[Top Chef Season 17 Spoilers and Speculation]

On 5/10/2020 at 12:43 AM, Yeah No said:

Interestingly I just caught Leanne on a 2011 episode of "Iron Chef America" where she defeated Mark Forgione.  I didn't see that coming but it did make me not want to underestimate her.

I adore her and cheered for her in that episode. That said, she has a huge issue with time management and logistically considering what she can do vs. what she can finish. 

In season 1 she went off the rails a bit with the first wedding wars. She had good ideas, but they were way too ambitious and "fiddly" to actually work in the time constraints. There were some clunkers on her team that dragged it down more, but she was at a real risk there given how poorly managed it was from her end. 

While I love her moments of brilliance, I don't see her getting much farther in the competition. 

On 5/9/2020 at 4:54 PM, dmeets said:

I suspected since Episode 1 that Kevin’s winning, and the preview showing Padma in tears announcing the winner sealed it for me. I can’t see anyone else eliciting that emotional a response from Padma but the guy who survived cancer, at a time when Fatima was likely on the forefront of her mind.

 Kevin's IG and the one for his restaurant Revival had a huge amount of comments last week about Top Chef. He's of course remaining mum, but his hashtags have included #notoveryet and #notoutyet. 

He also seemed to poke a bit of fun at Padma's comment about the banana pudding being too sweet by doing a poll about should dessert be sweet.  

[Season 9 Discussion]

14 hours ago, cereality said:

Michael IDK about. I think she does truly believe in the fundie life 100%. I think she would be happy to sacrifice her life to have 12 kids even in a 2 bedroom home; IDK if the nicer things matter to her as much as the traditional views in which she was raised. Alas life didn't work out that way (though maybe she also now questions in her heart of hearts her parents' obsession that if you're Godly life will be exactly how you want), so I think now she'd just be happy with 1 or 2 kids which necessarily gives them a nicer life since they won't have to worry about providing for 15 kids.

I think Michael's mindset is different than say Zach and Alyssa. Michael is total fundy and if she could would already have five kids at this point. She is nostalgic about her growing up years probably because her role as caregiver was something important to her and is now pretty minimal even when she babysits. She isn't materialistic, but her husband seems to prefer some of the nicer things he received as a result of working with IBLP and may even use those as a way to keep her happy-ish. He was the one most against the rental they looked at last season (the one Carlin and Evan ended up getting). He felt it was too small. So while I think Alyssa and Zach are determined to live differently than their parents in terms of possessions, Michael seems to want something different in terms of lifestyle in some ways. 

Like Alyssa, she seems to crave order and discipline. Where Kelly Jo and Gil come off as much more in the mode of God will provide, Michael and Alyssa are planners and doers. Alyssa has said she doesn't really like all the noise of all her siblings at the same time. She was clearly stressed at Ali's first birthday with her siblings eating what she was going to serve later and ignoring her directions. I would have thrown a fit. Meanwhile we never saw Gil or Kelly Jo step in and do more than mild chastising as the children and even young adults continued to eat the strawberries, etc. 

You can see a bit of Michael's personality come out when she was planning her wedding. She was not as easily swayed by Kelly Jo's desires as some of her siblings (Tori) have been. I remember actually being impressed looking back on it with how she let Kelly Jo and Erin run off at the mouth about what church, what style dress, etc., but she then chose what she wanted on many of the items - some exceptions - and picked her battles. Yes, she deferred to Brandon at times, but she didn't cower to what Kelly Jo wanted every single time. She showed some of that same resolve when Carlin visited their first apartment with Kelly Jo and Josie. She did not take every piece of advice about decorating it, nor did she when Erin came to visit when they moved in the house. 

Michael doesn't come off exasperated like Alyssa or as removed from the chaos as Zach. I think - and this is just my interpretation - she may think that she could probably do a better job than Kelly Jo at being a mother to a large crowd. She is certainly stricter with her younger siblings than her parents are at this point. To me that seems a call out like Alyssa's comments of the house always being loud or Josie's comments about it always being dirty. 

Josie, Tori, and Carlin are in a different category than the oldest three girls. They were actually taken care of by Michaela and Alyssa (and whatever it was that Erin did). Yes, they got the roles of caregivers when those three were gone, but it doesn't appear to be the same level. We never saw them having to cook huge meals (more like heat and serve) and all three claim they never learned to cook. They helped with school stuff, but they also had a bit more freedom with going to Crown (later Liberty for Carlin). They are still insulated and isolated from other people to model their own life and behavior after, but there was some outside the family influence. 

