Any one going to watch COLONIAL HOUSE tonight?
 

Any one going to watch COLONIAL HOUSE tonight? I just noticed a commercial for it on PBS. Looks like a 4 parter. Parts 1 & 2 Mon-Tue 17th & 18th then last two parts on 24th & 25th next Mon-Tue.

We watched the last part of Frontier House again this past Saturday. My wife still thinks the Clunes got ripped off. Because the frontier folk would have had guns, they would have hunted and smoked and preserved meat. And yep any homesteader worth their salt would utilize everything they found (including a set of springs, even a postupedic mattress :D )

It's fun to watch these and comment from the nice air conditioned comfort of our home.

If you get a chance go to www.pbs.org and read the actual Laws from colonial times, talk about being oppressed.

Kenneth in NC

My 8 year old son has had this marked on the calendar for 3 weeks! We're looking forward watching it.

Check your PBS stations, Times will vary. Our local station is showing 8pm-10 part 1, then 10-12 part 2 then showing part 2 and 3 tomorrow and part 4 on the 24th.

The only problem with this program is its two short. Your not going to learn much in 4 shows. This is a multi-month project squashed into 4hrs.

I would love to see a 13-26 week series along the same lines. That would be a reality show I would watch.

Heads Up!!
 

HEADS UP! OPRAH's show is about this TODAY!!

YES... wouldn't miss it for the world.. (I have Frontier Home on tape!! :worship:

yes!
 

Can't wait to see it. I hope it is as good as Frontier House! :) Feather

Okay, I couldn't find it on my PBS--WHAT CHANNEL???!!!!!!!

Saw Oprah's thing. Saw the PBS thing.

Just like last time, I wish they would:

A) Spend more time on showing people being happy. I can't help but think there are some happy stuff just isn't considered worth the air time. Whining, complaining and misery seems to get unlimited air time.

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?

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

Are they going to water the corn to get it started? (I suppose in maine it might rain enough that they don't need to worry about irrigation)

What are the other projects they are working on?

paul,

I'd like answers to those questions too. I went to pbs.org hoping there would be more detailed info about the daily lives of the house or that era and found nothing. Has anyone else found more info and I just missed it.

Interesting series, I didn't see any of the others (though that one that was set in england, manor house? I tried to watch it some but was bored).

I think the whole idea is fascinating and though I wouldn't want to give up my modern conveniences (no tree leaves for toilet paper for me!) this type of society and way of living is extremely interesting to me.

Mel-

Good show last night...forgot to tape it though. Those folks were definately out of their element...wonder how us homesteaders would do???

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


I read up on this and according to the information I found, they planted the corn this way, then planted beans and squash at the base of the corn to encourage them to grow on the corn stalks. This saved space in their gardens. Also if the soil was heavy by planting the corn stalks close together it helped break up the soil and encouraged better root formation. Corn also needs to be planted in clusters to polinate. I would think by having the corn, beans, and squash all in one mound would also make it easier to keep the weeds out and make watering much easier.

There are probely other reasons also.

Colonial House
 

I watched both shows last night and found them to be most interesting!

I really could connect with the Texas family, as they seemed a lot like my own family. The California couple - BLECH! They were clueless and their arrogance sickened me.

Aside from the different group personalities, I noticed that the group spent a lot of "down" time while out in the corn field. If you're going to be a successful homesteader, especially in a hostile climate, then there's no time to be wasted with "idleness".

A few questions though:

1. Why did they bother taking out the old dead roots out of the hills, that would have made excellent composting material?

2. Also, why didn't the girls take one goat out at a time and milk them OUTSIDE the goat pen. They could have used a rock or the slope of a hill as a milking bench to keep the nanny's quiet while milking.

3. Instead of using fishing line, the freemen should have been using casting nets to catch fish, or else build a fishing weir?, both of which are more efficient in catching fish in large enough quantities to feed their group. The fishing line is not accurate for that time period and is usually used for "recreational" fishing, not food gathering.

4. Didn't the group try to bank their coals to keep the fire alive (smouldering) overnight?

That's right. It's called the Three Sisters technique, and it's an Indian one.

What a bunch of whiners, though. But DH and I were talking last night, and we figured that anyone who can leave their real lives for 5 months are probably either rich and used to too many creature comforts, or unemployed and unused to working so hard. Either way, it makes for a lot of complaining.

