Little People, Big World (spoilers)

[justapixel]

I can't believe there isn't a thread on this show.

I know a show is truly good when I can't bring myself to delete it, and that has not happened in a long time with a TV show. I haven't deleted this one yet.

I love those folks. I started watching for the curiosity factor, but that lasted about a half an episode, and then I realized how great these people are and it has nothing to do with their status as little people. I've really grown to like and admire the family, especially the dad, tremendously. Matt Roloff is inspiring and interesting, entrepreneural, funny, normal and real. Everything I like in a person. His wife is down to earth, pragmatic and loving. His kids are the kind of kids anybody working in a school (like me) loves.

It kind of reminds me of Family Plots, another show I really liked for the heart the people brought to their lives. Only, I think I like this one better.

Best show on TV right now, for me.

If you haven't seen it yet, I encourage you to do so. If you have seen it, join the thread. :)

[DaveBogart]

If you haven't seen it yet, I encourage you to do so. If you have seen it, join the thread. :)You pretty much said it all -- the long and the short of it, so to speak.

[wendiness1]

I find it interesting as well. But my opinion of Matt is a bit different.

Isn't this an expansion on a one hour special from last year? In that, Matt was portrayed as a sweet but irresponsible dreamer while his wife had to constantly scramble to pay the bills. He's all about fun, she's all about responsibility. In the series, this hasn't been emphasized so I don't know what to think.

I really like the wife. What a ballsy woman! The kids are pretty together, as well. Unlike network "reality" shows, the producers don't appear to be trying to manipulate things to make the kids fit into slots.

[Swirl_Junkie]

Yeah, I don't like Matt at all. I think he's an overbearing oaf. He's way too demanding of people who are doing their best to help him. I think he needs to show some humility.
I think Zach is the real story on this show. The rest for me is just filler. And someone needs to clean that house everyonce in a while. It looks like a tornado went through there.

[Austintatious]

My 15 month old son is currently undiagnosed, but will be a little person. My wife & I are both average height -- so this show has been really helpful for us.

That being said, I've decided the main story here is that little people are completely average. There was a TLC 1 hr special last year about a different family -- the Fooses -- where the entire family were dwarves.

The Roloffs & Fooses could not be any different in the way they run their houses, manage their daily lives, etc. The only similarity is the short stature and the impact that has on their lives.

I personally find Little People, Big World a bit distracting because, as mentioned above, their house is a complete frickin wreck. However, we're still loyal viewers to learn more about the world that our son may someday be facing. I've found some of Zach's comments about being a LP really comforting and that has helped us with the acceptance process.

Unsolicitied advice: sell some of your land, quit building treehouses, hire a maid :)

[wendiness1]

Unsolicitied advice: sell some of your land, quit building treehouses, hire a maid :)

:up:

[ClutchBrake]

I was practically screaming at the television when Matt took the kids camping and...let them shoot the shotgun. Holy irresponsible parenting, Batman! The kids were CLEARLY not ready to shoot that type of gun. Especially the little son.

I LOVE guns. Been shooting all my life. But that just wasn't proper.

[moodydawn]

I find this show very interesting and a nice change from the drama based reality programs most networks are showing.
Matt seems very pushy where Zach is concerned. I understand the reason for taking him to "little people conferences" so that he can be around people he feels akin to. But to constantly be talking about "Zach will be meeting his wife at one of these conferences" seems silly. He is 15. I notice he doesn't talk about Jeremy and relationships at all. They are both 15, obviously too young to be thinking about long term relationships.
Also, is there room in his world for thinking Zach may marry someone of normal stature? I don't know what the statistics are on that but it does happen. There is a little person in my neighborhood married to a normal height ma, which is what got me thinking about Zach's. situation. I wonder if he did date a girl from his own school, if his parents would encourage or discourage it.

[wendiness1]

Matt's beginning to get on my nerves. Amy was right tonight when she told him he shouldn't treat the boys' friends like hired hands.

