195 replies to this topic

[Willowsmom]

A new show Wednesdays at 10pm on Nat Geo.

Follow a group of ex- Amish as they adjust to life among the English.

I watched this last night and was surprised to see Mose Gingrich on this. He's been on every show about leaving the Amish since 2004.

[ZoloftBlob]

I watched this last night and was surprised to see Mose Gingrich on this. He's been on every show about leaving the Amish since 2004.

So even the Amish aren't immune to being fame whores. Interesting.

(I like Mose, but really, three reality shows?)

[Cress]

Mose from Amish in the City? I liked him.

[NoPity1066]

Yes, fame-whore, indeed, but I still LOVE this show !

The scenes featuring the ex-Amish replacing the damaged roof was a work of art, especially when the work-ethic and emphasis on "math skills as an absolute requirement to being a good carpenter" was highlighted. I'm fascinated by Amish culture, but not a Pollyanna with Old Order stars in my eyes, so I know there's an upside AND a downside to their community. It's still refreshing, though, to see people working hard because they believe work is noble. Not for profit or gain - just because it's the right thing to do. Though Mose left the Amish he's still imprinted with the good things he learned there. Good for him.

I also love Mose's accent - kind of a combination of Minnesota/Norwegian inflection, Chicago patois (Da Bears !) and Pennsylvania/German. It's a soothing, lilting speech pattern that takes me back to my childhood visiting relatives in Lancaster and York, PA.

Happy to see a new show that's NOT about cupcakes, auctions, or Real Housewives of Anywhere. Go, NatGeo !

[Willowsmom]

Mose from Amish in the City? I liked him.

Me too until he became Kardashian like, anything for attention. The story he told about rumspringa on Amish in the City and the one he told last night are vastly different.

Edited by Willowsmom, Apr 19, 2012 @ 12:04 PM.

[B2H]

I watched this program, interested only because I'm from one of the areas (Reading, PA - just east of Lancaster County, PA). The only issue I found with it was that it was very dry and monotonous. I know the subject matter pretty well, but it literally put me to sleep with the delivery. I'm only wondering how many stories the producers will be able to get out of this concept.

[CarolMK]

My Comcast on Demand had 4 episodes, Amish at the Altar, Devil's playground, and Out of Order. All were pretty good, and a documentary of true life rather than a fake reality show. I am curious to see how the ex-Amish will continue to do later on in their lives.

[Macthekat]

I watched this last night and was surprised to see Mose Gingrich on this. He's been on every show about leaving the Amish since 2004.

IMDB lists Mose Gingrich as a producer of this show.

[AtlanticVamp]

Happy to see a new show that's NOT about cupcakes, auctions, or Real Housewives of Anywhere. Go, NatGeo !

Yeah, that is a nice change of pace. Just as long as this doesn't become "Real Housewives of Lancaster".

My Comcast on Demand had 4 episodes, Amish at the Altar, Devil's playground, and Out of Order. All were pretty good, and a documentary of true life rather than a fake reality show. I am curious to see how the ex-Amish will continue to do later on in their lives.

I had seen "Devil's Playground" years ago working for Blockbuster. (The name intrigued me.) So seeing this show (Out of Order) come up caught my attention.

The shows on Demand were even more interesting, especially "Amish at the Altar". I'd heard about the concept of "bed courtships" while learning about the Middle Ages. Some Amish sects won't risk it; some think it's okay, even if sex happens. I was actually shocked, between "Amish at the Altar" and "Devil's Playground", that they actually allowed the kids to LITERALLY do whatever they wanted (drink, smoke, drugs, sex) during Rumspringa, and that they have sometimes had teen pregnancies and drug abuse. But I guess some things are actually universal.

Out of Order: so even though it's supposed to be a choice of joining the Amish church, some Amish parents and clergy will call the police and try to accuse those helping their kids leaving of kidnapping? And sometimes the families or clergy will try to impede the process? Wow. So much for choice. The abuse allegations are less shocking, as I have heard of that before. A bigger shock was learning that they actually have money for things like cell phones (a rule even the parents are lenient with), computers, cars, etc.

On a completely shallow note: some of these Amish and ex-Amish are really attractive. It must be all that clean living!

