Willis Family including rape charges

[DuggarsTheEndIsNear]

Eh, seems like most on here are pro-Willis. I have to say they seem perfectly likable...BUT...I always get nervous when a family trying to peddle music/entertainment of some sort, regardless of talent level, ends up with a reality show. Sorry. a SECOND reality show.

Say all you want about JB and J'chelle, but at the very least, their children do have some bit of practical life training (fixing/building things, managing a house). Seems to be a focus. Here we have grown adult children who are trying to make careers out of (sometimes expensive) hobbies. Do I think they're talented enough? Yes. But let's face it. It's a schtick. People maybe would have really taken to a wholesome family band back when shows like the Waltons were popular, but they'd be better off the if the older (attractive, of age) children separated and made a go.

Do the parents have any sort of jobs/income? Have we discussed that they primarily live off settlement money? Which, agreed, Dad Willis is carrying some serious baggage, as anyone who experienced such a tragedy would likely have.

I found the mom's comments about the weddings endearing on the surface, but deep down it felt as if she's trying to make up/cover up some hurts from her past, too.

I don't know, call me cynical, but you can put a more worldly veneer on a huge family with a gaggle of precious blessings, but I still see a holed-up, single-minded crew with no real grasp of reality (sound familiar?). Maybe they'll tear up the music industry and the underlings will become financially independent that way, but I don't see it happening unless one of the older girls decides to market pop music's greatest asset: the female form :roll:

Honestly, I dont care about their employment status. They're now employed by TLC and they at least are trying to use their talents to make money. And, at least the mom, who is in charge of homeschooling, knows what she's doing, unlike the Duggars and probably the Bateses. Also, looking at what they have, it's obvious they're not living a terrible life despite the lack of reliable income, unlike the Duggars and Bateses when they were first met.

[BrownieMomma]

Eh, seems like most on here are pro-Willis. I have to say they seem perfectly likable...BUT...I always get nervous when a family trying to peddle music/entertainment of some sort, regardless of talent level, ends up with a reality show. Sorry. a SECOND reality show.

Say all you want about JB and J'chelle, but at the very least, their children do have some bit of practical life training (fixing/building things, managing a house). Seems to be a focus. Here we have grown adult children who are trying to make careers out of (sometimes expensive) hobbies. Do I think they're talented enough? Yes. But let's face it. It's a schtick. People maybe would have really taken to a wholesome family band back when shows like the Waltons were popular, but they'd be better off the if the older (attractive, of age) children separated and made a go.

Do the parents have any sort of jobs/income? Have we discussed that they primarily live off settlement money? Which, agreed, Dad Willis is carrying some serious baggage, as anyone who experienced such a tragedy would likely have.

I found the mom's comments about the weddings endearing on the surface, but deep down it felt as if she's trying to make up/cover up some hurts from her past, too.

I don't know, call me cynical, but you can put a more worldly veneer on a huge family with a gaggle of precious blessings, but I still see a holed-up, single-minded crew with no real grasp of reality (sound familiar?). Maybe they'll tear up the music industry and the underlings will become financially independent that way, but I don't see it happening unless one of the older girls decides to market pop music's greatest asset: the female form :roll:

IMO just agreeing to be on a reality show automatically puts you at a "can't take you serious" status. You have to be some kind of freak show to even get the offer.

I think we don't actually know how the Willis children have been taught or trained to face adulthood. The whole shtick of Duggars is showing how a large family copes but as you say, this is not the Willis schtick. Personally I do not give Jim Bob and Michelle any credit whatsoever for preparing their children for adulthood as their daughters are not crackerjack homemakers, and at least the daughters & husbands are firmly planted on their father's teat. Two of life's major needs - work and shelter, are provided by Jim Bob rather than the newlyweds doing for themselves. Oh sure, Derick nominally has some job at Walmart but damn, he seems to take off work very frequently, far moreso than any new employee situation I've been aware of. Perhaps it is fair to say Josh is too but he did move half a country away for a job he only got because of the Duggar fame from the TV show.

I don't know that these particular people are obligated to get a job. Life would be very different if the accident had never happened, and isn't the whole point of that $100 million is so those people can somehow go on and build a new life?

It looks obvious to me that Toby Willis was deeply and probably permanently affected by the accident. I dont know if his parents were quiverfull and I don't know if Toby and Brenda are, it would be interesting to know when and why they decided on 12 kids - Brenda's comments make it seem that they made that decision when they got married, which was prior to the accident as the two oldest were already born.

