"Sister Wives" What would writer Ed Kociela's "Tell All" Questions Be?

                                                                  Kody's example of journalism.

Tamron Hall has been in the TV business for some time now. The 43-year-old reporter, who has a journalism degree from Temple University, was a fill-in for Keith Olbermann on MSNBC and does primary fill-in work for Natalie Morales on NBC’s “Today” show. In other words, she’s been around the block a time or two, which is why I was very surprised to see her turn up as the resident “journalist” on Sunday night’s episode of “Sister Wives.”

On the surface, her job was to interview Kody Brown, his wife, and his mistresses. What viewers got was what we, in the business, would call, a “softball” interview where the questions are weak, lack depth, and are not not terribly informative.

I got this..Ed won't get me...huckle huckle

I would love to do a one-on-one interview with Kody Brown.
What would I ask?

Why do you position yourself away from the AUB?

Do you pay tithing to the AUB?
Why do you insist this is a “lifestyle” choice and
not a religious choice? If this is a lifestyle choice, 
then it is solely about the sex and not your salvation. 
If it is about salvation, why do we not hear that and
why and how that works? Or, do you even have religious
beliefs? What is it all about?

Whose names are on the birth certificates of your children?
What is your combined income and how can you afford four homes on a cul de sac in the greater Las Vegas metropolitan area?
Have you and your wife ever asked a teen girl out on a date?
Why do you think you are “safer” from prosecution in Nevada than Utah, where the previous and current Attorney General have proclaimed that they will not prosecute violations of the state’s bigamy/polygamy statutes?
Who performed the ceremonies at your spiritual weddings?
That’s just for starters.

But, those questions will never be asked on a TLC broadcast because the network is too heavily invested in the show. Instead, we witnessed a very poor example of what was purported to be a journalistic interview, positioning a woman with a resume from a major network that has been in business far longer and has far more credibility than TLC, as a representative of the people who would like to know more about Kody, his wife, and the other women in his life.

There was one moment, and one moment only, that went beyond the superficial, and that was when it was mentioned that Kody and Robyn were still in the “honeymoon” phase of their relationship.
If you watched closely, you could see a flash of pain in the faces of a couple of the women, and rightfully so. Kody? He had that big, ear-to-ear grin that makes me want to toss a brick through the TV screen.  

 

I'll charm him with my humor....

It was, in my mind, the most telling moment I have seen on “Sister Wives,” affirmation that this is not about religion or a lifestyle choice, that this is simply a practice of gratification of Kody’s need to sleep with a bunch of women and not get any grief about it.

Look, if it’s purely about the sex, just be open about it. If it is purely a lifestyle choice, be up front, but don’t lay all that business of purity and righteousness on us or the self-proclaimed persecution. Rock stars do it guiltlessly all the time. Just say you don’t believe in monogamy and be done with the other stuff.

But that won’t happen because, as evidenced by the shoddy “reporting” on the last episode, TLC has a product that it needs to buff and shine and maintain a positive image for to hold on to viewers and propagate new ones.

                                                       Ladies taking off their rose colored glasses.

The questions will always be sanitized, the events that take place on the show will always have a little help or urging from the producers, Kody and the women will always be painted as the victims in this little play.

Since being invited here by Mister Sister, I have studied the posts, the questions, the thoughts of the community that gathers here. Guess what? There are some very articulate people here who are looking for some answers, who are very confused by what they see on this show, who are a hell of a lot brighter than the producers and the TLC network give them credit for as they strive for bigger ratings.

I hate to take such a serious tone because there is a liveliness, a sense of humor here, and I certainly don’t want to be the buzz killer. But, I also know the incredible power of the media, the strength it possesses, the influence it can sway.

                                 Man, this Ed guy is not B.S.ing around! I'm outta here! Starts clutching chest...           


Does that mean all TV should be dour and scholarly?
Of course not. To live without humor is to live without joy.
I have used the word “context” a lot here recently because it is important to put everything into context and perspective. My context and perspective are built upon a very lengthy career as a newsman – I actually loathe the word “journalist” because it implies, by definition, something entirely different – and I hate to see what has become of a media I once defended as an honorable profession built upon an almost sacred trust between reporter and consumers of the news. We were entrusted to act in the public’s interest, on its behalf, to inform and educate, but most importantly, to be the embodiment of truth.

