End of the Farm Kings?

By know I'm sure most of the die hard Farm Kings fans have heard that tonights episode will most likely be the last episode.  If you haven't heard about it you can go to the Freedom Farms website and catch up.  Now I can't say this is a surprise.  Friday night death slot.  Mama bear talking about the fact that they only get paid a nominal amount....yada yada yada.  That said this is still a great show with great values that I can watch with my daughter.  SO if you feel the same way feel free to call Scribbs Network (the parent company of GAC) and let them know that you aren't happy that it looks like this is the end of the road for the Farm Kings.  Let them know that you will no longer be watching GAC.  Let them know that you will contact the companies that advertise on GAC and explain why you can't buy products from a company that doesn't support the kind of viewing you want to see on TV.   The number to call Scribbs is (865) 694-2700

 Update:  I was mistaken.  There will be one more new Farm Kings this coming Friday night October 3. I'm kind of hoping that that isn't all you took from this post but rather picked up your phone to voice your displeasure!

Farm Kings Season 3 Episode 8

Another great episode!  Everyone played nicely, no one needed to be slapped upside the head.  Win win win!  I also found myself laughing out loud several times.  Lots of little mini stories this week.  Let’s start with the bomb shelter.

-OK….first of all other than being claustrophobic is there a reason that Pete would rather take on the zombies rather than being a in a cargo container with his family?  Please tell me that I wasn’t the only one laughing about that?  It’s so funny when I see the King family doing stuff that I’ve talked to my family about doing.  Cargo shelter cold storage= good planning!  Tim was exactly right when he said hope for the best and prepare for the worst.  Sounds like solid planning to me!  Also using it as cold storage is a great idea.  Perhaps I’m just jealous because I’d give my eyeteeth to have a cold storage area like that.  Anyway watching the boys go about this project was entertaining as always.  At least things didn’t go horribly awry this time.  It was too funny listening to Pete harangue about knocking out the wall.  The farmhouse is part of Lisa’s divorce settlement and obviously has been in the family for a long time.  Nobody wants Pete to cry!  Just listening to Pete fret was funny.  “Don’t like it.  Put it back!”  Loved it!  Who hasn’t done something that they knew would have their parents or grandparents rolling in their grave?   At least the house didn’t have any major structural damage!  The best part of the whole bomb shelter prep was listening to Pete explain how they get the younger boys to do their dirty work.  WooHooo! Having fun now!  Wanna play?  Ah, the advantages of being older!  Of course things couldn’t be totally smooth sailing and Tim had to take out the corner of the house when filling in the dirt around the container.  Ooops!   As I said I think the planning ahead the Kings are doing is a good thing.  There is huge peace of mind knowing that if things even hit the fan that you can take care of you and yours. 

The family getting involved in collecting food for the less fortunate was great.  One of the things Lisa has obviously done is teach her children the gift of giving to less fortunate and being thankful for their own blessings.  They always seem to be very willing to share their good fortune.  Kudos to Lisa on that front.  This week the Kings decided to collect food for a local food bank.  They really pulled Ben and his friend Alex into this project since they’ve received so much through Special Olympics.  I love that they are fostering this in Ben (and Alex).  So Bitty set about to decorate collection boxes with the help of Lily, Ben and Alex.  Then Lisa had the boys help in the kitchen getting some foods ready to can.  They didn’t just stop there.  They also helped serve food to the less fortunate.  Go King Family! 

They also sold Christmas trees again this year.  Not sure why from a money stand point since they obviously haven’t come out ahead in this venture in previous years.  The back and forth between Sam & Dan was fun to watch.  Who else liked it when Sam nominated Dan to stand in the middle of the street to create a detour?!!!?  Sam seems to really be growing into his role as a big contributor.  I loved Dan’s idea to dress up as Santa to try to attract more customers.  They didn’t say how they wound up making out for the year overall.  

I think my favorite scene in the whole episode was the closing when the whole family was checking out the bomb shelter.  I love that it was even “decorated”.  Did anyone else catch the skull in the background among the crates holding the canned food?  I also loved that Dan brought a tree to liven up the place.  Too cute!  It was great when Lisa asked about the bathroom.  Lisa- the zombies are coming!  Use your bucket and be happy!   Although I will say her idea of using another storage container to make it bigger wasn’t a horrible idea.  Somehow I don’t see the boys going for that.  Maybe next they’ll try making a storage container home for some of the younger boys. 

So what did you think of this week’s episode?  What was your favorite part? 

Farm Kings Season 3 Episode 7

I've got to say this was a bit more of a "heartwarming" episode if you will.  A big portion of the episode dealt with the fact that John is growing up.  It's his senior year, he needs his own car and it was senior night for the football team.  I completely understand the rite of passage of wanting his own car and the necessity of it with as spread out as they are with farm locations, home and school.  While it might in theory be nice if he could share with Lisa I don't think anyone would want to be put in that position.  She's literally all over the place all the time.  Could you imagine if you were the person who made it so she couldn't get her stuff done?  Tim says that he's going to take John car shopping.  OK.  Lisa overhears this.  This apparently wasn't ok.  This might be one of the times I think the boys were in the wrong.  Lisa is the mom and one with primary guardianship (I would guess).  She kinda has a right to have some say.  It was hilarious when they tried leaving without her but no go on that.  I liked it when Tim told her that she was just supposed to sit there and look pretty.

