# Are you estranged from your family and want to reconcile? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 29, 2014, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-estranged-from-your-family-and-want-to-reconcile/699868 "2014-09-29T15:39:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-estranged-from-your-family-and-want-to-reconcile/699868/41 "2014-09-30T00:15:33Z")
So, Kevin McKeever, is this level of response below average, average, or above average in terms of derision? I get that it’s your job to keep feeding the infinitely ravenous maw of reality-TV, but I can only guess at its potential for soul-crushification. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-estranged-from-your-family-and-want-to-reconcile/699868/42 "2014-09-30T00:19:44Z")
BTW, How much are you paying Blacksheep? Hey, if the money’s right I’ll dip my bare ass in the punch bowl at the next family gathering and give you a call. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-estranged-from-your-family-and-want-to-reconcile/699868/43 "2014-09-30T00:32:24Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > Also, the shows premise is almost an open invitation to sociopaths to force some more resources out of relatives who probably knew what they were doing when they cut ties. Not sociopaths, people with Aspergers. If the show will be filmed down in a quarry I am so there already… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-estranged-from-your-family-and-want-to-reconcile/699868/44 "2014-09-30T00:47:19Z")
> [@blacksheep1](#): > > My name is Kevin McKeever and I’m a casting producer with LES Casting. Kevin, stop and think: Is this really what you want to be doing with your life? Are you making the world a better place? Do you find this sort of work personally fulfilling? When you were a child, did you imagine that you would grow up to be a casting producer for reality TV? It’s not too late to change. Think about it. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-estranged-from-your-family-and-want-to-reconcile/699868/45 "2014-09-30T00:57:20Z")
> [@SiamSam222](#): > > How about if I’m on the lam from a series of parking tickets? Then Steve Wilkos won’t let you sit in a chair. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-estranged-from-your-family-and-want-to-reconcile/699868/46 "2014-09-30T01:11:09Z")
Mr. McKeever, allow me to say “good on you” for obtaining permission before posting this thread. I would be interested in knowing something, though: Do you intend to return to the thread itself, or do you expect your entire follow-up to consist of checking your inbox for responses? If you do return to the thread (and/or the board), I hope you’ll share with us the results this announcement/invitation has garnered. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-estranged-from-your-family-and-want-to-reconcile/699868/47 "2014-09-30T01:22:33Z")
> [@The\_Hamster\_King](#): > > Kevin, stop and think: Is this really what you want to be doing with your life? Are you making the world a better place? Do you find this sort of work personally fulfilling? When you were a child, did you imagine that you would grow up to be a casting producer for reality TV? > > It’s not too late to change. Think about it. next up on TruTv - Former Casting Directors of Reality TV - their reintegration into polite society. ---
**Author:** ![Mithras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mithras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mithras)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-estranged-from-your-family-and-want-to-reconcile/699868/48 "2014-09-30T01:38:15Z")
I don’t know why you guys are so down on this show. I think it’s exactly what I need. It feels like my son hasn’t talked to me since he was born\*. I’m really looking forward to the day that he and I get things worked out, sit down, and have a good conversation. Unfortunately, I suddenly find myself incredibly busy and it would be impossible to take the time out to appear on a TV show, no matter how important. \*It really is amazing how quickly time passes: it feels like he was born just yesterday. In fact, it was just under two weeks ago. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-estranged-from-your-family-and-want-to-reconcile/699868/49 "2014-09-30T01:52:29Z")
> [@Mithras](#): > > I don’t know why you guys are so down on this show. I think it’s exactly what I need. It feels like my son hasn’t talked to me since he was born\*. I’m really looking forward to the day that he and I get things worked out, sit down, and have a good conversation. Unfortunately, I suddenly find myself incredibly busy and it would be impossible to take the time out to appear on a TV show, no matter how important. > > \*It really is amazing how quickly time passes: it feels like he was born just yesterday. In fact, it was just under two weeks ago. cue up cats in the cradle… (and congrats!) ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-estranged-from-your-family-and-want-to-reconcile/699868/50 "2014-09-30T02:03:53Z")
