Jon and Kate Plus 8 Official Thread - Part 8

[DMRick]

I agree. They do have religion, but there are a lot of ways to get the Word out, other than having your family on TV. I found it hard to watch this week when 911 was called. The pain and fright was not something that I think should have been shared. Is this the older child who has been assigned Josie, do you think? I just felt so bad for her.
I would love to see if the Duggar kids have bank accounts in their own names, if they are being paid to be on TV. We all know how important it is for their family to save money, they have mentioned it often enough. But I'd like to know, if one of the kids decides to leave the fold, would they have their own money to do so, or are only the parents profiting.
We talk a lot about if Kate's kids have their own accounts, but it doesn't come up with the Duggars.
I do think they are a nice with a few kids less to support, now they are on a show for payment. I know several Christian families and none of them would subject their kids to cameras like this family has...they have found other ways to share their feelings about religion. I think for some, who are struggling with their own religious thoughts, that this could actually work in the opposite and be a turn off...to see parents collecting money while their kids are on tv.

But that said, I still watch it..that and K + 8..it's like watching a train wreck, waiting for the books to come out (except I think the Duggar kids would be afraid to write a book).

Sorry, I only glance at this thread every now and again.

Wow, that's quite a justification!

As far as I'm concerned, profiting from your children is profiting from your children. The show is called "19 Kids and Counting", which sounds to me like they are marketing their children. If they aren't, then it should be called something different. It doesn't matter how much "nicer" you appear on camera.

Carry on ...

 

[TanyaLovesPooh]

Hi Guys!

I have missed many of you!

I heard that Kate Plus 8 was going ahead as planned and decided to take a look at this discussion again. However, I see this thread hasn't changed so I will go back from where I came.

Hope you all are well.

 

[DMRick]

I
Duggars did not have babies for profit, Gosselins did.

Wow..you believe they only had children for profit?

In the Duggars case, I think they use the show not to exploit their kids, but to be evangelical and get the word out about how the Lord is so important in their family life. J&K used Christianity to make it look like God was important in their lives so that their "brand" or "product they sell" which is their kids would be more palatable to the public. They used to talk the talk, but none of us have ever seen them walk the walk. Kate showed up at churches to put her hand out, but we have never seen them give back at all. (except to sell some clothes at a yard sale that had been GIVEN to her as donations and then give the proceeds to a charity) - big deal.

None of us know if the G's have given more to charity. We have only seen a couple of instances that TLC chose to tape (and so what if the clothes had been given to them..they could have kept the money, instead of donating it to cancer..and she's had a couple of those sales), but that doesn't mean that is all they have given. No one has ever seen what I give..and I like it that way.

I actually learn ALOT from watching the Duggars, about faith, about family, about organization, about how to handle such large crowds, etc. I never learned anything from the Gosselins , other than they need to expect everyone to give them stuff to survive.

I've not learned anything from either of them about handling large crowds. Have we ever seen Michele cook or clean beyond a meal or two..but even then, the older kids were doing most of it? I've seen the kids do those things. Both Kate and Jon still say that Kate cooks and freezes meals. I don't know if she does since it's not usually shown, but I have seen her organize and clean.

Duggars life has not changed drastically since their show. They are not going on trips every month etc. They still live their live the same. Gosselin were not even recognizable after they got a show.

The Duggars go on trips. I'd bet TLC is paying for them. They may be more educational, or religious, but they are still trips.

Duggars don't film private family times. When ever the crews are there it is a time when other firends and family are there too. It is just extras in the room documenting. THe kids are not followed, they just sort of go in and out. You almost never see Jana, because I don't think she like being on camera much. Gosselins, nothing was sacred.

This I agree with (well, I've seen the kids followed, but for the most part I agree). They do seem to have gotten a better contract..we seldom to never see the kids punished, yet she has said she punishes them, and we don't see their bathroom tiems..although we do see their in bed times in the girls bedrooms

Michelle and JimBob are the real deal, and have much to teach and have kept their convictions. Jon and Kate, umm, no, not at all.

However, they still have their children on TV..and not everyone agrees with the 'real' deal. They have a lot of control over their children, if that's what you mean.

