Thursday, May 28, 2009

TV Families

Love 'em or hate 'em?

I'm talking about the "real" families. Not the Jeffersons or the Cosbys. More along the lines of the Gosselins or the Duggars.

I will confess that I am a Duggar fan. I admire some parts of the way they raise their children. I like that there family is centered around their faith. Christ and Church is the main theme of our family, so I guess I feel a kinship with them in that respect(except with less little ones). There are a lot of naysayers out there that bash the size of their family. Why? They are raising their children and not using any government assistance. They have been good stewards of their resources, and that allows them to be able to afford their large brood. I say keep having babies if you want. That's a personal choice that should be made by only the persons involved. There are other parts about their family that I don't agree with. But, that's why we live in America and not Nikkiland. If we lived in Nikkiland then everyone would have to do things my way(that's not a half bad idea, I'll get my vice president to work on that).

I will also confess that I was a Gosselin fan back in the day. I really like their show in the beginning. They seemed so real. I liked the way they interacted with each other, because it was more like a regular family. However, lately it feels more commercialized. That's just my opinion. That being said, Monday night's show(which I happened to watch) brought in 9.8 million viewers. That's amazing. They seemed to be honest about their marital woes, but go to a counselor, each other, or the Bible for answers. Again, that's just my opinion.

I really do want to know your opinion. Do you love 'em or hate 'em? Do they have their children's best interest at heart by trying to provide a better life for such a large family? Or are they exploiting their children for fame and money? I don't have an answer to that one, so I would really like to know your opinion. I find this topic very fascinating. It's our human interest piece for the week.

12 comments:

Joan Carr said...

Why would anyone want their personal lives on national TV is beyond me, unless it was about the money or the attention. Previous reality TV families show that their family does not come out of surviving this kind of invasion of their home.

Exploiting their children is my opinion.I have on occasion watched a show or two but did not like any of them. However, they are responsible for what they do and they only have to answer for the way they raise their family. And I am only responsible for how I raised my two and what we did or do within our family. For that I ma thankful because I will have enough to stand before God with.

I know I am old fashioned and out of touch but that works for me.I personally am trying to read more Biblically based books and watch very little TV.

The Anglin Family said...

I live in Arkansas and I fully support the Duggars. I think they center their lives around Christ and no, they don't watch television. I beleive the reason they are on TV is to show other American families that hey, we live Godly lives and you can too. I do not think they think what is right for them is right for everyone. We do not all need 18 kids. However, the Duggar's are raising their children in a Godly environment and teaching them to be Christlike in a not so Christlike world. I really do not believe they are explotiting their children. I like them! Plus, my kids love to watch them.
Next, Jon and Kate. I havent been such a fan since last year with the Aunt Jodi business. I think Kate really is self serving. (Now I am judging, and thats not my intention..) The money is another issue..I also have a problem that they promised their children they would never have to worry about divorce. They renewed their vows in front of millions. They promised their children for better or worse divorce was not an option for them. It's very sad that their faith has been wavered...and that they have become sucked into not so good things. I pray for these two and their children.

Joyce said...

I havent commented before but have read your blog for a week or 2. I love the name you have chosen for you little unborn, special baby.

But talking about the Gosslens (how ever you spell their name.)
I have no TV at home so I never really followed too much of their story or their lives. I saw on newstands that he was supposed to out with another woman and her with a body guard. But then I happened to away for over night- which just so happened to be that night with Jon and Kate on TV. And my personal feel from that is that she is totally into the publicity thing and he isnt. And I really feel for Jon, he just wants his family and kids and she is too busy selling thier lives. Someone I met in passing I talked my view over and she said - well how do you think you can afford to put all those kids thru college - which to me sounded like it was fine sacrifice your family for some college/university fund.

Perhaps my view of Kate is a bit schewed but I only saw the one episode. And I really feel for Jon and those kids who really just want a family.

Just my point of view - now that you asked.
Joyce

Carrie said...

I have been following your blog, but this is the first time I've commented. Oh Jon and Kate. I've watched their show from the beginning. I really did like them. Some days I would side with Kate, other days I would side with Jon....although most of the time I felt like Kate was way too hard on Jon. It wasn't until recently...like last season when they moved to the new house that I felt like Kate was REALLY being controlling. I watched the new episode and I just feel so sorry for all of them...especially the kids. Kate took no responsibility in it and Jon just seems like he has already checked out. I don't think they're going to make it...but when your life is is lived out on t.v. that's gotta be hard. I personally think Kate has let all of the fame and perks that come with it, go to her head. If she and Jon really want to save their marriage, they would quit the show and just concentrate on their family/marriage. My two cents worth!

Also, I want to tell you, Nikki, that I admire so much your positive, happy attitude!!

Frugal Jen said...

I am a fan of the Duggers too. I think it is good to see a wholesome Christian family on TV.

