BitterApple

I only caught the last ten minutes where Amy gathered everyone around to make her "big announcement." The expressions on the Duggar kids' faces were priceless: they had zero fucks to give. Nobody was even paying attention to her. I'm guessing the first fifty minutes were equally as boring as the last ten.

Even though I hate tv vow renewals, I'd told myself to give this one an open mind. However, the blatant scripting was absurd. Jen's pager just happens to go off right after she finds out she'll be renewing her vows? Ok, sure. I'm also calling shenanigans on the timeline. My guess is they went to Galveston Wednesday or Thursday to film all the filler crap, (day at the beach, Bill's meeting with hotel staff, birthday dinner, fake proposal) and then met up with family to have a fun weekend and the "surprise" renewal. It wouldn't make sense to have all those people fly in only to spend one day with them. On a positive note, the kids were adorable and I'm happy to see Zoe confidently charging ahead in life. She is a stunningly beautiful child. Will's speech is noticeably improved.

Ugh, I just checked my cable listings. Are we seriously going to have to sit through two hours of Cousin Amy tonight? What sadistic TLC exec made that decision? Prepare for attention-whoring and off-key warbling folks!

I wish they would get poor Joy her own clothes instead of making her wear the J'Slaves hand me downs. She has a curvier figure than the older girls and her clothes always look tight and uncomfortable.

I really don't like a lot of people in and out of my house and I get the vibe that Jen is the same way. She might prefer the kids to socialize at the playground, kiddie gym etc., versus having to be responsible for other peoples' children at her home.

I actually think Bill and Jen are pretty low-key parents. How many of you have a co-worker who blathers on endlessly about their oh-so-gifted child who's four, speaks six languages, has a black belt in karate and studies college-level physics? The Kleins seems pretty realistic in their assesments and expectations for their children.

The chilli looked awful. Shredded chicken would have been so much better and absorbed more flavor. The Mexican punch seemed like a glorified Shirley Temple to me.

I like Ree well enough, but I'm dumbfounded as to how her show is so successful when she just recycles and repackages the same recipes over and over. Yes, her stuff is church potluck, but it's not even GOOD church potluck. I can make recipes from the back of a Campbell's soup can too, where the hell's my show? Also, yes, I agree that Ree is wearing hair extensions. I don't remember her hair ever being that thick.

Just a quick aside about how things don't always translate: The company I used to work for did an image overhaul. Some genius in marketing came up with the idea of a company "gesture." They printed up all kinds of posters, brochures, etc. with employees making this weird hand gesture. Unfortunately it turned out that the sign was deeply offensive in Asian culture; basically the equivalent of giving someone the finger and telling them "fuck you." Too bad nobody did any research before they made it a focal point of the advertising campaign!

Considering po po is urban slang for police, I'm not surprised Bill and Jen went with Nai Nai. It's much cuter and more endearing (at least in my opinion).

Both players looked like they were struggling physically. Congrats to Rafa, but the germophobe in me gets skeeved out every time he bites that trophy. Doesn't he have any idea how many people's hands have touched that thing before he gets it?

Bill has ongoing orthopedic issues so I certainly don't expect him to schlep up and down stairs when they have the elevator. If it's there and it's needed, by all means use it.

CousinAmy, great points. I sometimes forget that most of these epis are special occasions/outings. As a child I was given more leeway to have goodies if I was at the carnival or the zoo versus a regular Tuesday night at home. I'm hoping the "ice cream-for a-picture" scenario was a one-time thing to keep the peace. My bone to pick is I don't like the idea of using food as a reward for good behavior, especially on a kid who will be prone to weight gain as he ages.

Hey, why settle for one shower when you can be a greedy grifter for three? And I'm sure Kelly Bates sent out reminders to let everyone know where Alyssa was registered... During Erin's wedding epi I was shocked at how juvenile she was. My eleven year-old neighbor conducts herself with more composure and maturity than twenty-something Erin. It's downright scary to see how these Fundie kids are so emotionally stunted.

BizBuzz, I don't think anyone begrudges Bill and Jen for being paid to do a reality show. I think ZoloftBlob was making a point to those who feel Bill and Jen are some sort of sacrificial lambs who've given up their lives for the sake of "educating the public." At the end of the day it's a business, it's a job, and their lifestyle has upgraded significantly from appearing on tv. Dwarfism awareness is just a nice by-product of that.

I never understood the "Free Jinger" nonsense, because besides her eye-rolling what exactly makes her a spunky, independent free spirit? To me she's as much of a Kool-Aid drinker as the rest of them. Unlike Jill, she's done nothing to take classes or enter into any kind of career field, so maybe she's more content with her life than we assume.

I'm predicting this show will tank. Halle Berry is a horrible, overrated actress and I don't think she has a big enough fan base to generate long term interest. Unless she has some kick-ass co-stars I'm predicting a one and done season.

Chai, I think they needed material for the show. Derick was already scheduled to come home in two months, so Jill could have waited. The Benessa courtship is one big, constipated snoozefest, so something was needed to maintain interest.

Aaarghh! "New season of life" is one phrase that might just push me over the edge... I agree about Duggar time. In reality the family only has three children who need help in the morning: Jenny, Jordyn and Josie. Hannie, Jackson, Justin and the Howlers should be able to get dressed, brush their teeth and wash their faces without someone holding their hand. They really have no excuse for being chronically late.

Once you have one bad flight it's hard to get back on a plane without having a panic attack. I was a flight attendant for seven years and nearly quit after a flight I was working got caught in a severe thunderstorm. Passengers were screaming so loudly the pilots couldn't hear ATC on their radios. And this was on a 150 seat Airbus, not a little puddle jumper. Worst experience of my life to this day.

Regarding the timeline, I wonder if TLC did their usual wonky editing tricks and filmed the Easter episode over a couple of days. Even if Jen had started early in the morning she still wouldn't have gotten home til two or three. Heading off on an outing that late in the day wouldn't make much sense, especially when you're relying on two small children to be in a good mood for filming. If Jen arriving home was actually Easter Sunday my guess is the farm scenes were filmed the day before.

Absolom, great point that the Duggars would face even MORE scrutiny if they registered themselves as a charity. I can imagine registering your primary dwelling as a church and writing off every expense related to that residence would set off a massive wave of alarm bells when it came time to file returns.

I think "meltdown" is used as a catch-all term to describe varying degrees of fussiness. True, Will didn't have a full blown tantrum, but he did act like a brat over the cake. When Jen was arguing back and forth I think the lightbulb finally went on in her head where she realized she was making it worse by engaging him. That's when she did the smart thing by pushing in his chair and walking away until he'd composed himself.

I wouldn't have an issue with the homeschooling if they did in fact, you know, homeschool. Between the road trips, tv appearances and book tours there is no way in hell those kids are doing schoolwork on a consistent basis. What really sucks is they create the impression that all homeschooled kids are lazy slackers who pick up a workbook when they feel like it. A huge disservice to those who homeschool and take their children's education very seriously.

Ohwell, "Murder by Tennis"= best line ever! Sharapova/Halep was a tough one, I think it could have gone either way. I think Djokovic is pretty much a prick, but I have to admit I want to see someone different win this thing.