Josie seems to want to live more like Alyssa and/or friends she made through cosmetology. She's not anti-religion by any means. She did say that she felt cosmetology was a good way for her to extend her mission work. But she seems to want that order and lifestyle of someone who doesn't have 500 kids and can have something breakable on a shelf without worry. 

Tori is Kelly Jo part two. 

Carlin hasn't changed at all. She still seeks that camera and has an image to project. I wonder about how she will be once the show is over someday. In the words of a friend of mine, "she might have to consider therapy just so she can continue talking about herself and pay someone to listen."

[Carlin and Evan: But Mostly Carlin!]

I feel bad Layla having so many issues so young. I also feel for her having two parents who are for all intents and purposes - EXHAUSTING!

Not every single moment has to be filmed or recorded. We don't have to have commentary on every single thing in the world. We even get commentary on their IG accounts about what they want to have for dinner and what they end up having. If we end up with videos about Evan picking out his socks and underwear, I'm swearing off social media forever. 

[Bringing Up Bates In The Media]

16 hours ago, Sew Sumi said:

I was wondering how she finished up a cosmetology degree with no school? How does that work?

I know that a lot of the licensure (trade) programs were allowing students to prepare for licensure exams without completing a certain number of hours in field experience or clinical settings. For example, in some states graduating nursing students who had completed all classes and were finishing clinicals were allowed to go ahead and take the tests (online) and apply for licensing. I don't know how Crown's curriculum works for cosmetology, but I am betting they did test prep, etc. online to push the students toward graduation and licensure. There is even some that could be done with the mannequin heads that they show the instructor via video conferencing. 

From what we have seen of Crown's cosmetology program on the show, the instructor has PowerPoints that are branded and maybe produced by the school. She was literally reading from the slides and notes, including the introductory questions to engage the class. That sort of lecture format doesn't necessarily require in person attendance. She can upload the slides and do videos demonstrating skills while the students practice those skills at home on their mannequin heads. 

I finished a new master of arts degree a few weeks ago. I was already taking classes online, as the school is in Indiana and I'm not. I had to do my thesis defense via video conference. Normally, I would have been required to travel to do it in person. It actually felt a bit harder to do it that way (online), as I couldn't see everyone and wasn't sure if what I said resonated or not. But I am grateful I had that opportunity since I didn't want to delay graduation. 

[Season 9 Discussion]

1 hour ago, LongDenimFrumper said:

When Erin and Chad were discussing a new home, I like how Erin mentions she wants a "small home" because it's so easy to organize. Uh uh. I also think it's cute that she says they only need one more bedroom. Who are you kidding Erin? You are planning on pushing out at least 15 or more children, you need a massive compound to accommodate the brood you're planning. I don't know why these people beat around the bush so much. Just be real. You need a good sized home for your large/growing family. Chad is going to have to bite the bullet soon and get a mortgage. (Somehow, some way.) It has got to be killing Erin to see some of her siblings own a decent sized home before her. As their family grows...I wonder if they are starting to question whether any of this is smart? Or do they truly believe God will provide for their mega family? I know I would be freaking out if I had 4 kids packed into one tiny bedroom! 

Just some conjecture and some assumptions on my part, but I think Erin has a very different perspective on growing up than her siblings of a similar age do. While Michaela and Alyssa were required (volunteered) to cook meals for the family as a whole from an early age and the boys were required to be a part of the tree business and find their own careers to make money, she was more sheltered by her parents. They sort of picked her out as the "talented" one to make music. She was allowed to spend more time practicing than doing some of the chores her siblings were doing. 

From the early magazine shows and 19KAC appearances, we saw Michaela doing laundry and cooking with a baby on her hip or at her side (Callie, Addee, or Ellie). Alyssa was cooking and usually caring for the needs of the middle boys and Josie/Katie in those days. Tori and Carlin claimed they didn't want to learn to cook (Tori more vocally), but Kelly Jo insisted for the cameras at least. Erin was not required to do those things. They actually joked about her lack of ability with cooking. 

In the 19KAC episodes where the Duggars come to visit, they show Gil and Kelly assigning chores. Erin's name was always distinctly absent from that, as her chore was apparently giving piano lessons to her siblings. I'm not saying that isn't work. But it is very different than cleaning the bathrooms, cleaning bedrooms and changing sheets, or fixing meals for 40-plus people when the Duggars showed up. 

