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Archive through July 29, 2004

The TVClubHouse: Other Reality Shows ARCHIVES: Archives for 2004-2: Amish in the City: ARCHIVES: Archive through July 29, 2004 users admin

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Realfan
Member

08-08-2001

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 10:35 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Check out this article from the Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A994-2004Jul21.html

A quote:

<<Also calming some of the critics' concerns, the five Amish participants in this reality series seem to be pretty rumspringaed from the get-go. Construction worker Randy has a pierced ear. Factory worker Ruth has dyed hair and was seen smoking a cigarette; she told critics during the Q&A session late in the day that her family looks on her "as very bad" and that she goes to visit them "maybe two times a year." Construction worker Jonas is a self-described "bad boy," and former teacher turned construction worker Mose is actually re-rumspringaing, having left the flock in his teens, returned, been baptized and now left again. Mose told critics that he was considered "very rebellious" and a "bad influence" as a teenager. Also, the Amish participants already are talking mall-speak in the first episode: Mose says his first ride on an escalator is "really freaking me out" and Ruth describes her first experiences -- visiting the beach, seeing a parking meter, seeing art in a gallery, you name it -- as "awesome.">>

Also, how'd they film them in their native habitats, anyway? If these kids were already out in the world, the girl's bedroom was probably a set. ("Hey, this looks country-ish. Stick it in the shot!")

Halfunit
Member

09-02-2001

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 10:49 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Lol, they're Amish, not hermits.

Conejo
Member

08-23-2002

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 11:02 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I think all of them have been rumspringaing for a while before they were cast for the show. They probably just wore more traditional attire for their first meeting with the others and to add to the theme of the show. JMO

Tk4x5
Member

07-10-2004

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 11:11 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Conejo

They probably just wore more traditional attire for their first meeting with the others and to add to the theme of the show.

I thought this too, especially when the "city kids" wore the Amish attire in public and Jonas' comment was "now they know how we felt standing at the door," rather than him saying "now they know how we feel in general, etc."

Also, I don't think the "city kids" were that bad ... I just kept picturing if they had thrown in people like the cast of Real World Vegas or even the current crop of Big Brother HG's.

Lurknomore
Member

07-07-2001

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 11:15 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Yeah but remember to be Amish is to be separate. It's one of the key principles of how they conduct themselves. Even during Rumspringa they are discouraged from socializing with the English and basically being wild within their own. While they will socialize with English in their community, they have very different values, some of which I think are awesome.

BTW I really love Ruth, but that parking meter thing threw me. I don't know in Ohio but in Lancaster they are all over the place and something the Amish there would be quite familiar with seeing.

So part of me thinks it's fascinating, part of me just doesn't get it (I don't want to be fascinated by fraud I guess lol).

Also, the Bonnet point was good. Again I only am familiar with PA Amish but their bonnets are quite different in style (as is the dress). I know there are tons of branches, Old Order Amish, New Order, Mennonites etc. BUT I just don't know of any order that allows cursing, bikini's etc. I'd love to know how long these folks have been living outside the Amish community. I'm thinking the answer lies in that. And mostly why they are allowing pictures, when that is against their bible beliefs (I really wanted some explaination of that).

But I do think it's an interesting show....and I think it would be more interesting if all the "English" kids weren't so weird/mean/horrible lol.

I will say one thing though Real about "fancy" stuff. That was one of the things that surprised me most about being in a legit Old Order Amish house. That woman had almost as many knicknacks as I do, and the walls were NOT bare. Though I don't recall pictures exactly they did have a pretty calendar hanging. And she was definately old school and strict. I was surprised how much it looked like a regular kitchen and living room, down to the fridge and stove (only difference is they were run by generator, and lights by gas). It wasn't at all how I thought a real Amish home looked or how the fake ones tourists usually see are set up. And at another home the kids showed us the inside of their horse and buggy and it was QUITE fancy...lined in crushed velvet and soft seats etc. Again I was very surprised. But really good points about filming...can't see most Amish families welcoming a film crew. But wouldn't an Amish girl know not to have a doll with a face etc????

I think I want to watch the beginning again...I taped it (and they are reshowing it for those that missed some of this).

Oh well...all in all still interesting show at least!

Lurknomore
Member

07-07-2001

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 11:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Oh Conejo...meant to say if they had lived with the English a couple of years it would explain a lot. But then it means they are faking their unfamiliarity with stuff. ARGHHHH can't they just let real people be real on tv anymore?!?! (I know the answer to this lol).

And yeah how did they date? Mirium seems the least traditionally Amish to me. Wonder if she was living elsewhere. Of course Amish folks can move, but it's unusual unless finances dictate it.

Realfan
Member

08-08-2001

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 11:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
As I recall from my reading and visiting Lancaster, they eschew (love that word!) decorations unless they're useful. So a calendar would be fine, for instance. But art for art's sake, not so much.

