Watch Precious Plum
- TV-MA
- 2013
- 1 Season
-
8.5 (50)
Precious Plum is a web series created by CollegeHumor that ran from 2013 to 2014. It stars Josh Ruben, Elaine Carroll, and Pat Cassels. The show is a parody of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, a reality TV show that follows the life of child pageant star Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson and her family. Precious Plum takes a humorous look at the characters in the show, particularly Honey Boo Boo's mother, Mama June, and her overweight and sassy best friend, "Uncle" Poodle.
The show consists of seven episodes, each around five minutes long. In each episode, Mama June (played by Elaine Carroll) and Poodle (played by Pat Cassels) engage in various activities, such as grocery shopping, getting manicures, and attending a Halloween party. They are accompanied by Plum (played by Josh Ruben), Mama June's daughter and pageant competitor. However, unlike Honey Boo Boo, Plum is portrayed as a spoiled, entitled brat who bullies her mother and demands special treatment. Along the way, they encounter various characters, such as a religious zealot who runs a food pantry and a gas station attendant who claims to be Robin Williams.
The humor in the show is largely based on the exaggerated personalities and quirks of the characters. Mama June is portrayed as a dim-witted but lovable redneck who loves bargain hunting and junk food. She often says things that are unintentionally hilarious, such as "I'm not the smartest, but I know a lot about wet wipes" and "If it's not on sale, it's not worth buying". Poodle is presented as the stereotypical gay best friend, always quick with a sassy comment and a snap of his fingers. He is a frequent victim of Plum's insults, but is always ready to join in the fun. Plum herself is the most outrageous character, constantly demanding attention and throwing tantrums when she doesn't get her way. She is obsessed with winning pageants and will go to extreme lengths to beat her competitors, including sabotaging their costumes and bribing judges.
One of the most notable things about Precious Plum is its use of satire. The show not only pokes fun at Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, but also at the reality TV genre as a whole. It exaggerates the stereotypes and tropes commonly seen in these shows, such as the emphasis on drama and conflict, the confessional interviews with the characters, and the production's manipulation of events to create narrative arcs. The show also comments on the negative impact that reality TV can have on the participants, particularly children. Plum is presented as a victim of her mother's ambitions, forced to compete in pageants against her will and given a skewed understanding of what is important in life.
Overall, Precious Plum is a hilarious and biting satire that takes aim at both reality TV and American culture. Its cast of quirky and memorable characters, along with its signature brand of irreverent humor, make it a standout web series that will leave audiences laughing and cringing in equal measure.