But, when I see how a network panders to a baser instinct of titillation rather than information, well, it breaks my heart.

Now, for a little snarky levity?
How many sister wives does it take to screw up a television network?

Written by: Ed Kociela for SWB  

Sister Wives Blog: BIG BAD LOVE

One of the posts I had the most fun with was "Kody Brown, We want you to go all the Way! My Top 10 List of Potential Wives 5-7."Take a look.

 http://sisterwivesblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/kody-brown-we-want-you-to-go-all-way-my.html


Why? It was fun and fantasy. Life doesn't seem real in the "Sister Wives" show. Not to most of us. Men, are sometimes the head of the house, more often, it's the wife. Or one partner, you get the drift. Sometimes, it's equal. Seems like they are hiding their beliefs, where we are all pretty vocal about ours, and many respect others.


Did they emit how they wanted us to see them "as they were" honestly, I do believe so, in so many words. Kody needs the reality of a real woman, a woman that lives on THIS planet. Hence, BIG BAD LOVE. Enjoy!

PS: If you get Lifetime Move Network, A Polygamy Movie, "The 19th Wife" is on today. Check your schedules!

Here's BIG BAD LOVE s1

Latest in Sister Wives Legal Documents - Sister Wives Blog

Background: The motion from May where it was stated that prosecutes won't prosecute the Browns, and to avoid prosecuting any consenting adult polygamists later. Courtesy of the Salt Lake Tribune.
Sister Wives state's motion to dismiss for mootness.053112


The Brown's Response:
Brown Response to Motion to Dismiss for Mootness.070212

The State's Rebuttal:
Sister Wives state Reply Motion.071312

Kody's Declaration About his Family:
Kody Brown Declaration.072312

Read Away! Note: Robyn has not changed her name legally.

1. Comment area for Leaving the Nest

As high school graduation nears, Logan finally decides on which college he will attend. Meanwhile, Kody and the wives are on the verge of fulfilling their dream of bringing the family back together. Will they finally make their dream come true?

 My favorite line from the show this year was Logan saying he could be good and bad! Yes, Logan, you are right, it's a time to find yourself, and you don't have to play their game of perfect life anymore!

Free Hunter Brown - Suicide is not a joke or a ratings ploy

 

Free Hunter Brown

Suicide is not a joke or a ratings ploy

Earlier this season we heard that Hunter might be “suicidal”.  This is not a word to throw around lightly.  Given what is now commonly known about teen suicide, many viewers understandably became upset and came to view Hunter protectively.  Viewers “adopted” Hunter in their hearts, even more so when we saw, as the season wore on, how Hunter was unafraid to call a spade a shovel.  “Free Hunter Brown” became our new slogan.

But halfway through the season Hunter was shown as suddenly recovered from this potentially suicidal state and was newly portrayed as a “hormonal monster”.  So which is it, teen in a fragile mental state, or HM (otherwise known as normal teenage boy)?  Some viewers began to suspect that Hunter being suicidal had been used as a ratings ploy.

There are warning signs when a youth is contemplating suicide.  Hunter did display one prominent sign:  he stopped participating in an activity that he really loved (football).  He was also portrayed as much angrier than usual, another sign.  But there are usually signs.  

Some resources will be listed below if you are interested in learning more or if your family needs help.  Please know that you are not alone; my own family has dealt with this issue.

I think it is irresponsible to discuss a child’s depression / mental illness on national TV in such a sensational manner, totally lacking in sensitivity (in my opinion).  But the Browns made that decision.  What I find interesting is the lack of on-air information about having Hunter assessed by a mental health professional (also known as taking him to see a doctor).  That is an essential step if a family is truly worried that someone is potentially considering suicide.  Why would it be OK to talk about Hunter’s mental health, but not about treating him to improve his mental health? Once the Brown family made the decision to discuss Hunter’s mental health, the topic of treatment could not reasonably be considered out-of-bounds.  Could it be that he was not taken for assessment?  If so, I think that is the same thing as believing your child may have a broken bone and not seeking medical help.  Irresponsible?  Neglectful?  A form of abuse? Perhaps.

