Reality show drive-by: America's Worst Tattoos

"Oh my God. I can't even believe I'm looking at this right now... I've never seen a tattoo so repulsive, offensive, [and] poorly done."

America's Worst Tattoos
(Image credit: Facebook/America's Worst Tattoos)

TLC — which actually used to stand for The Learning Channel — has made a new name for itself as the go-to destination for shows about kooky weirdos in much the same way that Bravo has cornered the market on shows about glammed-up housewives and vain fashion types. TLC's hits include pop culture touchstones like Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, My Crazy Obsession, Sister Wives, and now, America's Worst Tattoos.

In true TLC fashion, America's Worst Tattoos requires essentially no set-up or explanation thanks to its unapologetic, clear-as-a-bell title. Thank goodness for that, because the show is really all about gawking at as many hideous tattoos as possible in a single half hour. And thanks to the spike in tattoo popularity over the last few decades, there seems to be no shortage of dated, ugly skin art that really ought to be covered up.

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Jessica Jardine is from Northern California and has written for The Onion's A.V. Club, FILTER, BUST, Backstage, and Metromix.com. She is also a performer at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in Los Angeles and owns a Calico Persian cat named Beyoncé.