Where there is a little evidence that Zach, Michaela, and Alyssa have a little more care in the way they operate - Zach and Michaela seem more practical and Alyssa is more in tune with wanting nicer things and giving her daughters things she probably didn't have growing up - Erin seems intent on repeating her parents' lifestyle. So - again just assuming - she looks at things as it worked for me growing up so it should be fine. I haven't really seen any of that motivation with her to rise above and have a more comfortable or better life than she had growing up. 

[Season 9 Discussion]

19 hours ago, LynneH said:

I don't have a problem with apprenticeship programs or even the teenagers following around Chad, Zach, Gil or whomever.  In my opinion, It's a great opportunity to decide if they like and have the constitution for that particular career plan.  If they do, great, go to college and get your license/degree; if you don't then move on to something else.

True apprenticeship programs are great. I take exception to Kelly Jo's interpretation that her sons wander around, perform tasks they aren't ready to do, and then get paid for it. Many companies aren't equipped for real apprenticeships, which require a mixture of classroom education and hands on experience. State licensed positions (varies by location), require both to be legally able to work in electricity, plumbing, etc. It is a disservice to true apprenticeships to pretend that what the Bates do is anywhere close to that. 

That said, these boys (and girls) need to be allowed to explore the careers they have an interest in without pressure from Kelly Jo and Gil. If she wants to coordinate it, then put it in as part of her homeschool curriculum. At around 14/15, the kids could choose 2-3 careers they had an interest in and find someone in those careers to interview about the job. He or she could write up their findings and even follow someone around for a day or two. At 16ish they could expand that to include learning how to become licensed and exploring educational opportunities for those they were interested in. Basically, it should progress and be based on their interests and initiative. 

Kelly Jo doesn't need to ask John or any of the other sons-in-law. It comes off as if she is trying to pawn off her sons on Alyssa to care for so she doesn't have to do it while they follow John around in Florida. 

[Season 9 Discussion]

9 hours ago, sATL said:

Can Kelli sew? who taught Michella ?

And Kelli - NO. Trace/Jackson and any other Bates son does not need to apprentice under John. The HVAC business is for the Websters. Stop trying to pimp out your sons. If any Bates man-child wants to learn/know/work,  then let man up and ask Webster Sr (John's dad) themselves. Or wait for a Wester to state they are looking for newbies, because their business is growing.

Skills

Kelly Jo apparently cannot sew. The evidence is when Michaela arrives and she begs her to mend something, fix something, sew something. Michaela apparently picked up some of her skills with sewing and even cooking from Gil's mother. Kelly Jo has said she grew up with tv dinners and the such. 

People who I know who used to go to church with the Bates before Gil started his own say that Michaela was always the one of the family to bring dishes to the pot lucks and such. Some of the women in the church helped her to learn different skills, as according to two of the people I know with connections to them, "Kelly Jo never really did anything. She just stood around and talked about how much she head done while some of her daughters did all the heavy lifting."

That must have been an early memory for Michaela to have mentioned about Gil playing with them after 5 p.m. since Kelly Jo was cooking and not her. I assume that would be around the Nabisco time. Granted some of the early interviews talked about Gil's tree business and coming home to play with the kids.  

Education

The apprentice thing is the Gothard IBLP talk rearing its head. Their beloved Crown College has its own HVAC program for students. It's better than nothing. It would be one thing if Jackson, Warden, and Isiah were vocal about wanting to pursue a career in the trades but unsure which one. Shadowing Chad, John, Kelton, and Evan might be helpful in that regard. They could observe what goes on and how things work. But no they don't need to apprentice, work, and get paid. They need to explore career options and learn before making a decision. 

Case in point, I have a cousin who said she wants to be a nurse. She has said this since she was 4. It was assumed that is what she would do. In high school she barely passed biology or chemistry and I internally questioned her resolve. Before enrolling in the healthcare program she had to sit through an orientation and be advised. Her car broke down so I drove her. The advisor looked at her transcript and package and I could see he had doubts. I expected him to just say no and send her away. He didn't. He sat there and asked if she liked needles. Did she like blood or freak out at the sight of it? What was her own health experience with nurses? My cousin admitted she hated all of that and that she wasn't sure why she wanted to be a nurse. He pointed her in the direction of some other programs and encouraged her to interview people in those professions and watch what they did. It helped her pick her career and educational path without telling her she couldn't or shouldn't do something. 

Let these boys (and preferably the girls too) take a career assessment to see where their interests and abilities are right now. 

Alyssa's Health

I've had the same procedure as Alyssa had. It is scary, but so much easier and better than many of the alternatives out there. While such things can appear later in life or during pregnancy, I have to question the kids healthcare growing up. Gil talked about using the ER for everything in some early interviews. Did they ever have any preventative care or testing as children? Were they only taken when something was clearly wrong?

