If you haven’t had enough of a Duggar-esque reality TV show, then you can take heart, because there is a spin off. According to wiki:
The most often recurring guests (other than relatives) are the Bates family from Tennessee. Because they are so similar to the Duggars (having 19 kids of their own), they have become close friends. As of 2012, there is a spin-off series featuring the Bates family, called United Bates of America. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19_Kids...ing#Non-family)
Oh joy :rolleyes:
Discuss The Duggars show, why it is so popular, and the implications that another family is getting their own show just because they have a crap load o’ chillins
The Duggar show is watched by people who either like to laugh at the nutjobs, or people who admire the nutjobs and wish they could be more like them. The Bates will be basically the same, just something fresh for people who are getting bored of the Duggars.
But it isn’t really fresh. I see it as a combo of Trailer Park Boys and The Duggars, a rehash of two already weird shows combined. At least Trailer Park Boys was an admitted satire and not a supposed “reality” TV show. These shows aren’t reality, and I am getting tried of them.
Of course not. They are freak shows, just like the ones with the 800-lbs teenagers, and the little people, and children with Treacher Collins syndrome. It’s just voyeurism.
I’ve watched this show, and the Bates laugh a lot more and are generally more fun-loving compared to the Duggars. They actually hug each other with both arms. Other than that, they’re very similar to the Duggars when it comes to their religious fundamentalism, home-schooling and all that.
From what I’ve heard, the show had abysmal ratings.
I can’t wait to the inevitable documentary special circa 2030 when the kids are all grown up. Who’s started megafamilies of their own, who’s abanoned the religious beliefs, who’s gay, who died in childbirth, etc.
Was that a suggestion or a question? Of course I am not going to watch it, just like I never watched the Duggars, Swamp People, Honey Boo Boo, or any number of reality junk shows. My OP was askingwhy do these shows exist, and who does watch them. Because they are obviously popular and they keep getting made, so I want to understand the draw. It can’t just simply be morbid fascination, can it?
My wife is a fan of both shows, but she likes the Bates family better. She notes that the Bates children are allowed to go to regular colleges and train for regular jobs. The Duggars are much more sheltered and are generally just used as babysitters for the younger children.
Kelly Bates recently miscarried. I’m not sure of her age, but she is at least 43*.
Michelle lost her last pregnancy and almost lost the previous one to medical issues plus she is 46*.
I have no doubt that they are still leaving their fertility up to God, but I think they might be done in the making more department. I think it is a medical miracle that they both still have their uteri.
*Not saying pregnancy at that age is unlikely, just that after 19 pregnancies their bodies are probably done. The combination of age and grand multiparity cannot be good.
I don’t normally pass judgement, but continuing to have babies AFTER you had a warning that your body couldn’t handle it anymore is an affront to common sense and whatever god they may ascribe to. MAYBE, GOD was trying to tell them something, like STOP already. If you don’t believe in god then perhaps nature was telling her that her body was done. To try one more time was the definition of insanity: to do the same thing over and over and expect different results (Answers - The Most Trusted Place for Answering Life's Questions). She ended up losing her child because she wouldn’t stop making babies. I am tryng so hard not to call them stupid or selfish, but it sure is looking that way.
Other than that, they’re very similar to the Duggars when it comes to their religious fundamentalism, home-schooling and all that.
