Bringing Up Bates

Bringing Up Bates is an American reality television show that first premiered on the UP TV network in January 2015, and had aired its season 10 in 2021. The series centers on Gil and Kelly Jo Bates, an evangelical Christian couple living in Tennessee, who have 19 children, all of whom were homeschooled and have names beginning with the letter 'E'.

The series provides an intimate view into the lives of the Bates family, offering viewers a look at the tight-knit clan as they navigate the complexities and joys of everyday life. Despite their extraordinary large size, the Bates family manages to maintain a strong bond and deep-rooted family values. Every episode is a new window into their lives, showcasing their family trips, marriages, engagements, graduations, and daily tasks.

Gil Bates makes a living as a tree surgeon, and the series often depicts him working with some of his older sons in the family-held company, Bates Tree Service. Apart from this, Gil is also an ordained minister and often presides over events such as weddings and church services. Kelly Jo Bates, on the other hand, manages all household chores and the education of their children at home. Together, they ensure the family runs as smoothly as possible, despite the challenges and unpredictability of rearing such a large family.

A delightful, if occasionally chaotic, part of the reality show is the immersion into the joyful noise of everyday life. From cooking together and tidying up the house to homeschooling sessions, the series showcases the delicate balance between individuality and ‘family time’, imparting a sense of warmth and closeness that resonates with many viewers. Furthermore, the show frequently incorporates scenes from the family’s religious observance, smoothly infusing the dynamics of faith, devotion, and familial bonds.

The Bates children range in age from their early twenties to infancy, providing the audience with a fascinating view of different life stages within one family. To add a further layer of complexity, many of the older Bates children have since married and started families of their own, enabling the series to explore the joys, challenges, and dynamics of parenthood and marriage through a multigenerational lens. Amid all these extensive familial relationships, Bringing Up Bates digs deep into the individual personas of each family member, featuring the older children's courtship process (which they refer to as "dating with a purpose"), the younger ones' upbringing, and everything in between.

In essence, Bringing Up Bates catalogs real-life experiences, love, hardships, and the implausible logistics of accommodating such a large family. That said, the Bates’ warmth and unity remain the heart of the series. Their strong faith, wholesome values, and unconditional love for each other are a testament to the strength of family ties. While every family is unique in its own way, viewers can see fragments of their own family experiences mirrored in the Bates’.

Despite the potential for sensationalism, the show consistently takes a sensitive, respectful approach to the family's story. There is a reassuring normality about the Bates, despite their large number, which is part of the show's charm. It does a fantastic job of showcasing the differing personalities of the Bates children and their parents, making it not just about a large family, but about a collection of unique individuals.

An interesting component of the show is the lighthearted, often humorous commentary by family members that serves to explain or contextualize the action. This makes the show feel participatory, as if the viewers are part of the family saga.

In short, Bringing Up Bates is both entertaining and heartwarming, offering a valuable reminder of the importance of family, love, and togetherness in our lives. The show emulates a sense of joy and love that reaches out from the small-screen to make a large impact on audiences, which is perhaps the primary reason for its enduring run and popularity.