Michelle, nice and kind. Kate, ummm, no, not at all. Nasty, selfish, gimme gimme gimme. Exploitive.

That's how you see Kate. I saw her as nasty to Jon. I would prob have been nasty to Jon. She appears, as does Michele to really love her children. I don't see the gimmee gimmee..I do see that they have gotten a lot of things, thanks to product placement on their show and because TLC has gotten them things. I've seen product placement on all of these realty shows.

WIth all that said, I still would not film if I were the Duggars

And neither could I

Jon and Kate never showed us anything at all. they had neighbors come in and do their work and laundry, they had nannies, cooks, professional organizers, crews giving them new kitchens. They couldn't even go on vacation without expecting friends to help them with their kids. (so maybe they shouldn't have been vacationing yet?, I know I didn't when my kids were that small and I had 4 under 4 yrs. )They needed Jodi to watch their kids so they could go off and get freebies like tummy tucks. All they taught was how to use others. How to stick your hand out. Duggars do everything themselves and have something to teach. J&K soley were selling the cuteness of their kids and exploiting them ,but were never teaching anything.

The Duggars have their older kids to work for them. They don't need to spend money on help..they have free help. In the begining Kate also had free help, and I assume that those that went on vacation with them, had that paid for by TLC. By the Duggars doing everything themselves, I assume you mean their older kids?

 

[DMRick]

Hi Tanya ..so nice to see you here. Really, the thread had calmed down a lot..it's just recently been busy. There hasn't been a lot of Kate or Jon hating (or liking) going on, mostly just chat.

Come on back!!

Hi Guys!

I have missed many of you!

I heard that Kate Plus 8 was going ahead as planned and decided to take a look at this discussion again. However, I see this thread hasn't changed so I will go back from where I came.

Hope you all are well.

 

[talulabelle]

Wow..you believe they only had children for profit?


None of us know if the G's have given more to charity. We have only seen a couple of instances that TLC chose to tape (and so what if the clothes had been given to them..they could have kept the money, instead of donating it to cancer..and she's had a couple of those sales), but that doesn't mean that is all they have given. No one has ever seen what I give..and I like it that way.


I've not learned anything from either of them about handling large crowds. Have we ever seen Michele cook or clean beyond a meal or two..but even then, the older kids were doing most of it? I've seen the kids do those things. Both Kate and Jon still say that Kate cooks and freezes meals. I don't know if she does since it's not usually shown, but I have seen her organize and clean.


The Duggars go on trips. I'd bet TLC is paying for them. They may be more educational, or religious, but they are still trips.


This I agree with (well, I've seen the kids followed, but for the most part I agree). They do seem to have gotten a better contract..we seldom to never see the kids punished, yet she has said she punishes them, and we don't see their bathroom tiems..although we do see their in bed times in the girls bedrooms
However, they still have their children on TV..and not everyone agrees with the 'real' deal. They have a lot of control over their children, if that's what you mean.



That's how you see Kate. I saw her as nasty to Jon. I would prob have been nasty to Jon. She appears, as does Michele to really love her children. I don't see the gimmee gimmee..I do see that they have gotten a lot of things, thanks to product placement on their show and because TLC has gotten them things. I've seen product placement on all of these realty shows.



And neither could I



The Duggars have their older kids to work for them. They don't need to spend money on help..they have free help. In the begining Kate also had free help, and I assume that those that went on vacation with them, had that paid for by TLC. By the Duggars doing everything themselves, I assume you mean their older kids?

I am not going to debate point for point (not because I don't like a good argument, but because I have to get at least a little laundry done today) You have your opinion of them all, and I have mine. I can easily see why it looks like quite the justification to some, but it is how I feel. I am just not bothered by what I see of the Duggars, but the Gosselins just drip greed and exploitation to me. I don't know how else to explain it. Fergie asked if anyone could explain why some have the double standard, and I tried to explain how I feel about it best I could. I'm not going to change anyones mind.

