Two parents struggling with the ups and downs of raising a large family made up of two pairs of twins and a set of sextuplets: Sound familiar? Meet the Hayes family, stars of the TLC reality show "Table For 12."
"Table For 12" is about to launch its second season, and the Hayes' story sounds remarkably similar to that of feuding TLC super-stars Jon and Kate Gosselin. The network introduced the Hayes' last season with a special and followed it up with a series about the New Jersey family.
Mom Betty is a "stay-at-home supermom" to 10, according to the show's official Web site, and dad Eric is a police officer. The two have 10 kids: 13-year-old twins Kevin and Kyle; 11-year-old twins Kieran and Meghan; and 5-year-old sextuplets, Tara, Rebecca, Ryan, Rachel, Connor and EJ. Rebecca has cerebral palsy, and her condition figures heavily in the show. Speculation is that the Hayes' are the next big family to watch, as they make the rounds of the morning shows. On Nov. 10 they appeared on NBC's "Today" show and Mom Betty said the reason they are doing reality TV is to help others by sharing their struggles and triumphs with Rebecca.
With the void left by "Jon & Kate Plus 8," "Table For 12" would seem like a good replacement for the once-popular show, despite TLC's assertion that is not being positioned as such.
The network hasn't lacked for publicity since the very public and acrimonious split between the Gosselins. The series is in limbo as the family struggles through a divorce, and recently announced that Jon would no longer be participating in the show. He responded by sending cease-and-desist letters to TLC in an effort to halt production.
Press materials for "Table For 12" quote Nancy Daniels, senior vice president of production and development for TLC, as saying that there is "an ongoing fascination with large families" and that the Hayes family is "truly inspirational and the strong bond they share as they tackle everyday obstacles as a large family is captivating to watch."
TLC representatives declined to comment on any similarities between "Jon & Kate Plus 8."
"This is the second season of 'Table For 12.' It is one of a number of shows that we have on our air that celebrates family," said Laurie Goldberg, a TLC spokesperson, via email.
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