Although I agree that Alyssa and John's daughters are better off with two healthy parents, I did side eye the television with Gil's statement. On Callie's birthday he made the comment that wished her a happy birthday and said she was sure to be a wonderful mother someday. The family does have some skewed views on the roles of men and women, as well as love, marriage, and relationships overall. I just shook my head the other week when Callie stated Lawson being single at his age was "odd." Given her age, odd was probably not her own word. She was parroting or mimicking something someone else has said. Not that I like Lawson, but his single status in a family that puts such pressure on instant love and marriage is quite refreshing. His lack of a girlfriend or wife means one less woman is bound into the submission that is the Bates family. 

[Season 9 Discussion]

21 hours ago, sATL said:

I thought Michealla was an EMT in her prior-single life. Don't EMT insert IVs? I know she is rusty on the procedure, but she seemed like it was her 1st time...

 

I asked this question too - given the time period when all of this happened. Someone on the board suggested that maybe the older kids were biological only to the father. 

1. EMTs can be trained on IV access. She admitted she knew about it but was rusty on it. Remember that when she and Zach did their training, most of it was with the volunteer fire department in Anderson County. Not knocking them (some of my family does this), but I'm not sure how well they were trained. In the 19KAC episode showing Michaela and Zach on a call, he was working and she was back at the truck with the equipment and monitoring it. I know there was a lot of question at that point as to how much training and practice she had. Her previous education was in health sciences, but that doesn't really get into the practical side of patient care. 

I don't have the stomach to do healthcare so I don't know for sure. She seemed a little thrown about where she should put the tourniquet since it wasn't a real arm (or the size of one). That may have been part of her issue. My cousin is a former EMT turned nurse. She said her instructors expect her to know far more than she actually does. 

2. I have wondered that too, but the one sister - Kay - is very similar in looks to Betty (the mother) only a little rounder. Kelly Jo also said at one point that Betty was living with Kay or Kim. Granted not everything that comes out of her mouth is true. 

Didn't someone say that Kelly Jo's father was a minister or preacher? Since her siblings were all older, they might have chosen to live with him and Kelly Jo was too young for that decision. He apparently remarried rather soon after and had more children. Kelly Jo alternates between calling them her step siblings and her half siblings. 

[Season 9 Discussion]

1 hour ago, Sew Sumi said:

The Websters rent. I don't remember exactly when Alyssa said it, but she did divulge that information at one point.

I couldn't remember if they did or not. Thanks. 

[Season 9 Discussion]

2 hours ago, BitterApple said:

With regards to Erin and a house, I'm leaning towards they can't afford it. Fundie girls are all about one-upping. There's no way Erin would miss an opportunity to have a bigger and better house than her sisters, especially considering Chad can do renovations. It's not like they need a brand new place in an upscale subdivision. They could find a halfway decent fixer-upper and let Chad work his magic. If Chad is refusing to take a mortgage, they'll likely be renting forever. 

They would be hard pressed to get a mortgage probably. He doesn't work a regular job and likely doesn't bring in a whole lot as a self-employed contractor. The UP money doesn't really count, as that is not what most banks would see as a steady income. 

Note the ones who do have a home have one person working a traditional job or did at the time of the mortgage. Zach, Kelton, and John (if they own) all work or worked for an actual company with steady salaries and benefits. 

I worked freelance with my writing for a while. Banks were reluctant to count that as my income, as it fluctuated so much depending on how many active clients I had or didn't have. I get money from my published books (not much), but I couldn't really count it either, as it too changed each quarter. 

[Season 9 Discussion]

2 hours ago, iluvobx said:

I thought that Kelli Jo went to live with her father when her parents divorced.  I thought that was strange when it was mentioned.

No, she said in the episode where they go to her old high school and tour her childhood home that her siblings (Kay, Kim, and Chip) went to live with him and she lived with their mother. Given the time period, a man getting custody is strange. I've always associated her lack of having her siblings around every day with some of her weird vibes about wanting to be besties with her older daughters. 

The exact quote from the episode (Season 5, Episode 8 - Sweet Home Spartanburg) was:

"I was in the third grade when my parents got divorced. I lived with my mother and my siblings lived with my father. So they moved to Tennessee. I stayed in South Carolina with my mom."

[Season 9 Discussion]

6 hours ago, Temperance said:

They have seen a doctor about infertility and it didn't help. IBLP is against adoption and the Bates seem to somewhat believe that. 

I agree Erin needs a bigger house. 