> [@August\_West](#): > > Oh, the violent and immoral things I have done! I yearn to be welcomed back into the warm bosom of my long-lost innocent family. I dream of having my sordid past re-hashed every week on national television! > > Unfortunately, I live well outside of the NY/NJ/CT Tri-state area so I guess it’s suicide for me. I took the precaution of outliving all of mine. HA! ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-estranged-from-your-family-and-want-to-reconcile/699868/51 "2014-09-30T02:16:25Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Behave, now. This is not an invitation to play the fool. Ain’t playin, so there. I’ve seen things. That’s all I’m gonna say on advice of council. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-estranged-from-your-family-and-want-to-reconcile/699868/52 "2014-09-30T02:38:30Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Then Steve Wilkos won’t let you sit in a chair. Never heard of him and had to look him up. But what’s that with the chair? > [@Sigmagirl](#): > > I took the precaution of outliving all of mine. HA! Would that be in the same manner that Lizzie Borden took the precaution of outliving all of hers? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-estranged-from-your-family-and-want-to-reconcile/699868/53 "2014-09-30T03:05:47Z")
> [@SiamSam222](#): > > Never heard of him and had to look him up. But what’s that with the chair? If he doesn’t like you he won’t let you sit down. You have to stand while he berates you. Ex-Chicago cop, big enough I assume he was a Loop cop. Started out as muscle on _Springer._ You wouldn’t like the people he doesn’t like. I assume the OP procures for him, though more for an episode asking “Are you estranged from your family and want a big, scary, white guy to yell at them?” ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-estranged-from-your-family-and-want-to-reconcile/699868/54 "2014-09-30T03:21:27Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > If he doesn’t like you he won’t let you sit down. You have to stand while he berates you. Ex-Chicago cop, big enough I assume he was a Loop cop. Started out as muscle on _Springer._ You wouldn’t like the people he doesn’t like. I assume the OP procures for him, though more for an episode asking “Are you estranged from your family and want a big, scary, white guy to yell at them?” Sounds like a real prince. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-estranged-from-your-family-and-want-to-reconcile/699868/55 "2014-09-30T03:48:02Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > I’m estranged from the couple of hateful religious nutburgers. Why on earth would I want to reconcile with them? How about greedy bastards who, after pretty much ignoring their mother/grandmother for years, all of a sudden pop up when she’s dying, and start asking about money and possessions? (Not that she was even that wealthy, they’re just greedy) I’ve finally been able to cut these pricks out of my life for good, no fucking way I’m going to even acknowledge them. Not all relatives are family, and not all family are relatives. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-estranged-from-your-family-and-want-to-reconcile/699868/56 "2014-09-30T04:08:13Z")
The OP sounds much better if you read it in Troy McClure’s voice. “Hello, I’m producer Kevin McSkeever. You might remember me from such reality shows as Biker Bar Mitzvah and Strip Strip Hooray!”. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-estranged-from-your-family-and-want-to-reconcile/699868/57 "2014-09-30T04:12:17Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > I assume the OP procures for him, though more for an episode asking “Are you estranged from your family and want a big, scary, white guy to yell at them?” > [@SiamSam222](#): > > Sounds like a real prince. No, Prince is a little, squirrelly black guy. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-estranged-from-your-family-and-want-to-reconcile/699868/58 "2014-09-30T05:14:59Z")
> [@blacksheep1](#): > > This documentary series will focus on individuals that have already been convicted and have served their time in prison, etc… Now they want to move forward with their lives and reconcile with their families. How do you live with yourself? ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-estranged-from-your-family-and-want-to-reconcile/699868/59 "2014-09-30T05:32:39Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > How do you live with yourself? [Rainier Wolfcastle] On a large pile of cash with many beautiful women.[/RW] ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-estranged-from-your-family-and-want-to-reconcile/699868/60 "2014-09-30T06:45:01Z")
How about a reality show where you track down your lowlife relatives and sic the dogs on them? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-estranged-from-your-family-and-want-to-reconcile/699868.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-estranged-from-your-family-and-want-to-reconcile/699868.md?page=4)