I see Matt's irresponsibility is showing. He's talking about buying a hot tub and it's the kids who have to remind him they can't afford one. He's so delusional about who's really supporting the family and I hated it when he diminished Amy's contribution by saying his job brought in ten times what her two jobs did. Hello? Regardless of what each gets paid (and I doubt his claim), she's working TWO jobs.

I also don't buy that he's building all these tree houses, forts, etc. for his kids. It's for him. Pure and simple. It was also interesting that he seems to need to be told to support his kids sports and, gee, he really thinks it's boring and takes too much time. Truth be told, Matt is totally self-indulgent.

And yes, he does lean to hard on Zach about meeting girls. Part of that could just be his apparent need to boss everybody around.

I have to believe they're getting paid something for this series, which I'm grateful for as Matt doesn't seem to be able to afford all his toys.

[wendiness1]

My 15 month old son is currently undiagnosed, but will be a little person. My wife & I are both average height -- so this show has been really helpful for us.

When I was a kid the little girl who lived across the alley was a little person. I'm glad this program can help you prepare yourselves. I'm sure there are plent of things to consider that you hadn't thought about.

[coolpenguin]

Matt's beginning to get on my nerves. Amy was right tonight when she told him he shouldn't treat the boys' friends like hired hands.

I see Matt's irresponsibility is showing. He's talking about buying a hot tub and it's the kids who have to remind him they can't afford one. He's so delusional about who's really supporting the family and I hated it when he diminished Amy's contribution by saying his job brought in ten times what her two jobs did. Hello? Regardless of what each gets paid (and I doubt his claim), she's working TWO jobs.

I also don't buy that he's building all these tree houses, forts, etc. for his kids. It's for him. Pure and simple. It was also interesting that he seems to need to be told to support his kids sports and, gee, he really thinks it's boring and takes too much time. Truth be told, Matt is totally self-indulgent.

And yes, he does lean to hard on Zach about meeting girls. Part of that could just be his apparent need to boss everybody around.

I have to believe they're getting paid something for this series, which I'm grateful for as Matt doesn't seem to be able to afford all his toys.

couldn't have said it better! He's so annoying in so many ways. i feel bad for Amy-she wishes he worked like a NORMAL person. I understand her not wanting to mix her home with business like he is. I still really like the show!

[betts4]

I have been watching this show since the beginning and enjoyed it and yes, curiousity got me first but interest in the family kept me coming back. I would love to see more on Zack in these shows.
I love that they are living on a farm/park area. That their Dad built the ship and western village and all that for them, for him, for visitors...whatever. What a great childhood. Sure they could sell it off and have neighbors and not have the fun they are having now. The kids will remember how they grew up years from now. They are not going hungry, and in my opinion the mom is working because she wants to...not because she has to.
Matt gets on my nerves with his control issues, but hey, he's a dad so what. I think that is the thing I like the most about the show...they are a very very real family. Sure the house is a mess....who's house isn't with 4 kids? Well, mine is. It made me feel good to see that it wasn't spotless and perfect and was very natural.

[Austintatious]

Matt or Amy buying a hot tub wouldn't necessarily be an indulgence -- that would be great treatment for someone with orthopaedic issues (and something they could probably take off their taxes as a deduction or health spending account expense).

[justapixel]

Wow, I can't disagree more with what you are all saying about Matt.

Matt was a software salesman, and very successful at it. You don't buy a huge farm like that and build all that stuff on it without having money first. Amy's part time job at a soccer club and as a pre-school teacher aren't paying for all that. Matt is entrepreneural, and has started two new businesses and quit his job to do so - and she took those job to help make ends meet while that took off, but it seems to be taking off now.

If not before, it will after this show, I'm guessing. :)

I love that farm, and I can't believe anybody would think that is "just for him." Those kids are growing up in that great place, and he is giving them a good life. And, it's a wonderful investment. Those of us with kids know that pumpkin picking each fall is a tradition, with preschools, elementary schools and families going each year, and in just a few weeks, he can make a LOT of money with that farm, charging for pumpkins and for playing there.

