The cable network that doesn’t shy away from controversial newsmakers (Kate Gosselin, Sarah Palin’s upcoming Alaska docu-series) is about to dip its toe into even trickier waters – polygamy. TLC announced today that it has picked up a seven-part series called Sister Wives that will follow a Utah polygamist named Kody Brown and his three (though soon-to-be-four) wives and their many children. The show will bow Sept. 26 .
The series begins with Brown announcing plans to take on another wife and her three kids – and apparently, the news is met with mixed feelings. The sister wives are Meri (the first wife), who is 39 with one daughter, age 14; Janelle (second wife), who is 40 with six children under 15; Christine (third wife) who is 37 with five children under 14 and one on the way; and Robyn, 31, the soon-to-be fourth wife with three children from another husband. Her children are under the age of 10.
All the children with the first three wives were fathered by Kody Brown; The family has been together for 16 years. TLC says the children will appear in the series, though the focus will be on the relationship between the wives.
Sister Wives is from Figure 8 Films, the production company that’s responsible for TLC’s Kate Plus 8 and 19 Kids and Counting.
Hate to say it, but I am totally gonna watch.
Me too.
holy crap, i’m kind of excited! this kind of mirrors how on big love they go public.
Wow!!! what is the TV coming to? TLC = Total Loser Channel.
My thoughts exactly.
Really?
How can they show illegal stuff on tv?
Same way they can show drug users, news shows, criminals being caught, etc.
I don’t know that what they are doing is necessarily illegal. The “marriages” are probably performed by a non-sanctioned minister (ala Bill Henriksen), so they aren’t legal from the outset.
Its only illegal if you try to register more than one marriage certificate, or claim more than one spouse for government bnefits, etc.
Living and procreating and calling yourself “religiously married” to more than one woman is totally completely legal.
Unless she’s collecting welfare. Which is where the states gets prickly.
I’m pretty sure polygamy is completely illegal, especially in Utah, because of the history of polygamy in the LDS church.
Now, I’m not saying that Big Love portrays everything as fact, but I think Bill had been told that the police wouldn’t make a big deal about it because he’s an upstanding citizen and pays his taxes.
Anyways, I think polygamy is a felony in Utah, but individuals aren’t generally prosecuted for it unless they’re abusing their children or something (like in the fundamentalist sects).
Yeah, I think I’m totally in the
“I’ll hate myself for it but that won’t stop me from watching” camp.
I don’t like the other shows mentioned, because to me, having a boatload of kids doesn’t make you interesting, but I’ll definitely watch this.
Flippin sweet…can’t wait!!!!
I will watch just about anything to do with Mormons.
Are you really that ignorant? The Mormons stopped allowing polygamy when it became illegal.
Rch – except in Bringham Young’s writings, in which he encouraged his followers to keep the practice alive, but in secret.
I’m so watching this…it’s going to be on my “embarrassed that it’s on my DVR list”
I’m in. I’m just glad that none of the wives are under 25. Although it doesn’t say how old the husband is.
It’s not listed here, but he is 41.
Lynette — I usually hate it when people overreact by claiming sexism (or racism or other -isms) too quickly, but I think it’s entirely sexist that the ages of the wives are given, yet I have no idea of the age of the husband. I’m not sure the wives’ ages are relevant or necessary, but if they are relevant, his age is equally so.
I have a great idea. How about if this guy takes on Kate and her 8 instead?! Now THERE’S a show!
Remember when TLC stood for “The Learning Channel”? Now it’s all about sensationalism.
Are they going to air it after a reality show about pedophiles and before a different one about beastiality? Because the lifeftyle these people have chosen reflects serious mental problems. These people should be pitied or arrested but not exploited.
Good point rch. I’m in the these people should be arrested camp. Why promote a practice which encourages abuses against women?