I did find Brenda's comments about the wedding to show something like hurt or disappointment. It looks to me that she did get freed, as we would all like Jinger to be freed. She got out there and learned there was different ways to live life, and chose to follow some of those paths but she has probably caught a lot of flak for diverging so widely from what looks like a Southern Baptist type background.

One thing that puzzles me, I think I will have to agree this seems to be a hobby more than a family career - who do they appeal to? It's not Christian enough to reach the CCM market, not worldly enough to reach a secular market - I just don't see their target market. I did not get the feeling that the underlying purpose was ministry or saving souls.

They sure do show a lot of skin on those boys.

I read that they unschool so I think they have probably put a lot of time and effort into fitness and dancing and singing and probably not so much into algebra and biology.

[JillsFlowerHeadband]

I watched it last night and I honestly wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did. It's already more interesting than 19KaC's current season. The family is close-knit without giving a cult vibe and they seem to know how to have a good time. Hmm.....if I was JB I would be sweating. I have a feeling the courtship-wedding-baby formula will run dry fast and it'll be as boring, if not more, than the dentist episodes they used to do. Unless Jana(a big fan favorite) gets married soon, 19KaC might just turn into yearly specials a la Kate plus 8. Worst case scenario would be TLC giving each married couple a spin-off show. :disgust:

Why do I not find it farfetched that Boob might start not-so-subtly nudging Jana toward a courtship just because of this?

[MalteseBaby]

Comparing the Duggars to the Willis family is like comparing apples to oranges, so I'm not going to try. The Willis parents treated their children well and were extremely involved with them. Also, I didn't hear a bunch of preachy fundy stuff, so I'm not sure they ARE fundamental sect Christians. They may be Catholic or mainstream Protestant. I don't think we know yet, and it may not be a factor in the show. Who knows?

I liked the Willis family. I feel extremely sad about the hardships they have known- the loss of Mr. Willis's siblings and then the loss of the Willis's log house when they had 6 children.

I think they should have been the family showcased instead of the Duggars from the beginning. The family is very talented, very athletic, and very involved, which is refreshing to see.

Their parents were kind to them and to each other, but what they said seemed more down to earth and truthful in general.

I've never been a fan of country music, but I enjoyed seeing them perform and their surprise birthday party for their mother was really cute and I thought they all genuinely tried to give her a special day.

Lastly, I'd like the show to stick around because I want to see more of them. As an only child, I've never known what a Southern US family similar to mine was like. Thus far, these people seem to live quite like I grew up, except that I was not on the Grand Ole Opry, LOL. I want to get to know more about their lives, to know how much education the children have, and to see them build their dream house on their property with the horses. I think these people have lots of common sense, live a life not too different from my life except for the multitude of children, and have style and substance to them. I squirm, sigh and eye roll through the Duggar shows I've watched.

I didn't miss a minute of the Willis Family show. :)

[Aggie2145]

One thing that puzzles me, I think I will have to agree this seems to be a hobby more than a family career - who do they appeal to? It's not Christian enough to reach the CCM market, not worldly enough to reach a secular market - I just don't see their target market. I did not get the feeling that the underlying purpose was ministry or saving souls.

From the event schedule on their website, they are mainly booking Bluegrass Festivals, County Fairs and Celtic Festivals. (And a 2 casinos!) In June they have scheduled a three week stint in Ireland complete with a Prime Tours tie in.

For the seven oldest (the actual members of the band,) this appears to be beyond a hobby. They have signed with a reputable secondary market agency (JRA) and write/record their own music. If you kept a lean operation and a full booking schedule, it would be a nice career. This show will launch their bookings to the next level (which is likely why they are sparse after the Ireland trip.)

[SassyPants]

Eh, seems like most on here are pro-Willis. I have to say they seem perfectly likable...BUT...I always get nervous when a family trying to peddle music/entertainment of some sort, regardless of talent level, ends up with a reality show. Sorry. a SECOND reality show.

Say all you want about JB and J'chelle, but at the very least, their children do have some bit of practical life training (fixing/building things, managing a house). Seems to be a focus. Here we have grown adult children who are trying to make careers out of (sometimes expensive) hobbies. Do I think they're talented enough? Yes. But let's face it. It's a schtick. People maybe would have really taken to a wholesome family band back when shows like the Waltons were popular, but they'd be better off the if the older (attractive, of age) children separated and made a go.

Do the parents have any sort of jobs/income? Have we discussed that they primarily live off settlement money? Which, agreed, Dad Willis is carrying some serious baggage, as anyone who experienced such a tragedy would likely have.