[Willowsmom]

Somehow I don't think that little girl will end up Amish. Right now everything is new and fun. After a few weeks of heavy work and not being able to see her family I bet she feels different. And the chicken killing was a bit much.

[auntie thesis]

On a completely shallow note: some of these Amish and ex-Amish are really attractive. It must be all that clean living!

Apparently, I wasn't the only one that was looking at Cephas with hungry eyes....boy is fine. And he just bought a house? Purrr goes the puma on her way to being a cougar....

Anyway, I like the show but it is a bit dry. Really think that the girl would be a better fit in a more modern religious community, say, the Gothardites....but eh, I think she just wants that family feeling and maybe being Amish will work for her.

[AtlanticVamp]

Apparently, I wasn't the only one that was looking at Cephas with hungry eyes....boy is fine. And he just bought a house? Purrr goes the puma on her way to being a cougar....

For me, it was Aaron Keim from the Amish at the Altar special. That boy was all kinds of hot. On the "Out of Order" series, I kind of just take it all in.

Mose's voice is kind of weird, though. He sounds like the guy who does the voice-overs for the Motel 6 commercials. You know, "We'll leave the light on for you"?

ETA: Cephas, on second watch...oh, yeah. He's pretty!

Edited by AtlanticVamp, Apr 25, 2012 @ 1:43 PM.

[meatball77]

Funny, she said all this stuff about looks and clothes but nothing about god or religion. She seemed to just want to play dress up and happy homemaker and be someplace where she wasn't teased because of her looks. Going from mennonite to Amish I can see but this girl was wearing tank tops and shorts while talking about how she wants to join a very restrictive religion.

A lot of the Amish they've shown (last weeks episode) just have a vacant look in their eyes. It's like you can tell that they don't have much schooling.

[Tif]

I felt for Cephas when he explained how he can pretty much only do manual labor because he only has an eighth grade education. He sounded really sad about that fact (not about doing the manual labor jobs, as he clearly takes a lot of pride in his work, but about his lack of education). He is bright and has incredible work ethic, hopefuly he finds opportunities to continue his education in some way.

Rolled my eyes at Michaela's choice of outfit for going to have dinner with the Amish family. Skintight capris and aeropostale shirt? Did she not have something even a tad bit more appropriate? Even long jeans and a plain colored t-shirt would have been better. Oy. I don't think she needs to become Amish, I think she just needs a therapist.

Off-topic but when I was Michaela's age my uncle had a group of young, unmarried Amish men build a barn on his farm and my seventeen year old self badly wanted to corrupt one. They were hot! Sadly, I had no takers and that was the end of that dream. But maybe that is REALLY why Michaela wants to go Amish...

This is the first Amish reality show that I've ever seen, so not knowing that Mose has been on several, I liked him. Seems like a nice guy.

Also, after watching Esther decapitate that chicken without flinching, I now think Amish women are kind of badass.

[Major Misfit]

Funny, she said all this stuff about looks and clothes but nothing about god or religion. She seemed to just want to play dress up and happy homemaker and be someplace where she wasn't teased because of her looks.

She also kept referencing that she wanted to feel like part of a family since hers was so fucked up but then went on to say that she had reservations about becoming Amish because they'd keep her away from her real family. Eh? And what if she did become Amish? Would she have to be "adopted" into someone's family? Bizarre. I did get a big laugh when she said she encountered the Amish at a Walmart and that started her fascination with them. I guess it could have been worse - she could have become obsessed with one of the hundreds of nearly naked, morbidly obese people I've seen over at PeopleofWalmart.com and set the bar just a little lower for her future life.

I thought it was also a bit staged when Esther let her wear her former Amish garb. Esther was a pretty slim girl and, though snug, that robe thing sure fit Michaela like it was made for her.

[AtlanticVamp]

Michaela was a strange one. A Walmart encounter makes her want to be Amish? Besides her choice of clothes to meet the Amish, her clothes to explain to her friends was even more weird: camisole top with her boobs hanging out? ORLY? Plus, lugging that designer purse around and her cell phone didn't seem like the makings of a good candidate for becoming Amish.