I still have my Amish faceless doll. Fascinating culture!

I never got into a "real" house, of course. Only the touristy ones. Lucky Lurk!

Maybe Miriam was living with a cousin? I want these people's bios, too.

Lurknomore
Member

07-07-2001

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 11:35 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Real...for years I believed that too, because that's how they always told us tourists the Amish live. Which is why I was stunned to see how different the reality was. And while the calendar was useful, trust me that kitchen was filled with pretty knicknacks. That stunned me. I remember porcelain birds for example, and suncatchers hanging in the windows, and other pretty and useless stuff lol. I was dying to ask but didn't want to be rude.

Calamity
Member

10-18-2001

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 11:49 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I've been a guest in several Amish homes - one house was very plain and spartan while the others were rather cozily traditional-looking. In those homes, there was a fair amount of artwork and crafts (mostly quilts and needlework) on display. It's probably that the more strict folks just don't mingle with we "English", lol.

Lurknomore: I've enjoyed reading your posts in this thread - you've brought up a lot of interesting points.

Conejo: I got the same impression as you - that they had been living outside the community for a while now. But even if they weren't, I wouldn't be surprised by them knowing our slang. In our area, the Amish are very used to dealing with the outside world although they do prefer to keep to themselves.

Lurknomore
Member

07-07-2001

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 12:23 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Aw thanks Calamity. Actually I've really enjoyed this whole thread myself. It's nice to be having an interesting discussion and different viewpoints and ideas here!

And I wasn't surprised by them knowing our slang. I was surprised by how causually they used it. Like I said, not sure most Amish girls would used "pissed" frequently in sentences and live LOL. One thing I always disliked about the culture is that there is a lot of corporal punishment in the family.

Also, totally off topic, (and some of you seem lucky enough to live near/in Amish country so this might not be of interest to you), but one of the things I adore is the homemade apple butters, bbq sauces etc (The peach is out of this world). I love taking the different apple butters and putting them on chicken or pork...fast, simple dinner that is sooo good. And the best I've ever found is now online. (We had my car so loaded up we couldn't have fit a pencil in it LOL). It's made by a guy who grew up Old Order Amish and left for a less strict sect. Anyway not trying to sell anyone anything, but thought I'd let you guys know if anyone was interested. Not sure if it's ok to post the link here since it's a site that sells stuff, but if anyone is interested let me know. I get nothing out of this (bummer lol), but man is this stuff good, so thought I'd let you know about it. I really must order some myself cause lately I find I keep talking about it. And I ran out of my last Amish apple butter and bought local stuff and man does it stink in comparison. Also I haven't done it, but I still have the card from a roadside Amish stand that did all their own canning/baking etc and they mail order.

I was surprised how much of that goes on now. My friend ordered a quilt (I could't afford one) but I did get these great quilted hearts that have towels attached that you hang from your stove (pretty AND functional lol) and they were making some for me. They have a phone, but it's away from the house in a booth, so you have to call and let it ring till they hear it and run to it LOL. The Amish always were good business people contrary to popular opinion...but like I said, I was surprised by all this.

Lkunkel
Member

10-29-2003

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 12:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Lurk: could you put the info in my folder?

Halfunit
Member

09-02-2001

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 12:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
OMG, apple butter is the best!

And cheese. Great cheese.


Conejo
Member

08-23-2002

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 12:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Lurk, from what I know the Amish are very good business people and are very good at what they do.
Depending on the time of year, there are usually some Amish along the side of the road on the way to my parents house with a little stand set up or simply selling stuff out of their buggy. A lot of the Amish are quite wealthy (monetarily speaking) since they don't incur most of the expenses that the rest of us do, (housing costs for example). Oh, I forgot, my parents house was built buy Mennonite and Amish carpenters and my parents became relatively good friends with the contractor and his wife (they're Mennonite). I can tell you that they sure know how to build a house! The custom cabinets, trim work and attention to detail is quite impressive. I was in my teens when the house was being built so I really wasn't paying any attention - but now, some 25 years later, I can appreciate what a beautiful job they did. FWIW


Conejo
Member

08-23-2002

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 1:01 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
OMG, how could I forget about the cheese and trail bologna???? Now I'm hungry for some trail and swiss and I haven't seen any trail in Columbus for awhile and their cheese just can't be matched, IMO!

Half, have you ever had shoefly pie?

Halfunit
Member

09-02-2001

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 1:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
No shoefly pie, but lots of Troyer's!

Saphyre
Member

08-01-2001

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 1:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Lurk,

Where is that Mennonite restaurant up in Lancaster? We go there a lot and would love to try out a different restaurant and it sounds really good. The usual buffet or family style up there are so expensive.

Realfan
Member

08-08-2001

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 1:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Lurk, please send me the link to the apple butter site! Thank so much.

Rslover
Member

11-19-2002

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 1:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Saph,
I ate at a good place, Groff's Farm in Mt. Joy. It was ages ago, but it is still there.

Lurknomore
Member

07-07-2001

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 2:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
LOL see I had a feeling you guys might want to know. BTW I'd sign up for their mailing list...they send coupons sometimes. Regretfully I was too broke to order the last time they did. The only down side is you have to order in multiples of 6 for the good brand. The prices are quite fair, but the shipping is an ouch.

BTW I'm still trying to find a Shoo Fly pie recipe I had. The reason it tastes different in Amish country is that the recipes say molasses, but it's not English molasses so when we use that it tastes different. I had one that makes it the real way but no clue what happened to it.

Ironically Saphyre, the buffet is right by the best Shoo Fly Pie place. It's on Lincoln Highway East, in the same parking lot as Dutch Haven, the pie place with the huge windmill. I am not 100% sure of the name. I think it's something like Deimer's. It is a plain, white building, easy to overlook. They have different serving tables, one is all fresh homemade soups,salads, and breads, one all meats, I think there were 2 for desserts (out of this world). As I recall the full buffet was under 6 bucks. I remember if you just went for dessert it was like 2 bucks. You can't get an iced coffee here for that!!!! The tapioca and rice pudding were all made with fresh cream. OMG I'm starving just thinking about it. BTW, check for coupons when you go--not for this place but elsewhere. They are BIG on coupons there. Last trip we stayed at the Best Western Eden (always stayed at the Host Farm growing up). But we had half off the hotel room there and it was lovely. Anyway they did a prime rib buffet there and there was a half off coupon so it cost 10 bucks. The only food we really overpaid for was that touristy family buffet but my friend really wanted to go, so sometimes you take a hit for a friend lol. Before you go, hunt me down if you want any other recommendations.

And I bought a few pieces of Amish furniture (a trunk, a painted bench) and they are so exquisitely made. Can only image what they would do with a house. They take such pride in their work, unlike most English!!!!

Will post the links in a little bit, hope that's ok here. If there's any prob email me. Oh man I'm starving now!!!!!!!! Let's all meet there for dinner after BB!

Lurknomore
Member

07-07-2001

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 2:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Oh almost forgot Conejo...that's what my Dad always said. Very good business people with a lot of $$$. But at least they provide quality stuff eh!

Lilfair
Member

07-09-2003

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 2:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I’ve been a longtime lurker at TVChathouse…

I’m completely into this show, right off the bat. I can’t stand Big Brother and Real World has done such bad casting lately but this show got my attention. I’ll be watching regularly.

First I have to say that the vegan chick (can’t remember her name) is nutty. My son is a vegetarian and somewhat anal retentive about his food but after last nights show I was thankful he is not a vegan.

I thought the city “kids” were a bit obnoxious at first. Although as the show went on they mellowed a bit. I cracked up at the city girls comment on Randy being great eye candy. I think Randy knows he’s got a hot bod.

I know very little about the Amish. I did see the documentary that was mentioned. I know the basics of their culture or is it a religion? My brother has a house full of Amish furniture. I’ve had their apple butter and I too will echo its yummy factor. I speak German but from what I understand they the Amish speak a certain dialect. Anyway I imagine just like with any group of people there will be a mix of personalities...good guys and bad guys.

I missed the first 10 mins of the show. Did they give a background on the Amish kids? Like which community they were from and anything about their immediate family?

I’m looking forward to the next episode and crossing my figures that tptb will not mess things up too much. I’m thinking this is a good cast. And IMO casting is EVERYTHING when it comes to “reality TV”.


Lurknomore
Member

07-07-2001

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 3:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Lil (and someone else who said they missed the beginning) they are rerunning it Fri at 8 est if you want to see it. They did show brief at home into's on the Amish kids, but not as much background (like how long have they been out of the community, what are their experiences etc) as I would love to know.

Lurknomore
Member

07-07-2001

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 3:37 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
DUH forgot what I came for....Saphyre I looked it up...here's the details on that restaurant;

DIENNER'S COUNTRY RESTAURANT - 2855 Lincoln Hwy. East, Ronks, PA 17572, 717-687-9571


Lilfair
Member

07-09-2003

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 3:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Lurknomore, Thanks for the Friday info. I'll set my vcr. It's been a long time for me since I "dug" a reality show.

I enjoyed All Star Survivor but I didn't love it. This season of AR is ok. I was hooked on The Apprentice. And am mildly hooked on Last Comic. I think This one might be a keeper for me.

Kady
Member

07-30-2000

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 4:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Lilfair...visit the UPN site for more info on all the kids and a short video of them.

UPN