As far as how you say "the Duggars don't need help because they have free help" (about their kids) . I just don't see it that way. They are a family. In order for a family to survive, everyone needs to pull their weight. Trust me , the moment my kids come in the door, they will have a snack and be presented by a long list of chores expected by them tonight. The Duggar kids are old enough to help out, and they should. The 2 older Gosselins should be able to help out some, but I think the tups are a bit young. But when the Duggar kids were all small, Michelle was doing it all on her own, and didn't need the help that Kate has or needs for that many small ones. One reason she was able to do it a ll was she lived within her means and didn't bite off more than she could chew. Some think the the Duggars are irresponsible having so many kids, and they aren't, because they are self-sufficient as a family. Yes the older kids need to pull some weight, but that is how a family works. My family couldn't funtion well if I didn't expect things from the older kids. We are just on a smaller scale, because we are a smaller family. Less work to do, and less people to do it, it all works out in the end.

To me, it just seems as though Kate feels entitled to all the nicer things in life for no other reason than having 8 kids. I bet that she continues to feel entitled and will raise 8 entitled kids that feel as though a TV network needs to hire help to do their chores for them. No, I don't know it for fact, but I'm am just betting.

 

[mhsjax]

I am not going to debate point for point (not because I don't like a good argument, but because I have to get at least a little laundry done today) You have your opinion of them all, and I have mine. I can easily see why it looks like quite the justification to some, but it is how I feel. I am just not bothered by what I see of the Duggars, but the Gosselins just drip greed and exploitation to me. I don't know how else to explain it. Fergie asked if anyone could explain why some have the double standard, and I tried to explain how I feel about it best I could. I'm not going to change anyones mind.

As far as how you say "the Duggars don't need help because they have free help" (about their kids) . I just don't see it that way. They are a family. In order for a family to survive, everyone needs to pull their weight. Trust me , the moment my kids come in the door, they will have a snack and be presented by a long list of chores expected by them tonight. The Duggar kids are old enough to help out, and they should. The 2 older Gosselins should be able to help out some, but I think the tups are a bit young. But when the Duggar kids were all small, Michelle was doing it all on her own, and didn't need the help that Kate has or needs for that many small ones. One reason she was able to do it a ll was she lived within her means and didn't bite off more than she could chew. Some think the the Duggars are irresponsible having so many kids, and they aren't, because they are self-sufficient as a family. Yes the older kids need to pull some weight, but that is how a family works. My family couldn't funtion well if I didn't expect things from the older kids. We are just on a smaller scale, because we are a smaller family. Less work to do, and less people to do it, it all works out in the end.

To me, it just seems as though Kate feels entitled to all the nicer things in life for no other reason than having 8 kids. I bet that she continues to feel entitled and will raise 8 entitled kids that feel as though a TV network needs to hire help to do their chores for them. No, I don't know it for fact, but I'm am just betting.

You have explained how I feel, 100%. It is like we share a brain on this subject. Also because I have some family that are like the Duggar's. (not near as big) but they have the same values and are raised the same way. And the way I see the Duggars is the same way my family is. The kids are very well mannered, helpful, and just the exact and total opposite of Kates family. So yes I am partial to the Duggars also.

 

[DMRick]

One of those things we'll have to agree to disagree. I have no idea if Michelle had help or not when the kids were younger. As part of a church, I would be surprised if she didn't have help. All of these families with lots of kids like to say they did it all themselves...uh, OK. Even when she only had a dozen, I'd have liked to seen that. Laundry alone would put me under. I find it hard to believe she could have homeschooled, cooked and done laundry for a dozen kids by herself..before she grew them big enough to help.My kids always had chores, but when they were done, they could go play. These girls don't seem to play much. The older ones even seem to do a lot of the homeschooling. Too bad they couldn't be away at college and enjoying just being kids themselves.

I agree kids should help and have chores in a family, but I'll never agree they should be raising the family and IMO, that is what they are doing. They are very hard workers..it would be nice if they could show them having some fun. Without hired help, hearing Michelle talk about how much time they have spent these months with Josie, I feel sorry for the older kids in that tribe. A lot must have fallen on their shoulders. I'd like to see the older kids doing a little more and having fun for themselves.