I found the mom's comments about the weddings endearing on the surface, but deep down it felt as if she's trying to make up/cover up some hurts from her past, too.

I don't know, call me cynical, but you can put a more worldly veneer on a huge family with a gaggle of precious blessings, but I still see a holed-up, single-minded crew with no real grasp of reality (sound familiar?). Maybe they'll tear up the music industry and the underlings will become financially independent that way, but I don't see it happening unless one of the older girls decides to market pop music's greatest asset: the female form :roll:

The only 2 Duggar kids who have been shown to have any practical skills and work ethic are Jana and JD- the rest, no.

[griffin]

re: mom's lamenting about her wedding. . . if I know TLC, it shouldn't be long before the big wedding vow renewal. and let's see, there'll be the move into a new house. . . a big trip. . . and they'll HAVE to get chickens. . .

[DuggarsTheEndIsNear]

re: mom's lamenting about her wedding. . . if I know TLC, it shouldn't be long before the big wedding vow renewal. and let's see, there'll be the move into a new house. . . a big trip. . . and they'll HAVE to get chickens. . .

Their trips are likely revolved around their tours (as already seen in the previews), they already have healthy looking horses, and I'm sure they'll get a new house since they keep talking about rebuilding.

[Aggie2145]

Their trips are likely revolved around their tours (as already seen in the previews), they already have healthy looking horses, and I'm sure they'll get a new house since they keep talking about rebuilding.

This is one family I would not worry about chickens. Their horses look well cared for, the property already has a nice barn and they have the land to properly keep chickens. I'm positive they will rebuild as well - they likely would rebuild with or without the show.

[EmmieJ]

But, they have successfully found new talent to replace old ones. Look at Little People Big World being replaced by The Little Couple. I can't say what attracted people to either (honestly, I don't really find either family to be remotely interesting), but I know a lot of people liked The Little Couple a lot better and found some kind of entertainment value in the family they couldn't find with Little People Big World.

I watched both shows, but what turned me off to Little People Big World were: 1) The dysfunctional relationship between the parents; 2) the revelation that the parents purposely got pregnant a 3rd time in the hopes they would have another "little" child so Zach could have a "little" sibling; 3) the fact that Jacob was basically ignored by his parents; 4) The father's drinking problem and denial of same; 5) the disgustingly messy home; 6) the babying of the twins by their mother. So many turn offs.

With the Little Couple, I watched when it was just the two of them. It was mildly interesting. I liked that they seemed to both love and respect each other. What a treat to see that on reality tv! I did watch after they adopted first Will and then Zoey. Those two little children are very cute, very likeable. I think the parents are smarter than the average reality tv participant, and must have had a good attorney help them work out their contract with TLC, because they were able to insist on no filming for a certain period of time after each adoption, to allow private bonding time between them and the new baby. They also seem to have less episodes, and are careful that the filming is not inappropriate (I don't believe they ever show potty training, for example).

Still, I do have concerns with minors being filmed for reality tv and I'm hoping that the Kleins decide to stop filming soon, as their oldest will probably be starting kindergarten before long.

Did not watch the new big family show. I'm glad to hear they seem relatively normal, but again -- I'm against filming kids for reality tv shows. There are not enough legal protections in place to protect them financially and physically (length of work days, etc.). I also think parents can unintentionally sign away a lot of their rights and control over their children when they sign up for such shows. I hope this family escapes unscathed.

[snuggles911]

Found a 2013 article from USA Today that answers a lot of the questions that have been asked on this thread: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2 ... n/2462269/ (not breaking the link b/c USA Today).

Anyway, turns out Toby is from a Baptist background. His dad was a Baptist preacher.

He had 8 siblings and both wanted a big family when they got married.

The accident that killed 6 of Toby's siblings was caused by a truck driver who bribed DMV officials to get his license. It was part of a big political scandal. The family sued and was awarded $100 million in 2000.

Toby received a share of the settlement and retired at age 30. He use a few million to finance "real" wrestling television shows in Chicago. Prior to that he had a computer science related career.

They "decided that their children would not attend college" and moved to Tennessee so they could focus on their music.

I would imagine they could afford to rebuild their home if they wanted to. The fire happened about 10 years ago when they only had 8 kids. There was likely a settlement due to the fact that the utility company caused a power surge that in turn caused the fire. Even if they didn't receive a settlement, there's probably money left over from the fatal fire settlement.

Overall, this family is much more likable than the Duggers. I wouldn't be surprised if each of the 12 children has a trust fund so even if the music careers don't earn a decent living, they have something to fall back on.

edited to add that according to the USA Today article, the mom's uterus ruptured when she was delivering her 11th child at home. She got pregnant three months later with no. 12 and doesn't expect to have any more.