That man has more energy and ambition than most people I know, despite his physical problems, and I definitely admire him.

I guess many here don't have the entrepreneural spirit, and see it as irresponsible, but he has taken care of his family and now he's trying something new - and being successful.

While I agree that Matt pushing Zach into meeting a girl is a bit much, I have heard about the little people conventions, and it's not unusual for teenagers to make those kinds of connections there. In fact, it's half of the point of going to one. While I wouldn't push my shy child to do what he isn't ready to do, I don't think it really makes him a bad parent.

It's interesting how one of the twins is so much like his father, and the other like his mother, isn't it?

Their house is kind of a mess, but I've seen worse in families with lots of kids. It doesn't look dirty to me, just messy. I'm just amazed they don't pick up before the cameras show up. I'd be embarrassed to have my house look like that on TV. :)

[YCantAngieRead]

I find it interesting as well. But my opinion of Matt is a bit different.

Isn't this an expansion on a one hour special from last year?
Yes, it is.

[wendiness1]

Wow, I can't disagree more with what you are all saying about Matt.

Matt was a software salesman, and very successful at it. You don't buy a huge farm like that and build all that stuff on it without having money first. Amy's part time job at a soccer club and as a pre-school teacher aren't paying for all that. Matt is entrepreneural, and has started two new businesses and quit his job to do so - and she took those job to help make ends meet while that took off, but it seems to be taking off now.

If not before, it will after this show, I'm guessing. :)

I love that farm, and I can't believe anybody would think that is "just for him." Those kids are growing up in that great place, and he is giving them a good life. And, it's a wonderful investment. Those of us with kids know that pumpkin picking each fall is a tradition, with preschools, elementary schools and families going each year, and in just a few weeks, he can make a LOT of money with that farm, charging for pumpkins and for playing there.

That man has more energy and ambition than most people I know, despite his physical problems, and I definitely admire him.

I guess many here don't have the entrepreneural spirit, and see it as irresponsible, but he has taken care of his family and now he's trying something new - and being successful.

While I agree that Matt pushing Zach into meeting a girl is a bit much, I have heard about the little people conventions, and it's not unusual for teenagers to make those kinds of connections there. In fact, it's half of the point of going to one. While I wouldn't push my shy child to do what he isn't ready to do, I don't think it really makes him a bad parent.

It's interesting how one of the twins is so much like his father, and the other like his mother, isn't it?

Their house is kind of a mess, but I've seen worse in families with lots of kids. It doesn't look dirty to me, just messy. I'm just amazed they don't pick up before the cameras show up. I'd be embarrassed to have my house look like that on TV. :)


I'm wondering if you saw the original one-hour episode. I believe that it was quite clear there that Matt's dreams were putting a huge financial strain on the family. He was also revealed to be quite lazy around the house, leaving all of the day-to-day home operation up to Amy.

And I'm not convinced that his new business is doing all that well. Remember, that's a salesman talking. How many teenagers do you know that would express concern over the family's financial situation when their dad proposes buying something fun like a hot-tub?

Oh, my family is wall-to-wall entrepreneurs. Some successful, some not. I understand and applaud the entrepreneurial spirit.

And, yes, it is interesting to see how Jeremy is so like his dad and Zach so like his mom.

Do you really think selling pumpkins once a year is a big money-maker? Do you think it brings in more than Amy's two jobs?

I don't find their home dirty, either. Just the general mess of a family of five.

And I do still believe Matt's ongoing buildling-mania on the farm is about turning his farm into a Knott's Berry Farm of sorts and not at all about pleasing the kids. If that's his objective, good for him! It might work. But I wish he'd stop pretending it's about the kids.

I don't have a lot of faith that his "Little People Hotel Kit" is going to bring in enough to support the family that way he wants them to live. Think about it: a step stool and one of those "reach it" contraptions you can buy at K-mart. I believe one of the most important elements in an "invention" like that is repeat customers. (At least, that's what my inventor relatives tell me.) Once they buy it, that's it. It's not something they'll be buying repeatedly. Pretty soon, that market is saturated (and it's not a item they can't buy at the aforesaid K-mart).