I used to be a big fan of Jon and Kate but last year did it for me I stopped watching. It appeared to very staged. I don't want to judge them but I think a nice break from TV might do the family some good, get back to what is most important and not have a camera in all of their faces.

Personally I would NEVER feature my family on a reality show. The editors can skew the view and put a spin on it. It take years, decades to build a good reputation and image for your family which can be destroyed in 5 minutes from fame.

Brittany and Charlie-Social Butterfly said...

I love them both. The Duggar's are cool and it has taken me some time to get used to but I like it. I think the large family thing is wonderful I just wonder about the way they go about it. That is all. I love the Gosselin's. They are very real and easy to relate to. I think the premier was hard to watch because I was watching a family that I love go through some hard times. They both have issues to work on and hopefully will. But kuddos to them for talking about it and addressing it at least. The public eye is hard and I think the most important thing to remember is don't believe the rumors and remember that every marriage is likely to go through some pretty rough patches and theres happens to be on national television. I hope with all the decisions they are making they are keeping there children's best interest at heart. I am certainly praying for them!

Abby Normal said...

i love the Gosslins! this past year has been hard but the kids are very sweet and i pray that jon and Kate will be able to work through their problems.i don't feel as if the kids are being exploited. they seem to like the cameras and i've read that if a child doesn't want to appear in the episode, they don't have to. now, the duggars i am more fascinated by. they have been raised in a way that is so unlike my own life that i am simply fascinated when i watch an episode. they seem happy and healthy and know that they are an unusual family, and they choose to share their lives with the curious public and spread God's word in their tv show as well.

Jamie Lynn said...

I don't really watch either one of them but when I do agree with you on the Duggars..
But Jon & Kate... geezz I don't like Kate all that much. Jon seems like a pretty cool guy to me.

I would never want my life on national television.

Preachersgirl3491 said...

Ok, so you know how in love with Jon and Kate and the wonderful children that I once was. I still think that the children are awesome but the show really did make me cry on Monday night. (I may and or may not have left work a little early to catch the 11 o'clock replay.) It hurts my heart to see those children have to go through this and in the beginning I think that Jon and Kate had good intentions with the show, a chance to show thier miracles of God, and a way to allow their children to have wonderful things in life. They seemed so grounded and in the Word, but as the show went forward you started to see less God. I think my husband said it best when he said that they should end the show and get help with their family.

A said...

I watch both shows every week and love them both. I think the Duggers have the right mindset when raising their children to serve God and others while also teaching them the essentials of life. To be honest, Im really sad that Jon and Kate have come to this. I want to believe that Jon didnt do what he is being accused of but his responses on Mondays show makes me think that he is the one who is not willing to try to make it work! He just kept saying, "Im here for my kids." What the heck? What about your wife? What happened to "for better or worse?" Raising multiples has got to be hard but you have to have an input from both ends to have any relationship work. I hope they are able to work things out but if not, I do think that Kate will continue the show so that the kids can continue to experience all of the things that the show allows them to experience that would otherwise not be possible without the show and the money they make doing it.

Just my 2 cents :)

Elizabeth said...

Hi! I also have never posted a comment on your blog but I thought I would take a second and share my view! I find the Duggar's very interesting. I don't know how on earth you would manage that many children and the laundry/dishes etc. that come with it! I saw an episode where a lot of the older girls were doing some of those chores so I suppose they get trained to pitch in. As long as they can manage it and stay true to themselves than I don't see a problem with having that many children. As far as Jon and Kate... I have been a big fan in the past. I watched on Monday and it just made me very very sad! I agree that he looked like he just "checked out" already. I have had two brother-in-law's who cheated and his attitude and comments really reminded me of how those two acted before we knew about the affairs. It just makes me really sad and feels like they lied to me (yes, me personally haha) all last season, since they pretended like everything was fabulous! I think they should take a break from the show and focus on their family. :)
P.S. I am also a big fan of that Natalie Grant song. Love to sing along with that one in the car!

Elisabeth said...

I love the Duggars, they make it a point to show their faith through their tv show in a way that is refreshing. And Michelle never speaks to her children or her husband the way Kate does. If I hadn't read or saw the one episode where they were going to church I would never have known that they were Christians.

The final time I watched the show regularly was the episode where they took the kids to Toys r us and Kate was yelling at Jon and shoppers were starring at her.

With all the money coming in and what it came from I am not comfortable with. From what I've heard from faithful watchers the show has drastically changed and they've moved to a huge house (yeah they need a huge house with that many kids) and Kate is gone alot on business.

For me when the photographers following them so much, that is when I would have ended this whole mess. Fame has brought photographers following their every move which for me is when I'd end the show. Those people are only concerned with getting a good shot and never anyone's safety, and have caused car accidents in LA. After waiting and wanting children for so long I'd want them in a happy healthy and safe enviroment. I don't think any of those things can be accomplished with tv cameras around (with the exeption of the Duggars).

I agree they need at least a break from the show (and Fame) to focus on their family and most of all their marriage.