I had thought that IBLP would loosen their stance on adoption with the ousting of Gothard. However, they have strengthened it in some ways. The current line of thinking is that adoption is done by couples who have one or more children to bring the adopted child over from another country rather than allow him or her to be "raised by the Godless." When I went through my adoption process (twice), I met quite a few people who are similar in their beliefs with IBLP and some followers. I chose international adoption because of the rules in the state where I live that were made tougher to rule out LGBT adoptions (making it harder on anyone who was single). People I met through the adoption process were very much fundy and believed if they didn't adopt internationally, that these babies would be given to Godless couples. It was missionary work and rescue to them rather than building a family.

The idea stems from their whole system of beliefs that all things happen with God's blessing and timing. Infertility or fertility issues are seen as a test by God or him preparing a couple for something else in the meantime. Procedures like IVF, adoption, or fertility treatments are basically seen a mother and father not trusting God's decisions or design and taking such things into their own hands. 

Michaela said in one episode that she would be open to adoption and that they were considering it. Given later comments that Brandon has made about God's timing, I am pretty sure he's still very heavily on that IBLP train of thought. Maybe he will come around and think differently, but I think it would take a big questioning of faith that he is not going to do yet. 

Given that Brandon still does work for IBLP/ATI, he is unlikely to go against their beliefs even if that is the one big thing that would make Michaela happy and content. Even with him working remotely now, I doubt that their presence in Tennessee is permanent. I would anticipate that once the show is over (no more money from that) and Michaela is finished with school, they will head off to allow him to work more closely with their "ministry."  

I know it always comes up that Kelly Jo's mother adopted Beth and Becca. However, one should realize that Kelly Jo's mother is not a follower of IBLP. She was a divorced woman who chose to adopt for her own reasons. Second, by IBLP's current thinking, she already had children and chose to adopt - something allowed and sanctioned by IBLP. I don't know Kelly Jo's family situation, but it is very nontraditional to say the least. Kelly Jo was raised by her mother when the rest of her siblings went with their father. Kelly Jo was married with babies of her own when her mother adopted. Kelly Jo seems very stilted and strange with her siblings on camera. They seem removed from each other and their mother too. 

For example, in the episode where Kelly Jo's mother gets married again. Kay, who lives close to their mother and helped take care of her at times per the storyline, arrives at lunch with some of the kids and Kelly Jo/Gil. She then admits she has never met the man (Tom) her mother is marrying. That whole exchange struck me as odd. 

Kelly Jo's sisters seem quite normal. I wonder what they really think about her and her beliefs, etc. 

[Season 9 Discussion]

14 hours ago, Sew Sumi said:

I was amazed that her class only had four students. 

In a lot of health science courses, the classes are around 20. Different faculty work with smaller groups of students in lab/practical skills. The largest a skill group can be is 12 for each instructor. Most schools do 4-6. Then all the small groups gather together for lecture. 

[Josie and Kelton: They Have Employable Skills]

6 hours ago, Temperance said:

Which is Katie?

The one on the right with the whitish/grayish sweater. 

She's in or was in a cosmetology program. Most women in those programs will experiment a bit with their own hair to cut and color it. Josie's hair is just below shoulder length right now. She uses hair extensions frequently. 

[Season 9 Discussion]

10 hours ago, laney said:

Have you seen the commercial for this week’s show?  I cannot figure out if it is the accent or bad editing, but o cannot figure out what she says after something about, “When someone offers to take your kids”. Is anyone else struggling?

It's something about letting or wanting them to take them (the kids) for two days. 

[Season 9 Discussion]

Kelly Jo did everything for that toothpaste commercial but smile at the camera with the little ding and flash of light from her brilliant white smile as she held the box up for us to to see it and have a web address under it for us to order.

I have been to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge many times in my life. LOL that they were acting like it was some big getaway. These people live 90 minutes away. I guess this was another one of those "rare" opportunities for the whole family to be together. I get that it is more dramatic for the camera for everyone to be in the same place. However, if you are wanting to bond with a family member - that situation makes it a bit hard. 

My father is one of 14 children. There are 38 grandchildren. I am number 38. I am also the only grandchild to carry on the family name, as none of my dad's brothers had children (most never got married). They used to have huge family gatherings with all the kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, and great-great grandkids. I don't know most of these people and never had a conversation with some of them. However, others I saw or still see on a regular basis. I know them and talk to them. One is a carpenter and did some work on my place. One is a realtor and sold my old house. One is a nursing assistant and I used to to tutor her kids for school.