I watched it last night, not to bad.
Now if they used Homesteaders, that all ready know most of that stuff,, we sure would not get the whining. :rolleyes: But I guess that would not get the ratings they wanted.

watched it too and as stated, what a bunch of whiners :D

it would be easier for us that have or do live a simpler on the land lifestyle, where as "city" folk just don't have a clue and it's very hard work which most are not accustomed to.

it's unrealistic to toss in those with only 2 weeks crash course education of the lifestyle and expect them to be logical about how to do things. I was armchare quaterbacking them on how to manage their animals, gardens, telling them to stop their whining and just FEED the men instead of trying to get out of that extra chore.

The CA couple, ugh and the lady that doesn't wish to comform to the ideas of that day :rolleyes:

anyway just my 2cents.

They would never pick homesteaders for a show like that because we already know how to do most of the things needed to survive. Also they were trained for a brief time on how to do some of the things needed, why didn't they fish with nets for example, and about some of the other chores, they don't seem to have much common sense.

Of the two, I'd rather do the Frontier House. I love the west and the 1800's

RoseKYTN

Hills were used by N.A.'s and the example followed by colonists because soil is usually shallow in depth there and they had only hoes to work with. There is a poem that goes with the planting too that I can't remember.

Thought the same thing with the goats - Milk one at a time. At least they had some cloth over the bucket.

Could you imagine listening to the professor(lay pastor) for 3 hours every Sunday? I'd be napping. Much preferred the expounding on scripture by Bethany.

I bet the boys had to run for a lot of water knowing how much we all use today, and how steep they learning curve is.

I liked the fact that they didn't tell the group that the N.A.'s were coimg for a visit. Fear and excitement - what a great capture of the emotional history.

I'd be swimming everyday right after a quick lunch. I wouldn't let those dogs in my bed. There will be enough ticks and lice as it is.

Too much time on feelings and such. Not enough skills and craft and methods.

In 1600 the colonists planted in hills because that's the way the Indians showed them to plant. I believe corn was a new crop to the settlers. If my memory of grade school history serves me right, the Indians put a fish in the bottom of each hill to serve as fertilizer.

It ticks me off to watch these shows with everyone wanting to apply 2004 politically correctness to 1600 situation. If they aren't going to get into character, what's the point of doing it at all?? From the previews, the Governor is going to attempt to run the settlement according to 1600 rules in future episodes and watch the feathers fly when that happens!!

I watched it, and found it very interesting. It posed many questions. What about hygiene? did they have soap? did they have anything to brush their teeth with? i cant imagine going 3 months without brushing my teeth, having soap or deoderant! talk about stinky people..

I think it did have it's lack of reality, such as them not hunting or gathering wildfoods. As much as i would not want to see the hunting (being i'm a vegetarian), it would have been reality in that age.

As far as the people there, i think the laypreacher guy would have driving me nuts. I feel bad for his 'servant'. Listening to him for 3 hours a week and i would have shot myself. As for the 'govenor' and his family, i found them a little annoying too, they were very self-righteous. Like they are so perfect because they are southern baptists who found jesus. So far i liked the family from MA, with the kid with the odd name, the british 'servant', the single woman who shared the house with the MA family, and the freemen seemed cool. I couldnt stand listening to the two girls who whined, the one who whined about missing her boyfriend, and the other who was crying over goat milking.. ugh..

I look forward to tonights episode, with the religious law breaking going on, and 'scarlet letters'.. should be interesting..

Once again they seem to have missed the boat. This is the 4th series of this sort and you would assume the people who apply would have some clue and study up on techniques. But its just like Survivor, they never seem to learn how to start a fire or do basic chores. Yes way tooooo much Whining and Drama for the first episode although the California couple didnt bother me too much. He may be an old bore but I rather like her. Theres a bit of Chaucers the Wife of Bath about her and she does seem to have a bit of sense. And they are clueless, not banking the fire or doing chores sensibly and even I know that you should put the goat in a stanchion and feed it while you milk. And they certainly were a colorful bunch on Sunday and all that dancing and carrying on was a bit too like a bad painting by Brueghel....all those happy peasants. I like the English guy though. And why do these people always complain about being dirty. The got a whole ocean to bathe in everyday. If they are dirty, its there own fault. I cant wait to see the fur fly when the Governor decides its time they got into character and starts handing out the scarlet As. :yeeha:

What is the scarlet A for?

Yeah, soap! Are they washing up?

I can understand not washing in the ocean. That will clean a lot of stuff off of you, but then it leaves a film of dried seawater on you. Maybe a seawater wash and a freshwater rinse.

I guess I don't understand why you guys don't like the lay-preacher. He doesn't seem icky. It did seem to me that he wasn't a very good leader. But while the governor was a better leader, he still wasn't a great leader either.

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

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? :D

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

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.

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.

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?!?!?!)

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 :D

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. :D :D

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

Oh boy
 

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 :)

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.

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. ;)

Whiner Baby Whimps
 

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

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.