Even worse, could it be that Hunter was never “suicidal” in the first place and that this was simply a ratings ploy or a misunderstanding of how normal teens might react to abnormal situations.  If so,  SHAME on you Janelle and Kody Brown.  Post on the board and explain to us what really happened.  We care about your son and love his Chutzpah; tell me I am wrong and that you took him to a doctor for assessment.  Tell me you did not try to make money off the angst of your kid, angst that you provoked and created.

Resources for Suicide Awareness and Prevention:

www.afsp.org

www.spsamerica.org/

http://www.ihs.gov/nonmedicalprograms/nspn/

Written by: Terrasola

**What an excellent article. This was bothersome to many. What are your thoughts on how this was played out on the show? MS 

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'Sister Wives': Polygamy Hurts Christine but Not the Way You Think

On "Sister Wives" third wife Christine has consistently been the cheerleader for polygamy. When we met her in the first season, she introduced herself with the tidbit that she'd always wanted to be a third wife, not a first, not a second.And here she is, struggling the hardest in the family's new life in Las Vegas. The reason isn't difficult to see, at least for an outsider.She's not living the life she signed up for.
Judgments aside about the rightness or wrongness of the Browns' lifestyle, it is one that works for them - or, at least, has in the past - and it is a completely consensual arrangement made among adults. But now, with the family all living in separate houses in their smaller units, they are no longer the interwoven fabric they once were, leaving the thread whose biggest job was pulling them all together hanging loose in a house by herself.
What Christine seemed to be saying with her determination to be a third wife was more about the structure of the institution than about her own ordinate desires. A third wife is not a testing of the idea of polygamy, but a commitment to it, and Christine threw herself into the realm of the plural family, staying at home, taking care of the children of all of the wives.
Now, as she worries about her relationship with Kody, and seems like she's missing something she once had, it's not really stemming from her marriage; it's the disintegration of her family. Just like monogamous couples who get fulfillment outside of their marriage from friends and family members and hobbies, it seems as though, for Christine, the huge pluses of polygamy were the dynamic of the family unit, the relationships with the other wives, and her strong bonds with all of the children.
Tucked away in her own house with only her kids, she no longer has the structure of the family she envisioned back when she dreamed of being wife number three, and like many people unfulfilled by the rest of their lives, she's looking to Kody to fix a void he never addressed before. With four wives now, instead of three, the time he can devote to her is even more fragmented, and he's less able to give her what he was ill-suited to give her in the first place.
In a way, it's like watching a plant that sprung from seed somewhere toasty and warm, where it grew and was nurtured. Suddenly it's transplanted across the country and it doesn't like the climate and it doesn't have the same nutrients. It's not going to flourish.
Polygamy practiced in one home made Christine happy, as much as she talks about how she enjoys her own home. She doesn't have that anymore, and of course it will affect her relationship with Kody, because suddenly all of her needs must be met by ¼ of a husband, when she had these other relationships as an original part of her bargain. Now she sees her husband one day out of four, instead of three out of four. When they were all under the same roof, it was a matter of saying goodnight; now it's goodbye.
The ironic aspect of the Browns' situation in general and Kody and Christine specifically is that they left their single-home living because someone else's definition of family is law. Now that law seems to be succeeding in driving apart what was once a smoothly functioning family, even if it looked different to the rest of us. 
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(Source:http://tv.yahoo.com/news/sister-wives-polygamy-hurts-christine-not-way-think-204400759.html)

Updated!! Sister Wives s03e04 "The 4 Lives of Kody Brown"

I knew this episode was going to be trouble when I realized I was watching the GEICO commericals and fast forwarding through the show. Thank you Mister Sister for Christine's tweet! Oh my gosh, where do I begin?

First, Kody takes us through a recap of the family's flight from Lehi to Las Vegas. The version without the blown tires. And then Kody then gives his version of the Bible to illustrate "there is no road map" for how many homes a polygamist man should have. And of course, Kody reminds us that he wants his families all together under one roof, or maybe under four roofs but in a cul de sac because he is tired of going from home to home (in his $60K Lexus sports car), living out of a suitcase, rotating his schedule, not seeing his kids every day. Blah, blah, blah.