I say that to say I don't see these giant family vacays as anything but another chance for Gil and Kelly Jo to show off to the public about their mega family. Kind of like the Duggars used to hand out pictures of their family to everyone who questioned why there were so many (cab drivers, random people on the street), I think the Bates like going places and having people stare. 

I was annoyed with Nathan and Gil making comments to Katie and Travis about being on the simulator together. Notice that they weren't making similar comments to Trace and his girlfriend. It reminded me too much of my grandfather on my mother's side of the family. She is the oldest of the children they had. At 12 she was invited to a boy and girl birthday party. He didn't want her to go. He lectured her for hours about not wanting her to play post office or spin the bottle. When he agreed to let her go, he went with her and watched the whole time. She already had a struggle socially because she wore a cousin's hand me downs and they had no money (lived in public housing). If they are "letting each couple define courtship, etc.," then why the overt gestures of control and fear? 

 

[S17.E05: Bring Your Loved One To Work]

1 hour ago, sharifa70 said:

I also immediately rooted against him for calling it “Hot-lanta” because even though I have no idea if that’s a thing with the locals, I hate that term. 

We locals hate it. It is so overdone. 

[Season 9 Discussion]

6 hours ago, SideofSlaw said:

Nice of them to not introduce Travis’ (probably) sister and there was no footage of anyone talking to her or acknowledging her the entire episode. How gracious of them.

Seriously, it was like the family had a groupie or stalker just wandering around and joining them. 

[Season 9 Discussion]

2 hours ago, ranchgirl said:

I think that was Travis' sister. His chaperone for this trip.  

Makes sense for the Bates. I was so annoyed with Katie's behavior I started looking in the background and wondering why there was some random person joining them at the table and for mini golf. 

Travis is quite the big spender by the way. I noticed when he showed up with the pizza that it was a Little Caesars Pizza box. So he bought her a $5 pizza? Katie, the giggling and demands to not have to share the spotlight in the family relationships was bought pretty cheap there. 

[S17.E05: Bring Your Loved One To Work]

27 minutes ago, Ashforth said:

I forgot to say, I felt for Kevin that he had already used the apple butter recipe that was so highly praised as something that should be bottled and sold. I wondered at first whether he might try doing it again and putting it with a different dish, but I understand why he didn't, I think he would have been dinged by the judges. 

But I bet inside he was kicking himself for not holding that recipe back for a minute.

He is selling it as a to go item with cornbread. It is on my order list. 

[S17.E05: Bring Your Loved One To Work]

1 minute ago, dleighg said:

I know it's a show and all, but it seemed pretty unfair to base the QF on someone giving (often terrible) descriptions to the chefs. Mostly because I love Bryan V and he was really screwed by that!

I would have "bought" Kevin's calamari bolognese -- I don't think it's so weird. But yes, Nini's Vietnamese glaze sounded amazing.

I found the V brothers wooden and arrogant their season. When he did Top Chef Masters, I found him a little less annoying and saw a sense of humor. He cracked me up last night when he realized how off he was with the quick fire. He could have been angry and sullen, but he laughed about it

[Season 9 Discussion]

Four observations. 

1. Those girls went super vapid for that group ultrasound. With all the makeup, giggling, loudness, and silliness, I was clearly getting a hillbilly Kardashian vibe with Kelly Jo as Kris Jenner. 
2. Tori did go to Dr. Vick at first with Kade. He told her about the low progesterone and said to call if she needed anything before she found a new doc in Nashville. So why wasn't she tested then? And since it is hereditary, shouldn't she have told new doc? Clearly Kelly lied about getting all the girls tested.
3. How many times do we have to hear they are competitve? It has gotten to the point we have at least three talking heads per episode about how competitive they are at games. It isn't a big revalation. It is a game. Someone wins and everyone else loses. Not that deep folks. 
4. Who was the extra girl with them. She was standing next to Lawson when Katie was getting pointers from Travis. She was too rounds and wrong face for Addallee or Ellie. She was next to Warden? and Tori at one point. 

[Season 9 Discussion]

On 4/13/2020 at 1:48 PM, andromeda331 said:

He still has all the projects he does for the family no doubt free. Erin really can't be making that much from her CDs if she's even still doing that. 

Erin's CDs were never going to make actual money for her or her family. They are not professionally produced. She spends money to make them by hiring accompanists, renting studio time, etc. It's the same with Lawson. They are not backed by a recording contract so there is nobody picking up those costs. If their music was to take off and sales go through the roof, they could make a tidy sum. 

But they have to spend money on (not a full list):

- Recording Studio Time - most places charge by the hour with some big name artists paying $20,000 for just time to record a few songs. I don't think Lawson or Erin go for that high of quality. 

