Table for 12
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that there's little content in this reality series that's inappropriate for kids. The featured family is prone to needling and teasing each other, but it's clear that they love each other, too. Some of the younger children whine, but, then again, they're 4.
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What's the Story?
Like Jon & Kate Plus 8 and 17 Kids and Counting before it, TABLE FOR 12 follows the daily life of a large family. In this case, it's the Hayes family of New Jersey: parents Eric and Betty, two pairs of twins (ages 12 and 10), and a set of 4-year-old sextuplets -- 10 kids in all. The show documents their ups and downs as a loving family doing their best, highlighting the particular brand of chaos that comes with juggling the demands of multiple sets of multiples.
Is It Any Good?
The only thing that makes the Hayes family unusual is that they've got 10 kids. Other than that, they're actually pretty ordinary. They're loving, Eric is actively involved with the kids, and there's appropriate discipline. The biggest downside is the constant whining in the background, but where there's a 4-year-old, there's whining -- and the Hayeses have six of them.
Admittedly, going out for pizza or to the grocery store is a bit more of a challenge, but it's not that interesting, either -- and that's the show's biggest problem. The Hayeses are nice and probably interesting enough in real life, but they're not must-see TV material.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how real life is different from being on a TV show.
Do you think the Hayes' life is the same when the cameras aren't there? What makes their life "worthy" of a TV show? Do you think that everything they do gets included in the show?
How would you edit your own life for TV?
TV Details
- Premiere date: March 23, 2009
- Cast: Betty Hayes, Eric Hayes
- Network: TLC
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Book Characters
- TV rating: TV-G
- Last updated: February 24, 2022
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