Has any else noticed he wears a different watch in almost every scene?

Poor Kody....sigh....Isn't it amazing how the show is called Sister Wives, but in "reality" it's the Kody Brown and Family show. Starring Kody Brown. Co-starring Robyn Sullivan Brown. With special appearances by Meri, Janelle, and the Brown children. Guest starring Christine Brown, as a grouchy whiney baby poopy pants. Tonight's episode: The Four Lives of Kody Brown.

Party of 21, your side of the restaurant is ready!

Poor Kody. Sensing it's time for one of those weekly family get togethers, he invites us to watch him interact with his huge family. Tonight he's taking his brood out to dinner! And to all of you thinking how can he afford this, it's KIDS EAT FREE day!!! Wait, what does the fine print on the restaurant sign say? Oh yeah, only for kids 12 and under (sorry Kody, but that leaves you out) with an adult paid entree. Wow Kody. Great way to justify spending those finite resources.

The younger kids loved watching the waiter make the guacamole, especially little Truely. Heck, I loved just watching the waiter - he was cute! But let's get back on topic...

The older kids discuss how they can't wait to get back to Utah. Kody gives his plans (to be known as Pipe Dream #1) to the family - he hopes to have all four families on one property before Logan goes off to college. Gee Kody, could you be more vague? One property? What does that mean? Hey, there's a kid with his hand up, I think he wants to ask you a question Kody. Kody? Do you see him? He's on your left - between Logan and Maddie. Kody? Why are you smiling so goofy-like at someone down the table. Is that Robyn? Hey, she's mouthing something...nice Kody, I'm sure she appreciates your "And I love you!" too!" Oh never mind, Kody. That kid put his hand down now.

Aw...how sweet. Daddy Kody saying good night to the 10 other kids (that aren't Christine's because this is HER night) in a public parking lot! And boy, doesn't Robyn look pissed waiting for Kody to get to her to say good night. But he gets to her and she hugs him, and he rubs her tummy. All's well in Kodyland. Except for that old demon, jealousy.

Couch interview time. Janelle gives us a lecture about jealousy and how a sisterwife cannot compare her relationship to another sisterwife's. Because, as she puts it "that is death...When you compare, you will never ever be happy..." Wowsers, this lady doesn't pull any punches does she?

Working through the kinks


Kody admits there are problems between himself and Christine. Christine is suddenly realizing how hard her life is.

Now here is my opinion. Christine cannot come to grips that she is no longer Kody's last wife. The fertile one. The silly, " I don't believe in toasters or microwaves" airhead personna she invented so Kody would love her for her "uniqueness". She has been replaced by a newer, more fertile and, most important, needier model whose name is Robyn. And she realizes she can no longer compete. We saw this coming in season one - when it was Christine who got extremely emotional when she found out Kody kissed Robyn prior to marriage. And it was Christine who blew a gasket when Kody announced he helped Robyn pick out her wedding dress. Christine is no dummy, but
she will never leave Kody, no matter how bad she feels. She'll just keep saying "I just love Robyn" and "We miss her" when Robyn's not around. Kind of like if you say something enough times you'll start to believe it. I would be a gibbering passive-aggressive idiot if I had to live my life that way. But luckily, I'm not Christine, and thank the Lord, I am not married to Kody Brown! And Christine says there is a downside to their lifestyle. Ya think?!?

Oooh, that GEICO commercial with the missing goldfish and sushi is sooooo cute! Oops, got to get back to the show, damn!

Oh jeez, Kody talking about bouncing from home to home... give me strength. He drives his $60K Lexus sports car to Robyn's house. Robyn goes for an ultrasound to determine the sex of the baby. The ultrasound girl at first appears surprised that Robyn is giving birth to the 17th child in the family. But of course, Robyn explains that this is Kody's 17th child between 4 wives. "Oh, that's cool" the girl says, with a nervous laugh.

Robyn is so needy she is hugging Kody while he is saying grace at dinner. And has to kiss him when he's finished. How weird is that? And what the hell? She rudely interrupts Kody while he is helping her child spell fluorescent just to make sure Kody knows to meet her upstairs! Kody looked perturbed - makes you wonder how long Kody's gonna take this woman's neediness before he snaps! Oh yeah, we're talking Kody here.