Just my take on it.

[jendee30]

There is messy and then there is DIRTY! The inside of the house is gross. I understand having kids and things getting cluttered but......did you see the bottom of the kids socks? not just stains actual clumps of stuff. And poor Zach looks like he has never taken a bath. I really enjoy the show and love the family however the dirt and grime is very distracting. Just my opinion... Jen:)

[Warren]

kinda off topic but has anyone here seen "Tiptoes" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0316768/ My wife recorded it for me cause I like dwarfs :)

[coolpenguin]

this doesn't play a role in my opinion of the show, as I really enjoy it, but I HATE the Jeremy doesn't sleep with a sheet or mattress pad on his bed! My sheet and mattress pad worked themselves off last night and I immediately awoke to scratchy mattress. UGH

[MarkofT]

I was laughing my butt off at Matt's pushing Zach into meeting the girls at the convention. I get that is kinda the reason to go there but he went a bit overboard at the one con. Matt was able to hold off at the second one, at least.

So far as the farm, I think it is at least paying for itself. Between the party rentals, pumpkins and peaches, it should do quite well. I'm pretty sure Matt has admitted that he builds the playhouses for himself as well as the kids. The income will be irregular and seasonal and that probably makes Amy very very nervous. And she seems to like both jobs enough that quitting really isn't an option and the money is just gravy.

I think Matt's new business is going to do pretty well. Those stools he has are not something you can get at Target. The handle/stablizer is not found on most step stools that size and the way the feet are shaped make it quite stable and resistant to tipping. The grabber might be easily found at Target, but don't underestimate the desire for onestop shopping by corporate purchasers. And since they keep building new hotels, there really won't be an issue with market saturation.

There is a lot of clutter in the house but it doesn't look terribly dirty. Zach looking like he doesn't bathe is just what teenagers look like. He is fairly active for a teen plus he has to move faster just to keep up with other people.

And CB, It was time for the kids to shoot a shotgun. Possibly not a 12 gauge but that is what they had on hand.

All in all, they just look like a normal family. Plenty of quirks to go around.

[justapixel]

I changed my opinion of the dirty house after watching the latest two episodes. At first, I just noticed a lot of clutter, which isn't really to be unexpected in a house with four kids and parents who are unable to reach up high to easily put things away. Stuff is going to end up on the floor and counters in those circumstances - I thought.

I'd seen shots of their bathroom and it didn't look dirty to me.

But then I noticed muddy dog footprints all over the kitchen in a scene where Amy was making a pie. I figured, well, it's raining, she's cooking, she let the dog in.....she'll clean it up later. But, those footprints were in another scene, where she was cooking something different and wearing different clothes, and then in another scene where she is also doing something different and wearing yet more different clothes - and it appeared those footprints had been there for days.

And, then I saw the shot of the kid's socks, which really looked brown and with all kinds of paper and stuff stuck on it, and I started thinking the house was pretty dirty after all.

There should be nothing holding back a little person from using a swiffer, right? I can see clutter but really, clean the floors if a camera crew is there at least! I can only hope that because of the upcoming renovation, they just decided to let things go.

I think Matt's kit will sell quite well, and the commercials they made showed why. They emphasized the liability for the hotels who don't have one and what could happen to a little person who slipped trying to reach something in a bathroom.

With ADA laws and frequent lawsuits in this country, he's got a pretty good market, IMO. If I was a hotel manager, I'd have some on hand, for sure.

[justapixel]

One more thing...

When he took the plans to the county and they said he had to have the stair railing at 36 inches, I wonder why he didn't just decide to put another hand-rail below that at 24 inches, like he wanted to? That way, both his tall kids are protected as well as he and his wife.

(I realize that scene was to make a point of another obstacle little people face, but Matt seems to be the kind of thinker who could get around that kind of bureaucratic stupidity.)

