I knew that it would happen eventually, and here it is! I'm sure you've read about this family, parents in their forties with 17 kids, and I'm sure that you've seen them interviewed and wondered about their even tempered personalities.

So, as if "John and Kate Plus Eight" isn't enough "family values" for you, here come the Duggers with their own reality series. I guess the lure of the preposterous was too much for the Learning Channel, or maybe Jim Bob and Michelle did a good job of selling themselves to producers. Which ever way you see it, the Duggers are tapping into America's desire to see the weird, er, excuse ME, I MEAN exceptional, and creating a new source of income to support his army.

Whatever your feelings about them, though, you do have to admire their ability to cope and still look fairly young in the process. Before Kidgrouch came along people would always mistake my age for something younger than what it was, but AFTER, well lets just say no one bothers to card me when I ask for the senior discount at Denny's.

Personally, I find them vaguely reminiscent of members of a particular cult that I once belonged to, but that's just MY prejudice. The Grouchmate plans on parking in front of the tube tonight to watch, so I'l be dutiful and report back on how she liked it. For MY money, though, it has to be better than screaming toddlers on "John and Kate".

“17 Kids and Counting”

Life with the Duggar family of Arkansas

When: 10 and 10:30 tonight

Where: TLC