If you’re looking for a laugh (or a cry)
I suspect most have already seen the famous episode of the Miss Teen USA South Carolina contestant’s answer to a geography-related question . (By the way, amazing performance by the host holding the microphone. Could you keep a straight face through that?)
This one seems a bit less well known (if you can say that about a clip that’s been watched 4 million times on YouTube):
The host here is much less impressive (note his commentary in general, and pronunciation of a certain country name in particular). The little boy looks adorable though.
There’s more along similar lines, for example this Family Feud episode.
January 20th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
huuh.., i want to cry
January 20th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
The producers of these shows must hand-pick people like her: very photogenic and amazingly stupid.
January 20th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Scott, I think this was a special celebrity episode (I think winnings go to a charity), this woman is Kellie Pickler, who was an American Idol contestant.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:00 am
Hey come on, I thought it was fantastic that the kid got the right answer. I’m not sure I would’ve known that when I was in the fifth grade!
January 21st, 2008 at 9:10 am
Steven, there is not a negative word here about the kid, did I say something that suggests I’m critical of him?
January 21st, 2008 at 3:19 pm
OK, so, over the holidays I watched this show with my family. I didn’t know anything about it before watching it, but I can tell you a few things now that I’ve seen this clip.
For one, every single contestant I’ve seen acts just like that woman: just ridiculously stupid. Every kid acts just like the kid: smart relative to the adult, and as though they did not get the right answer when in fact they did. The host, who is the same guy who does that that whole “You know you’re a redneck when…” comedy schtick, treats all the contestants the way he treated that woman.
My conclusion about this show is that the host’s target demographic elevates stupidity (or feigned stupidity). This idea is supported in my mind because that same thing happens in my hometown, where one contingent of his target demographic lives. I could just imagine certain family members of mine reacting that same way to Hungary being a country, for example. Acting as though the existence of a country called Hungary is an obvious fact would be considered uppity and would suggest to everyone around that the person in question might think they are better than everyone else.
Sigh.
January 21st, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Eszter, no you didn’t say anything critical, I guess I didn’t word that right. I was just focusing on how impressive the boy was instead of how ditzy the blonde is. anyway.
“Acting as though the existence of a country called Hungary is an obvious fact would be considered uppity and would suggest to everyone around that the person in question might think they are better than everyone else.”
Yes, quite sad! I think NASCAR’s to blame for this (only half-joking here)
January 26th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
This seems to be scripted though I can believe she didn’t know about Budapest.