Any one going to watch COLONIAL HOUSE tonight?

There's an FAQ page at the Colonial House website

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/colonialhouse/faq.html

How did you select the applicants?
We received more than 5,000 applications from individuals and families, representing some 10,000 people. Our most important goal was finding people who were genuinely interested in the history and were willing to commit themselves to the project. We weren't looking for people who just wanted to be on television or just thought the project would be a lark. All the people who participated had very different reasons for doing so, which was great because when you look at the history of colonial America, you find that all the colonists had very different reasons for making such an uncertain and risky life change. In 1628, the people who invested in the colonies, some of who came themselves, were called "adventurers," and we think all of our modern participants are also adventurers. They're willing to take risks but they all have different reasons for wanting to take that risk. There were other obvious considerations -- applicants had to be healthy and had to be able to take up to five months out of their lives for the project. Finally, although we did our best to read through all the applications and then whittle down the numbers, it's not an exact science and no doubt there were plenty of suitable applicants who weren't chosen.

.....Alan.

B) More time on issues back-to-the-land basics that these folks had to deal with. Or a seperate series. i.e. where did they get all that nice wood for the siding on these homes? Or the furniture?

I know what you mean -- I couldn't care less about the infighting, personality conflicts, etc -- I want to know what they are DOING each day, in detail!

Why are they planting their corn in mounds? That seems like a lot of extra work.

While I was watching I was sitting there shaking my head at this. I know they said it was an "ancient native" way of planting corn -- but I thought that was only if you were going to do the "three sisters" thing -- and it's a lot of extra work. DH saw me shaking my head and started to laugh -- apparently I'm quite obvious when I am "disapproving"!!

Overall, I kind of found it a bit disappointing. I mean -- IMHO, it's not about the people or personalities involved -- but about the experience, right? You'd think they'd stress that. But maybe the producers have a different idea.

Tracy

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Ignorance is the true enemy.

I've seen the village, and I don't want it raising my children.

www.newcenturyhomestead.com

There's a reason soap operas and Survivor have better ratings than This Old House. The vast majority of people want personal conflict, not how-to. Do you think Survivor would have the ratings it does if an entire episode was devoted to fire building from tinder to timber?! Or perhaps an hour long lesson on gutting and scaling fish?

Point taken. Unfortunate, though, isn't it?

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Ignorance is the true enemy.

I've seen the village, and I don't want it raising my children.

www.newcenturyhomestead.com

I'll pass. These shows are a neat idea but always pick the more useless people our society offers to participate. I'd say most of the people who frequent this site would almost coast through one of these shows. They don't pick seasoned farmers or homesteaders for TV, they get better ratings from limp wristed city folk. I may catch it on winter reruns, (seriously I did enjoy frontier house!) I'm just too busy to watch TV right now.

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Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup........

Just finsihed up parts 3 and 4 tonight, My big problem with the show is they are allowing to much 21st centry into the life. The family should be required to follow the rules of the day or not be part of the show. The comming out of johnothan wasnt needed. having him come out was fine, but it didnt need to be part of the show. The vohrees family needs a swift kick in the butt.

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Gary in Central Ohio

All of these PBS "House" shows are cra*p (IMHO) A bunch of whiney people who have all of their food and homes given to them at the beginning of the show. Most of them don't even want to "follow the rules" that the producers set down.

If you want to see a decent "survival series," watch Pioneer Quest on PBS. This show was done in Canada, the people stayed for an entire year (including the winter!), they built their own shelters, and grew/hunted their own food.

(Where the heck are the muskets on this Colonial House anywho?!?!?!)

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This is the government the Founding Fathers warned us about.....

I think a lot of you are missing the point of these House series.

Those folks are not there to pretend they are seventeenth century colonists.

They are there pretending to be twenty first century people living in the seventeenth century with the tools, technology, and as many of the major laws and customs as can be practically brought forward into a twenty first century television show.

It's not a "how to" show, it's primary point is the human interaction between the participants.

So far, I think they're doing a pretty decent job.

I bet if we took a random sample of twenty four people from this forum and put them in the same circumstances we'd see just as much complaining as they are doing.

Some would cope, some wouldn't.

Pretty much like life in the twenty first century, as a matter of fact.

.....Alan.