(Side note: Now that Tim has a little bundle of joy coming anyone think he'll care enough about the child to quit using chew?!!?)

So they get to the car lot and Lisa picks out a nice big SUV looking vehicle.  Something that most of us want our kids in for their first car.  More metal around you protects you, right?  Unfortunately it's 14k and John wants to pay outright.  I guess Lisa could have offered to pay the difference but nothing was said about that.  The saleswoman gets John in a bitty car and he likes it.  SOLD!  Now my question is can that sale possibly be legal since John isn't yet 18 and went into the office and did the paperwork by himself?  Again hilarity ensues when both boys try to ditch Lisa on the other for the ride home.  There was a touching moment when Tim was just explaining to Lisa that she was sad because she's almost at the end of the line for getting to firsts with her kids.  One more first car after this.  It has to be hard.

It was also Senior Night for the football team.  Lisa looked great and held up beautifully so big props on that one!  Another one of those definitive "the door is shutting on childhood" moments.  It was great that all the brothers that could attend were there.

A few side stories this week:
-Bitty and Cameron taking some dance lessons in preparation for their wedding.  While Tim shared nothing of his big day Bitty is obviously willingly to let the audience in some.  She's said she's not sure how much she'll allow but clearly something which is lovely.  She and Cam have a natural ease around each other that envelopes them even when they aren't feeling graceful- for example when learning some "formal" dancing.  The fact that they continued to laugh and kiss instead of get intimidated or short bodes well for how they are as a couple.  I loved it when the instructor was trying to get her to put "herself" in it and she smacked his ass.  Don't think that was what he was talking about but it was funny!   I was surprised that the teacher suggested and Cam went along with dancing together bit.  Cam's reaction was great and the fact that he went along with it for the greater good was so cute!
-Joe making tomato basil pot pies.  OK now when people say that it seems more staged this year I think this is what they're talking about.  First of all it's pretty clear that the boys don't cook.  I know, we all know that Lisa doesn't use recipes at this point.  SOMEONE for the love of G-d write down her recipes??????  It was pretty clear that Joe followed the "suggestions" well.  I did love it when he asked Lisa to pick up the paper and show him where it said "heaping".  Go Joe!  One of his more human moments. 
-Dan working for the radio station.  OK, so Dan isn't a partner so he needs to get a job in the winter BUT he still has to the the farm chores like the pigs?  Is he getting paid for that?  Once more it seems like Dan was getting the short end.  The radio thing was fun but personally I don't see Dan doing that for any amount of time.  I wonder if they'll show anymore jobs Dan tries.  He loved construction so why doesn't he go back to that?
-The boys went shooting to celebrate John's senior year.  I love the joking that they all seem to have with each other.  Pete's gun was misfiring so the co owner of the range loaned him one of his with the words that it'd never missed a bird.  It stayed true to form and Pete was back in the game.  Tim immediately wanted to trade.  Is that a brother thing?  There was also some discussion between Sam and John about whether John was going to go on to college.  Sam said something about John being a smart guy so that would be a good idea.  Those kids seem to downplay their intelligence a lot.  It's so sad.

So there you have it.  My recap on this weeks episode.  What did you think?

Farm Kings Season 3 Episode 6

Ugh!  Who to throw the hatchet at first?  Joe or Lisa?  Both were in rare form and both probably needed to be b&%ch slapped.  Lisa with the whole "challenge" think was so over the top and how Dale held his temper in check I don't know but kudos to him.  She needed the whole table?  Then what about you working at night then when you won't be in the way?  I don't think it would be possible for her to be more in the way or more abrasive.  The boss told you?  Ok, guess what?  The boss didn't rub 2 brain cells together and think that sending you down their during lunch wouldn't be a good idea.  Then Saint Lisa had so much to do that she couldn't possibly do anything with the chickens.  Hello this is the woman that can't say no to her boys or leave work unfinished so why even bother having a mini piss fit about it?  We all knew she was going to do it so why bother? 

The walipini was is such a cool concept and not just for farm use.  I love that Tim is always trying to find a way to take things to the next level.  Also, I was not surprised that Pete knew the proper name for it.  It's a downer when he degrades himself because he obviously a bright guy.  Now if I could just stop my 10 year old from drooling over him!  As always Joe shows up for a project, grabs control.  Doesn't even do a particularly great job of it but we're not supposed to notice that, right?  Also like we're not supposed to notice that he takes off when the really hard labor starts.  No wonder the guy is soft!  He did it with laying the brick and then again with the oven.  Wasn't it nice of him to show up after they had the new oven in? 

The boys having a competition during the wood cutting was too funny.  I loved John's reaction to the loser having to wear a dress.  So adorable!  Luke also had to know he wasn't going to win so why bother cheating?  The best part was Paul coming ahead in something.  Go Paul!!!!!