[Warren]

I tried finding some informartion about his company online but I couldn't Guess he don't have a web site

[justapixel]

I tried finding some informartion about his company online but I couldn't Guess he don't have a web site


Uhh.....it's his name. http://www.mattroloff.com/

Oh, and here is a direct link.

http://www.lp-access.com/

[Warren]

D'oh

[xnevergiveinx]

i think it's a pretty good show. very interesting to see how little people run they're lives just like normal sized people.

the thing i like the best is that on one of the shows, the mom and daughter went to cannon beach! home of the goonies set, in astoria oregon! so cool, i wish i could afford a plane ticket to see it.

[BrettStah]

Question... the phrase "little people" (or "little person") seems pretty condescending (I guess it sounds similar to "little boy", "little girl", etc.), when we're talking about adults. Why did the term "midget" become politically incorrect?

[MarkofT]

And for the stalker wannabes, Google Local of Roloff Farms (http://local.google.com/local?f=q&hl=en&q=23985+NW+Grossen+Dr+hillsboro+or&ll=45.599807,-122.92462&spn=0.004474,0.011802&t=h). Kinda odd how the pond doesn't really appear as a different color. I wonder if it was not filled in until after the image was gathered or if it is really shallow and therefore doesn't show up.

[justapixel]

Question... the phrase "little people" (or "little person") seems pretty condescending (I guess it sounds similar to "little boy", "little girl", etc.), when we're talking about adults. Why did the term "midget" become politically incorrect?

Here is an interesting email conversation with Roger Ebert and dwarf actor Daniel Woodburn discussing this.

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050501/COMMENTARY/50429001

I am posting part of it because it addresses your question:

"What offends us..."

Essay by Leonard Sawisch, PHD:
www.arturogil.com/m_word.htm

Most of us in the United States have been teased or harassed or otherwise had our personal space invaded "just because" we are members of the dwarf community. Our reactions can range from indifference to humiliation; from announce to outrage and sometimes perhaps even fear for our safety. Because of their connection to us, our average-sized family members, friends, and peers have more than likely felt the same things.

Somewhere around third grade, our average sized son Brandon started getting into schoolyard fights. Lenette (always the more insightful parent) realized what was happening. Kids would come up to Brandon and ask "aren't you the kid whose parents are midgets?" Regardless of the intent of the question, Brandon was raised in the dwarf community where midget was the nigger word. In his young mind he saw no choice but to defend his family's honor!

I was devastated. I had spent over a decade of my life as a disability advocate and spokesperson for the dwarf community promoting "politically correct" use of terminology. I had helped make the word midget such a powerfully negative word that it was endangering my son! And we had never actually talked about the word -- he just picked up the value from growing up with little people. So we sat him right down and began desensitizing the word midget. We also enrolled him in Karate class so he would learn that violence was a last resort.

I had made a classic mistake. I had confused the word midget with the way it was used by people who intended to make me feel bad. Ironically, midget is the newest term for people like us. It was coined by PT Barnum in the mid 1800's to describe members of the dwarf community who were the most socially acceptable, i.e., "well proportioned" little people who could entertain on the front stage for polite society. The rest of the dwarf community, those of us whose bodies are shaped differently enough to look more than just "really short," were relegated to the back stage or freak shows.

In fact, even into the 1950's, it was still considered more socially acceptable to be a midget than to be any other kind of dwarf! I remember hearing parents say "if my child has to be small, then thank god she's a midget, and not a dwarf." And little people themselves would fight over who could call themselves midget and who couldn't. Billy Barty, our organization’s founder, was raised in this era, and grew up claiming to be a midget, even though his "wind swept" legs and "stubby" fingers would not meet the standards of the more conservative midgets.

So what happened? First, LPA happened. Originally to be called "Midgets of America", the folks who could afford to attend the early meetings were as likely to be non-midgets as midgets. So a compromise was made to call the group Midgets and Dwarfs of America (notice who came first). It didn't take long, however, for the fledgling members to notice that the non-midgets (by Barnum's standards) were greatly out-numbering the midgets. So a second compromise was struck to call the group "Little People of America."

