A few days back we were sent a preview copy of an upcoming TLC show to review called “Guess Who’s Coming Over”? You can probably guess from the name what the show was about. Here’s a description from TLC’s site:
Self-described “redneck”, David hosts Chuck, an African-American from New York. Will this experience leave a lasting impression on David and eradicate his preconceived notions about African-Americans? Or is he too set in his ways to change? TLC explores the sensitive topic of racism in modern America through a social experiment that brings two lives with different experiences together under one roof. In the one-hour special ‘Guess Who’s Coming Over’ premiering Sunday May 3 at 10 PM ET.
And here is a promotional video:
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Now, if you’re like me you’ll love the show. I enjoy these type of social experiment shows and I’m always looking to expose stereotypes for the lies that they really are (see our upcoming documentary). I won’t spoil the show for you but lets just say David the redneck took it to the limit and they picked the right guy in Chuck. He was truly understanding and there to teach them, so my hat is off to him. The show airs Sunday night at 10PM. Check it out and let us know what you think.
{ 22 comments }
That was cute. I love shows like this, maybe that’s why I enjoy watching “Wife Swap”.
I caught this show while channel surfing and am so glad I did! It’s message was compelling and thought-provoking, to say the least. I wish every student I taught could see this. (I teach in the rural south.)The message of acceptance is portrayed very well, but not pushed on the audience. I can’t wait until its available on YouTube so I can watch it again!
Just finished watching this episode/show on TLC. Based on my observations, it seems as though both INDIVIDUALS in this program were EDUCATED and OPEN-MINDED. Why do I capitalize the words INDIVIDUALS, EDUCATED, & OPEN-MINDED? Because in order to look beyond stereotypes and misinformation, you need to be an INDIVIDUAL, EDUCATED, & OPEN-MINDED. I am the product of a bi-racial marriage (father is white), so I have dealt with the bulls*it from both sides at one point or another throughout the course of my life. However, I never took to heart any negativity which I experienced, and learned to grow from it. Along the way, I like to believe that I have helped others open their eyes too!
This program was EXCELLENT, and it reinforces my faith in humanity that eventually,…hopefully,…one day,…we will all be able to accept people for their true worth and not make judgments based solely on the color of ones’ skin.
Why is it that the white people in this show are portrayed as or by stupid, uneducated, hillbilly’s?
Now if the roles were reversed and it was some ivy leauge, educated white girl in Harlem would they have choosen the most ghettofied illiterate black family they could find? Of corse not.
Oh but what about the barber shop scene when he refered to Chuck as boy. There was almost offense taken. Yet myself and every-other white male is a whiteBOY? No double standard there, huh?
I cant believe the the black on white raceism I have wittnessed in the last 12 years. And to some degree this show just continues to perpetuate the sterotypical crap! The truth is raceist come in all colors, and lately things in this world are oppisite of what this show is about…
Wow is all I can say.
THANK-YOU!!!
I just ran across this program and was so impressed.
I will recommend this show to everyone I know.
I must say that Jersey Guy took the words right out of my mouth.
I was so impressed by so many things.
Both men were amazing.
Their family and friends were very supportive.
I found the scenes of Chuck hanging with Dave’s family and friends and Chuck taking “D” to the barbershop to be exceptional.
I thank everyone involved with this production for all their efforts.
YES, there is hope for humanity.
Very heartwarming; gave me hope that those who still hold stereotypes to be true have the ability to get past them given real and meaningful experiences.
David Turner may be brash and opinionated, but he is far from unintelligent, or closed-minded. He is a kind and generous man to friends and family, evidently willing to take strangers in at face value, and to be equally generous with his time. Beyond that he is willing to adjust his opinions when given the insight and information to do so. He does Dawsonville, Georgia proud in this unrehearsed representation of Black-White relations.
I think this was the best show. I loved David,I thought he was very funny and he needs his own show. Yea it was bad to act that way but its wasn’t Dave’s fault. I thought the man was great and when he cryed I cryed. Myself Being Cuban I hope I’m welcome at David tunner House……………
One heck of a show. I was just browsing and happen to see. Wathed every second.As a black male I happy they found David who wasn’t a bad man just a person stuck in the past with no real exposure to people of other races. They were both patiented with each other. I pray they don’t try to cancel this show but after seeing the FX show black/white a few years ago suffer that fate I’m just not sure. Please watch this show and keep it going.
What a great show, it’s a rare view into the lives of everyday people. Shows like this initiate introspection and forces us to examine our views, beliefs and prejudices. The funny thing is that while I am a black man I had many of the same questions about black men as David Turner, but I’ve always believed in mankind’s ability to overcome when given the exposure. In the end I found that I too needed and appreciated the exposure to truth that this documentary provides. My hat goes off to not only the men but also to their family and friends who allowed them selves to be captured honestly in moments of vulnerability. Great! Great! film.
