Bates Family.

[Mary_Gail_36]

I was wondering if anybody watches their program.

I saw about 20 minutes yesterday evening. I only learned about them very recently (perhaps about a week or so ago) I saw the name “Bates” in one of the threads about the Duggars recently. For a second I thought the posters were referring to Bates as in Norman. (There is a program on A and E about Norman Bates as a youth, which I haven’t seen)

So what I noticed, they are from Tennessee, they also have 19 children.

Does anyone watch? Would anyone recommend the program?

 

[ToeInTheWater]

I haven’t watched it but I believe the have a very similar way of life to the Duggars themselves. As far as I know there is no objectionable content, but at this point, the revelations about the Duggars have “ruined” the show for me as well. Not that I know of any similar skeletons in their closets, and maybe it’s not fair to them, but at this point I’m kinda burned out on idealizing the “quiverfull” lifestyle.

 

[Eruvande]

I was unaware of them until someone mentioned it on a Duggar thread, not sure if it’s available to view in the UK.

It’s kind of lost it’s shine, though, like the whole patriarchy thing did with the Doug Phillips fiasco.

 

[Convert_in_99]

Not until recently. They are friends with the Duggars and also take kids as they come (I think they are at 19 too!) That’s all I really know. I would think it would be a family type show like “Nineteen and Counting” was. I think many people soured on them after the Duggar scandal. I say give them as fair trial if you like those type of shows.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

They appeared on 19 kids and counting many times. The Duggars built their home./ helped. They seem to be a little more “normal” than the Duggars and I have enjoyed the few episodes so far, but to be honest, the whole duggar debacle has me pretty gunshy. MOre than likely the Bates knew of the issues with Josh as well since they were tight with the Duggars and Jim Bob has mentioned talking with many other large families of their faith who have had these issues. I just cannot invest in this show. Could be they are 100 percent legit and most definately they are less controlling than the Duggars. But they are real close with them and after watching Jim Bob make the decisions of exploiting and controlling his family, well, I’m out for this one as well.

Now Bates Motel is a great series looking into Norman Bates life as a child with his mother. While there is questionable content and murders along with some implied incestuous activities. It is less scary than these shows to me now.

 

[ToeInTheWater]

The sad thing is that unlike even in the 1980s and 1990s, it’s very difficult to find shows which are truly “family friendly” and can be watched by kids without too much scandal, but not bore the adults out of their minds or have them seeking out insulin. So I really do sympathize with those who feel bereaved by the loss of “19 Kids”. (Because even if it DOES make a comeback, I think many of us find the “family friendly” aspects to be completely eclipsed by the very NON family friendly facts we now know about this family).

Alas, here is now a definite separation between “kid’s shows” and “adult shows”. One telling example is how, the series “Boy Meets World” was featured on the ABC network during “family hour” (between 8PM and 9PM). It was actually a very family friendly show, the main character marries his high school sweetheart and does not have sex until marriage, and while after his marriage there were some references to sex, most could be overlooked by the younger viewers. It is still going strong in syndication.

Recently, a “sequel” to the show called “Girl Meets World” came out. The original “boy” Cory, his wife Topanga, and their children are featured. Their daughter Riley is the “girl” who is the main character. But this show is relegated to the Disney Channel. Of course, most families with cable and/or satellite have Disney, but I know not everyone does, and certainly there is a sense that this is “just a kid’s show”.

 

[Xantippe]

Now Bates Motel is a great series looking into Norman Bates life as a child with his mother. While there is questionable content and murders along with some implied incestuous activities. It is less scary than these shows to me now.

That is sad but I understand.

A few years back, I tried to get into Big Love, but bailed after a scene where a preschooler pees on the floor just to spite a Sister Wife. I was potty training a kid at the time and didn’t need to spend my down time reliving the day’s events.

We went back to watching cozy, non-threatening British murders instead.

 

[7_Sorrows]

I am renting DVD’s from the library. American television - the game shows, reality shows, comedies and dramas just do nothing for me.

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

I never really got into watching the Duggars. The few times I did watch, it just seemed too perfect. Mrs. D never seemed to loose her temper or get flustered.

The bit I watched of the Bates is that they seemed more chaotic. They also seem more affectionate with each other. I witnessed a number of hugs among the siblings. I also witnessed a hug between a courting couple.

The littlest Bates fellow seemed to be appropriate rambunctious for a 3 year old and Mr. and Mrs. Bates seemed significantly laid back and almost tired.

A reality show I do like that features a large family (but they are all adults) is Wahlburgers. Alma, the mom is a feisty Boston-Irish mom of 9. She doesn’t paint a rosy picture at all, she states all the time that things were hard, she didn’t know how she managed.

She’s actually Catholic as well. He children seem to have varied beliefs, some seem very orthodox