's members. It is about exploiting people and their hobbies and making them out to be freaks.

I'm not one of the mods, but this is something that I think concerns us all.  I would really rather not see someone from our community among the links on the show's site. It hurts everyone in our community if that happens.

I wasn't sure where else to post this, so that's why it is here in the Pony Coral.  Please move it if it needs to be moved.

[kittybethy]

Wow!! This is concerning!!!

[kaoskat]

Thanks for the heads up Nichi! This does not sound like something any of us should be involved in.

[NichiTsukinoko]

Thank you for making this a stickied topic, Kittybethy.

You are welcome, Kaoskat.

I do think it's concerning too.  Not only for the image of our community at large, but also because we have a diverse population that includes people under the age of 18 and could easily be exploited by someone from either a legitimate tv show, or someone pretending to be from a tv show, but is really just a predator.

[BrightIdea]

When I saw the title of this thread I thought it said "tender loving care praying for the pony community", whoops, read that wrong.

I have watched shows like these before and found them very interesting.  I like to know about interesting people and their different hobbies or stories about themselves.  Encountering things that go against the norm is the spice of life.

I wouldn't mind if someone from the pony community was brave enough to tell their story the show. I would watch it and cheer them on.

There are always going to be hypocritical people out there that judge you for having an unusual hobby, or how you spend your money, or look at people like they are "freaks" to make themselves feel better. I think any sort of small amount of fame brings out these sad types of people. I am sure that anyone here is adult enough to recognize the downsides of being on TV.

[Koudoawaia]

Ugh, thanks for letting  us know. TLC needs to keep their mitts off of our community. I don't trust them at all.

[Cinnabar]

I have seen episodes of this show before and seldomly is any collector portrayed well.
I am sure it is edited for maximum shock value as well. Not something I would personally ever want to participate in.

[kissthethunder]

Casting pony collectors among people who drink their urine is a bit...concerning to me

[Faerie-StarV]

They did ask on mlpforums.com about it but they directed them to here. Luckily, the Bronies are not interested since they don't collect the toys and more into FIM show which is a good thing.
Has the TLC people made a post here on the Arena like they did on mlpforums?

[link removed ~ many thanks ~ hathorcat]

[OctoberFlash]

Ergh, that is good to know. ><;

I'm all for more attention to the pony community, but shows like that will definitely put it in a negative light and that is not what we need. If we participate, they'll probably take what we say and twist it into making it seem like we're all insane. :/

[SourdoughStomper]

[okiegurl1981]

I have seen episodes of this show before and seldomly is any collector portrayed well.
I am sure it is edited for maximum shock value as well. Not something I would personally ever want to participate in.

^THIS  I have yet to seen one of these 'obsession' shows that didn't portray the people on the show as anything less than freaks.    They aren't interested in what we do or why we collect, they're interested in shock value for ratings.  Please, anyone thinking of contacting them, think twice.  I'd hate to see any of my pony friends exploited.  Just be careful, guys! ♥

[Yurusumaji]

I seriously dislike TLC, this is one of the reasons. None of their TV is legitimate anymore (was it ever?). It's all shock-value and controversy. I remember being part of a large petition when TLC ran a show about people who keep pet monkeys. Toddlers & Tiaras also bothers me quite a lot. Sister Wives, a way for the rest of the world to mock the lifestyle one family. The list goes on. This station is irresponsible at best and completely unethical at worst.

"My Crazy Obsession pulls back the curtains to reveal some of the nation's most extreme and unique obsessions. The series takes viewers behind-the-scenes of homes that are dedicated entirely to the owners' infatuation with various objects, people, or lifestyles."

I'm not a fan of the word "infatuation" when it comes to my collecting. I'm also not a fan of the title of the series. "Crazy Obsession". Is it crazy? Doesn't seem so to me, considering so many people out there are collectors. Is it an obsession? Maybe for some people, I guess, but it isn't an obsession to me. I don't go into withdrawals just because I didn't buy a pony last week. I don't really think pony collecting can be listed under "the nation's most extreme and unique obsessions".

I'd have to see the show to give an official judgment on it, but the preliminary looks grim. Thanks for the heads-up!

[CrystalCrown]

Annnd this is why i hate TLC.

This, and toddlers and tiaras.

[Emfen]

Geez media these days. I'll keep away then, since I don't want to be mocked for my tastes.