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Reality TV Roloffs Share the Good, Bad and Ugly
Filed under: Celeb Parents
What's it like to have your life on reality TV? ParentDish recently sat down with Matt and Amy Roloff, stars of the hit TLC reality show, Little People, Big World, to talk about what it feels like to have their every move broadcast for the entire world to see -- and judge -- before they start their next season this week.
How do the kids feel about the cameras? Matt: The kids have thick skins, and sometimes, [the critics] get it right. It may be nasty, but sometimes you have to look and say, "I really need to work on that." It can be a little bit of a cat-and-mice game. For instance, if Molly doesn't want them to film her practicing for her driver's test, they will catch her.
What if the time ever comes when one or all of them decide they've had enough? Amy: If they ever came to us and said, "Under no circumstances," then we would have to have a family discussion about what is best for everyone, and then it would be over.
Is what we see real? Amy: Those moments don't represent the last or the next 20 years of our lives, whether we are going through the best times or the most horrible times. You almost want to say, "Can I put a mirror in your face?"
Matt, you were arrested for driving under the influence last summer and found not guilty in January. Did the show influence the trial? Matt: I'm not sure if it helped or hurt the trial. I just didn't think about it. When you've been doing the show as long as we have, if you analyzed everything that happened in your life, you'd drive yourself batty. You just have to let the show take its course. I say, let the good, bad and ugly fly.
If it's so hard, why do it? Matt: I think we have committed ourselves to sharing our story, as raw and painful as it can be, like when the kids to stupid stuff or even my DUI. The funny part is that the very stuff you don't want to share is the stuff that makes the most compelling television.
Fellow reality-TV parents Jon and Kate Gosselin recently came under fire from critics who say that the two violate child-labor laws by allowing their eight children to be filmed almost 24/7. Matt: We can't speak for the Gosselins, but our kids have gotten a lot of benefits from the show, including a weekly paycheck from the family corporation.
How does your show impact how the world sees little people? Matt: Jacob has walked into a grocery store and watched his mom be teased for being a little person. The show can play an important part in society's acceptance of little people. I hate to say this because it sounds so cliché, but we have been called to be part of a show that really celebrates diversity, and I think it has changed a lot of people's viewpoints.
Can you talk about the hints that Matt suffered a heart attack? Amy: His health is just fine.
Speaking of hearts, any advice for marriages on camera or off-screen? Amy: It's all about give and take. There may be ups and downs, but in the long run you have to think about what brought you together, and that is love.
Little People, Big World season 5 airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on TLC.
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Amy Roloff may be little, but as you can see on Little People, Big World, she has a huge heart.
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How do the kids feel about the cameras? Matt: The kids have thick skins, and sometimes, [the critics] get it right. It may be nasty, but sometimes you have to look and say, "I really need to work on that." It can be a little bit of a cat-and-mice game. For instance, if Molly doesn't want them to film her practicing for her driver's test, they will catch her.
What if the time ever comes when one or all of them decide they've had enough? Amy: If they ever came to us and said, "Under no circumstances," then we would have to have a family discussion about what is best for everyone, and then it would be over.
Is what we see real? Amy: Those moments don't represent the last or the next 20 years of our lives, whether we are going through the best times or the most horrible times. You almost want to say, "Can I put a mirror in your face?"
Matt, you were arrested for driving under the influence last summer and found not guilty in January. Did the show influence the trial? Matt: I'm not sure if it helped or hurt the trial. I just didn't think about it. When you've been doing the show as long as we have, if you analyzed everything that happened in your life, you'd drive yourself batty. You just have to let the show take its course. I say, let the good, bad and ugly fly.
If it's so hard, why do it? Matt: I think we have committed ourselves to sharing our story, as raw and painful as it can be, like when the kids to stupid stuff or even my DUI. The funny part is that the very stuff you don't want to share is the stuff that makes the most compelling television.
Fellow reality-TV parents Jon and Kate Gosselin recently came under fire from critics who say that the two violate child-labor laws by allowing their eight children to be filmed almost 24/7. Matt: We can't speak for the Gosselins, but our kids have gotten a lot of benefits from the show, including a weekly paycheck from the family corporation.
How does your show impact how the world sees little people? Matt: Jacob has walked into a grocery store and watched his mom be teased for being a little person. The show can play an important part in society's acceptance of little people. I hate to say this because it sounds so cliché, but we have been called to be part of a show that really celebrates diversity, and I think it has changed a lot of people's viewpoints.