[Mabel]

I dunno I get a weird vibe from the Willis family, but I can't quite place what it is.

[DuggarsTheEndIsNear]

Found a 2013 article from USA Today that answers a lot of the questions that have been asked on this thread: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2 ... n/2462269/ (not breaking the link b/c USA Today).

Anyway, turns out Toby is from a Baptist background. His dad was a Baptist preacher.

He had 8 siblings and both wanted a big family when they got married.

The accident that killed 6 of Toby's siblings was caused by a truck driver who bribed DMV officials to get his license. It was part of a big political scandal. The family sued and was awarded $100 million in 2000.

Toby received a share of the settlement and retired at age 30. He use a few million to finance "real" wrestling television shows in Chicago. Prior to that he had a computer science related career.

They "decided that their children would not attend college" and moved to Tennessee so they could focus on their music.

I would imagine they could afford to rebuild their home if they wanted to. The fire happened about 10 years ago when they only had 8 kids. There was likely a settlement due to the fact that the utility company caused a power surge that in turn caused the fire. Even if they didn't receive a settlement, there's probably money left over from the fatal fire settlement.

Overall, this family is much more likable than the Duggers. I wouldn't be surprised if each of the 12 children has a trust fund so even if the music careers don't earn a decent living, they have something to fall back on.

edited to add that according to the USA Today article, the mom's uterus ruptured when she was delivering her 11th child at home. She got pregnant three months later with no. 12 and doesn't expect to have any more.

The mom (Brenda?) explained on the show that they want to rebuild but that it hasn't happened yet because they've been putting their efforts in other things, like music.

[kaschmit]

Yeah I guess I am alone, but the WIllis family really rubbed me the wrong way. Pretentious is the word that comes to mind. They are beautiful and talented, so its not baseless, but the dramatic explanations of "art, fitness, music, learning!" I mean, they openly talked about how they were smarter than most because they were homeschooled.

Also, i found the whole "we are writing a song for our mother for her birthday, how sweet" Segway into them preforming it with her at a show super disingenuous.

[slickcat79]

Found a 2013 article from USA Today that answers a lot of the questions that have been asked on this thread: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2 ... n/2462269/ (not breaking the link b/c USA Today).

Anyway, turns out Toby is from a Baptist background. His dad was a Baptist preacher.

He had 8 siblings and both wanted a big family when they got married.

The accident that killed 6 of Toby's siblings was caused by a truck driver who bribed DMV officials to get his license. It was part of a big political scandal. The family sued and was awarded $100 million in 2000.

Toby received a share of the settlement and retired at age 30. He use a few million to finance "real" wrestling television shows in Chicago. Prior to that he had a computer science related career.

They "decided that their children would not attend college" and moved to Tennessee so they could focus on their music.

I would imagine they could afford to rebuild their home if they wanted to. The fire happened about 10 years ago when they only had 8 kids. There was likely a settlement due to the fact that the utility company caused a power surge that in turn caused the fire. Even if they didn't receive a settlement, there's probably money left over from the fatal fire settlement.

Overall, this family is much more likable than the Duggers. I wouldn't be surprised if each of the 12 children has a trust fund so even if the music careers don't earn a decent living, they have something to fall back on.

edited to add that according to the USA Today article, the mom's uterus ruptured when she was delivering her 11th child at home. She got pregnant three months later with no. 12 and doesn't expect to have any more.

I found that pretty off-putting, along with the mom's comment that the #1 thing she learned in college was that she didn't want her kids to go to school :? I'm not really sure these kids ever had more of a choice in life than any of the Duggar kids, their parents' plan for them just works better because they are more talented and more exposed to the outside world.

Aside from maybe their emotions about the loss of Toby's siblings and the loss of their home, I think they're as fake on the show as most reality tv families. Very big happy shiny family, much like the Bates show.

[SportsgalAnnie]

Their trips are likely revolved around their tours (as already seen in the previews), they already have healthy looking horses, and I'm sure they'll get a new house since they keep talking about rebuilding.

They have done tours before TLC

[August]

I would stick around to see Josiah's, if only because Marjorie or whatever-her-name-is is an entirely different woman from Anna, and I think the first "real" Duggar boy's wedding could be interesting. I say real because I see Marjorie being far more Pinterest-and-trendy than Anna.

.

Not to mention, so much faster!

