Is anyone else watching "Colonial House" on PBS?

[HollyJoy]

I watched the second episode last night and while I do like the show, I find myself pretty much VERY dissappointed with the people in the project. It seems as though very few of them are actually taking this thing seriously. They are *****ing constantly, and trying to change the rules and laws to fit their needs. I'm sorry, but that's just not how it was back then. I know it wasn't an easy life at all, but these people signed up for this KNOWING this information. Did they think it was going to be a luxury vacation? Okay, so I can see them venting to the cameras their frustrations about the way they lived back then, and how hard it was, etc... but come on. I'm hoping that they will all get it together and realize why they are there. They can have thier real lives back once the project is over.

 

[ChibiJones]

Plus, I have not seen one musket (or firearm of any kind) on the show. Not only would they have had them for protection, they would be hunting and trapping animals for food and pelts (that whole debt thing, plus material for clothes and so forth). Again, I can't help but wonder if this is a producer thing, they show what they want to show, but being "anti-gun" is a very 20th-21st century thing--you didn't have the luxury of being opposed to guns back in colonial times.

I noticed the lack of guns as well, but I think it was more of a safety issue. Those old gun designs didn't always shoot straight. They had to load the gunpower and pellets themselves which could be dangerous if too much powder is added.

It's also possible that these items are now banned under Maine law, or that whoever owns the land imposed these restrictions.

 

[Towncrier]

I think that the banned guns to keep someone from shooting all the whiners.

 

[stitch79]

I'm watching this one too, its not as good as some of the previous ones. Sometimes you have to wonder if any of these people watched the previous shows to see what they were getting into. Seems to me if they had then they should stop the whining!!

 

[stevenpensacola]

Not surprised that PBS (such a nice conservative network) is promoting a gay issue on this show. I'm sure that's why this guy was picked for the show...to create conflict with the Baptist minister/governor (and cast the minister in a bad light).

Anyone else getting tired of the reality shows promoting the gay lifestyle?

I agree that the contestants need to try to play by the rules of the time period to in order to make the show more historically accurate. Those were some brave folks who left the familiar and came over here facing the unknown.

 

[yecats]

I have enjoyed all the previous "house" shows on PBS to date and but I do have to admit this one is getting to me. I totally agree with everything stated above. These are the worst people to put together and it does remind me of a big brother 1620's house. They shouldn't have applied unless they were willing to follow the rules and I am more than sure that there were a list of rules that they knew about before hand (Frontier house had a guidelines list of things that were going to happen, they had it posted at one time on PBS website).

You know for Frontier house the kids were the main ones breaking away from the rules (with the exception of the mother/father the times when exchange of items for deer meat and the bed mattress) by bringing in makeup and shampoo. At least they had some form of excuse in that their parents essentially dragged them into it, they really did have any choice in the matter. This time around its the adults being a**es. I know that I will watch the next ones but I certainly hope that these people get over themselves.

 

[Celluloidgal]

I've been watching too

The "Victorian House" & the "Pioneer House" I liked better. I'm sticking it out though, maybe it will redeem itself.

I agree with a lot of these posts. STICK WITH THE RULES! Come on guys, you went through this whole application process, the training, and then...

Methinks some of our gentlefolk didst it for the "fame"

for more info on the series check out:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/colonialhouse/

Some of the camera shots & stills are pretty though,

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Chibijones, you're probably right--I hadn't considered that aspect of safety. And I would definitely be tempted to use a mustket on a couple of the more whiny complainers!

DH pointed out that you never see the lay preacher (I forgot his name) doing any actual, physical work. I agree with whoever said that he wanted to be in charge, although he didn't exactly do a great job when he was.

It looks like the governor and his family leave next week. Do you think he got "fired" for not keeping order and producing enough goods to send back to England? I truly think they're not fulfilling their (fake) contractual obligations.

Does anyone besides me wonder if Mrs. Voorhees (sorry, brain dump on first names) is bipolar or something? She just seems so WEIRD!

 

[BrerMom]

I usually love this kind of show, but I'm not dying to watch this one again.

Considering that the governor didn't choose to be governor and that the participants are choosing to ignore the rules that they agreed to follow, I think he's doing pretty well. When he finally said that some of the people were acting like children, I agreed. I wanted to see a show about what it would really have been like to live then. Instead, we get interpersonal drama.

TC, doing this show was their big adventure for their anniversary. I think that was the reason he was so disappointed when he came back to finish his commitment and his family was still at home mourning. I could have done without all the "does he know we're here?" though. Did I see him leaving in the previews for next time? Wonder why?

It's getting too close to the reality TV I refuse to watch. I didn't like the girls cutting their dresses in the Pioneer house, either. Either stick to the script or don't do it!

 

[Geoff_M]

We watched Pioneer House, and have watched the first four hours of this series. I totally agree with the bewilderment that people here have expressed about castmembers disregard for the rules. The Sabbath issue in particular really bothered me. So the family wished to "strike a blow" for religious dissent... so what's next? Shall the servants go on strike against the unjustness of indentured servitude and demand to be set free?

I also felt the "coming out" plot line was totally un-nessecary. I still don't see how the guy felt he was "lying" to the community before he made his announcement. It wasn't like the producers had given him a wife or fiancee.

As for the whining, I'd give the Gov' some slack. When he signed up for the show he didn't know it would cause him to be seperated from wife and family on their 25th due to the death of his future son-in-law. Personally, I think the Gov' and his family have some out looking the best of the bunch. He's the most level headed of the bunch, the most mature, and seems to be the only one that seems willing to put the needs of the community ahead of personal issues.

It was very ironic that it was the conservative Baptist minister that opted to cast aside the enforcement of the Sabbath rules and it was the "liberal theologian" that made the biggest stink about it when he did. I thought it was a great testament when someone noticed that the community seemed "lost" during his absence.

 

[Pete's Mom]

Originally posted by BuzznBelle'smom
Does anyone besides me wonder if Mrs. Voorhees (sorry, brain dump on first names) is bipolar or something? She just seems so WEIRD!

I agree and her husband needs to grow some youknowwhats! He says "my wife didn't want to go to church today so we didn't" "she wanted to go on a picnic so we did". As if he had no choice but to break the rules.

 

[Towncrier]

Thanks for the clarification on the 25th anniversary issue.

 

[ErikdaRed]

This show is really a different animal than those previous. Previously each family was fending for themselves trying to live. There weren't any slaves, any religious restrictions, any group requirements. Even if these people were following all the rules laid out it still wouldn't be true to life in the 17th century. No colony would survive with only the 16 people they brought.