Second, PT Barnum was so good at showmanship that the term midget became common vernacular, and used for almost anything smaller than usual. As a result, It became the word that most people learned and used. Which meant that when people wanted to call attention to short stature and body differentness, midget was the first word to come to mind. Those of us raised in this country from the fifties and after came to associate "midget" only as a bad and hurtful word.

In the 1970's, perhaps as a parallel with the civil rights movement and the women's rights movement, some of the younger members of LPA began using the term "dwarf" and "dwarf power" as a symbol of self and group pride. At first, the older little people (and their average sized families and friends) were horrified! They felt the midget/dwarf issue had been resolved and that "Little People" had won the day. To them, "dwarf" was as negative as "midget" seems to be today.

However, the intent of the people using the term was empowerment. The message was strength and unity. When the Dwarf Athletic Association of America was formed in the mid 1980's, there was still quite a stir about the use of "that" word. But again, the intent was empowerment and pride; the opportunity for people like us to excel in athletic competition, to be America's best at something. It was pretty hard to resist that kind of positive appeal. As a result, I can refer to us as the dwarf community today without raising too many eyebrows. I can also refer to us as the LPA community with a similar reaction.

Why can't I write about us as the midget community? I imagine just about everyone reading this just had a visceral reaction that wasn't positive, even though in much of the rest of the world it is the preferred terminology. But I admit it wasn't all that easy for me to write it!

I have let myself be a victim of my times, and maybe that's why I wrote
it. Because it is time to take some of the power away from the word midget. We can't afford to let ourselves and our children be victimized by that word any longer. And the word will not go away. We need to toss the word around more amongst ourselves. We need to de-mystify it and play with it and understand it in new ways. We need to begin to reflect it in our art and our culture in ways that reduce its negative impact. We need to make fun of the way it has been used. Maybe we need to visit a midget petting zoo and find some peace.

[ClutchBrake]

And CB, It was time for the kids to shoot a shotgun. Possibly not a 12 gauge but that is what they had on hand.

Well,it is not letting them shoot I have a problem with, it is the particular shotgun he chose. A pistol grip shotgun is NOT how you introduce someone to shotguns. Common sense tells you that and what happened was proof of it.

[Warren]

Uhh.....it's his name. http://www.mattroloff.com/

Oh, and here is a direct link.

http://www.lp-access.com/


since he keeps calling it Direct Access Solutions thats what I scearched for.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-26,GGLG:en&q=Direct+Access+Solutions

[7thton]

Well,it is not letting them shoot I have a problem with, it is the particular shotgun he chose. A pistol grip shotgun is NOT how you introduce someone to shotguns. Common sense tells you that and what happened was proof of it.
I agree. Zack almost pulled the trigger with the gun right in front of his nose. That would have broken his nose, easily.

[7thton]

Matt is entrepreneural, and has started two new businesses and quit his job to do so - and she took those job to help make ends meet while that took off, but it seems to be taking off now.

I think he got laid off, actually.

Anyhow, this has got to be one of the most interesting "reality" shows ever.

Are we sure that they bought that farm? I know his parents live "down the road"...I think it's possible that his parents just parceled off a section of their land and gave it to Matt.

I read that TLC ordered 14 new 1/2 hour episodes, which will play in the 4th quarter of 2006.

I also wanted to add that, despite any of the shortcomings or perceived shortcomings, it is great to see that they are such a bonded, loving family.

[wendiness1]

I haven't caught this show for awhile but stumbled upon an episode tonight. My earlier opinion stands: Matt is dead weight around the house. Amy does everything.

[byte_me123]

As Fat Bastard would say “GET IN MY BELLY!”

[Raimi]

I don't know how I stumbled across this show as I usually avoid TLC like the plague (seriously, how many fix your house, teach you to cook shows do we really need?) I'm hooked now though. Great show, maybe I'll have to re-evaluate my opinion on some of the offerings available on TLC.

