Colonial House

[livincountry]

This show illustrates the culture clash of today compared to almost 400 years ago. You can't go back.

 

[Boondox]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I was disappointed in the two episodes last night. Can we get through a show without a cast member being gay? This is ridiculous! The one family doesn't go to church on Sunday so they can skinny dip in the river in front of their kid? How does this apply to 1628? I will be complaining to PBS over this crap. )</font>

I think part of the problem is they selected a minister in real life as the governor, but the other members were not all so religiously inclined. Any time you have such a disparity (not just in religion, pretty much any belief) that's going to be a source of contention. Interestingly enough, the skinny-dipping couple seem to be among the hardest working members, so any form of punishment that prevents them from doing their chores has the potential to harm the community. Seems to me the governor has the most difficult job!

The gay man? Heck, what's the harm? It probably isn't the most realistic situation for 1628 since in those days the dogma was that homosexuality equated to abomination and gays were probably terrified of coming out. But let's face it, this is not the 17th Century. None of the members are true to the time, and watching the community wrestle with the issues of homophobia might be interesting.

The gay lifestyle isn't one I understand, but it does no harm to me or my marriage. In fact, the only other couple on our hill is gay. When I'm out of town on business I know I have a couple of guys absolutely uninterested in my wife watching over her, and willing to put themselves in harm's way to protect her. In my eyes that makes them great guys, and fine neighbors.

I do feel that this group (the participants) is particularly ill-suited to the challenge, though. Not sure if it's the divisiveness of their relative levels of religiousity, their sorry work ethic, or..? Those of us who live in rural snow country spend months preparing for winter even though we have the option of meeting our needs at the village store. That's not an option for these people, but some of them treat it like an extended camping trip. I'd like to see them screened better so we get more in character with the age.

Pete

 

[BillG_in_TX]

IMHO, this genre has morphed into a sociology statement by the producers. If you think the following scenarios would have been broached, much less tolerated, 400 years ago, you have a wild imagination:

1 - People decide to skip church services! The Puritans came here to escape the Church of England, not religion. They were every bit as rigid in their religion, or more so.

2 - Gay Coming Out celebration! Everyone clapped (except for governor) when the gay man announced his "orientation". There was no sexual diversity tolerated back then.

3 - A black single woman celebrates her heritage! She states that it was important for her to be there so that "they" would see that the founders of this country were not all white men. How preposterous is this in the context of a 17th century New England settlement?

And don't get me started about Oprah! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I could go on, but it seems to me that this show is much more about cultural diversity, inclusivesness and tolerance than historical accuracy.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Todd,

The two series that I am aware of that preceded Colonial House were:

Frontier House - set in Montana 1883

Pioneer Quest - set in Manitoba 1870's

 

[Boondox]

Wasn't there a Victorian House and something set during the WWII years?

Pete

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Pete,

You are correct. I didn't see the series, but there was one called The 1900 House, which aired back in 2000. I don't recall the one set in the 1940's, but I would be interested in learning about it.

 

[livincountry]

Bill, I agree. I have been more interested in seeing what it takes to survive with the tools and culture rather than the human element of whiners.

Back then there were few social ills (infidelity, chemical abuse, etc.) because everyone was busy working their butt off to simply survive.

One issue I have always had is what type of person has the time to leave their obligactions for 3-6 months to do these shows. I have difficulty with taking a week off. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Poppa]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( One issue I have always had is what type of person has the time to leave their obligactions for 3-6 months to do these shows. I have difficulty with taking a week off. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )</font>

It is a choice that they make and then have to work for. Can't say it has ever been a choice of mine, but my wife and I have some friends that made a similar choice.

The friends, Jen and Whit, are four months in to a six month trek the length of Africa. They spent a long time saving for the trip and amassing the necessary equipment for the trip. They walked away from very good jobs to follow this dream. Again, not my dream but it was definitely theirs and I have been enjoying the trip from my own PC.

Here is a link to their journey

Africa Overland

Mike

 

[AndyM]

<font color="blue"> You are correct. I didn't see the series, but there was one called The 1900 House, which aired back in 2000. I don't recall the one set in the 1940's, but I would be interested in learning about it. </font>

I'm still struggling to figure out life in 2004! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[polecat]

I hear you andy!!!!!!!!!!!!! all the way..our fquality of life is so much better now ...but then again i wish i could jump back in time all the time but still want jist 3 amenities... chainsaw spare chains and files,cut with all the attachments and the spare parts and tools to fix it, and i jist asked the better half and she said her pressure cooker and real good shoes........ /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifdid i say 3 things!!!!!!!!!!!!ooops
one more!!!!ALL YOU GUYS FOR NEIGHBORS...REMEMBER>>>
HEAD WEST and no taxes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifoh and a good medical kit w/everything in it!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif