TLC Loves To Do Shows With HUGE Families

TLC’s new series, The United Bates of America, is finally going to premiere next week on Monday. The new series will feature the Bates family and their 19 kids living in Tennessee as one big HAPPY Christian family. They announced the show a while back, but I thought I’d throw up a reminder because 19 kids is too interesting to pass up.

I wonder how the Duggars feel about their new TV rivals? I’m sure they’re hating it because the new show has a better title. Don’t you love “The Learning Channel’s” “family programming these days (and let’s not even mention Toddlers and Tiaras and our other favs)? They start with Jon and Kate Plus 8, and then upped their game with the Duggars and the Bates…who will they get next? They’re going to need to find a family that has over 25 kids just so they can one-up themselves as a network. 

And a side note…Could you imagine being the mom in that family? 19 kids! It has to be a slip and slide down there (not to get graphic), but there’s no other way to describe it.

Here’s a quick promo (I want to watch the show about the little people!):

Here’s the old press release from TLC re: The United Bates of America:

TLC DELIVERS MORE FAMILY FUN THIS SUMMER WITH NEW SERIES UNITED BATES OF AMERICA

 (Los Angeles, CA) On Monday, August 13 at 9 PM ET/PT, TLC welcomes another supersized family in UNITED BATES OF AMERICA, an all-new series following Gil & Kelly Jo Bates and their large brood of 19 children, ranging in age from six-months to 23-years old. Audiences will recognize the Bates family from several episodes of the hit series 19 KIDS AND COUNTING, as they are close friends of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s clan. Each thirty-minute episode of UNITED BATES OF AMERICA explores a new adventure with the Bates family as they manage everyday life in the hills of Tennessee-and the inevitable chaos that ensues with 10 girls and 9 boys running around under one roof.

 This eight-part series begins with newborn Jeb’s emotional homecoming from the hospital-and the unavoidable adjustment of adding another child to the family-along with the children planning for their much-anticipated annual Valentine’s “I Love You Day” gift exchange soiree. Over the course of the season, Kelly Jo and Gil share their love of music and family values-from homeschooling their children, to goofing off while building chicken coops and whitewater rafting. Second oldest daughter Erin, heads off to college for the first time to continue her education beyond her many years of homeschooling and the gang goes to hang out with the Duggars at the biggest social event of the year-the annual ATI homeschooling conference.

While the Bates family makes the country life look easy, they aren’t without their struggles. See how the family copes with the older boys working at Gil’s dangerous tree-cutting business, and when Kelly Jo is hospitalized, can the family function smoothly without her?

MEET ALL 21 BATES:

Gil: 47-years-old, father and owns the family tree excavation business.

 Kelly Jo: 45-years-old, mother and homemaker extraordinaire who loves to cook.

Zach: 23-years-old, oldest brother and recently elected youngest county commissioner in Tennessee.

Michaella: 22-years-old, oldest sister, licensed EMT and nanny.

Erin: 21-years-old, first child to attend college, studying music and teaches piano.

Lawson: 19-years-old, “official” family shopper, runs his own lawn-mowing business.

Nathan: 18-years-old and dad’s right hand man in the tree-cutting business.

Alyssa:17-years-old and spends time on mission trips most recently in Peru with Erin and Tori.

Tori: 16-years-old and plays violin alongside Erin in performances.

Trace: 16-years-old, ready to play ping-pong, football or any other sport with his brothers.

Carlin: 14-years-old, wows the family with her singing as she does laundry and irons.

Josie: 12-years-old and loves to read mystery novels.

Katie: 11-years-old, Kelly Jo’s helper with the little kids either brushing hair or tying shoelaces.

Jackson: 10-years-old and causing mischief with his two younger brothers.

Warden: 9-years-old and always willing to lend a hand to his older sisters no matter the task.

Isaiah: 7-years-old and a great future catch with the way he compliments all his sisters.

Addallee: 6-years-old and loves spending time jumping on their trampolines.

Ellie: 5-years-old and likes to swing on their outdoor homemade swings. 

Callie: 2-years-old, lights up the room with her smile and laugh. 

Judson: 20-months-old and ready to hand over the spotlight to Jeb.

Jeb: 6-months-old and a little trooper despite his medical complications.