The entitlement I see in Kate, is just what I read on hate boards. I don't see her sitting around at home, waiting for the stuff to come in. I see a person that is working. Even if I don't think she should push the kids to be taped, that didn't just happen on it's own. I wonder (because no one else ever seems to) if TLC went to the Duggar's or if they too went to TLC.

Too me, all of these shows are kids working for money for their parents.

I am not going to debate point for point (not because I don't like a good argument, but because I have to get at least a little laundry done today) You have your opinion of them all, and I have mine. I can easily see why it looks like quite the justification to some, but it is how I feel. I am just not bothered by what I see of the Duggars, but the Gosselins just drip greed and exploitation to me. I don't know how else to explain it. Fergie asked if anyone could explain why some have the double standard, and I tried to explain how I feel about it best I could. I'm not going to change anyones mind.

As far as how you say "the Duggars don't need help because they have free help" (about their kids) . I just don't see it that way. They are a family. In order for a family to survive, everyone needs to pull their weight. Trust me , the moment my kids come in the door, they will have a snack and be presented by a long list of chores expected by them tonight. The Duggar kids are old enough to help out, and they should. The 2 older Gosselins should be able to help out some, but I think the tups are a bit young. But when the Duggar kids were all small, Michelle was doing it all on her own, and didn't need the help that Kate has or needs for that many small ones. One reason she was able to do it a ll was she lived within her means and didn't bite off more than she could chew. Some think the the Duggars are irresponsible having so many kids, and they aren't, because they are self-sufficient as a family. Yes the older kids need to pull some weight, but that is how a family works. My family couldn't funtion well if I didn't expect things from the older kids. We are just on a smaller scale, because we are a smaller family. Less work to do, and less people to do it, it all works out in the end.

To me, it just seems as though Kate feels entitled to all the nicer things in life for no other reason than having 8 kids. I bet that she continues to feel entitled and will raise 8 entitled kids that feel as though a TV network needs to hire help to do their chores for them. No, I don't know it for fact, but I'm am just betting.

 

[walden]

Is anyone planning to attend this? I wonder, what do people think this will accomplish, other than making the kids afraid to be outside. They even have set up a facebook about this. I guess I just can't get into other people's life's so much..I have enough going on in my own without interferring in someone elses. Does anyone really think this would do anything to help the kids? I hate that it's legal for the paps to be outside their driveway, and why would anyone think this is a nice thing to do?:

there might be a peaceful protest of TLC filming the Gosselin children in front of the Gosselin property in Wernersville on Saturday, May 28 at 12 PM.

I'm not sure where this rumor came from, but I searched and found *a* Facebook group talking about a peaceful demonstration outside TLC Headquarters at noon on May 28th. This group has the handle 4-8 Please boycot kate plus 8, but says the demo is against filming all children by Reality TV. Is there another group? I do not think it is a good idea to protest outside the Gosselin home.

Edit to say I searched again and found another Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?g...search#!/event.php?eid=121150851239160&ref=mf

This protest is in MD on 5/26. Quote: " Please speak up for children who are employed by this company and are not protected by contracts, pay, safeguards, protections and do not have a 3rd party on the set (usually their homes) to look out for their best interests. "

Speaking of the Duggars, has anyone ever justified why it's OK for the Duggars to film their 17 kids (and counting) for income, but not OK for the Gosselins to do the same?

I have just as big problems with the Duggars as I have with the Gosselins. Arkanas has no Child Labor laws that cover the filming of the kids, or minimum compensation for the children working on the show. Yes, those kids are working. Arkansas Child Labor Laws are just as bad and out of date as PA's. I presume that the older (over 18) children have separate contracts and are compensated, but the little ones are not. The best I can say is that the Duggars have done a better job of restricting what is filmed (not even semi-nudity!) but that is partly due to their religious beliefs.

I agree, Michelle is much less abrasive on tv than Kate. I don't care for either show since they are doing the same thing regardless of what they choose to show. And yes, neither family would be on reality tv if it weren't for their abnormally sized families. The Duggars do seem to have a much better handle on their children and their priorities but I still can't understand why they need to be on tv? I don't get it, they're a Christian conservative family (nothing wrong with that at all) yet they choose to put their family on tv for the world to see? Especially now during such a difficult time with baby Josie? I hope they don't follow the same path J&K took.

