On November 18, 2011, MTV announced they had picked up the series for a twelve episode first season. The series was originally planned for a 2012 premiere.[8] MTV remained dormant on releasing news about the series for over a year until November 29, 2012, when MTV announced the series would premiere on January 3, 2013, and feature two weekly half-an-hour back-to-back episodes with twelve episodes total.[2] It was announced on February 6, 2013, that Buckwild will be returning for a second season.[9]
Following the death of Shain Gandee on April 1, 2013, due to carbon monoxide poisoning,[10] production of the second season was suspended until further notice.[11][12][13][14]
It was announced on April 9, 2013, that MTV had chosen to cancel the series.[15][16] On April 14, 2013, it was reported that executive producer J.P. Williams from Parallel Entertainment stated that his company would like to revive the series in another location with a new cast.[17][18] In April 2014, Slednecks was announced.[19] The series had the same premise as Buckwild but was set in Alaska. However, Slednecks has also since been canceled.
The series is described as having a "Jackass-like element," including depictions of "activities like mud racing, squirrel hunting and rope swinging".[27] It has been criticized for propagating negative stereotypes of West Virginians.[28][29] The state's film office has refused to authorize a tax credit for its production, citing a concern that it might portray the state "in a significantly derogatory manner".[30] The series has also been deemed the "RedneckJersey Shore" with the series even debuting on the exact time slot that Jersey Shore once held.[31]
On December 7, 2012, West VirginiaSenatorJoe Manchin spoke out against the series, explaining that it wrongly depicts the lives of those who reside in the state. Manchin requested that MTV cancel the series before it aired.[32][33][34] "This show plays to ugly, inaccurate stereotypes about the people of West Virginia," Sen. Manchin wrote in a letter to the president of MTV. Manchin went on to criticize MTV for encouraging local young people to misbehave for the camera. "You preyed on young people, coaxed them into displaying shameful behavior — and now you are profiting from it. That is just wrong."[35]
Incidents
Pre-cancellation
Arrest of Salwa Amin
Cast member Salwa Amin was arrested on February 10, 2013. After obtaining a search warrant, officers moved in on the property. Amin, Shawn Booker and Jason Jones, the owner of the home, were discovered by police hiding in a shed outside. After both were taken out, Salwa had a large quantity of oxycodone in her purse while Booker had a sizable amount of cash. Additionally, three bags of heroin were found in the shed. Jones told police that Amin and Booker brought the drugs to his home in order to distribute. In all, the three were arrested and arraigned on felony charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Amin waived her preliminary hearing in court and her case will now be sent to the grand jury. MTV has no comment on the situation.[36][37][38] Amin was rearrested on March 27, 2013, due to her first court-ordered drug test being positive for oxycodone and morphine. She was booked as a pretrial felon and held without bail.[39][40][41] On May 4, 2013, it was reported that Amin would be released from jail for an undetermined amount of time in order to complete a court-ordered inpatient rehab program for opiates. After her time was completed, she was placed back in jail.[42]
Arrest of Michael Burford
On February 15, 2013, recurring cast member Michael "Bluefoot" Burford was arrested for aggravated DUI.[43][44][45][46]
Death of Shain Gandee
On March 31, 2013, Shain Gandee and his uncle David Gandee were last seen by friends leaving Larry’s Bar in Sissonville at about 3 a.m. Sunday morning. After the pair told friends they were going mudding, Shain and David Gandee were reported missing later that day and a search began.[47] On Monday morning of April 1, 2013, the Gandees and Donald Robert Myers had been missing for about thirty-one hours when a person on a four-wheeler discovered the three men unresponsive on a remote road in the Sissonville area of West Virginia. The three men were located inside Shain's 1984 Ford Bronco, which had become stuck in a deep mud hole extending past the vehicle’s windows.[48][49][50] After autopsies were performed, it was confirmed that the three men died due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. As a result of the truck’s tailpipe being completely covered in mud, the poisonous gas instead filled the interior of the truck killing all three men.
MTV released a statement, saying, “We are shocked and saddened by the terrible news about Shain Gandee, and those involved in this tragic incident. We are waiting for more information but at this time, our main concern is for the Gandee family and their friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. Shain had a magnetic personality, with a passion for life that touched everyone he met and we will miss him dearly."[51][52][53][54]
Post-cancellation
Arrest of Joseph Patrick Mulcahy
On August 6, 2013, cast member Joseph "Joey" Patrick Mulcahy was arrested for driving under the influence, reckless driving, and failure to report an accident.[55]
Arrest of Anna Davis
On November 16, 2013, cast member Anna Davis was also arrested for aggravated DUI.[56]
Sentencing of Salwa Amin
On November 19, 2013, Amin pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver.[57] As part of her plea deal, Amin has agreed to testify against Booker and Jones.[58] She was sentenced on January 16, 2014 to one to five years in prison.[59]
