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Tim Smith of Discovery Channel's Moonshiners

Tim Smith of Discovery Channel's Moonshiners

BourbonBlog.com has seen recent increase of legal “moonshine type” with tasty releases like White Dog by Buffalo Trace, Catdaddy Carolina Moonshine, and Original Moonshine from Culpeper Virginia.

Now, a new network TV called Moonshiners show will premiere Dec. 6, at 10 pm EST tonight about some real moonshiners in Climax, Virginia.

The new Discovery TV show Moonshiners introduces authentic characters in Appalachia keeping the tradition alive including Moonshiner expert Tim Smith, the late Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton Moonshine Legend, along with law enforcement agent Jesse Tate trying to keep them honest.

You may be wonder how Marvin Popcorn Sutton is going to be on Moonshiners as he died by suicide in 2009 reportedly to avoid a federal prison term due to begin a few days later. It seems the footage of Popcorn was filmed either specifically for this show or simply to be used for documentary purposes archiving the man known for bootlegging (and for getting caught for it).

Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, Moonshine Legend

Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, Moonshine Legend

Though like many “reality type” TV shows the question remains, “How much reality is there here?”

The answer most likely lies in the trend we continue to see on television with a recipe of “part reality” and “part scripted” which equals “entertainment.”

In fact, Alcoholic Beverage Control Agent Jesse Tate tells a Lynchburg, Virginia based ABC affiliate 13 News in the video report below, “Nobody in the whole series was actually making any liquor, we wouldn’t allow that. If we knew somebody was making liquor they would have been in the next episode in handcuffs.”

For anyone who wants to learn to make moonshine, this new show may offer some helpful hints. However, both the show and this article strongly must suggest do not try this at home. While BourbonBlog.com undertands that moonshine may be your thing, one character on this show is convinced it is a part of patriotism.

“If you really love your country, you’re gonna have to love moonshine,” says a character named Tickle who is referred to as the “Sidekick.”

According to Discovery’s official description of episode 1 “As the season approaches, moonshiner Tim and his partner Tickle search Appalachia for the perfect site to set up his operation. Law enforcement agent Jesse Tate is on the hunt for his first big arrest, but runs into a dangerous web of counter-surveillance.”

Moonshiner’s Executive Producer is Matthew Ostrom. Check your local listings to learn what time Moonshiners will be airing Discovery Channel.

 

Moonshiners Reality TV Show Discovery Channel

 

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8 Responses to “Moonshiners on Discovery Channel premieres tonight”

  1. Jeremiah Johnson

    Legal Moonshine is popping up in California with the New Moonshine Bandit Shine Called “OutLaw”. It the first in our state to be sold I do believe. Do you think this will be the new trend for 2012 and 2013 after these run of Moonshine Shows hit the TV?

  2. Loy

    I don’t see nothing wrong with it the government always trying to keep the little man down and a poor family trying to make a living with what ever means to keep the roof over the head and food on the table the government makes these out landish laws if there not able to make a profit so all I can say about These kind of people is go MOONSHINERS!!!!!!

  3. Darin B

    RIP popcorn its a shame you had to take ur life i dont blame you id do the same thing.the bad thing is casey anthony is alive and free and look at what she did.THis is one fucked up world!!!!!!!!!!!!

  4. JKAllen

    The “Popcorn” footage is taken from a UNCtv documentary on Moonshine…. the original documentary is actually really good…

  5. Chuck Perot

    I love the show I lived in Roanoke,Lynchburg, and Dublin years ago. It must be a trick to
    get all those gallon jugs!

  6. dbdiver

    I love this show. Tim, good luck, and rock on!
    Thank god for showing the world there are dumber people out there than Snookie and Honey Boo Boo.
    Bill and Josh have got to be the stupidest guys ever on TV.
    Hey guys, lets open a meth lab under the quick mart at 1400 E. Main street.
    I bet the Sheriff will never find us if we post video on TV

  7. emilee

    i absolutly love the show moonshiners ive watched ever show and i love tickel and tim tim always has a back up plain and i love it and this is the kind of stuff that gets my attention and it tells about the people who live in the mountains and in little ole town such as my slef and everyone know every body but that all i just wanted to say i absolutly love this show and tickel lol

  8. RE

    I think Tickle outta cut back on the shine. On one episode he claimed that puppies don’t have belly buttons because they are in a placental sac.
    When asked how he knew that gem of information, he replied that he was a @#&ing genius!
    Check it for yourself Tickle, puppies, like humans DO have a belly buttons.
    Go back to Tim, you still have plenty to learn.