I think they feel it is spreading their religious message. I haven't seen the recent Duggar shows, but hear they filmed Josie in the NICU. Not good, IMO.

 

[barkley]

i think one of the big differences for many people (including myself) who have watched the gosselin and duggar shows from the begining is how little it appears that the duggar's lifestyle/standard of living changed by virtue of being on the show. sure-they were able to complete their home and furnish it, but beyond that they still seem to have the same financial lifestyle and work ethic. jim bob and the older kids still work the family buisnesses, they still shop at thrift stores, drive used cars and buy in bulk, still have the habit of going and helping out a friend with a project which ends up with the friends helping them out (like with the bates who they helped with construction and the bates helped them with dealing with the tree removal and repairs following the ice storm). i'm sure they are earning a nice income from the show, but where it's being spent sure is'nt readily apparant. they seem to embrace the ethic that my depression era family members tried to instill in us kids and grandkids-just because your income increases it does'nt mean you have to increase your lifestyle/expenses to match it.

the gosselins on the other hand started off with kate and jon both working outside the home. soon kate stopped her part time work, then in time jon stopped his. despite this decrease in income (cuz it was still money that would have contributed to their monthly income) they appeared to constantly take on new financial committments. a new much more expensive home, much higher standard of clothing/accessories, personal care, newer costly vehicals, vacation condo....while some of it's likely freebies or come at a reduced expense, when you look to what the court papers say the monthly upkeep for just the children are (for purposes of child support) it's very apparant that their lifestyle and spending habits are dramaticly different from what would be the reasonable expenses to support a family of this size (the table for 12 family also gets paid and perks from their tlc show-and despite having 2 children more than the gosselins, with mom as a sahm and dad a cop-they seem to erring ala duggars on the side of financial conservatism as well).

with the duggars (and table for 12) the appearance is that if the show ended today they would continue living along the same lifestyle they did before. with the gosselins it seems like the lifestyle was driven by the show, and they have no desire to return to it (and frankly, i have no more sympathy for kate complaining about how many hours she'd have to work if she went back to being a nurse as i do for jon not wanting to go back to being an i.t. guy, if the show had'nt come along i would like to think that as decent parents they would have done whatever job, weather they "love" doing it or not to provide for their kid's basic needs-and there are plenty of displaced workers in the u.s. doing this very thing as we post).

 

[DMRick]

I'm not sure where this rumor came from, but I searched and found *a* Facebook group talking about a peaceful demonstration outside TLC Headquarters at noon on May 28th.

The rumor came from here:
http://smalltowngosselins.blogspot.com/

 

[DMRick]

I understand that the Duggar's still keep the same lifestyle. They have mentioned numerous times that they believe in putting their money in the bank and saving and living cheaply. I wonder if TLC or they are paying for the rental of that house? I wonder if it's TLC so they can continue to tape Josey. I am afraid that if she goes home again and they show her so sick like they did the other night, they will tape her trying to breath. That doesn't make anyone else as sad as watching Kate's kids on the potty? Are they showing that (TLC) just to educate us on how the family prays, or to have good ratings?

I have never heard that the older kids have their own contract..has anyone read that somewhere? I wonder if their parents would let them have their own bank account.

As for which family is 'better', who works the most, etc, none of that means beans to me. They are all using their children for gain. When I hear that the Duggars are not accepting money, that they are doing this for religious purposes, I'll come back and change what I think. If they spend it in the store, if they save it, makes no difference to me..they are getting money for having their children on TV. No one seems to want to search the internet to find something that proves the kids have accounts, like they do with the G's.

I too know families like this. My mom was a family of a couple of dozen. My grandfather was a like like the Duggar dad. Very religious, money(what little there was of it) belonged to the parents and the kids did all the work. They wouldn't have dared not. I also know large families from our church where the kids did chores, and the parents worked hard to support them, so I understand there is more than one type of large family. They never would have put them on TV though. They do go on missions (that they pay for themselves, and do religious work)

To me, the two families are the same (in fact all the large family shows). I watch them, but I don't begin to think that without the kids there would be a show. So again, they are the same.

