History Main / GoodOlBoy

That conservative, strong-willed guy from the DeepSouth or SweetHomeAlabama (or maybe [[EverythingIsBigInTexas Texas]]). Often in a position of authority or government, or sometimes a CorruptCorporateExecutive (Oil Tycoons in particular) or a SimpleCountryLawyer, or even a seller of [[WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill propane and propane accessories]], but in any case a Good Ol' Boy is a staunch Republican (or a staunch Democrat if set prior to 1964), pro-life (1970s and later), for [[UsefulNotes/TheWarOnTerror the war in Iraq]] (or [[UsefulNotes/TheVietnamWar Vietnam]], depending on the time period), and [[{{Eagleland}} doesn't have much tolerance for anything he considers anti-American]].

He also knows what's best for his country, or at least he thinks he does, and doesn't need no nancy liberals with their bleeding hearts telling him what to do. (It should be noted that, until the UsefulNotes/CivilRightsMovement gained steam, many of these guys voted for liberal politicians, as the Democratic Party in the postwar era was a coalition of conservative white Southerners, blue-collar unionized workers, and social liberals for a variety of complicated reasons, like ensuring that modern-day Democrats aren't tarred with the racist brush...)

That conservative, strong-willed guy from the DeepSouth or SweetHomeAlabama (or maybe [[EverythingIsBigInTexas Texas]]). Often in a position of authority or government, or sometimes a CorruptCorporateExecutive (Oil Tycoons in particular) or a SimpleCountryLawyer, or even a seller of [[WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill propane and propane accessories]], but in any case a Good Ol' Boy is a staunch Republican (or a staunch Democrat if set prior to 1964), pro-life (1970s and later), for [[UsefulNotes/TheWarOnTerror the war in Iraq]] (or [[UsefulNotes/TheVietnamWar Vietnam]], depending on the time period), and [[{{Eagleland}} doesn't have much tolerance for anything he considers anti-American]]. He also knows what's best for his country, or at least he thinks he does, and doesn't need no nancy liberals with their bleeding hearts telling him what to do. (It should be noted that, until the UsefulNotes/CivilRightsMovement gained steam, many of these guys voted for liberal politicians, as the Democratic Party in the postwar era was a coalition of conservative white Southerners, blue-collar unionized workers, and social liberals for a variety of complicated reasons, like ensuring that modern-day Democrats aren't tarred with the racist brush...)

* The titular ''Film/ForrestGump'' is from Greenbow, Alabama and is an all around sweetheart despite his lack of traditional smarts. The other characters who come from the same place vary in terms of niceness. While Forrest's mother was a GoodParent who steered him right, he was also a victim of bullying during his time in school, and his childhood friend and crush Jenny ended up living a tumultuous life due to her abusive upbringing.

* The titular ''Film/ForrestGump'' is from Greenbow, Alabama and is an all around sweetheart despite his lack of traditional smarts.

%%* ''Film/ForrestGump'' and many other folks from Greenbow, Alabama.

%%* The titular Tucker and Dale from ''Film/TuckerAndDaleVsEvil''.

* ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill'': Hank Hill is a sympathetic version. His very straitlaced and conservative views are often played for humor, but even when he's in the wrong, they aren't presented as villainous traits.

That conservative, strong-willed guy from the DeepSouth or SweetHomeAlabama (or maybe [[EverythingIsBigInTexas Texas]]). Often in a position of authority or government, or sometimes a CorruptCorporateExecutive (Oil Tycoons in particular) or a SimpleCountryLawyer, or even a seller of [[WesternAnimation/{{KingOfTheHill}} propane and propane accessories]], but in any case a Good Ol' Boy is a staunch Republican (or a staunch Democrat if set prior to 1964), pro-life (1970s and later), for [[UsefulNotes/TheWarOnTerror the war in Iraq]] (or [[UsefulNotes/TheVietnamWar Vietnam]], depending on the time period), and [[{{Eagleland}} doesn't have much tolerance for anything he considers anti-American]]. He also knows what's best for his country, or at least he thinks he does, and doesn't need no nancy liberals with their bleeding hearts telling him what to do. (It should be noted that, until the UsefulNotes/CivilRightsMovement gained steam, many of these guys voted for liberal politicians, as the Democratic Party in the postwar era was a coalition of conservative white Southerners, blue-collar unionized workers, and social liberals for a variety of complicated reasons, like ensuring that modern-day Democrats aren't tarred with the racist brush...)

* ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}'s adoptive father Jeremiah Danvers in ''ComicBook/SupergirlBeingSuper'' is of the sympathetic variety. He's a Government-wary, somewhat eccentric -he doesn't believe in birthdays or sickness- gruffy man who doesn't know how handle emotionally-sensitive matters and thinks his country would be better off if "people worried less about revolution and more about getting stuff done". He is also visibly a devout husband and father.

Can either be a very sympathetic or very unlikable character depending on the political persuasion of the writer. Portrayal can also differ widely from wise, uncompromising leader to [[HalfWittedHillbilly lovable, simple buffoon]] to racist, homophobic, oil-loving bastard. Sympathetic characters may have a [[HeroicVow personal code of honor]] and invoke one or more positive MoralityTropes.

* ''VideoGame/DiscoElysium'' has the AntiVillain Hardie Boys, a group of these who serve as NeighbourhoodFriendlyGangsters policing their community [[JurisdictionFriction in the government's absence]]. Their leader Titus Hardie has a somewhat rural American Southern accent, hostility to city cops, and his ball cap and the puffy vest he wears as part of his Union uniform fit the look. Surprisingly they're [[EqualOpportunityEvil a rather diverse bunch]], with gay and black members present.