Can you talk about the hints that Matt suffered a heart attack? Amy: His health is just fine.
Speaking of hearts, any advice for marriages on camera or off-screen? Amy: It's all about give and take. There may be ups and downs, but in the long run you have to think about what brought you together, and that is love.
Little People, Big World season 5 airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on TLC.
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ReaderComments (Page 3 of 3)
2-10-2009 @ 2:37AM
Charles said...My best friend of 13 years, Dave, was a little person. Dave died in 2003 from a heart attack. At first, I could not watch "Little People, Big World," without breaking down. Matt and Amy, thank you for reminding me of what a great friend I had. Keep doing what you are doing.
Charles M
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2-10-2009 @ 2:41AM
Chandy said...I don't usually comment on these things, BUT I had to make an exception! I absolutely ADORE the whole Roloff family & I just want to thank each & every one of them for allowing the whole world watch their lives as they unfold. I honestly do think their show has changed a lot of people's views on "little people" & that they are just like anyone else just has to learn to live their lives a lil' differently. I myself am not considered a "little person" but I am only 4'2" because of a brittle bone disease (Osteogenesis Imperfecta) that I was born with & it's nice to see someone I can relate to. Gosh I would do anything to have that new kitchen Amy got, lol, I know how it is to climb up & down & how dangerous cooking can be @ times but you learn to adjust. Would love to meet them someday, I live in Washington so maybe someday!!....
Reply
2-10-2009 @ 3:21AM
maxon said...judy--great reply to that troller
Reply
2-10-2009 @ 3:29AM
Ms. Jimmie said...I am a retired greatgrandmother that lives in Florida and almost three years ago while visiting a step-daughter in Arizona first watched Little People/Big World with her. I was hooked from that first encounter and for several years when they were on Saturday nights, I considered the Roloff's to be my Saturday Night Date! Can't help but love and admire such spirit and family values. Matt & Amy's parents did good jobs raising two remarkable people who are paying it forward with their own kids. Can't stand the mess, hopefully with the new house addition there will be a place for everything and everything in it's place. In an early episode of midwesterner's Jon & Kate and Family of eight, they went to a pumpkin farm...in a perfect world it would have been the Roloff's pumpkin farm (Oregon). I can dream can't I?
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2-10-2009 @ 4:24AM
Kyle said...I have been watching this show from the first season and not only have I seen every episode I have seen every episode about 5 times. My opinion of little people has changed immensely, they are true and great ambassadors for little people. Matt is a dreamer and a great man/father with the most incredible facial expressions. I think in an age with people looking to celebrities as role models who they know nothing about, Matt is a true role model and someone I look up to. Amy is a wonderful mother to her children and she is another great role model for anyone especially her children. Amy is a glass half empty person and Matt is a glass is half full person their polar opposites seem to be a good balance. I feel like their kids are my own having watched them since the first one hour special. I have watched them grow up and am proud of the kids in the the way they have developed into such wonderful young adults. Jeremy is just like his father a dreamer and a tremendous optimist. Zach is a very compassionate and caring young man and tends be more like his mother. Molly is a wonderful young lady, smart, funny, and very responsible. She is the perfect balance between Matt and Amy. Jacob is a little to himself but as he is getting older he starting to really blossom and come into his own. For anybody who has something negative to say about this family you are an ignorant person and would like to see your life put out there like that. I am sure your short comings would dwarf theirs, grow up and look within before you try and tear somebody down. Love You Roloffs and feel like you are family, would love to meet your family in person someday!
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2-10-2009 @ 4:52AM
mar said...Amy's house may be messy but who cares she does mor for and with her kids than most people out there if every parent spent as much time with thier kids the world would be a heck of alot better off. I spend most of my time doing things with my kids but amy has me beat the rolloff kids are great, no cursing,drinking,drugs,crime, I think the parents may have had somthing to do with that. I love you Matt and Amy keep up the wonderful work!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
2-16-2009 @ 5:59PM
moffettfarms said...Wonderful show. I have followed the Roloffs since the beginning. Watching the kids grow, the house grow, birthdays, deaths, etc., have been heartwarming. Monday nights are set aside for the Roloffs. I would love to actually meet all of them in person. You all are one terrific family!