Honeymoon experience. What a crock of you know what. Basically, Robyn makes Kody the center of her universe - "A cool experience...an absence makes the heart grow fonder experience". Janelle pooh poohs it as unrealistic. She probably sees it for what it is, a way to fill Kody's brain with so much Robyn that any thought of his other wives are pushed right out of his mind. So Robyn, when Kody woke up one night, in YOUR bed, and said "I love you, Meri" - Is THAT the reason you started this Honeymoon experience crap? Yeah, I thought so.

On the other hand, this could make a good home business - packaging a honeymoon experience kit targeting monogamist families as well as polygamist families! The fusion of scrapbooking and the Joy of Sex. If it's good with one wife, imagine how good it would be with 2, or 3 or more! Coming soon to a Michael's Arts and Crafts Store near you! Yeah, baby!

But Kody has another idea. In fact, he is so excited and enthusiastic about it, he made me think he forgot to take his meds. And what was his great idea? A family food franchise that is health oriented. I couldn't tell which wife was laughing when he announced this, but Christine covered her face and Janelle just stared at him. Come to find out, Janelle has had enthusiasm about other projects which eventually the family shot down. So she's not sharing Kody's enthusiasm about his newest idea.

Take my advice, Kody. Run with the Honeymoon Experience Kit.

Or better yet, why not look for real jobs and WORK. Meri mentions she wants to go back to working with at risk youth. But in the Sisterwives sans Kody couch interview, leave it for Robyn to say jokingly to Meri "You're trying to not be a part of my family anymore! [nervous laughter from the other wives] You like living apart! You want to go get a job all by yourself! You keep talkin about how we're in different places! YOU SAID WE WERE GONNA BE A FAMILY!" Well, I think Robyn was joking. But maybe not. How does that old saying goes? Oh yes, Many a truth said in jest. Nice, Robyn. That woman can't hide a damn thing can she?

Next scene, Kody drives his $60K Lexus sports car to Meri's house. Kody and Meri and Mariah go to the park on a romantic date. Mariah lets Kody know she's going back to Utah as soon as she can. How nice, Kody's watching Meri and Mariah packing because they are leaving town but they will be back in time to find out the sex of Robyn's baby. Remember when I mentioned Kody saying "I love you Meri" while in Robyn's bed? Did you think I made that up? Well guess what, I didn't. And Kody told Meri what he did. And Meri said "Oh hell...Oh my god!" And Mariah was NOT amused.

Kody drives his $60K Lexus sports car to Janelle's. We see Kody actually having dinner with Janelle and kids. After dinner, he and Janelle take a ride to look at some property - for building the "big house" or the four houses on one lot. I call this Pipe Dream #1 Redux.

Oh look, some Janelle honeymoon experience pictures of a young Kody with his firstborn Logan. Kody looks a lot better with short hair.

Wow, I never realized that apparently Christine and Janelle have big screen TVs. I don't even have a big screen TV. Where the heck do these people get the money? Oh, I think I know how. It's a long word and it starts with a "B" and ends with a "Y". Okay, you're right. That was harsh. How about it's three letters that describe how Kody Totally Looks Cool. And now, thanks to the Sperminator, Janelle's big screen is firmly mounted on her wall above the fireplace.

HA! HA! That GEICO commercial with the rowing guinea pigs is so funny. Especially the one saying Row...ROW.... oops, did I do it again? Sorry....

So now we get to the part that we've been waiting for, the announcement of the sex of Baby Brown cooking in Robyn's oven. But first, Christine talks about her unhappiness" and "internal conflicts" with Kody. She doesn't feel special anymore. Poor Christine! In the Couch Interview with Kody and wives, Kody talks about trying to be everywhere at once, but not really "being" there. He makes a deal with his wives, by vowing "...to be center and present when we move..." Now, I'm assuming this is when they move onto the "one property" he mentioned at the Mexican restaurant. Christine asked "You promise that you're going to give more centered, focused time if we all live together?" and Kody responded "I will be present" - whatever that means. To me, that's like saying "I was present" after the car you're driving rear-ends a police car. He has no interest in changing, it's up to his wives to change. And Kody's communication skills suck eggs.

Christine, your relationship with Kody is evolving. Deal with it, get back to "your core". And you need to explain to Paedon, Mykelti and Aspyn that it's never a good idea to handle a turtle while eating food. Can you spell S A L M O N E L L A ?

Baby Gender Time

Oh goody, Robyn and the rest of the family converge on Christine's house to watch the ultrasound movie. Aw, there's the baby's spinal cord. And there's the baby's eyes! And look! What's Robyn pointing at? Why it's a little dangly thing...IT'S A BOY!!!

And my DVR stops on Kody's face and goofy eyes. It has had enough.


Written by Cynical Jinx
YMMV

Your Thoughts?

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Sister Wives: Kody's Special DNA

Kody proves how his patience and respect for his wives during a day-long shopping spree.



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Sister Wives: Dating Guidelines

New Videos to talk about!

Kody and the wives establish dating guidelines for the kids. Rules and expectations are firmly set in place.

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Sister Wives: Hunter Withdrawn "Sister Wives" S3E2

Poor Hunter! Hunter does not want to get involved in new activities in Las Vegas. He is fighting the change and doesn't want to try new things. Kody is trying to talk him into starting football and getting involved in new things. He just wants to hang out in his room and seems to be shutting down. The other older kids in the family have noticed it too. They want him to go back to being normal, but it doesn't seem to be happening so far.Makes me think of Terrasola's Aug. 6th - "THE BROWN FAMILY, Polygamists, Utah, and Depression"and grl2 who kept trying to tell us HUNTER! You go girl~
What do you think?


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ADDED Jane Velez Mitchell Today and Bankruptcies Analysis of the Sister Wives and

Update 9/21/2011 VERY interesting folks....Bankruptcy brought up.....HLN's Jane Velez-Mitchell talks to a panel about the controversial polygamist show "Sister Wives." MUST WATCH!!! They hold no punches! Laurie Allen is one tough cookie!

Created and Written By: TERRASOLA

Bankruptcies Analysis

***PLEASE ALSO SEE:

THOUGHTS ON POLYGAMISTS ON GOVERMENT ASSISTANCE, Aug 5,  http://sisterwivesblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/discussion-time-thoughts-polygamists-on.html

SISTER WIVES - USED THE WELFARE SYSTEM (Original Docs) In top 10 on rt.

http://sisterwivesblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/sister-wives-absolulty-used-welfare.html 

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"Sister Wives" - old Show Girl interview I hadn't seen.

The Show Girl, Maggie Furlong, talks to the cast of the new reality TV show Sister Wives.

Obviously made either season one or two- I can't remember when they wore those outfits, but it seems they wore them to every interview - I'd say they had 5 or 6 that day.

Funny, once again, they say the lets their kids choose what they want. Thought you might want to check it out!

The Show Girl Interview With Sister Wives

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(Courtesy: http://www.5min.com/Video/The-Show-Girl-Interview-With-Sister-Wives-Participants-517151898)

The So-Called Reality TV Show Curse: Could the TLC “Sister Wives” Brown Family be next?

Written By: Terrific Terrasola!~!

 

According to Tracie Egan Morrisey¹ reality TV and divorce go hand in hand.  In a recent article for Jezebel.com she notes that there have been a number of divorces on the popular “Real Housewives of ...” franchise, and that the link between divorce and reality TV began back in the 1970s when PBS created and aired “An American Family” which showed the disintegration of the Loud family.

Why does there seem to be an association between reality TV and family breakdown?  Is it an “inflated sense of self and conceit” that Ms. Morrissey points out seems to be present in many families who agree to take part in reality TV, or is it that filming, including questions producers (and the public) ask family members, “illuminates the problems” that exist and cannot be ignored.  Ms. Morrisey notes that the nature of filming a reality TV show can also be very intrusive into family life and that people may not be “real” when outsiders are in their homes.  Perhaps reality TV participants become so used to acting a part that they are no longer being the people that their mates were originally attracted to or are simply not being “honest”.  Alternatively, sometimes cameras catch candid moments that reveal things partners were not aware of and cannot live with.

Dr. Patrick Wanis² believes that reality TV triggers several predictable responses in participants.