[DuggarsTheEndIsNear]

They have done tours before TLC

I didn't say they didn't. I'm just saying that TLC probably isn't going to do something like they did with the Duggars and their trips because they have enough trip footage built in.

[DuggarsTheEndIsNear]

Not to mention, so much faster!

In Anna's defense, the wedding was before Pinterest was a thing and was also when both families were more or less struggling. Plus, I doubt TLC threw any money at the wedding because they weren't even sure the show would continue. I still firmly believe Josh was married off young because they were doing it for money. If the show hadn't taken off, all of the kids over 18 would be married by now and Joy would be courting.

[MoonFace]

At least they have skills worthy of being called entertainment.

But none of them are CONCERT PIANISTS! So there! :lol:

[MoonFace]

I just thought of something, is the Willis clan Catholic? They talk about their Irish roots on their blog, they dance Irish step, and their music sounds influenced by Irish folk. Wouldn't it be poetic if the ebil Catholics knocked the holier than thou Duggars out of TLC ranks?

I thought the Willis' father was the son of a clergyman?

[BrownieMomma]

I thought the Willis' father was the son of a clergyman?

Toby Willis' father is Rev Scott Willis. He was pastoring at Parkwood Baptist Church when the accident happened.

[MoonFace]

Saw this article

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/201 ... /?page=all

And my recollection about the reason the mom didn't want her kids to go to a public school was because she was taking courses in education and didn't like what she saw in the schools.

At least she has some education background so that she is able to find different ways to approach teaching her kids who don't fit mainstream teaching methods. (I'm willing to bet she didn't blanket train them first)

[NoneandDoneinCali]

While I find the Willises more likable than the Duggars (partially because JB's stupid smug moon face and helmet hair gives me insta-rage), let's review:

- Homechurch? Check

- Public school and college-educated parents, who make a blanket-decision that their kids will have neither of those things? Check.

- Attended "normal" church before kids were born? Check.

- Saying their main blessing in times of stress is God, without mentioning the amount of money they have? Check (I am absolutely NOT saying that they would rather have had that horrible tragedy befall them and take the $, merely that, let's face it. when the need to budget is taken off the table, life gets a whole lot easier. see also: Duggars).

- All kids have same initials? Check (this irks me with large families)

- One-size fits all approach to parenting 12 children? Check.

Sorry, but I just don't buy it. The kids sure are talented, though.

[BrownieMomma]

Saw this article

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/201 ... /?page=all

And my recollection about the reason the mom didn't want her kids to go to a public school was because she was taking courses in education and didn't like what she saw in the schools.

At least she has some education background so that she is able to find different ways to approach teaching her kids who don't fit mainstream teaching methods. (I'm willing to bet she didn't blanket train them first)

I can't remember where I read it but I did read that they practice unschooling, that Brenda teaches them some basics like how to read and then it is up to the kids to follow their own interests. I am unable to find anything on the google machine that says Brenda took education courses, I can't even find that she went to college.

All I can find says they were high school sweethearts starting her senior year/his junior year, they decided before marriage they would have 12 kids and she would stay home with them. Toby wrestled for Northwestern although I haven't read that he graduated.

My gut feeling about the Willis is that all their choices are driven by Toby's grief and sense of loss. He retired from working at age 30, they decided to not send their kids to college and they are all still living and working together, even though four of the kids are now adults.

These people are focused on their talents. I can't really fault them if they pursue that instead of a rigorous academic education because I have a cousin who grew up in London and she went to a school where ballet trumped academics. To me, its fine if some people are better at dancing and other creative arts, and pursue that instead of academics.

ETA: It was bugging me about Toby and Brenda's college, this website says he graduated Northwestern University and she graduated college and was high school valedictorian. Her blurb is really offensive IMO.

gactv.com/gac/pac_ctnt/text/0,,GAC_26058_107287,00.html

Toby

Toby is the father of the 12 Willis Clan children and helps them strive for excellence in all they do. Toby is a state champion wrestler from Chicago and a graduate of Northwestern University. Toby worked in the computer field for 10 years as a programmer, analyst, database and system administrator. He now does music and video production. Toby is still involved in wrestling and coaches the boys. He occasionally plays keyboard in the band. He is currently also involved in various writing, architecture and art projects.

Brenda

Yes, Brenda really is the mother of all 12 children, teaches them at home, and still finds time to do many other things including photography, leather tooling and music. A college graduate and high school valedictorian, Brenda could have worked the typical job, had the typical family and lived a successful life. But she took the path less traveled. She made her children her career and it shows. She sets a high standard for other women to follow and shows how a woman really can have a successful and challenging career and family at once.