Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets – A Critical Review of Prime Video’s Docuseries

The Duggar family, known for their reality TV show “19 Kids and Counting”, has been in the spotlight for many years, but not always for positive reasons. The family, who follows a strict religious sect called the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), has faced multiple scandals involving their eldest son, Josh Duggar, who was convicted of child pornography charges in 2021 and admitted to molesting several of his siblings as a teenager.

Prime Video’s docuseries “Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets“, which premiered on June 2, 2023, claims to expose “the truth beneath the wholesome Americana surface of reality TV’s favorite mega-family”. The four-part series features interviews with former members of the Duggar family, such as Jill (Duggar) Dillard and her husband Derick Dillard, Amy (Duggar) King and her husband Dillon King, and Jim Bob’s sister Deanna Jordan, as well as former members of IBLP, journalists, experts, and survivors of abuse.

The series aims to shed light on the controversial beliefs and practices of IBLP, which was founded by Bill Gothard, a self-proclaimed religious leader who allegedly sexually harassed and abused dozens of women and girls under his authority. IBLP teaches that children should obey their parents without question, that women should submit to their husbands and dress modestly, that birth control is sinful, and that dating and kissing before marriage are forbidden.

The series also explores how IBLP has influenced the political sphere, as Jim Bob Duggar, a former Arkansas state representative, and other IBLP followers have sought to advance their conservative agenda through lobbying and campaigning. The series reveals how IBLP has connections to prominent figures such as former presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump, former vice president Mike Pence, former governor Mike Huckabee, and former senator Rick Santorum.

The series does not shy away from exposing the dark side of the Duggar family’s life, such as how Josh Duggar’s sexual abuse was covered up by his parents and church leaders, how some of his victims were blamed and shamed for his actions, how some of his siblings have struggled with trauma and mental health issues, and how some of them have rebelled against their family’s rules and expectations.

The series also raises questions about the ethics and authenticity of the Duggar family’s reality TV shows, which were produced by TLC and aired from 2008 to 2015 (“19 Kids and Counting”) and from 2015 to 2021 (“Counting On”). The series suggests that the shows were scripted and edited to portray a positive image of the family while hiding their secrets and controversies. The series also criticizes TLC for profiting from the Duggar family’s fame and misfortune, while failing to protect them from exploitation and harm.

“Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets” is a compelling and disturbing watch that exposes the hypocrisy and corruption of a religious cult that has harmed many lives. The series also challenges the viewers to question their own assumptions and biases about reality TV and its impact on society. The series is well-researched, well-produced, and well-narrated, with credible sources and evidence. The series is not sensationalized or biased, but rather factual and balanced.

The series is a must-watch for anyone who wants to learn more about the Duggar family’s story, or who wants to understand the dangers of fundamentalism and extremism. The series is also a testament to the courage and resilience of those who have escaped or spoken out against IBLP and its abuses. The series is not only informative but also inspiring and empowering.