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* It's not uncommon for American politicians in '''both''' political parties to present themselves as this trope to appeal to blue collar workers. Many times, they are not originally from the South, nor do they necessarily have any kind of blue collar background.

* The entire state of Texas is often portrayed as this trope writ large, among the men and (to a lesser extent) women alike. Southern gentility crossed with Western toughness and integrity.

[[quoteright:200:[[WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/hankhill.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:200: ''(sigh)'' Yep.]]

* [[WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill Hank Hill]] (see above picture) is a sympathetic version. His very straitlaced and conservative views are often played for humor, but even when he's in the wrong, they aren't presented as villainous traits.

Also see SouthernFriedPrivate and SouthernFriedGenius.

That conservative, strong-willed guy from the DeepSouth or SweetHomeAlabama (or maybe [[EverythingIsBigInTexas Texas]]). Often in a position of authority or government, or sometimes a CorruptCorporateExecutive (Oil Tycoons in particular) or a SimpleCountryLawyer, or even a seller of [[WesternAnimation/{{KingOfTheHill}} propane and propane accessories]], but in any case a Good Ol' Boy is a staunch Republican (or a staunch Democrat if set prior to 1964), pro-life (1970s and later), for [[UsefulNotes/TheWarOnTerror the war in Iraq]] (or [[UsefulNotes/TheVietnamWar Vietnam]], depending on the time period), and [[{{Eagleland}} doesn't have much tolerance for anything he considers anti-American]]. He also knows what's best for his country, or at least he thinks he does, and doesn't need no nancy liberals with their bleeding hearts telling him what to do. (It should be noted that, until the UsefulNotes/CivilRightsMovement gained steam, many of these guys voted for liberal politicians, as the Democratic Party in the postwar era was a coalition of conservative white Southerners, blue-collar unionized workers, and social liberals for a variety of complicated reasons.)

That conservative, strong-willed guy from the DeepSouth or SweetHomeAlabama (or maybe [[EverythingIsBigInTexas Texas]]). Often in a position of authority or government, or sometimes a CorruptCorporateExecutive (Oil Tycoons in particular) or a SimpleCountryLawyer, or even a seller of [[WesternAnimation/{{KingOfTheHill}} propane and propane accessories]], but in any case a Good Ol' Boy is a staunch Republican (or a staunch Democrat if set prior to 1964), pro-life (1970s and later), for the war in Iraq (or Vietnam, depending on the time period), and [[{{Eagleland}} doesn't have much tolerance for anything he considers anti-American]]. He also knows what's best for his country, or at least he thinks he does, and doesn't need no nancy liberals with their bleeding hearts telling him what to do (though it should be noted that many of these guys were ''moderately'' liberal prior to the '60s, if only out of political expediency).

* On ''Series/{{Survivor}}'', this term is used throughout the show's history to refer to a specific male casting/character archetype. Tom Buchanan was the first to be called this in ''Survivor: Africa'' (season 3). Coach called J.T. a Good Ol' Boy in ''Survivor: Tocantins'' (season 18), a man clearly cast for that trope. J.T. would continued to be referred to as one on Heroes vs. Villains by other castaways. Coach also called Rick Nelson a Good Ol' Boy in ''Survivor: South Pacific'' (season 23). Ben Driebergen referred to himself as a Good Ol' Boy on ''Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers'' (season 35). Various other male contestants have either referred to themselves as or been referred to by Jeff Probst or other contestants as "Good Ol' Boys" or similar names over the show's 40 seasons: Rodger Bingham (S2 - ''Australian Outback''), Travis 'Bubba' Sampson (S9 - ''Vanuatu''), James Miller (S10 - ''Palau''), Brandon Bellinger (S11 - ''Guatemala''), Boo Bernis (S14 - ''Fiji''), Chicken Morris (S15 - ''China''), Ralph Kiser (S22 - ''Redemption Island''), Jeff Kent (S25 - ''Philippines''), Caleb Bankston (S27 - ''Palau''), Jeremiah Wood (S28 - ''Cagayan''), Keith Nale (S29 - ''San Juan del Sur''), Mike Holloway (S30 - ''Worlds Apart''), Caleb Reynolds (S32 - ''Kaoh Rong'') and Carl Boudreaux (S37 - ''David vs. Goliath'').

* The cowboys from ''Literature/HankTheCowdog'', but especially Slim. [[ThoseTwoBadGuys Rip and Snort]] are described by Hank as "good 'ol boy coyotes" who love nothing more than fighting, eating, and singing (in that order).

That conservative, strong-willed guy from the DeepSouth or SweetHomeAlabama (or maybe [[EverythingIsBigInTexas Texas]]). Often in a position of authority or government, or sometimes a CorruptCorporateExecutive (Oil Tycoons in particular) or a SimpleCountryLawyer, or even a seller of [[WesternAnimation/{{KingOfTheHill}} propane and propane accessories]], but in any case a GoodOlBoy is a staunch Republican (or a staunch Democrat if set prior to 1964), pro-life (1970s and later), for the war in Iraq (or Vietnam, depending on the time period), and [[{{Eagleland}} doesn't have much tolerance for anything he considers anti-American]]. He also knows what's best for his country, or at least he thinks he does, and doesn't need no nancy liberals with their bleeding hearts telling him what to do (though it should be noted that many of these guys were ''moderately'' liberal prior to the '60s, if only out of political expediency).

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Can either be a very sympathetic or very unlikable character depending on the political persuasion of the writer. Portrayal can also differ widely from wise, uncompromising leader to lovable, simple buffoon to racist, homophobic, oil-loving bastard. Sympathetic characters may have a [[HeroicVow personal code of honor]] and invoke one or more positive MoralityTropes.