Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Big, wholesome musical family spreads message through song.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Willis Family
What's the Story?
THE WILLIS FAMILY is a reality series about a big musical family's rise to fame. After receiving national attention as finalists in America's Got Talent, the Willis Clan -- 21-year-old Jessica and her younger siblings Jeremiah, Jenny, Jeanette, Jackson, Jedi, Jasmine, Juliette, Jamie, Joy Anna, Jaeger, and Jada -- are traveling around the country performing their Irish and Christian-infused music while working on their new album. Luckily, mom Brenda and dad Toby are there to help manage the family band while still keeping their home life balanced. From horseback riding and wrestling at home to performing at the Grand Ole Opry, they use their music to connect with people and with each other.
Is It Any Good?
From home schooling and disciplining to managing the family performance schedule, the series showcases what life is like for the Nashville-based Willis family both at home and on the road. It also highlights the values that define their family life, as well as some of the major challenges they've faced over the years, including a massive home fire and the well-publicized accidental death of Toby Willis' much younger siblings years ago.
Despite the fact that the family comes from a conservative religious background, it's their music that remains central to the show. But outside of their many featured performances, much of what is featured here is the same kind of wholesome-but-mundane family activities featured on other TLC shows such as 19 Kids And Counting and Sister Wives. The result is a show that offers some sweet, entertaining music in between some rather low-key reality moments.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the reasons viewers find families featured on reality shows interesting. Is it their religious background? Or do their sheer numbers make them entertaining to watch?
Are there activities that you like to do as a family? What do you think working with your brothers and sisters would be like?
TV Details
- Premiere date : May 15, 2015
- Cast : Brenda Willis , Toby Willis , Jessica Willis
- Network : TLC
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
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