[dulcinea1]

I also liked Family Plots...I wish they would bring it back? I'm wondering Little People are going to be renewed for a new season...hope so?

[Havana Brown]

There's also midget wrestling on PPV.

[7thton]

I also liked Family Plots...I wish they would bring it back? I'm wondering Little People are going to be renewed for a new season...hope so?
It has been renewed.

[Havana Brown]

It has been renewed.

Not Family Plots.

[7thton]

Not Family Plots.
Right. I meant LP, BW.

[sharkster]

I'm also very pleased that LPBW will be back and extremely disappointed that Family Plots will not be. :(

[7thton]

Anyone watching the new shows?

I am more hooked than ever with this show. These people just interest me so much.

But, did anyone think it was weird that Matt often complains about money and work yet takes the family to Hawaii to stay at the Four Seasons! I believe that Matt just wants to show his family a good time and that he worries that he won't be able to, thus the insistent talk about money. But, it is a weird juxtaposition.

EDIT: Interesting info here. (http://community.discovery.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1331921028/m/1391953848)

[JFriday]

They aren't paying anything for that vacation, do you think the Brady Bunch paid for there Hawiann vacation too? :D

[wendiness1]

They also have an upcoming cruise. I'm sure that's paid for as well.

[TeighVaux]

I've watched the show from the beginning, including the documentary that the network had before Season one.

I don't understand where all the money comes from. Amy works two low paying part time jobs. As of last season, before Matt went back to work , they had no health insurance, even for Zach's emergency inpatient surgery.

So who is paying for the Four Seasons Resort Hawaiian vacation for six? The trip they just took to the beach? The two trucks for the two 16 year old twins to drive (on top of the other two vehicles the parents have)? The top to bottom house remodel that must have cost $50,000?

I wonder if the farm doesn't cost more than it brings in revenues.

I don't think Matt complains about money, seems Amy does the complaining.

That said, the children are just lovely, I really like all four kids, well raised and interesting children.

The house is a total mess though, although I don't have kids so can't judge how messy a house with four kids is.

[7thton]

I wonder if Matt's parents are rich and help out a lot with money. Or maybe Amy's parents...although they aren't mentioned much on the show.

You're right though. The kids are great...a very interesting, close family.

I've watched the show from the beginning, including the documentary that the network had before Season one.

I don't understand where all the money comes from. Amy works two low paying part time jobs. As of last season, before Matt went back to work , they had no health insurance, even for Zach's emergency inpatient surgery.

So who is paying for the Four Seasons Resort Hawaiian vacation for six? The trip they just took to the beach? The two trucks for the two 16 year old twins to drive (on top of the other two vehicles the parents have)? The top to bottom house remodel that must have cost $50,000?

I wonder if the farm doesn't cost more than it brings in revenues.

I don't think Matt complains about money, seems Amy does the complaining.

That said, the children are just lovely, I really like all four kids, well raised and interesting children.

The house is a total mess though, although I don't have kids so can't judge how messy a house with four kids is.

[drpr]

I love this show but those kids are really in danger on that farm! I understand the idea that we baby our children these days, they don't know the meaning of hard work, blah blah blah, but the type of things those kids do- testing new farm attractions, building stuff without wearing saftey equipment, etc. is very endangering. It wasn't a surprise to me that Jacob (the 9 year old) got seriously injured. I wonder if Matt will actually change his ways now! I hope so.

[Dreaday]

Yeah Jacob did get hurt, but I don't think they are not safe. Their mom really looks after them like there is no tomorrow!

[7thton]

I love this show but those kids are really in danger on that farm! I understand the idea that we baby our children these days, they don't know the meaning of hard work, blah blah blah, but the type of things those kids do- testing new farm attractions, building stuff without wearing saftey equipment, etc. is very endangering. It wasn't a surprise to me that Jacob (the 9 year old) got seriously injured. I wonder if Matt will actually change his ways now! I hope so.
I didn't grow up on a farm, but I did all the same sorts of things that the kids on the show do. For example, ride 4 wheelers, build things with nails, run around with little adult supervision.

