Sen. Manchin asks MTV to cancel 'Buckwild'

• Tweet

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., asked MTV Friday to cancel the reality show Buckwild, an Appalachian version of the hit "Jersey Shore" that is set in West Virginia.

"As a proud West Virginian, I am writing to formally request that you put a stop to the travesty called 'Buckwild,'" Manchin said in a letter to the cable channel. "As a U.S. Senator, I am repulsed at this business venture, where some Americans are making money off of the poor decisions of our youth. I cannot imagine that anyone who loves this country would feel proud about profiting off of 'Buckwild.'"

The show, a replacement for "Jersey Shore" set to premier Jan. 3, follows nine young residents of Sissonville, W.Va., a suburb of Charleston, the state's capital.

On its website, MTV described the program as "an authentic comedic series following an outrageous group of childhood friends from the rural foothills of West Virginia who love to dodge grown-up responsibilities and always live life with the carefree motto, 'whatever happens, happens.'"

Manchin -- a former governor of West Virginia -- said the show "plays to ugly, inaccurate stereotypes about the people of West Virginia."

"We're proud of all we do to make America strong and secure the cherished freedoms that you seem so determined to abuse," the senator said. "I am writing to urge you to reconsider airing this show."