By the way, completing that home and furnishing it, especially with the professional kitchen, was not inexpensive. They too have trips, and they show the diapers enought that I bet those are placements, along with the sauce. They too profit from the perks. K & 8 also have a nice house, sauce, diapers. Same perks. But because they are nicer in the eyes of some, they are not exploiting.

 

[DMRick]

(the table for 12 family also gets paid and perks from their tlc show-and despite having 2 children more than the gosselins, with mom as a sahm and dad a cop-they seem to erring ala duggars on the side of financial conservatism as well).

Was it just a rumor or did the family of 12 inherit their house? Anyone know?

I do wonder how they supported all of those kids on a cops salary..good for them. They wouldn't do as well, paid what our cops are paid. They would have to get some sort of social services help.

 

[kidshop]

I understand that the Duggar's still keep the same lifestyle. They have mentioned numerous times that they believe in putting their money in the bank and saving and living cheaply. I wonder if TLC or they are paying for the rental of that house? I wonder if it's TLC so they can continue to tape Josey. I am afraid that if she goes home again and they show her so sick like they did the other night, they will tape her trying to breath. That doesn't make anyone else as sad as watching Kate's kids on the potty? Are they showing that (TLC) just to educate us on how the family prays, or to have good ratings?

I have never heard that the older kids have their own contract..has anyone read that somewhere? I wonder if their parents would let them have their own bank account.

As for which family is 'better', who works the most, etc, none of that means beans to me. They are all using their children for gain. When I hear that the Duggars are not accepting money, that they are doing this for religious purposes, I'll come back and change what I think. If they spend it in the store, if they save it, makes no difference to me..they are getting money for having their children on TV. No one seems to want to search the internet to find something that proves the kids have accounts, like they do with the G's.

I too know families like this. My mom was a family of a couple of dozen. My grandfather was a like like the Duggar dad. Very religious, money(what little there was of it) belonged to the parents and the kids did all the work. They wouldn't have dared not. I also know large families from our church where the kids did chores, and the parents worked hard to support them, so I understand there is more than one type of large family. They never would have put them on TV though. They do go on missions (that they pay for themselves, and do religious work)

To me, the two families are the same (in fact all the large family shows). I watch them, but I don't begin to think that without the kids there would be a show. So again, they are the same.

By the way, completing that home and furnishing it, especially with the professional kitchen, was not inexpensive. They too have trips, and they show the diapers enought that I bet those are placements, along with the sauce. They too profit from the perks. K & 8 also have a nice house, sauce, diapers. Same perks. But because they are nicer in the eyes of some, they are not exploiting.

There is little to no difference anymore IMO, between the Duggars and the Gosselins. What they are doing to Josie is exploitation at it's finest. (filming and airing a life or death birth, filming in the ICU, filming a sick preemie instead of just letting her be and get stronger). They are changing little by little and playing to TLC and ratings/money instead of staying true to themselves. Anyone can be bought, and they are just another family that has been.

 

[walden]

The rumor came from here:
http://smalltowngosselins.blogspot.com/

Why, thank you for the link. it seems that the blog owner there did not support a demo at the Gosselin home. Neither would I . Reading there, it does seem that any demo has been moved to TLC Headquarters. I'm fine with that.

There is little to no difference anymore IMO, between the Duggars and the Gosselins. What they are doing to Josie is exploitation at it's finest. (filming and airing a life or death birth, filming in the ICU, filming a sick preemie instead of just letting her be and get stronger). They are changing little by little and playing to TLC and ratings/money instead of staying true to themselves. Anyone can be bought, and they are just another family that has been.

I also don't think there is any difference. Many of us might like to think that the Duggars are "nicer" than the Gosselins, but are they really? Truly? I assume that the *over 18* Duggar children have their own contracts because they are adults and must sign their own consent forms to be filmed.

Some minor children have always worked. The reality is that some people (who are apparently unable to provide for the children they are responsible for birthing adequately by their own labor) will put their children to work.