I was rolling when they wanted her to kill the chickens and skin them. Even though she didn't end up doing it, I thought for sure that she'd give up there. But no. I thought the dinner with the actual Amish family would make her think again. But no, she's bringing Mose angel food cake. (BTW, when Mose said he hadn't had angel food cake in years, I wondered if he wasn't a fan of cake mix cakes, or bakery cakes, or if it's just been a while.)

I thought it was telling that her mom explained to Mose that she was from a broken home. My MamaVamp thinks that Michaela is trying to get back at her folks for the divorce. I think the divorce is making her look for "happily ever after". But it's pretty obvious that Michaela isn't really prepared for a future in the Amish. If she dressed more modestly, I'd think she would have a fighting chance, but I think the novelty will wear off once the reality sets in.

Edited by AtlanticVamp, Apr 25, 2012 @ 4:54 PM.

[GeoBQn]

Michaela's desire to be Amish reminded me of when I was a teenager and I thought that my problems not fitting in would be fixed if I moved to a foreign country. Running away from your problems does not equal solving them. I especially wanted to give her a good shake when she said that she wouldn't have problems with fitting in if she was living in a community where everybody looked exactly the same. In strict religious communities, there's even MORE pressure to conform. There are communities of Ultra-Orthodox Jews where a woman can be declared a sinner if she uses a different brand of baby sling than everyone else! As another poster said, she didn't mention much about her beliefs, just the trappings. From what I've seen, religious conversions tend to not stick when someone converts to fill some psychological hole instead of for the love of the religion.

[Willowsmom]

I thought it was also a bit staged when Esther let her wear her former Amish garb. Esther was a pretty slim girl and, though snug, that robe thing sure fit Michaela like it was made for her.

Traditional Amish dresses are made to expand with pregnancy.

What bothered me most about Michaela's situation was that her mom was willing to give her up. I'd never fight a child's religious choices but wouldn't allow them to move in with total strangers.

[Boton]

Michaela's situation made perfect sense to me. Her birth family is irregular, and it stands to change even more if her mom marries. She is craving a lot of stability and predictability. If she came from a different family, we would probably be hearing "I can't wait to get out of here and go to college," complete with choosing a college as far away as possible. If that isn't on her radar, she took a situation that looks like it will provide what she wants out of life, and she's investigating it. Teenagers are many things, but they are not particularly well-known for exploring the long-term impact of their choices.

As for Mose? He can be the Amish Kardashian for all I care -- that man is a treat to look at!

[Bunky]

I discovered this show while perusing the forums. Thanks for bringing it to my attention! Amish in the City is my all-time favorite reality show. It's interesting to see Mose again. I believe he has a good heart but there is something about him I just don't like. Maybe it's that car salesman quality? However, I believe he is an excellent resource for these ex-Amish kids and I am captivated by this show.

I grew up in Pennsylvania and, though I left for the city long ago, I still visit frequently and encounter the Amish quite a bit. These ex-Amish kids are really quite amazing. They may not have much education, but they have skills that are easily transferrable to the outside world. Combined with their strong work ethic, which they seem to retain while on the outside, I am so impressed. Cephas completely stole my heart. He was working so hard on that oil rig. I have no doubt he is going to turn that house into something nice! It's a good thing he knows carpentry though because that is definitely a fixer-upper!

These kids seem so innocent and sweet-natured. I hope they are able to achieve the things they desire in the outside world.

The Michaela thing was a bit odd. She obviously needs better role models in her life and it seems she is aching for some kind of stability. I agree that what she really needs is a good therapist. It's sad that her mother doesn't realize that. When she was on screen in full make-up I just could not picture her giving up the life she is used to for the Amish life. I do applaud her for being interested in another way of life but she is young and I do not think she knows what she's getting into. It was interesting when Esther said that it was disturbing for her to see Michaela in her old Amish garb. I admire Esther for being so sweet to Michaela. I admit, I had to watch the chicken killing through my fingers. Yikes.

[Willowsmom]

Mose and Esther were just on Anderson.

found it very interesting that the lady that started Auntie Anne's Pretzels grew up Amish and only had an 8th grade education. We've been talking about whether the kids leaving have enough education. Apparently they do if they try.

Edited by Willowsmom, Apr 26, 2012 @ 6:35 PM.

