'Here Comes Honey Boo Boo' Family Receives Huge Pay Raise From TLC
Is it time for Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson, June Shannon and the rest of the reality TV family to leave McIntyre, Georgia behind and go to Hollywood?
That remains to be seen, but the reality TV family got an massive salary increase after just the second episode of their TLC show "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" -- without even asking!
According to TMZ sources, at first the family was getting paid $5,000-$7,000 an episode, but when the TLC executives saw it was a big hit their salary skyrocketed along with ratings. Sources told TMZ the Shannon-Thompson family is paid $15,000-$20,000 an episode.
The debut season of the show averaged 2.4 million viewers per episode.
The TLC network volunteered to cover various expenses, including a bodyguard/driver for Sugar Bear, who was incapacitated after a ATV accident.
Sources claimed, the network offered to find the family a larger, more secure home, but Shannon wouldn't have it. Shannon loves decorating her house for Christmas and does it for the community's enjoyment.
TMZ was also told that the family has been asked to get involved in various business endeavors, but Shannon isn't interested in making anymore money or taking away from family time.
Last month, The Hollywood Reporter claimed the Shannon-Thompson family was being paid a mere $2,000-$4,000 per episode. But Shannon told TMZ, they were paid "a good deal more." She didn't divulge into any specifics, but she said, "we're making memories to last a lifetime."
The show has been such a TLC hit that the networks has three HOLLAday specials (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas) and additional episodes of "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" coming up.
"Here Comes Honey Boo Boo has become a pop culture phenomenon," said Amy Winter, general manager of TLC told the Daily Mail. "What you see is what you get and we are excited to share even more of Alana and her family's unbridled hilarity, sincerity and love with our viewers."
