Yesterday, I was reviewing the tattoo news of the week when this message popped up on my screen from my buddy Dave of Big Kahuna Tattoo in Florida:

Following that message, our online conversation included references from Dave on how watching the show is akin to watching one’s mother in a porno, how clients now come in and tell him how to tattoo based on what they saw on TV, and even how people on the street now frequently ask him the meaning behind the tattoos of his full body suit. He preferred when they just crossed the street in fear.

Of course, Dave will admit that the show has increased business. With some of the mystery gone, the general apprehension of walking into the unknown dissipates and leaves people free to waltz in the studio for their own work of art.

While Dave and many other tattooers I’ve spoken with are clearly on the anti-tattoo TV side, I’m still trying to figure of how I feel about Miami Ink. I’m gonna try and flesh it out here today.

Before I do, let me just say that I am clearly decided on the other tattoo reality show, Inked, a big joke of a show where the focus is on the drama and “hijinks” of the cast than on any art. I was once asked by one of their producers if I knew tattoo artists who would want to be part of the show. I could not find one. Enough said.

On the contrary, Miami Ink does feature really good tattoo artists. Chris Garver’s tattoo portfolio is first rate, especially his Japanese work, and Kat Von D does a mean portrait tattoo when she’s not posing for ubiquitous pictorials. And now I hear that one of my fave tattoo pin-up artists, Joe Capobianco, will be doing a guest spot on the show from April 2 through the 7th. What this all means is that the general public gets to see a high standard of tattoo art and can make better choices when deciding on an artist.

The public does not see the full picture, however, and this type of reality programming is often far from the truth. First, in Miami Ink, clients don’t just walk in and make an appointment. They go through producers, they are booked based on things like a good back story to wanting the tattoo. But not every body tells a story. No one has to die for you to get tattooed. You do not need to be a victim of abuse to reclaim your body via art. Tattooing the name or face of your child on your body does not make you a better parent. Not that these are bad tattoos but they do not represent the full breadth and depth of the tattoo experience.

Many people get tattooed because it just looks pretty. Because they like it, and that should be enough. That’s reality. I guarantee you that most tattooists will not throw you out of the studio for not having some spiritual awakening that compels you to get needled. In fact, many are probably grateful that they don’t have to hear the story.

Which brings me to another tattoo truth: Most tattooers do not work in the resplendent glamour of being flown to the Super Bowl, Hawaii, and A-List parties. They do not regularly tattoo wrestlers, rock stars, and models. In fact, many people they tattoo do not bathe before the session. Tattooers generally work for hours hunched over with a buzzing machine in their hands leading to bad backs and carpal tunnel. They perform tasks like kicking out drunken frat boys and cleaning up vomit from clients with weak stomachs who can’t take the pain. They deal with cries, screams, and large burly men who pass out and pee themselves because they’re too manly to take a break. I’ve seen it. It ain’t pretty. But I think it would make for more interesting television.

What are your thoughts on tattoo reality TV? Leave your comments below.

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For tattoo headlines of last week, read Needled’s take on guy who’s suing his tattooer for misspelling a stupid tattoo, a story on how one amputee transformed his stump into a dragon head that’s a work of art, and more.
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Marisa_DiMattia is a lawyer and editor of Needled.com, a blog on tattoo art and culture.