1.  Most people have a subconscious desire to please others, which may lead participants to say or do things that they believe others expect of them. 

2.  Eventually participants may become numbed to the presence of cameras and exhibit “emotional nakedness”, lowering their internal defenses and leading them to say and act out what they believe subconsciously / internally to be true, but what in “real life” they would not reveal to others (by remaining silent, suppression, trying to control comments and behavior, etc.).

3.  Cameras and editing exaggerate the best and the worst of each individual.  The camera judges every action, response and statement, creating physical, emotional and mental strain.

4.  The publicity and fame of reality TV “stardom” can result in a loss of perspective, loss of the sense of one’s “true” self, and a change in one’s personal beliefs and values.

5.  The constant presence of cameras robs a family, and especially a couple, of the time needed for privacy and physical and emotional intimacy.

If you add the responses that Dr. Wanis points out above to the exhibitionist personalities typically attracted to reality TV³ or, as Dr. Leonard Hofstadter's mother explained it on “The Big Bang Theory” that people attracted to “acting” generally have an external locus of control and tend to value themselves only insofar as others value them, you have a pretty good recipe for family (or individual) breakdown.

Do you think the Browns will fall victim to The Reality TV Show Curse?  Is it already happening?  Tell us below.

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(Sources: 1. http://jezebel.com/5796713/22-families-affected-by-the-reality-tv-divorce-curse

2.  http://patrickwanis.com/blog/index.pup/reality-shows-lead-to-divorce/

3.  http://www.pop eater.com/2010/11/21/reality-show-curse-truth-or-fiction/)

Sister Wives: Head of the Household Video Blast FT Past

"Who is in charge? And, do they consider themselves a "normal" family? The Browns dish the plural dirt." This is one of the first video clips, way back in September 2010. Let's see if times have changed. Well, Kody's hair is brown, not blonde for one. And, they are talking about having to lie about who each other are. Kody says he's "hen picked" - Do you think he is? Or is he the Boss?

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Sister Wives - Back When it was Innocent- Burnt Toast

"Toasters ruin lives. Ovens ruin toast."

Back when Sister Wives seemed like it was going to be innocent and fun. Oh, the good old days. I had a friend like this. She's a hoot! She was raised in a strict religious family with a mom that changed religions like you change cars. Luckily, my friend is super normal despite that- except her quirks. She wouldn't take an aspirin during labor, she refuse to use a microwave, or eat processed food. I have to say, she may not be ALL wrong. My Aunt who is 95 credits outliving 8 siblings younger than her to- living in the country, no processed foods, and having yogurt everyday. 

Here's Christine's Burnt Toast - hey, we have a commenter named that! Good choice!

Shouldn't they bought her a 4 - 6 hole one? 

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(Video Courtesy of TLC)     

"Sister Wives" - Let's talk about dating

I have 4 children, raised 2 foster children, and ½ raised a couple of others. We gave endless dating talks to teens that came to my home, etc.

My belief is that is a case by case thing.  All my kids were, by the time they were 14, hanging in groups to our house to watch a movie after a game, or coming over after church for some supper, etc. They all got the “lecture”, but I found the less of a big deal I made, the better off we were. Shockingly, the one I would of thought would NEVER date, likes a little girl at 11. 11! She would come to our house and hang out until her mom got off work. I was shocked, but, let it play out, and at nearly 16, he’s never asked again. If I had prevented this, he would have rebelled. I learned that from kid #1, or as we called her "Case study #1." Kody called Garrison “weird and sick” to like girls his age. Is that sending a message to him? What were your dating “rules”. At 16, it’s time to let them out at least until 11pm, I say. We’re ballgame folks, so that doesn’t leave much time. We were blessed to have a hangout home. I’ve got 6 here right now, (2 of mine are already married and long gone). What are your thoughts on dating- and are the brown’s going over board? 

Kody seems to thing it's courtship or nothing. When he asks Meri what she thinks, Robyn butts in for the second time. Curious, she talks but Christine, who has kids this age, doesn't get to.

Watch and give us you opinions about dating.

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"Sister Wives" Girl Party!!