- Producer(s) - This is a matter of you get what you pay for. 

- Licensing of songs they don't own (Lawson writes his own lyrics, but does he do the music too?)

- Musical Talent for accompaniment - Lawson's band always seemed distant from him and not like they are a group who normally work together. I might be wrong, but I think they are all just hired guns to back him up. 

- Mixing - This is a huge expense. 

- Photography and Graphic Arts - Chad did Erin's graphic arts on one of her covers. 

- Production if they go with a hard CD route. 

- Distribution costs

- Marketing 

- Lawson's costs for music videos that pretty much live on Youtube only. 

Erin's got a few of hers for sale on Amazon (digitally). The cost for her 2019 gospel music collection is $8.91. I would be hard pressed to believe that even covers her costs. It is purely a vanity project to say that she has recorded her own CDs. To make money at it, musicians have to hustle. They have to not only sing/play their instrument(s), they have to be their own sales people and work with others to get the product out there through touring, distribution, etc. I don't think that is what Erin has ever wanted to do. For Erin, I truly think it is a way to that she can reconcile to herself and maybe her parents at first that it wasn't a waste for her to go to Crown. Remember she was the first of the lot to go. While Gil and Kelly have their own education, it isn't something they pushed on the kids until after she started. 

 

3 hours ago, LongDenimFrumper said:

That would be pretty tight for a family of 5. Just hypothetically speaking....$40,000 minus the typical 20% in taxes and whatever else they pay in for health insurance leaves roughly $32,000. Broken down by month that's about $2,700 left to pay a mortgage, home & auto insurance, GROCERIES, electric, water, internet, gas for the vehicles, etc. That's not even counting what they spend on family outings, entertainment, matching clothing, hair and nail appointments, household furnishings, eating out or or the gazillion family pictures they take. I would imagine their insurance doesn't totally cover the cost of a hospital birth every year either.  I still don't know how they do it!

I have quite a bit of family who work in Anderson County government. According to the pay schedule, a beginning deputy without POST certification would earn $40,000 to $42,000 until they got more experience. Then he or she would get a bump of about $6,000 a year. Additionally, for each certification (driving, guns, other weapons, drugs, etc.), they can get a smaller bump in salary. Average annual raise is about 3%. My family members pay $25 a month for their share of the health insurance - that may change soon. Deputies also get pretty good overtime benefits, as well as getting lots of offers to work security off duty at events. I live near Atlanta in a small town. Our officers get $45 an hour to work a Saturday event (directing traffic, monitoring beer sales, and guarding the cash tills. Work a few 12 hour events and that money adds up since there are no taxes taken out. 

Zach has said on the show that he still does some construction and some tree work on off days to supplement. Whitney is still listed on Bailey & Co. for real estate. I'm not sure how active she is, if at all, but she could bring in a small amount. I would think that unless Chad or Erin get their license, the next time they decide to flip houses (with or without a partner), they will probably get Whitney to list it. 

Anderson County also does a pretty good deal for law enforcement, teachers, etc. with lower interest rates and down payment grants that could have really helped in buying a house. If they paid $175,000 for the house, which is about the going rate for the area where they live. They could have put down $10,000 and gotten $20,000 if they agreed to live there 5 years. So that could mean payments less than $600 a month. 
 

[Season 9 Discussion]

14 hours ago, Sew Sumi said:

I think Gil is relying almost solely on UP money. After all, One of the girls, addressing whether she'd wear pants on the show said, "It's my dad's show." I think it was Josie. 

Gil hasn't worked in the tree business himself in years. I don't know who's even running it, if it is even running at all.  Lawson and Nathan are off doing their own thing. Trace and Jackson are both working for Chad. No other brother is of age to operate the business. 

I doubt the church is that profitable. They had to make a ton of improvements to the building before they could even use it. I'm sure UP cash was used there. 

I seriously doubt that Gil is paying his adult children or putting anything away for the minors. Like his buddy Jim Bob, the checks are only in Gil's name.

It was Alyssa's comment about it being "dad's show." She was asked on social media why she wears pants frequently off the show but doesn't on the show. It's a legit comment, as the show was originally pitched to Kelly Jo and Gil to film the family. The original iteration included no married children and now several are married with kids of their own. It's still technically a show about the Bates family - not the Bates, Websters, Paines, Balkas, Smiths, Stewarts, etc. That's part of the reason that the opening still only includes what Gil calls original Bates. 