[AtlanticVamp]

found it very interesting that the lady that started Auntie Anne's Pretzels grew up Amish and only had an 8th grade education. We've been talking about whether the kids leaving have enough education. Apparently they do if they try.

And if they have a strong work ethic, which it appears that Amish and ex-Amish kids do.

Truthfully, I'm discovering that education is just that: education, and nothing more. College degrees used to almost guarantee your success, and now you really have to specialize in something useful. I think this is where Amish and ex-Amish are miles ahead of the average teen. They're already trained in a career path, and they have no problem using their skills. Food for thought, IMO.

[Bunky]

AtlanticVamp, I completely agree with you. The ex-Amish actually want to work and seem to have a refreshingly honest work ethic. Like Cephas said, the Amish pay for everything in cash. I cringed when he was upset over being denied credit and was so pleased when he got the good faith loan. For someone with a "limited" education, he knew exactly what he could afford. He did the math and was not reaching beyond his means. Many grown adults with at least a college education are incapable of doing that! There is tremendous value in actually learning real-life skills. The ex-Amish are equipped to function in the real world and they're not drowning in student loan debt.

[Sirhiggins]

I would say the ex-Amish have more useful skills than the very popular psychology major. I see my daughter's friends spending $80,000 getting useless degrees and I'm wondering...what are their parents thinking????

[Indy1]

I think learning the value of hard work and managing money is just as important, if not more, than a diploma and a college degree. Absolutely book education is important, but I think that the reason the ex-Amish featured have been able to function in "English" society is because they know how to work hard. If you have a fancy four year degree and no work ethic, that piece of paper isn't going to get you very far. A good trade like carpentry or the ability to work your ass off on an oil rig is extremely valuable. So long as he can stay away from bad influences, a guy like Cephas is going to do fine in life. I have no doubt that he'll fix that house up into something really nice. It might take him a long time, but he seems to have the skill and determination to make it happen.

I think comparing these boys to some of the boys I've seen in shows about ex-FLDS kids is interesting. Those boys seem so much more lost than the ex-Amish. Even though both come from sheltered groups, the ex-Amish at least were brought up among the English to an extent and not taught to fear it, and were given a functional education (science aside), even if it does end after middle school. That added to knowing how to work hard and possibly do something like carpentry or sewing and they're at least employable. The ex-FLDS boys come from very little education or skill and are being thrown into a world that the were taught was out to get them. That's a hard world to try to function in.

Michaela has issues that running off to join the Amish are not going to solve.

[Bajovane]

I agree completely that Michaela isn't going into this for the right reasons. As posted before, she was focused on what really is the shallow stuff, the clothes, the hair, and blending in. Not one word about the religious part of it. That is by far the most important aspect of being Amish. Everything else falls into place because of it.

I wish Mose had emphasized that part of it more, and not just "you go to church every Sunday".

[nana3love]

I was surprised, given Mose's open disagreements with much of Amish life, that he did not advise Michaela differently. It is possible to live a simple, hardworking, family-centered life without becoming Amish. Also, the Amish don't generally evangelize and their numbers continue to grow because of their high birthrate--they don't actually need people to join up. Like many teenagers, she has a lot of growing up to do, and maybe she should start by washing off her makeup and dressing modestly. Just my 2 cents.

[BengalKitty]

she should start by washing off her makeup and dressing modestly

Totally. I was embarrassed for her when I saw her outfit for the family dinner. She could find a simple long skirt and t-shirt? I wish we could have seen her go through a whole day of Amish life and not just a tour of the farm. I think one week of Amish life will cure her.

I feel for Michaela though. She's looking for a Leave-it-to-Beaver, dinner-at-the-table kind of family and she doesn't have that. She is a prime candidate to join a cult. [I do not think the Amish are a cult.] I could see her following any group that will tell her what to do and make her feel loved.

[Indy1]

She is a prime candidate to join a cult. [I do not think the Amish are a cult.] I could see her following any group that will tell her what to do and make her feel loved.

ITA. It would be one thing if she wanted to join the Amish for religious reasons. But that doesn't even seem to be on her radar. She will attach herself to any familial group that offers her acceptance.

[RoxyMonoxide]

She will attach herself to any familial group that offers her acceptance.

I smell a Duggar cross over!