[thecodont]

Just so. I think the geniuses [sic] at A&E originally envisioned DD would be a show where people would gawk and laugh at the nouveau riche rednecks.

This has been said of Norman Lear when he introduced Americans to Archie Bunker (UK's "Till Death Us Do Part"): He expected Americans to ridicule Archie. Instead, they identified with him and agreed with his views.

[dfwgator]

Instead, they identified with him and agreed with his views.

Mainly because he made Meathead such a loathable loser, mooching off of Archie and constantly whining about everything.