That is why Child Labor Laws exist - to protect the rights of the working child. The rights of the child to limitations on what work is allowed, adequate compensation (because parents can't be trusted), protection from predators, and a decent education -- even while they are working.

Child Labor is not illegal. Children have actually worked for centuries. In the mid-19th century child advocates began to put limits on how much and where they worked. In the mid 20th century the first Coogan Law was enacted.

The point is to protect the working child as far as possible, including from Reality TV. Reality TV is pushing every boundary when it comes to the working child.

New Federal Child Labor Laws are necessary, but it will be a long hard road. Possibly state by state.

It puzzles me that anyone would resist complying with existing Child Labor Laws, unless they had ulterior motives, or resist improving Child Labor Laws whose sole purpose is the protection of working children.

Just saying.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

There is little to no difference anymore IMO, between the Duggars and the Gosselins. What they are doing to Josie is exploitation at it's finest. (filming and airing a life or death birth, filming in the ICU, filming a sick preemie instead of just letting her be and get stronger). They are changing little by little and playing to TLC and ratings/money instead of staying true to themselves. Anyone can be bought, and they are just another family that has been.

Yup. Even though the Duggars come across much nicer and put together as a family, there isn't a difference. They are putting their kids on tv and doing many more episodes than their original 'special' when they began. Sound like another family we know of??

I also don't think there is any difference. Many of us might like to think that the Duggars are "nicer" than the Gosselins, but are they really? Truly? I assume that the *over 18* Duggar children have their own contracts because they are adults and must sign their own consent forms to be filmed.

Agreed. The Duggar's kids privacy is being invaded as well. It's not like they have enough jobs already with their buddy system, jurisdictions, etc. Good grief, you should see what the kids have to do. I just read the Duggar family website and they gave a sample schedule of their day. It consisted of the older kids getting up and ready their younger buddy or 2, then picking up the house, making breakfast, teaching their buddies phonics and schoolwork, making lunch, cleaning up after lunch, putting their buddies down for naps, then schoolwork with Michelle for 2 hours. Then they have free time for an hour till they have to prepare dinner. Clean up after dinner, clean up the house and then Bible study with Dad till they have to get their buddies ready for bed. Whew, that's a lot of work but of course that doesn't factor in filming at all.

Anyhow, the Duggars are just as guilty of using their kids for gain. No different than J&K IMO. Sure, the Duggars appear nicer, kinder and more organized but it's the same principle. They even say the reason they are doing the show is so they can share with the world what a blessing children are. Which of course means that the kids 'have' to be filmed in order to show that.

http://www.duggarfamily.com/index.html

QUOTE:
"8. Your family has their own reality TV series! How did you get involved in that and how do you manage to add TV crews to your home and still maintain a smooth-running family life?"

'It is an exciting adventure following God. Jim Bob felt God wanted him to run for U.S. Senate in 2002. On the day of the election, a photographer with the media ended up snapping a picture of our whole family walking into the polling place. We found that a few days later that picture ended up getting printed in the New York Times, with a caption stating that this candidate with a lot of kids ran for US Senate in Arkansas and lost.
Weeks later we received a phone call from a freelance writer that had seen the New York Times picture. She asked if she could write a story about our family for the “Ladies Home Journal”. She wrote the article and then the magazine decided not to run it. Months later the writer contacted us again and stated that “Parents Magazine” wanted to run the article and so they sent out a photographer to take a few family pictures.
Months later after that article ran we received a phone call from Bill Hayes with Figure 8 Films who said someone at Discovery Health Channel had seen the Parents Magazine and was asking if they could do a documentary about our family. We prayed about it and felt this would be an opportunity to share with the world that children are a blessing from God. We said the only way we would do it is if they did not edit out our faith, because that is the core of our lives.
They agreed and our first show called “14 Children and Pregnant Again!” ending up becoming the highest rated show ever on Discovery Health Channel. Then they came back and taped about 20 other shows for a TLC reality show series called “17 Kids and Counting” and now we are in the process of filming our second season. We also have had the opportunity to do hundreds of TV, newspapers, magazine & radio interviews with news crews from the US, Italy, Korea, UK, Australia, Russia and other countries around the world.
The main production company Figure 8 Films has been great to work with the last 5 years. They are like family, and our children are excited when they come over. We love going places and doing things as a large family and they follow along for the ride!'