We need to bring in some Sister Wives today!! Getting ready for season 3 - let's review Girl Party! Do you think it might be fun if you were in a polygamous relationship with your best friends? Let's pretend for a minute. Can you see an upside to it? 

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"Sister Wives" and "The Lifestyle"

Telling is the fact that Kody Brown has been carefully coached to call polygamy “the lifestyle” rather than “the principle,” the latter being the economic phrase commonly used by fundamentalist Mormons to describe both the practice of polygamy and its theological underpinnings. All throughout Sister Wives it’s “the lifestyle,” “lifestyle,” “ our lifestyle”: only once does Brown slip and call it “the principle.”

If they continually called it “the principle” that would lead into the entire reason for polygamy, “The Principle, or Celestial marriage (also called the New and Everlasting Covenant of Marriage, Eternal Marriage or Temple Marriage) which is exactly what they don’t want to do. They want you to think polygamy is a “lifestyle” choice, not a required part of their AUB church, the center of the hub of existence for the Mormon Church. The LDS denounce it; what they DON’T tell you is that they believe in this principle, also, but since it is outlawed, they conveniently changed their rules to when they die.

They want you to think it’s a choice. Then you can watch the show, be happy, and think, well, if they are happy, who’s it hurting? Well, if you are not a Mormon, and you learn all the facts about Celestial Marriage, chances are you will see how it DOES hurt the women and children.

As has been stated by many posts, in Fundamental Mormonism, a woman MUST be married or sealed to a man to get to their heaven, which is a PLANET. On that planet, the man is exalted to the God like being. (I shudder when I say that) If her husband doesn’t all her name, they’ll be no heaven for her, um I mean Planet. Husband taking you to heaven, this is what they don’t want you to think about. And much more - that's why we are looking into the religion.

"Lifestyle" fooled me for a time. Until I decided to look up about the Mormon religion, and about the same time, met up with a great person who has so much knowledge it is amazing. 

Tell us what you think. Is it harmless? Harmless to the kids? Do you think it’s just fine, or do you pray someday, the Browns and the children will get out of this religion.  Were you fooled in the beginning that the "lifestyle" meant their was a choice?      

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THE BROWN FAMILY, Polygamists, Utah, and Depression

We have speculated  that Meri, Janelle and/or Hunter were/are/may be depressed?  But did you know that a 2001 study found that antidepressants are prescribed in Utah nearly twice as frequently as they are, on average, in the rest of the U.S.?

The speculation has been that Utah’s predominantly Mormon religion and culture places unique pressures on women (who suffer from depression twice as frequently as men)  to publicly present “a happy face, whatever may be happening privately”, forcing them into depression and onto antidepressants.  To be fair, there may be many other reasons: a smaller gene pool with a high genetic predisposition for depression, greater willingness and/or awareness to seek care for the same or less severe symptoms, a higher willingness of Utah doctors to prescribe antidepressants, etc.   I just think it is interesting.

I found conflicting statistics on suicide that say Utah has between the 7^th to the 11^th highest suicide rate (per capita) in the U.S., depending upon the year you are looking at. For the past four decades now, Utah has ranked in the top ten for numbers of suicides in the nation. This is interesting because usually religions persons have a lower suicide rate and Utah is a highly religious state, being 70% Mormon and 42% being actively practicing LDS.  What was most revealing was that the rate of suicide in Utah for females between the ages of 15-44 is four times the national average. 

I wonder why this could be?  Mormonism, low income, high unemployment, large family size, marriage at a young age, a high incidence of drinking milk?  We must be careful not to jump to conclusions because the causes may be complex and inter-connected or not immediately visible.  But it sure looks suspicious to me.

I cannot imagine that suppressing your natural emotions is healthy, no matter what is said about making yourself a better person through the plural marriage lifestyle.  Our emotions and nature are endowed by the Creator, and are also an internal “warning system”.  I think that trying to train your warning system out of yourself as is required in the polygamous lifestyle creates tremendous internal pressures.  Depression, mental illness and heaven knows what all are predictable results.

Written by TERRASOLA

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  Sources:

http://reviewessays.com/print/Depression-Mormon-Women/25103.html

http://www.lifeafter.org/mormonsuicide.asp

http://www.mormonfortress.com/lds-stats.htm