TLC Is Airing New Extreme Couponing Series on April 6th
Did you watch 'Extreme Couponing' on TLC when it aired last year? I did. And I was not overly impressed with the show. And now it seems TLC is turning the special into a series which will be premiering on April 6th.
I was really optimistic about this show. I thought TLC would be be airing a program that would offer practical tips and tricks for using coupons to save, and even make, money. They didn't. There was no practical advice to be had. Instead, they aired a program that exploited the lives of four people. And they have portrayed couponing as a hobby for crazy people.
Exploited? Perhaps you think I am being too harsh? No, I say those people were exploited. They were portrayed as people with OCD, serious hoarding tendencies, and a true obsession with couponing at all costs. With the exception of the lady from Philly (she only buys what she needs and did not appear to have a huge stockpile), the others all have stockpiles that would sustain most families for years. No way can they use all that food before it goes bad!
Why would these people not donate their excess to charity? I have read that 'The Krazy Coupon Lady' does indeed use her talents to donate to shelters. Sadly, there was no mention of that on the show. There was a quick mention that 'Mr. Coupon' donates his excess, but I find that hard to believe after seeing the huge stockpile he bragged about on the show.
Personally, I would have much rather seen someone like Jeffrey from Eating Well on $1 a Day featured. He does not have a stockpile of food. And while he'll sometimes buy large quantities of items he doesn't need in order to take advantage of money makers, he also donates those items to the local food pantry - he doesn't hoard thousands of sticks of deodorant, jars of salad dressing, or toothbrushes!
Also, I wish TLC would have used some of the show to educate the public how combining coupons works, how to take advantage of money-makers, and how to get work with non-profits and charities to donate your excess purchases.
Sadly, TLC is not about education and charity. They are about exploitation, excess, and extreme drama. I should have expected no less from the network that has exploited the Gosselin kids (Jon and Kate Plus 8), not to mention the lady who eats toilet paper!
Will you watch the new season of Extreme Couponing? Do you agree with my review of the previous special? I will tune in on April 6th, if nothing more than to see if TLC has gone 'less extreme' with this series than they did with the special. I am, however, not optimistic.
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3 comments:
I agree completely. The show made all couponers look like crazy people. I wish it was instructional,not television gimmicks.
You are so right, Tightwad Mom. But I am afraid that is what TLC specializes in anymore. They don't want to feature 'normal' people (I guess you have to watch PBS for 'normal').
I am a coupon newbie. Last week I had $24.51 in coupons, I was thrilled beyond words. Last night I was going to send my husband to the store with a coupon, and you would have thought I was asking him to take his clothes off and run around the store naked. Honestly!
Signed, Couponing and proud
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