By Brianna Alleva 

TLC’s new reality show, placing “outsiders” inside an Amish community and having them try to acclimate, highlights the growing desire for fame disguised as wanting a simpler life. 

People have indeed been gravitating towards a life with less technology, one full of “simpler tasks” away from all the world’s pressures. The allure of the Amish way of life comes from their steadfastness, combined with the mystery of their enclosed communities. 

Add to that the growing sentiment that the Amish have fewer diseases, and people have been intrigued by these communities for quite some time. I would also go so far as to say I am sure a few nonmembers have found themselves knocking on the doors of the Amish with plans to stay for a while. 

The problem isn’t this desire for calm and community, the longing for the complete opposite of everything we may know. The problem comes in when you sign up to do the journey on a tv show. Reality shows have been showcasing random groups of people doing insane things for decades (think My Strange Obsession and any of the Housewives).

There have even been reality shows about Amish and Mennonite communities. This new show, however, is uniquely positioned to discuss the genuine desire to get away from it all while also including participants who knew they would be on a show. 

The cast of Suddenly Amish all have legitimate reasons to go on the show. From being a former dancer/model looking to settle down to being recently divorced and looking for a reset, the reasons for joining the experience seem accurate enough.

Even if people are obsessed with the Amish, as one participant is, it means they respect them and are going to put their all into the experience. As well, the Amish participants want to help a dwindling population and diversify the population they already have, which is a fundamental goal. It is just hard to believe fame wasn’t on the minds of most participants when deciding to audition for this new show.

The pilot episode, which aired on January 13th, introduced all the cast and set up what their lives would look like in the traditional community. Feelings of interest in how this will play out, and the contrast between outside life and Amish life are all there.

It starts to get serious when one cast member has to use a traditional Amish toilet, already stating, “How bad do I really want this?” Then they have to get rid of all worldly things, like ripped jeans and leather boots, which brings them to an outsider with a hearing aid connected to his phone. Phones are strictly not allowed, and the Amish say they will need to find him a non-Bluetooth hearing aid (of course?). Continues to get a little dramatic when the next girl, Esmeralda, refuses to remove her fake nails and eyelashes.

What did she expect to happen by joining the Amish community? Immediately, she says no to getting rid of these things, and the show cues the dramatic music. This is starting to feel remarkably performative and fake. Then, of course, the episode ends with Esmeralda threatening to leave. This, however, is downplayed by the following clip from future episodes featuring Esmeralda, who is still in the show.

Episode 2 starts with the Amish compromising with Esmeralda and giving her 7 days to give up her fake nails and worldly vanities. This feels like something set up to add tension. We then find the next girl, Kendra, settling into her new room with the Amish, and they find a bright pink vibrator in her suitcase. Utterly crazy to think that you would be able to have that, and it would either not be found and talked about or taken away. 

This reality show seemed to have picked the exact people they knew would have conflict with the Amish, and we were told they actually just wanted to be accepted by the Amish. 

This brings us back to the idea that everyone on this show knows they are making a TV show, including the Amish members. So, how can you truly trust that this is a legitimate experience we are watching?  

Through it all, one thought prevails: I will be watching the next episode of the show. So, the question turns into who is actually causing this need for fame, the people on the TV show getting paid and one way or another living their dream, or the people continuing to watch the show, giving them what they want? 

Advice for Advertising on Streaming

Thinking about getting granular with CTV advertising? Here’s some things you’ll want to consider if you plan to advertise on shows like Suddenly Amish.

Audience Demographics

• Television (TV) > TV Enthusiasts > Paid TV High Spenders > Women 25-54
• Lifestyle and Interests > Religion/Spirituality and Traditional/Conservative Values segments
• Lifestyle and Interests > Reality TV & Pop Culture Engagers, 

Typical Advertisements

• Household cleaners and paper products​
• Food, snacks, and soft drinks​
• Health and personal‑care/beauty products​
• Big‑box and grocery retailers​
• Auto and insurance brands​
• Streaming services and other TV show promos​
• Financial services and family‑oriented “values” brands

Where to Stream

• TLC Channel/ TLC GO on demand
• With Subscription: HBO Max, Hulu, Discovery +, Philo, YouTube, DirectTV Sling TV,
• Purchase:  Amazon Prime Video, Fandango at home, Apple TV

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