Almost every review you see here and elsewhere are all about how much people love having a nice, clean, family oriented tv show folks can watch with their kids. This show does have that, and it is indeed a good thing and it would nice to have more clean shows. But just because it doesn't have cursing, violence, sexuality, etc doesn't make it a good show.. First, who thinks of Alabama as "Cowboy country"? I live in an adjoining state and love AL but it isn't exactly known for cowboys. We call guys like these farmers. Even if they raise cattle and not crops, and even if they sometimes ride horses to do it- they aren't cowboys. (One wonders how often they really ride horses to do their work since a SUV/4 wheeler would be easier for the Alabama landscape and range).
Next is the obvious degree to which the show is scripted. Look, we all know by now that reality TV is far from reality and almost always includes well planed activities and discussions if not outright verbatim scripted dialog. But most do a much better job of at least appearing to be legit.
Another problem is that their is nothing noteworthy about these people, their lives, or activities which captivate viewers or compel them to watch. THey are just boring. Look, my life is no better- just like them, I just do my regular job and do things with my family and friends- a reality show of my life would be just as boring- but this review is of the one about these 3 guys. Them and their family seem like really nice people and it is nice to know they are good, Christian American families-but that doesn't make for a compelling TV show. Go film some real cowboys in Wyoming or New Mexico or other places where they have to cover thousands of acres, cross rivers, climb steep rocky terrain, and do other things that make horses necessary, not just a romantic and fun way to do a job that can better be done with a 4-wheeler. Those cowboys have more risks, longer periods of life out on the range (even today they often camp while driving stock across very large areas). Guns are a necessary tool for them, and cowboy hats don't look unnatural as they do in AL. There are real cowboys today who live lives that would make good TV. 3 farmers in Alabama just don't.
Review of The Cowboy Way: Alabama
