No More Reruns, No More GIFs

As if the story about Here Comes Honey Boo Boo’s June Shannon allegedly dating a sex offender wasn't already a nightmare, it's only getting worse: According to TMZ, Mark McDaniel served a decade in prison for molesting Mama June’s daughter Anna when Anna was eight years old. And the graphic details of the allegations are nothing short of horrendous. Mama June denies she and McDaniel—whom she admits to dating a decade ago—are currently in a relationship.

After the story broke that Mama June has been allegedly dating McDaniel since his release from prison, TLC announced on Friday that the network didn't just decide to cancel the show, but “ended all activities." I'm inclined to assume “ended all activities” means no more reruns, which, yep. If my instincts are correct and the "activities" do in fact include "reruns," that is without a doubt the right move. You go ahead and scrap Here Comes Honey Boo Boo entirely, TLC.

When the child molestation allegations cropped up against Stephen Collins, ABC Family axed 7th Heaven reruns. This wasn't just the correct call. It was the only call. And like ABC Family cutting 7th Heaven, TLC would be correct to remove every last trace of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo from its programming schedule in the wake of these allegations. Not removing the reruns would only serve to exploit this family. As TLC said in its statement, “Supporting the health and welfare of these remarkable children is our only priority." To not cut the reruns from the schedule would not just be disrespectful to the four daughters, but it would be flat-out wrong.

And while we’re at it, in light of these allegations, we should drop the Honey Boo Boo GIFs from our GIF vernacular. I know GIFs seem innocuous, but laughing at the family's expense is gross and wrong. Yeah, Alana is a quotable young lady, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that we show our support for the four daughters during what I can only imagine is a hellish nightmare. Using an Honey Boo Boo GIF to bring levity to an e-mail thread or tumblr post strikes me as tasteless.

God, this story is just so terrible. I wish for the daughters' sakes that all of this is not real, but the more details come out, the more my hope dwindles.