Cabin Fever I asked that too, Where are the Guns? The wild indians? And didn't some early govners get hung by rebelling colonist? Watch out Jeff

I'd like to see them take 50 people and plant them in a DeadWood SD type environment in early Western days. Arm them with Peacemakers, Winchesters, Sharps Buffalo Rifles and Let'R Rip. No script, Just one day your in 2004 Next Day your in 1878. Hidden Cameras film everything.

Watched tonight Thought the Drama was a bit too 21st compliant.

I like these shows I really do but... always has to be a but.


Why does it seem they always pick the upper middle or filthy rich to do these shows?

I guess watching us po boys bust are arse without raisin' that much fuss wouldn't get em ratins eh

that one dude looked like a bowl of alpha bits

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"I didn't have time to slay the dragon. It's on my To Do list!"

Hey everyone. We watched Frontier House the last two nights and found them to be a profound disappointment. Basically, there were conflict-driven, PC type programs simply done IN a wilderness setting. You could pick out the staged aspects pretty quickly. First, there is the eevil TX Christian family (sarcasm here) who at every attempt of the Governor to actually set the rules which were in place back then, was portrayed subtly as someone FORCING Christian beliefs on everyone else. Ridiculous. The Vorhees family - two adults who acted like kids down to the filming of their naked bodies sitting on a rock. THAT staging was pretty obvious. I'm sure their kids are proud. The "coming out" of the gay kid - a totally selfish and unnecessary thing to do. The black young lady (we knew it was coming) and her "racial" statement before her departure. All in all, this show was a joke as a "Frontier" show. We will find the Canadian show the other poster mentioned. It sounds like the real deal.

In 1628, wouldn't these folks be doing some hunting? Maybe placing some snares for rabbits, squirrels and the like?

I liked watching them build the house. That was pretty interesting how they came up with the beams.

I thought the punishment thing was funny. I would think one might wear those scarlet letters with pride.

I thought the skinny dipping was a hoot. While I would never have that kind of nerve, I think it's pretty cool that not only did they have the nerve, but they had the nerve to do it with cameras running. Good for them!

It seems to me that the leader is spending too much time thinking and not enough time working. Why can't these guys work and talk at the same time? Since he doesn't have the abusive tools of the past, it seems that you need somebody that will lead by demonstration and lead with persuasion.

And why can't the sunday service be upgraded to be pleasant for everybody? Maybe an hour for everybody followed by two more hours for the folks like that heavy duty thing?

As for the "coming out", I can't help but think that this fella just wanted some spotlight. What does it matter if he's gay or not? Why does he need a stage to say it? If he just mentions it to some gossipy person, it will be all over the place in a few minutes. Less on homosexuality, and more on soap/tools/work.

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[raising chickens] [diatomaceous earth] [permaculture] [rocket mass heater] [lawn care]

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I also watched Colonial House and am overall disappointed although I will continue to watch it for now. I agree with the recommendation of Pioneer Quest, it is worth your time to watch. I only wish I had it on tape!

Cakes

p.s. I'm a new register, but I've been reading for many months!

I think something everyone has to remember too is we are only seeing a small fraction of what happened there. They were a 'colony' for 4 months, and we are only going to see what like 10 hours of 'highlights'. And what is television about but ratings, so they will put the most controversial parts, the arguments, the crying, the revelations on tv. I thought the black girl leaving was a great aspect, especially because no one knew she was going to leave at that point, but she did. I thought her comments to the camera were great. There are those who think jonathon's coming out was inappropriate. I disagree totally. We have to remember, these people had been together for about 2 months at this point, just the 17 of them to talk to. I'm sure they all talked about all kinds of aspects of their lives as they worked, or ate or whatever. I applaud jonathon for coming out, it's not easy to try to be friends with all of these people and spend 2 months talking to them about everything, but not able to tell them anything. Them talking all about their lives, but unable to say anything about his life. I actually liked the laypreacher and his wife a bit more after last nights episode. He's not a very good leader, jeff is a better leader, however, jeff would grate on my nerves. I still think he's a 'holier than though' type. With that silly attitude that gay people are evil or something.