Gil has not kept up with the incorporation of the Bates Tree Service. I believe he may have a job now and then to keep up appearances and do favors or exchanges for things. However, most of his help is gone, as Zach has a regular/real job, Nathan and Lawson are more interested in profiteering/ministering and/or being influencers. Trace was clear in season 1 that he wasn't interested in tree work and would prefer to do something else. Isaiah, Jackson and Warden appear to be more interested in pretending to be contractors like Chad. 

In terms of pay from the show...

UP is probably not paying as much as TLC, as TLC is part of Discovery and Scripts, which have much more money and resources. However, they clearly aren't doing the show for free. I also believe the married couples are receiving pay unlike was Derick Dillard claims from his time with TLC. I seriously doubt Michael/Brandon and Tori/Bobby would have both moved back to Knoxville area of Tennessee without some incentive like pay from UP. Brandon would have probably continued on in Chicago and Bobby would have probably moved them to Florida closer to his family and roots to find a minister job. 

I would think they get some freebies from UP to do the show, including some travel like Florida, Myrtle Beach, etc. However, unlike TLC, the girls honeymoons aren't covered. Carlin and Josie both did honeymoons at resorts that don't allow filming of shows without major red tape, etc. However, the honeymoons of Michael/Brandon and Tori/Bobby both had filming days and were at least discounted for that effort. You can tell if something is covered by UP or comped/discounted by the company for how many times they mention the company name. The more mentions, the more likelihood that the company gave a discount or comp. If it is shown and vaguely mentioned, UP made the arrangements. If it is mentioned that someone went on a trip but we see nothing, that's not something that is comped. 

Carlin's wedding location and dance lessons are an example. The location was mentioned multiple times. I'd say the company gave her a discount - they do nothing for free in my experience dealing with them. The dance lessons are another story. They would occasionally show the name of the studio (never really talked about it) and received multiple private lessons where they got to invite other family to attend. UP arranged for that - no doubt. It would have been too hard to get permission to shoot an actual class with people who would have to sign for permission to show them learning to dance. They showed too many of the "classes" for UP not to have been trying to get their money's worth. 

Churches in general are typically money pits in terms of business. I'm Jewish so I don't know the intricacies, but I do know that attendance is waning at many churches and they are seeking new ways to reach people. Gil's church is in the middle of the Bible Belt. People can find a church on any corner. I don't know how locals feel about him, but he doesn't appear to be that dynamic of a preacher to get crowds in to see him and money into the collection plates. 

A friend of mine is doing her thesis on church attendance. She has found that many people appreciate and enjoy larger churches with more activities (childcare, preschool, sports, etc.) where they are members but aren't singled out as such. They like online options and different types of services such as traditional, modern, casual, and more. People are not as into the whole sit quietly for two hours while someone screams at you that you are going to hell in some hypocritical way and then go have a pot luck that evening with the same people. 

I think Gil and the church are sort of a vanity project for him. He likes being that center of attention (Carlin and Lawson get that from him). He likes being the person in charge. That's why you aren't going to see him inviting Bobby to be an equal there - Bobby has education in that area and Gil doesn't. You might see Gil had over the reigns to Nathan one day when they are older, but probably not while Gil can still be in the spotlight. That might actually be one of the plans to get Nathan to get married and stay there in Anderson County. 

 

[Season 9 Discussion]

3 hours ago, IndianPaintbrush said:

I only saw a short clip, but is it true that Josie had never tried shrimp before?? I'm a little baffled by that because shrimp are all over the south. Not even deep-fried, nothing?

I raised an eyebrow at that too. In an early episode, the family went to the beach and went fishing. Nothing was mentioned that nobody ate seafood  other than saying the boys rarely caught any and the girls went to the grocery store and bought hot dogs just in case. The timeline was when Allie Jane was a baby because she spit up on Carlin at the store. 

Fast forward a few years and it is a storyline that none of them have tried any type of seafood and freak out about it. Gil and Kelly presented the kids with shrimp cocktail for them to try - not exactly a good first choice for those unsure about shrimp, but okay. I just have a hard time believing they never tried seafood when they are accustomed to their brothers fishing in the rivers around Tennessee. Trout, etc. aren't seafood, but they are close enough that you wouldn't typically be squeamish about one and not the other. 

I realize they might not do much seafood in Tennessee, but South Carolina where they go two or more times a year to visit the grandparents is pretty much seafood heavy. It's low country and hard to miss out on seafood at every turn. You would have to really try to avoid seafood to miss it. 

I'm not a fan of shrimp, but have eaten it more than a few times. Crab, lobster, and scallops are my faves when we are at the beach. Even as a kid I couldn't stop eating crab cakes.