If you turn on the TV and flip through the channels, it becomes obvious that reality television has found its way into the hearts of Americans across the country. They come in various forms, such as reality competitions like “American Idol” or “The Bachelor” and family reality shows where the viewers get to be that fly on the wall to see what it’s like to live in someone else’s home. For one reason or another, people tune in week after week to peak into the lives of some other family for a change. Whether it’s to get a glimpse of the life of a famous family or to see the struggles of an average family with obstacles that many don’t face, reality TV families give viewers a chance to learn that families really aren’t that different when you get down to the heart of the matter. Below are a few TV families that you might want to check out:
1. The Gosselins. TLC has produced a few reality TV families that have now become mini celebrities in their own right. If you haven’t heard of “Jon & Kate Plus 8,” you must not watch television or look at magazine covers while waiting in line at the supermarket. The show has been overshadowed lately by recent accusations that dad, Jon, had been seeing a college student while mom, Kate, was out of town promoting her new book, “Eight Little Faces: A Mom’s Journey.” Who knows what will become of the family reality show now, but many Americans hope it keeps on airing. Mothers and little children across the nation find this adorable family fascinating to watch. Despite constant spats where Kate berates Jon on national television, many viewers have fallen in love with the whole Gosselin clan, which consists of Jon and Kate, their twin girls Cara and Madelyn, and their sextuplets Leah, Hannah, Alexis, Collin, Joel and Aaden. Viewers who do tune in can’t argue that these are eight of the cutest kids they have ever seen. The show follows the hectic lives of all energetic eight children and two tired, but grateful, parents as they live their lives in a Pennsylvania town. Part of the allure of the show are the precious comments that come out of the mouths of the young sextuplets, who just turned 5. It never gets old to watch such delightful little children grow older. Tune in and find out for yourselves. The new season of “Jon & Kate Plus 8” airs Mondays at 9 p.m./8 p.m. central on TLC.
2. The Duggars. Another TLC reality TV family, The Duggars, are featured on “18 Kids and Counting.” Viewers find this Arkansas family interesting not only because it consists of 18 kids and parents, Jim Bob and Michelle, but also because the family has no debt. How they stay afloat with that huge of a family is truly amazing to witness. They buy clothes from thrift shops and make ends meet by owning commercial property. Viewers tune in to this family because they are so different from most families in America. They have values that are becoming less and less common in today’s society. The children watch very little TV and Internet use is closely monitored. The children are homeschooled and are taught to value the faith and beliefs of their parents, which include strict dating rules. Viewers learned from a recent episode that eldest son, Joshua, did not even kiss his girlfriend until she became his wife on their wedding day. It’s because of this unique family dynamic that viewers tune in week after week. With that many kids, it’s fun to take a peak at how they maintain an orderly household and not constantly be at each other’s throats. If you are a fan of the show, you would also know that every Duggar child’s name begins with a “J”. Fortunately for them, “J” names are plentiful. You can figure out all the names and more by tuning in to TLC Tuesdays at 9 p.m./8 p.m. central.
3. The Roloffs. It appears that TLC has plenty of families to showcase. The network also has a popular family show featuring the Roloffs who run a 34-acre farm in Oregon. What people love about the Roloffs – which consists of parents Amy and Matt, and kids Jeremy, Molly, Zach and Jacob – is their sense of humor and strength in tough times. Amy, Matt and Zach are dwarfs while the other three children are average height. Despite their small stature, Amy and Matt teach America that they are just your average parents with a story to tell. In past episodes, viewers have seen touching shows with Matt traveling to Iraq to help dwarf children. He is a strong advocate for the rights of dwarfs to have the opportunity to live a life just as any American. Viewers have seen the family attend little people conventions and witnessed the challenges that Zach (the twin brother of Jeremy) has to go through growing up smaller than everyone else. The Roloffs are a breath of fresh air. After tuning in week after week, viewers begin to fall in love with Matt’s determination and Amy’s inner strength, while appreciating their witty sense of humor. After a while, you forget they are smaller than average height and just enjoy the show for the entertainment value that it brings. Check out this family on TLC Mondays at 8 p.m./7 p.m. central.
4. Gene Simmons and Family. In addition to the “regular” reality TV families, there are also more recognizable families that America has grown to love even more after watching them on TV week after week. “Gene Simmons Family Jewels” consists of rocker Gene Simmons, his girlfriend Shannon Tweed and their children, Nick and Sophie. People love this family because they are a little quirky and a ball of fun to watch. Unlike the previously mentioned reality families, this family has a ridiculous amount of money to burn. Folks get to see Gene Simmons (from Kiss fame) in both a business and family atmosphere. From an entertainment perspective, the show is just hilarious. Nick and Sophie always make viewers laugh, at their parents’ expense, by taking loving jabs at them with witty comments. You can probably guess that this program is not as family-friendly as other reality TV family shows. Keep the kids away, but tune in if you’re a parent who needs a good laugh and a need to escape from your mundane life for a little while. With the dad being so famous and the mom being a former Playmate of the Year, there’s always something going on at the Simmons household. Season four of “Gene Simmons Family Jewels” will premiere June 7 and airs Sundays at 9 p.m./8 p.m. central on A&E.;
5. The Simmonses. Apparently, people find the family lives of famous musicians a joy to watch. This family’s show is called “Run’s House.” It features hip-hop mogul Rev Run (Joseph Simmons) of Run D.M.C. rap fame and his family – wife Justine, and six children, Vanessa, Angela, JoJo, Diggy, Russy and Miley. Baby Miley was adopted at the end of season four after the family went through a painful time of Rev Run and Justine losing a baby shortly after birth. Through the tragedy, the cameras continued to roll. People love “Run’s House” because it is so real with its viewers. It’s always fun to catch Rev Run’s zany sense of humor and humble words of wisdom. It’s like watching an old episode of “The Cosby Show.” Rev Run has Dr. Huxtable’s cool, likeable demeanor. He is great at bringing the joy of laughter into any situation. The little kids are a riot and help to bring out Rev Run’s goofy, youthful side every now and then. It is evident that family is important in the Simmons household, which is great to see in today’s busy society. You don’t have to love rap or hip-hop music to love this show. It’s purely about the joys, sorrow and laughter that come along with being a parent that make this such a good reality family to watch. The sixth season of “Run’s House” is scheduled to premiere in June. Check your local listings on MTV. Also, Vanessa and Angela are creating their own show called “Daddy’s Girls,” which will chronicle their struggles moving away from home and starting their own careers.
For more information on the above shows, visit http://tlc.discovery.com/, http://www.aetv.com and http://www.mtv.com.