I enjoyed the way the whole community pulled together to save the newborn piglet.. It was sweet. I would like to see more of their day-to-day chores. Perhaps we could learn something. I noticed all of a sudden last night they had radishes! when did they ever mention they were planting radishes and other veggies.. why didnt we see that? i'm also surprise the chickens arent free ranging more.. what are they feeding them? I still want to know if they have soap!!!

I watched some of it the first night. Agreed, I'd like more on techniques and less on whining, and while I'm as much of a feminist as anyone, it just makes sense for all the women to cook for all the men.

Personally, I thought they were nuts for growing corn instead of potatoes but I gather potatoes weren't cultivated at that point in history.

I think the thing that bothers me the most about this show is that the majority of the people chosen seem to have no interest in being there and no interest in actually trying to live as though it is 1628. Anyone who applied for that project would have a basic understanding of how the colonials lived. All of the rules had to be followed, not just the ones you agreed with. I understand why no one was selected who lives close to the land in this century, but PBS could have chosen people who had a genuine respect for the project concept. This group for the most part is shallow, artificial and completely unaware of a world beyond their own fingertips.

Im really surprised at how much they are allowing the 21st century to intrude into this experiment. In Edwardian House they were very strict about people staying in character..servants vs. master....and it was that struggle to stay in character that really made the show interesting. we really have completely lost the idea that being a servant and working for someone is an honorable way to earn a living. Its not like Domestic work has not always been part of society even in America. Most of us work for someone and are not our own bosses. I was rather amused when the Governor told his servants to shut up and stop arguing and get on with it. I think they all need a good swift kick in the pantaloons and the producers should have said Play by the criteria or take a hike. I have mixed emotions about Jonathans coming out. As a gay man I can understand the isolation he felt but his coming out is certainly not an authentic act for 1628. However, making the others aware of the isolation he had felt was certainlly a lesson in what being gay in 1628 must have been like particularly when you consider that there was a death penalty involved. And I got the impression that this was a real coming out. I got the impression that perhaps the folks back home had no clue when he described his strict religious upbringing.
I do wish they would try and balance the How To with the Drama. I loved the Piggy bit but wonder how many unsuspecting parents watching the show with their children were suddenly confronted with explaining where Little Piggies come From.
Talk about graphic.

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FolioMark

Mus uni non fidit antro. ~ A mouse does not rely on just one hole.----Plautus

What a bunch of mamby bampy whiner whimps. Not a real man or woman among their sorry lot. Who cares if they pout and have tears in their eyes and run away and are snippy and talk too much? I guess millions of TV watchers care, that's who.

Bitter and no guts that's what they are, and have. I shut it off, except I watched about 1 and 1/2 of two shows. I kept hoping for some moral fiber and fun. My life is fun and glorious. I work hard and love it. I am tired at the end of the day and happy to burst forth to the next.

I want to hear good stuff, and know about strong people, and loving people. I want to see some happy examples and ideas of how to live right.

What's the sick deal with all this TV anyway? It's so seductive, and so bad at the same time. I will probably not be strong and tough enough not to watch it next time. Sad.

I say have some intestinal fortitude, grow up and enjoy life, work, and all the trials and tribulations. Life is over so soon. They need to get happy on that show at times, except when they are noisy and drinking.

Oh, well, I guess it's OK, if we have to watch it. With all my whining and complaining myself, maybe they could use me on the show, even though I would never behave like them.

Alex

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Thou art That

I'm very disappointed in the program. If people aren't going to stay in character then its just another soap opera. The church issue isn't really about Christianity its what people were required to do in 1628. If you aren't willing to cooperate why are you there? Coming out is very 2000 and while I have no problem with that in 2000+, as he said in 1628 he would have been executed. So he should have been banished from the community i.e. program (execution would be going a LITTLE far for reality's sake!!) The California guy is a total hypocrite. If he's community lay leader what is he doing stealing liquor and encouraging those who joined him to lie about it with him?? I'd have a hard time listening to him preach on Sunday if he couldn't live it on Monday. The Texas family seem to be working very hard at staying in character and appear to live their faith everyday. Even if you don't agree with their beliefs I'd think you would respect their consistent behavior. The couple who went skinny dipping - why are they there?? He seems to follow the rules better than she does, but she's so stuck on herself and her 2004 rights that her role is meaningless. And how hypocritical is it to say you don't believe in God and then ask your son to play Amazing Grace?? Okay, rant over.

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This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.