Asheville News

Deal or no deal on a ‘yellar hummer with big tars’?

Jason Sandford May 16, 2007

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

That would be a “no deal.” If any of you watched the game show “Deal or No Deal” on Monday night, you know what we’re talking about. We’re talking about Beverly Futch, the Ashvegas woman who was featured on the Howie Mandell-hosted gameshow last night.

It’s “no deal” because Beverly played up her country accent and the dumb hick persona that comes with it. A “no deal” because that’s exactly what television wants and plays to – the worst stereotypes. A “no deal” because Howie underlined it all with his first joke of the night. Listening to Beverly talk, he said, “I feel like I’m on an episode of Hee Haw.” Great. Just what we need.

Beverly and her husband are surgical nurses who work at Mission Hospitals. You’d think she could show a little more self-respect and represent herself – and all of Ashvegas – a little better. Instead, she stomped around, telling Howie she’d buy a “yellar Hummer with ol’ big tars” with her winnings. Her high-pitched drawl grated so that Howie mocked it by having one his models pretend to scratch her nails down a chalkboard.

Well, the damage has been done. But Beverly, who watched the show from Wild Wings last night, walked away with $80,000. Not bad if you’re gonna sell yourself and your hometown out for a stupid yokel stereotype.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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10 Comments

John May 31, 2015

Beverly didn’t make Asheville look bad, this article did. You should not be putting down your own like this. You should be ashamed of yourself, get off your high horse.

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Susan May 23, 2007

Just seeing the promos for the show sent me into fits so I couldn’t watch it.

Thanks, Beverly. With one fell swoop you managed to undo the lifelong explanation that begins with, "Hell, no! We all don’t talk like hicks here in the South."

Nicely done, Ash

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Dad May 19, 2007

So who would best represent Ashvegas in a ’15 min of fame’ moment like Deal? Edwards, Griffith, Wolfe

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Jamunca May 18, 2007

I’ve heard nothing but folks coming out of the woodwork to bash this woman. But have you heard the clips Tony recorded for his articles. I mean really, really listened? The woman really does sound "beyond hick." She makes Deliverance sound positively Virginian.

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Martha May 17, 2007

I love my North Carolina accent, but even I can tone it down when I am in my professional life. I am thrilled she won the money, but I hated how the show played her. I guarantee that woman is way more smart than they made her look. I don’t blame Beverly. I blame NBC.

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Lori May 17, 2007

I agree Ash. I agree.

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In The Know May 16, 2007

I sense a little jealousy! Maybe you wanted to be on the show? 😉

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catnap May 16, 2007

Beverly Hillbilly?

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mike May 16, 2007

Or maybe that’s just the way she talks. She doesn’t need to change herself because you or anybody else thinks she sounds like a "stupid yokel." Who gets to decide what’s acceptable? Who (besides Ash and the idiots over on the AC-T/Topix message boards) thinks so highly of themselves as to try to be the arbiter of making sure everyone sounds exactly the same, with their pear shaped tones of a midwestern non-accent? To borrow from "stupid yokel" Jeff Foxworthy, what if we arrive at the Pearly Gates and St. Peter says, "Y’all get in the truck, we’re going up to the big house"?

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--- May 16, 2007

Her name’s Beverly…

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