Can you give some examples (besides the trebuchet) where they were doing things that were unreasonable unsafe?

(I can only think of 1 instance when I saw something very unsafe that Zach *almost* did. Matt, his Dad, was standing right by him though, so it doesn't apply.)

[JFriday]

Yeah Jacob did get hurt, but I don't think they are not safe. Their mom really looks after them like there is no tomorrow!

No wonder the house is so dirty she spends all her time watching the kids.

[bighurt1b]

I've watched the show from the beginning, including the documentary that the network had before Season one.

I don't understand where all the money comes from. Amy works two low paying part time jobs. As of last season, before Matt went back to work , they had no health insurance, even for Zach's emergency inpatient surgery.

So who is paying for the Four Seasons Resort Hawaiian vacation for six? The trip they just took to the beach? The two trucks for the two 16 year old twins to drive (on top of the other two vehicles the parents have)? The top to bottom house remodel that must have cost $50,000?

I wonder if the farm doesn't cost more than it brings in revenues.

I don't think Matt complains about money, seems Amy does the complaining.

That said, the children are just lovely, I really like all four kids, well raised and interesting children.

The house is a total mess though, although I don't have kids so can't judge how messy a house with four kids is.

From what I have heard, almost everything is paid for on the show and the Family doesn't pay anything at all. Like for example one episode where the dad gave everybody Columbia jackets. He made a point to say Columbia jackets. And at the end, it said promotional consideration by, you guessed it, Columbia.

Also, I know a friend who his company did some work on their farm for a future episode. Believe me, the family paid nothing, it was all the production company.

[Warren]

when I saw the show were they had to close down the pumpkin farm cause to many people showed up I wondered how many people were there cause of the show.

and I also wondered about how much of the stuff they buy the show was paying for.

[dtivouser]

I worked with Matt for 4 years in the late 90's and I've been out to the farm. That family is the real thing; some of the most genuinely nice people I've ever met. Matt was a project manager at the time, damn good one, so I think he can unfairly appear to be pushy when he's trying to get something done.

I haven't talked to Matt in many years so I was very surprised to see him on TV one night!

[Havana Brown]

I finally caught this show and the kid and I area really enjoying it. Great reality tv. I think of all the kids I like Molly the best. She seems well adjusted. I think Zack gets a lot of attention from his parents because he's an LP like them. Jeremy, well he's just a brat. He talks nasty to his parents (so does Zack). I can't believe how dirty the house is at times! We caught the marathon the other day and are looking forward to new ones.

[Havana Brown]

It's funny to see how tall Jeremy and Molly are, not just compared to the dwarf parents and brother, but they seem tall next to their friends too. Looks like the family is getting a lot of money from TLC. Have you seen what they've done to the house?!!?!? We're still enjoying this show.

[JFriday]

They must be getting alot of money from TLC but it looks like Matt spends it as fast as they get it. Hopefully they renew for another season so they can finish the house.

[Lopey]

They must be getting alot of money from TLC but it looks like Matt spends it as fast as they get it. Hopefully they renew for another season so they can finish the house.

Do they get paid as a family, or per person? Are they putting all the money the family makes into the house?

[sharkster]

D'oh! I didn't realize somebody had resurrected a two year old thread until somebody mentioned that the boys are 15 years old. I hate when I do that!

I have watched since the beginning and continue to enjoy the show immensely. I'm sure they will finish the renovation (total rebuild?) of the house...like they are actually going to run out of money! *rolleyes*

I have often wondered why they don't just get a housekeeper. Remember when they had that lady come in and 'organize' them? Who didn't fully know that the place would go right back to being a hot mess? At least it doesn't seem filthy, just messy.

I don't have kids but I would think that chores would be assigned to each kid, and if they are not done you take away privileges. That would, at least, take care of their rooms and cleaning up after themselves. Then you assign further chores that would earn them allowances. There are four of them! That should take care of 90% of the mess, IMO.