Hi.
I’m white and I’m a ”culturalist”. I don’t care what color you are. You’re either a good or a bad person and this is defined by your philosophy of life, which is derived mostly by your culture and your education, hence the word ”culturalist”. I will judge you on your behavior, actions and on your choices of what you fundamentally thinks is right and what is wrong.
That being said…
I watched the show. It made me cried. I’m a 6’4” 260 pounds 39 yo white male and I cried like a schoolgirl. Why? for one, it was beautiful. Never in my life I saw the television medium used to such a positive and constructive end. It gave me hope that maybe one day fear, ignorance and hatred could REALLY be a thing of the past.
This show is one serious step in that direction, but there are still a lot of ”red neck” type people around. I’m aware of that. Still, it’s positive and we must all, black and white, recognize the deep significance of values and openness this show brings.
We need more social experience like that to bring down the wall of prejudice that keeps us all from enjoying one another for what we really are: HUMANS. If a real big white racist red neck from the deep south can hug a black men in his own house and say from the bottom of his heart ”I love you too”, then everything is possible.
Peace,
Ramon
I’m from the town of Dawsonville and was very, very surprised to see the special. It is not every day that you see a show where you personally know everyone on it. 99.9% of the people in D-ville are not anywhere as extreme as Ol’ David, who is well known for getting rowdy, but it made for good TV.
Being raised by Yankee parents I’ve never had any racist views. I have seen a big change as the town of Dawsonville has grown over the last 27 years. I can remember always being offended years ago when the locals would loosely use the “N” word. These days you never hear anyone say it. It is funny to point that on the show when Chuck tried to flag a cab in NY, he wasn’t having much luck and then David got one the first try. It is a shame that preconceived notions about African-Americans still exists not just in small towns like Dawsonville but even in citys as multicultural as New York. Racism seems to be fading out but I still think we have a long way to go. Overall, good Show.
Great comments!
Awesome! TLC….nice job! Chuck & David teaches us there is still a lot to learn in life…maybe this helped a few out there!
Yes please – let’s have more of this kind of programming. Engaging and thought provoking. It led to some discussion in our home which is always a positive thing. Anything that can break down barriers and dispel ignorance has to be good for this world. Can’t wait for for the next episode!
I for one would like to say that I loved the show. It is nice to see television reality work in positive ways and not put crap or for “time wasters”. I found the show to be both entertaining and educational.
In response to CriticalMass, I believe that the show used these individuals as “extreme” cases. Not to say that all people are like that because they are not. In a world full of various cultures and many stereotypes, it is great to see a television program devoted to help people over come these stereotypes and see people for WHO they are NOT what their cultural background says about them. Every person is an individual and cannot or shall I say should not be characterized by the colour of their skin or culture.
I cannot wait to see future episodes to see what else they will come up with. This show has a great premise and I congratulate TLC for showing such a great program.
I am a white female that has lived in Dawsonville, Ga all of my life. I have wonderful parents and grandparents. We were never raised to be racial, we were raised that there are good and bad people. Like David, I was never around a black person until I went to college. I was always sad to hear comments about Dawsonville and those who were afraid to come here for fear of being harmed. I think we all need to move forward. I now have some very close friends that are black, one I refer to as my sister. God created us all, yellow, black and white, we are all precious in his sight.
Does anyone know who I can contact to get a copy of this program?
I enjoyed this show throughly and can’t wait for it to premiere on a regularly schedule basis.
I just moved from Dawsonville after living there over 5 years. Truth be told, the area is something like 97% white and there are a lot of old timers who proably would like to keep it that way. But times are changing. There are plenty of residents, many Atlanta commuters, who aren’t like that at all. A black family moved in across the street from me and no one in the neighborhood freaked out. Our kids were all playing together from day one.
I had to laugh at the distorted image of Dawsonville. It is not in the sticks. The pictured area is about 5 miles from the highway with every imaginable store, chain restaurants and outlet mall. Being just 50 miles north of Atlanta, I’m sure that David has been there a few times and seen plenty of big buildings, traffic and African Americans in his lifetime.
I had to laugh at the scene of Chuck coming off the bus and everyone is starring at him. Perhaps they were surprised at seeing a camera crew and not a black man in Dawsonville.
Aren’t people of Dawsonville a little bit embarrassed by this show? It that Hollywood version of the South.
Here’s one for ya.
http://www.dawsonnews.com/news/article/3904/
It’s a must read.
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