17 Kids and Counting: "When Big Families Collide" and "Bates vs. Duggars Smackdown"

Hi everybody! New contributor Lola here, writing today about the latest episodes of the Duggar Family's new series, 17 Kids and Counting. Just the latest in TLC's "abnormally large family freakshow," this series of half-hour shows is more of a "reality TV" look at the super-Christian Duggar family of Arkansas, who until now we've only seen in a few hour-long specials and an occasional news appearance when mom, Michelle, pops out yet another little "blessing." (Without getting too in-depth into their beliefs, the Duggars are part of the Quiver Full movement, which believes that children are blessings from the lord and people shouldn't do anything to inhibit getting pregnant. Which is fine and all, except most QF families end up with maybe 5-6 kids. The Duggars actively try to get pregnant as soon as possible after each birth, which is why there are a kajillion of them.)

In their two latest episodes (shown back-to-back), the Duggars received a visit from the Bates family from Tennessee. With 16 kids and one on the way, they have almost caught up to the Duggars (though actually, there are two sets of Duggar twins, so by number of pregnancies, the Bates are winning). If you thought the Duggars' uniform of khakis and polos for the boys and long skirts for the girls was conservative, take a look at the Bates! Okay, khakis and polos again for the boys, but those poor girls are dressing like Little Clown on the Prairie! The Bates women thought if they wore dresses "it would be pleasing to the lord," so one of the older girls sews the same pattern in various sizes and color combinations so everyone can wear a matching dress with a giant collar and ruffled trim. However, while the Duggars currently dress in what they refer to as "Modern Modest," it wasn't too long ago that they were all rocking the big frilly collars as well.

Anyway, some other stuff happened, the two families did some good Christian activities like skydiving and paintballing, but probably the funniest part was when they went to Silver Dollar City to see people in old-timey costumes demonstrate blacksmithing and candy making. The Bates girls' dresses were the same as the old timey costumes! (Meanwhile, Jinger Duggar was shown rolling her eyes at the candy demo. Free Jinger!)

Coming up next week: see how the Duggars save money on necessities like food, clothing, and shelter! (Based on past specials, I'm going to guess it involves trips to Aldi's and the thrift store, and getting TLC to build you a house.)