 

[DMRick]

The main production company Figure 8 Films has been great to work with the last 5 years. They are like family, and our children are excited when they come over. We love going places and doing things as a large family and they follow along for the ride!'

Wow, that sounds familiar.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Wow, that sounds familiar.

Doesn't it? It's almost eerie, it sounds just like J&K. I had a hunch that they were doing the show to share their faith and were approaching it like a ministry. They say they want to show the world that children are a blessing. I wonder how much they are getting paid, if it's similar to what J&K made? And if they're putting any of that aside for the kids. I know they love to say they buy used and save the difference. They seeem pretty financially savvy too so who knows how much they have saved. Regardless, the kids are part of the show, they are working. Especially the older kids who always seem to do the interview segments. It's the same as J&K, I even recall seeing them using paper plates a while back!

 

[FergieTCat]

Doesn't it? It's almost eerie, it sounds just like J&K. I had a hunch that they were doing the show to share their faith and were approaching it like a ministry. They say they want to show the world that children are a blessing. I wonder how much they are getting paid, if it's similar to what J&K made? And if they're putting any of that aside for the kids. I know they love to say they buy used and save the difference. They seeem pretty financially savvy too so who knows how much they have saved. Regardless, the kids are part of the show, they are working. Especially the older kids who always seem to do the interview segments. It's the same as J&K, I even recall seeing them using paper plates a while back!

It sounds like TLC has a hand in what the Duggars and Gosselins are permitted to post on their websites. I don't think both families could come up with almost identical philosophies -- unless TLC has been passing around some mighty strong Kool Aid (kidding!)

I wonder if the rumor about the Duggars not paying taxes is true.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

It sounds like TLC has a hand in what the Duggars and Gosselins are permitted to post on their websites. I don't think both families could come up with almost identical philosophies -- unless TLC has been passing around some mighty strong Kool Aid (kidding!)

I wonder if the rumor about the Duggars not paying taxes is true.

Who knows what TLC is pushing on these families. It is very bizarre that they would say something so similar to J&K. Talk about sounding like a broken record...the camera crew are like family, the kids love them, they look forward to seeing them, they're just following us around while we go about our business. Blah blah blah. It's all the same, J&K used their kids, Jimbob and Michelle are doing the same. J&K wrote a book about their family (with pics) and so did the Duggars (with pics). J&K went to book signings, so did the Duggars. I find it interesting that they limit tv in their house yet are broadcasting their family life on tv.

As far as the Duggars and taxes go, didn't they declare their home a home church? I think that's how they are exempt, right?

Also, I read that the Duggars new home was decorated/furnished by TLC. Again, sounds strikingly familiar doesn't it?

 

[DMRick]

unless TLC has been passing around some mighty strong Kool Aid (kidding!)

Even saying you are kidding, talking about the koolaid just makes me shudder. I remember very clearly what those pictures of all the dead kids and their parents looked like.
While these families may follow what TLC says, I personally find it distasteful that something like the koolaid name is used (and this isn't personal just to you..other's have used it in the past). Those people that drank the koolaid strongly believed in the religious beliefs of a madman, and drinking the koolaid laced with poison to kill themselves and their children was horrific. I know it's become the 'in' thing to mention drinking koolaid when talking about people following something blindly, and maybe some people don't remember Jim Jones (and why koolaid is mentioned when it's said someone is following someone blindly), who's followers laced the koolaid with cyanide. It's said the people followed him blindly and I don't think this could be said about the realty TV parents. They would not, IMO follow someone blindly, knowing it could kill their children. If you even know one family member left behind of someone who died there, you would know the koolaid comment really can hurt.

From wiki: 909 inhabitants of Jonestown,276 of them children, died of apparent cyanide poisoning, mostly in and around a pavilion.This resulted in the greatest single loss of American civilian life in a non-natural disaster until the September 11, 2001 attacks. No video was taken during the mass suicide, though the FBI did recover a 45 minute audio recording of the suicide in progress.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Jones