Full Throttle Saloon

Full Throttle Saloon

In a recent episode of the reality-documentary series, Full Throttle Saloon, it showed an inside look at the largest biker bar in South Dakota. Owner, Michael Ballard and entertainment director, Jesse Dupree shows what goes into running their business. In this particular episode of an average night at their world famous bar it showed individuals and groups of people being under the influence of alcohol portraying themselves as obnoxious. The bartenders employed at the bar were all attractive young females dressed in revealing outfits done up with hair and makeup. Michael Ballard's wife, Angie Carlson, was also present in the show scuffling with her husband over financial matters. During the night of fun and partying a fight broke out in the middle of the crowd, while in another room a man suffers a heart attack which was said to be unapparent but is obviously seen by viewers to be linked to his wild evening. The show seems to be focused on filming the saloons "customers" at a vulnerable state and recording ones embarrassing moments for the enjoyment of viewers at home.

There was a range of anti-values being promoted within this series. Viewers are able to get a sense of the shows raunchy nature by watching a single episode. Like in any business the main point is to promote the product, in Full Throttle Saloon profit comes from alcohol sales. The female bartenders starring in the show use their bodies and appearance to gather up tips and sell drinks to attendees. They are shown dancing and groping on customers while also drinking themselves. They are presented as sexual figures resembling strippers gathering up money. While the women on the show were portrayed as objects more than employees there was also no privacy on the television episode. At one certain moment, there was shown a fight between husband Jesse and wife Angie. The dispute started over financial problems in the saloon but as the fight goes on and the argument grows the couple starts lashing out at each other over personal issues. These intimate moments that should be settled at home are being exploited on television screens for the audience's pleasure.

What is being watched on TV is making its way into the lives of society. The Hollywood, reality television aspects of what goes on in a show is being intertwined with the lives of the average. People see themselves on the television and are happy to get that 5 minutes of fame but in true reality someone, somewhere is more or less mocking the others actions. As seen on the show, fighting is a sense of entertainment just like singing and dancing. The more brutal the fight the more attention is attracted. Ones embarrassing moment is another's entertainment for the night. There is no privacy within the lives of these reality starts which is creating the boundary of what is appropriate to reveal in one's own life. It has become that