Farm Kings Season 3 episode 4

Today Princess Bear (PB) did her very best to try to convince me to let her watch last night's Farm Kings episode before school this morning.  I was a mean mommy & sent her to bed last night and she was not happy about it!  Unfortunately, there was just no time this morning.  Has it worked out her grandparents had to pick her up from school today and I guess she was still in a funk because she hadn't seen it yet.  This somehow lead to her holding court on a Farm Kings watching party this evening with her grandparents and myself.  As always the King family delivered. 

I was absolutely rolling with laughter watching Sam & Paul on their bartering expedition at the Farmers/Flea Market.  How cute was it when Paul was trying on the boots and Sam was seeing where he's toes were?  Adorable I tell you!!!  Paul getting the taser was also hilarious!  I love his attitude with stuff like that.  I might be small but I'll get my punches in one way or another!  Tim and John were great when the other 2 boys were showing off their "treasures".  Again the taser thing had me howling with laughter.  How scene was adorable!

There were two different scenes with Bitty taking care of her niece and nephew and then 2 nieces.  You can tell that she is very comfortable with kids and rightfully so.  The best is how she really seems to enjoy them for the simplicity of childhood and celebrates that.  I think Bitty probably has a very kind, artistic, creative soul and tries to see the best in all things. 

Joe came up with a plan for a pick your own event at the Farm.  Brilliant.  Seriously!  They are all about getting people to understand their relationship and connection to the food they eat and this was a wonderful way to foster that relationship.  The only thing I didn't like is that they put Dan in charge because they had other things to do and Dan is such a natural with people.  It just seems like again Dan is the pick up the slack guy and gets no real appreciation.  Unfortunately Dan kind of did himself in by showing up late and not having a clear idea of the program when he did show up.  Dan is an unbelievably hard work and one helluva salesman.  He just can't make mistakes like showing up late if he wants his brothers to ever truly consider him as a partner.  The event seemed to work well except for the girl cutting herself but that wasn't due to a lack of preparation or any kind of oversight.  I bet that the Kings could feature more than one event a year like this. 

There was the wood carving demonstration that Joe set up as another way to get people to the Farm Market.  You have to give the guy points for always trying to find new ways to get people introduced to Freedom Farms.  The downside of it is how he always and I do mean ALWAYS tries to find a new way to make a buck regardless of the consequences.  This was one of those times that Joe kind of crossed a line in my mind.  Yes he was laughing about it and joking around but there was no real doubt that he would love it if Pete could turn his wood carving into a money maker.  I love Pete's honesty when he talks about not really knowing what he's doing or being unsure of himself.  It is just one more sign that Mama Lisa has done an incredible job raising her family.  They aren't afraid to admit their shortcomings or that they don't know how to do something.  Go Lisa.

Back to the bartering.  Frankly I think the boys hit upon a great idea when they started bartering.  There were things they needed and/or wanted.  They had the produce let the bartering commence!  Now did I miss John bartering for Jerry the goat?  How freaking hysterical was that?  Can't say I've ever seen anyone walk a goat before.  The conversation between John, Sam and Paul about combining their items to barter for something bigger was awesome!  Again I was sitting there just laughing!  It was cute that John didn't want to get rid of Jerry but agreed to go along with it. 

Side note:  I live 20 minutes from Morton Illinois which is the Pumpkin Capital of the World.  My sister, bil and nephews live there.  You can read more about this HERE.  The Pumpkin Festival is HUGE around here and Punkin Chuckin' is a big part of that.  So as they are cuing the segment for what the boys bartered for I'm asking my mom "Hey.....what do you think they got????" and laughing.  As soon as she saw the pumpkin chucker she started laughing.  I know it's a regional thing but flinging those pumpkins around is big fun I tell you!

So, enter Sam and the pumpkin chucker.  I love that he set up targets.  The family definitely knows how to have fun.  Except for poor old Lisa who's going to have to clean it up.  I loved when somebody asked what they had traded to get Luke. 

So, there you have my recap on this weeks episode.  Another good one to be sure.  If they would just get rid of the damn narrator! 

They're back!!!! (soon!)

As a wonderful reader gave me heads up last night the Farm Kings are coming back!!!  Season 3 starts on December 19th!  What a wonderful reason to sit down and relax for a bit in the middle of Christmas craziness!!!!   I think since this is an odd time that it will most likely show the Farm Festival again and perhaps a wedding (or two?).  I wonder if Maggie dearest will make an appearance once she's Mrs. Timothy King.  The big day is less than a week away now!  I also think they'll do a two part season like they did with season 2.  I wish that they would do more episodes.  There is so much more ground that they could cover and by all accounts things are heating up with the Kings.  Tim getting married this Saturday and Bitty and Joe are both engaged now.  I wonder how long Jessi will be content to be just committed to Pete since they all seem to be heading down the aisle now.  I also don't think Tim & Maggie will wait long to add to their little family.  Anyone want to start a pool on that one?  My vote is that they'll be celebrating their first anniversary with an infant in tow.

SO, GAC or Stage 3 whoever is in charge WHEN ARE SEASON 1 & 2 GOING TO BE RELEASED ON DVD?????

Just a bit of eye candy but take a look... a few Kings are missing.