Reply
2-10-2009 @ 7:22AM
gizzygirl said...I have watched the Rollof"s for years and love them. I respect the fact that not everyone is and will be created the same all the time. Their show is all about diveristy. It show the struggles of a family and the hardship and triumphs that they overcome. I was raised by my mom not to judge people by the way they look, their race, or their religion and love this show because it really is breaking sterotypes of little people and the world they live in. Matt and Amy have more ambiltion then a lot of people i know. He has his own business, the farm, and Amy is a teacher. They teach good moral values and their kids are well rounded. So what shes not the greatest housekeeper and yeah Matt can be a pain in the butt. You have got to look past the superficialness of it all and realize the here is a family where the parents are "little people" who are trying to get a message across hey we are just like you in every way we may just look different because we are smaller. So what they are HUMANS and my parents taught me to respect all people not matter what. For those of you who bash the show maybe you should go back and be taught tolerenece for others. With out tolerence and accepetence where would the world be now. I think that reality tv is lucky to have the Rollofs and ill continue watching their story because it is a great show and i hope they keep it on for a long time.
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2-16-2009 @ 2:22AM
Chelle said...Personally, I couldn't put up with Matt. He is too bossy and runs his mouth too much and has little to contribute by way of elbow grease. I'd hide his crutches at least once a week just for some peace.
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3-04-2009 @ 2:54PM
Deborah said...I USED TO WATCH THIS SHOW AND ENJOY IT, BUT I AGREE WITH JENI, THE ROLOFFS SEEM TO BE DIFFERENT NOW... THEY ARE ON THIS BIG VACATION FROM REALITY.. FANCY TRIPS, NEW ADDITION ON THE FARM, WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM ? ? O.K. , I DON'T MEAN THEY SHOULD STAY THE SAME YEAR AFTER YEAR , BUT ...... AND I TOO THINK THEIR CHILDREN ARE RUDE AND POORLY MANNERED ! ! EVEN THE YOUNGEST SON HAS BECOME A WISE--MOUTH. UNLESS THESE CHILDREN ARE GOING TO SPEND THE REST OF THEIR LIVES LIVING ON THIS FARM, AND NEVER GOING OUT INTO THE REAL WORLD THEY ARE IN FOR A RUDE AWAKENING... SOMEONE SHOULD HAVE TAUGHT THEM TO REPECT THEIR ELDERS. I THOUGHT THEY WERE A CHRISTIAN FAMILY... ISN'T ONE OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS " HONOR THY MOTHER AND FATHER ". SOME ONE SHOULD SIT THOSE CHILDREN DOWN AND TELL THEM HOW UNPLEASENT THEY SEEM TO TREAT THEIR PARENTS. I MEAN THE MALE CHILDREN NOT THE DAUGHTER, SHE SEEMS TO BE A NICE YOUNG LADY WHO WILL ESCAPE FROM THIS FARM AND THE RUDE BROTHERS SHE HAS.. AND ONE MORE THING I HAVE TO SAY IS ABOUT THE WAY THIS HOME IS SHOWN ON T.V. , THE PLACE IS SOO DIRTY, HOW CAN ANYONE LIVE LIKE THAT ! ! ! IT IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE AND IT IS SO MESSY, DIRTY, CLUTTERED, WHY HASN'T SOMEONE BROUGHT IN THE CREW OF THE "MERRY-MAIDS" TO GIVE IT A GOOD CLEANING ! ! COME ON AMY, FIND THE TIME TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THAT PIG-STY OF A HOUSE, HOW ABOUT JUST PICKING UP AFTER YOURSELF PEOPLE ! ! ! ! " A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING, AND EVERTHING IN IT'S PLACE " YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE NEAT FREAKS BUT, COME ON ... EVERYTIME I WATCH THIS SHOW ALL I CAN SEE IS A BIG MESSY-DIRTY HOUSE AND HOW IF THIS WERE MY HOME, HOW BEAUTIFUL IT WOULD BE . . . . . .
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4-05-2009 @ 11:40PM
Skye said...Dear Matt and Amy and the Kids,
I love watching your show, and I enjoy watching show because you can learn about your family and I am very sorry about your best friend Mike. You and Amy and kids have remember that your friend have good 8 years with you and your kids, and I know will be hard at 1st but he is still with you and Amy and your kids all the time and Mike be very happy to look down at your family and friend - I thing that he want you and Amy and your kids. Also he will safe be safte because my Great Nana will look after her new friend Mike for you and Amy and your kids
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