pdlinda1

I was wondering the same thing as she seems to have enough cash flow to keep her self-destructive lifestyle going. The kitchen in the Houston house was simply lovely and updated. I do not think the show pays for housing but perhaps for the new season their financial contributions to the participants has changed for the better??? Who was paying the assistant she hired to help her??? I do not believe a monthly disability check would cover all this, especially since she apparently has a very short work history. Also, I was wondering about the brother we never heard anything about during the show. Apparently. the wife of 1 of the bros and her movie-star wannabe daughter are involved with Janine but that seems about IT!!

Oh, yes...absolutely, with the front tooth taken care of, Rene would be able to really take advantage of many opportunities that probably wouldn't be available to her with her dental situation. How about the LOOSE SKIN SURGERY for her sagging belly??? Arms??? Whatever other body parts that would definitely need surgical intervention. Remember they had that other show "Skin Tight" that they tacked onto "600?" I thought maybe the participants got that surgery donated for the surgeon's exposure on national TV. I think if Rene took care of these issues and finally achieved an appearance and outlook that make her feel "normal" (whatever that is...) LOL, she might pursue some sort of career. That would be great except she would probably lose her disability (and medicaid) that I assume she and Lee receive now.

IMO, simply based upon professional experience, there may have been a MAJOR mental health/addiction history with the mother that caused the divorce. I wonder where Steven SR. met this "lovely," married her and chose to have 2 children with her before she went into exile. It's pretty clear why NEITHER boy wants to engage in therapy. Perhaps, neither wishes (or has the capacity), to relive the past, process it, and "move on." I also wonder about the financial arrangements of the divorce. Perhaps the mother is on disability. Unfortunately, for the rest of us, although Justin seems to have some capacity to "function" , Steven JR. is probably going to need disability assistance for the rest of his life, and his medical bills (and support care) are clearly astronomical!!

I would like to know more about the "mother" of both brothers. I recall them briefly mentioning her once or twice but nothing recently. In the previewed new episode that I watched today, absolutely no mention of why she is absent in their lives. As the father seems relatively "functional" (he apparently owns a home and car and has a job) I believe there has to be some "missing link" of information about the mother that might possibly explain how BOTH sons turned out to be so morbidly obese and severely dysfunctional.

I think the theory is that while they may have the momentum to lose 50 lbs for a short time, after that point they will lose motivation and gain the weight, and more, right back. Even WITH the surgery, if they eat small amounts of the wrong foods all day long, they will gain. That's why he seems to be emphasizing going to THERAPY more. The health challenges of these participants is so immense and costly it defies any reasonable person's estimation. I presume (not that anyone should presume anything, but still...) that all (or MOST) of them are on disability. When I hear about the astronomical stress on our entitlements I always think of the morbidly obese and how the rest of us are going to have to probably do with less coverage because the $$$ is simply not there to pay their bills.

I agree about Evelyn's looks and believe, with her lithesome appearance, she could probably model and make a decent living. Of course, she may not wish to do that and her location in N.H. doesn't lend itself to that career. David, on the other hand, seems like a good-looking, intelligent, sophisticated gent with a well-developed character. He really has everything to offer a woman of his caliber. Evelyn is definitely NOT of his caliber in any respect. My guess is he'll stick it out with her until he gets his green card and then adios. My only concern is whether any children are involved by that time.

I wonder how the lawsuit resolved??? The show resumed so I have to assume they got some financial payout from it. Then, when they renegotiated (apparently they have a aggressive legal team in place) they may have become producers themselves to avoid future difficulties with 3rd parties. Thanks for the update!!

This was pure speculation on my part based upon seeing their names in the closing credits as "producers." They now have a "brand" with their appearances, books, the TV show and Bill's venture with the dog invention. They are "celebrities" along with the kids so I just surmised that there was a financial windfall for them to continue participating in the show.

I think I saw on the ending credits that both Jen and Bill are "supervising producers" or some other "executive" title that means to me that they are being paid BIG BUCKS to participate in the show...not the standard "talent" fees that many of the reality shows pay to participants that amounts to almost nothing in the grand scheme of things. I bet when the show lapsed during that production company issue that put it in hiatus, Jen and Bill re-negotiated their contracts with TLC to reflect the popularity of the show.

I have to keep reminding myself that Jen is 38" tall!! As Will physically grows (to whatever height he eventually reaches) he will, no doubt, tower above Jen and outweigh her by a substantial amount. On that basis alone, aside from his "boy" rambunctiousness, I think Jen has an inner alert system that may sense possible danger. I think Zoey is much gentler in nature and will probably more closely resemble Jen in stature. In their new home, I hope they retain a full time live-in housekeeper so that the kids may be managed by someone more physically (and emotionally) capable of instilling structure and discipline into the kids. As a matter of fact, they should probably employ a part time housekeeper, as well, so that at ALL TIMES, the kids have adult supervision capable of physically dealing with the kids as they grow.

I never thought I'd say this BUT I hope the show last night was the final one for this family! I agree with all the comments regarding how detrimental being on national TV seems to have been on both children, but especially Will. Jen and Bill are in a completely different stage of life, regarding family and finances from where they were when the show began. They are now multi-millionaires with established and lucrative professions. They have 2 kids who are rapidly approaching the upper reaches of "childhood" and Jen has a new career challenge. I'm not sure, at this point, whether the hype and allure of being "celebrities" will prevail, but the more I see of the kids behavior, the more I hope the family goes back to "normal life" where the kids can enjoy their childhood without cameras following them around.

I think Jen's stature and the fact that the kids might soon exceed her in height is a factor in her "discomfort" with parenting. It may be a bit intimidating to her physically to imagine a physical encounter with Will where she could potentially be harmed. When I think of 3 ft 2 inches, it is quite miniscule. Maybe contemplating the future with the kids growing beyond their adorable toddler/youngster phase causes her concern. I believe Bill has an entirely different temperament and is considerably taller than she is.

I second #TeamEric! Of all of them, he exceeded my expectations for husband material...

From what I understand Pedro is working 2 jobs. With his language ability and lack of a degree, my assumption is that he's making at or near minimum wage. Even with the 2 jobs, after taxes and other deductions how much does he actually come home with each week? It can't be much. Then you have the basic bills, transportation, insurance, including medical insurance and I'm not understanding where he's getting $$ for expensive TV's to send home to DR, cash to DR, grooming items and other items he's sending there and the expensive "toys" he's buying for himself. I don't think he qualifies for credit cards from what we learned when he went to the jeweler and was denied a credit purchase. With his basic expenses with Chantal (assuming she's not working), and the financial support he's giving his family, the math just doesn't seem to work. Maybe the show pays them a decent sum for filming although I think I read the participants get paid very little.

IMO, as soon as their contractual obligations end with the show, so will the "marriages." Maybe A&A make it, but, even with them it's doubtful...real life does interfere. Remember Tom and Lily??? They professed the "success" of their marriage until it was over...