Little People, Big World

Last updated

Little People, Big World
Little People Big World.svg
Genre Reality
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons25
No. of episodes395 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Gay Rosenthal
  • Jeff Weaver
  • Joseph Freed
  • Nicholas Caprio
  • Paul Barrosse
Camera setup Multiple
Running time42 minutes
Production companyGay Rosenthal Productions
Original release
Network TLC
ReleaseMarch 4, 2006 (2006-03-04) –
present
Related
Little People Big World: Wedding Farm

Little People, Big World is an American reality television series that premiered on March 4, 2006, and airs on TLC. The series chronicles the lives of the six-member Roloff family farm near Portland, Oregon. Many of the episodes focus on the parents, Matt and Amy, and one of their children, Zach, all of whom have dwarfism.

Contents

On August 26, 2010, TLC announced that the sixth season would be the last for the show. [1] However, the show was not canceled and is still on the air as of 2024.

In 2012, TLC aired several specials: [2] "Conquering Mount St. Helens", "Breaking Down the Walls", [3] and "Welcome to the Jungle". [3] On October 5, 2012, TLC announced a spin-off series – Little People Big World: Wedding Farm . [4] [5] It chronicles Matt and Amy as they jump-start their wedding business on the farm. [6] The series premiered on November 13, 2012, and ran for six episodes. [7]

Background

In 2010, Amy Roloff commented on the beginnings of the show: "TLC came to us about five or six years ago, and so we suddenly realized we were given a great opportunity to educate people about dwarfism. When it was offered that we do a show about our lives, my husband and I were like, "Wow, nothing like this has even been on the air." Nothing had depicted dwarfism in an everyday way. Lo and behold, a few episodes turned into six seasons. And here we are." [8]

Premise

The show follows the daily lives of the Roloff family — parents Matt and Amy, and their four children: Zach, Jeremy, Molly, and Jacob. Matt, Amy, and Zach have dwarfism, while Jeremy, Molly, and Jacob are of average height. Zach and Jeremy are fraternal twins; although Jeremy is of average height, his brother Zach is a little person (4'4", or 132 cm).

The family lives on the 36-acre (150,000 m2) Roloff Farm, located north of Hillsboro in Helvetia, Oregon, a suburb of Portland.

Later seasons feature the children's marriages, the birth of their children, Amy and Matt's divorce and subsequent relationships with other partners, and the sale of the farm.

Family members

Zach (left) and Matt (right) in 2014 Matt and Zach.jpg
Zach (left) and Matt (right) in 2014
Jacob Roloff in 2011 Jacob Roloff.jpg
Jacob Roloff in 2011

Parents

Children

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesSpecialsOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
Pilot 1—March 4, 2006 (2006-03-04)
1 20—March 25, 2006 (2006-03-25)May 13, 2006 (2006-05-13)
2 22—October 7, 2006 (2006-10-07)December 23, 2006 (2006-12-23)
3 302April 8, 2007 (2007-04-08)July 16, 2007 (2007-07-16)
4 20—October 15, 2007 (2007-10-15)December 17, 2007 (2007-12-17)
5 26—March 3, 2008 (2008-03-03)May 26, 2008 (2008-05-26)
6 22—October 13, 2008 (2008-10-13)December 22, 2008 (2008-12-22)
7 26—February 15, 2009 (2009-02-15)May 11, 2009 (2009-05-11)
8 20—October 12, 2009 (2009-10-12)January 18, 2010 (2010-01-18)
9 20—April 5, 2010 (2010-04-05)June 7, 2010 (2010-06-07)
10 206September 6, 2010 (2010-09-06)September 3, 2012 (2012-09-03)
11 10November 13, 2012 (2012-11-13)June 30, 2013 (2013-06-30)
12 8—October 29, 2013 (2013-10-29)December 17, 2013 (2013-12-17)
13 6—March 25, 2014 (2014-03-25)September 30, 2014 (2014-09-30)
14 101July 7, 2015 (2015-07-07)September 8, 2015 (2015-09-08)
15 133May 10, 2016 (2016-05-10)August 2, 2016 (2016-08-02)
16 81November 22, 2016 (2016-11-22)January 10, 2017 (2017-01-10)
17 82May 2, 2017 (2017-05-02)November 8, 2017 (2017-11-08)
18 121April 3, 2018 (2018-04-03)June 26, 2018 (2018-06-26)
19 101April 2, 2019 (2019-04-02)June 4, 2019 (2019-06-04)
20 82March 31, 2020 (2020-03-31)May 19, 2020 (2020-05-19)
21 51September 29, 2020 (2020-09-29)October 27, 2020 (2020-10-27)
22 143May 11, 2021 (2021-05-11)August 10, 2021 (2021-08-10)
23 10—May 17, 2022 (2022-05-17)July 19, 2022 (2022-07-19)
24 11—November 1, 2022 (2022-11-01)February 13, 2024 (2024-02-13)
25 101February 20, 2024 (2024-02-20)April 30, 2024 (2024-04-30)

Ratings and Reception

The first season of Little People, Big World generated adequate ratings for TLC (especially in the 18–49 demographic), leading to the show's renewal for a second season. [26] Critical reviews of the series have been generally positive, citing the show's positive portrayal of little people. [27] [28] Conversely, other reviews have claimed that the show has a voyeuristic bend to it (albeit a nonsexual one), but allows the viewer to feel good about watching because it is not outwardly or overtly exploitive. [29] [30]

The September 30, 2014, finale of Little People, Big World's eighth season broke series records; 2.3 million total viewers tuned in to watch Jeremy Roloff marry his long-time girlfriend, Audrey Botti. The finale was the highest-rated episode in six years among women 25–54 and was number one on cable in the 10:00 pm timeslot among women 18–49 and women 18–34. The wedding finale capped the series' highest-rated season, in which it averaged 1.9 million viewers per episode. [31]

Since the show began airing, Roloff Farms has become an extremely popular tourist destination. While the farm and its many attractions have long been available for public viewing during pumpkin season (October), it began receiving far more visitors than can be accommodated. During the 2006 season, more than 30,000 people arrived to buy pumpkins and tour the farm, which only had space for a few hundred vehicles. The farm was shut down temporarily by Washington County deputies on one Saturday in October 2006, due to massive traffic. Area residents have complained about the gridlock caused by the visitors, as well as about the increased media scrutiny the show has brought. [32]

The Roloffs receive a large amount of correspondence. One report said as many as a dozen emails per minute arrive from supporters, however, the family did not confirm it. [28] The increased exposure, however, has led to safety concerns for the family, who now deal with trespassers and fans. They have since installed a security gate on their property. [32]

Controversies

In 2007, Matt Roloff was arrested on DUI charges. While he was found not guilty of the DUI, he was found guilty of refusing to submit to a blood alcohol test. As a result of his refusal, his driver's license was suspended for three years, because he had previously admitted guilt in a drunken-driving diversion program that he completed in 2003. [33]

In 2020, Jacob Roloff claimed that he was groomed and molested by former producer Chris Cardamone during the production of the series between 2007 and 2010, when Roloff was between the ages of 10 and 13 years old. [34] While Roloff did not divulge details of the abuse, he emphasized that "all fault lies with the predator" and that "no fault lies with any of my family members." TLC responded to the allegations by saying "We are saddened and troubled by this very serious allegation, and TLC will work cooperatively with the authorities. Our main focus remains on supporting the Roloff family during this very difficult time.” [35]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tori Amos</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1963)

Tori Amos is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. She is a classically trained musician with a mezzo-soprano vocal range. Having already begun composing instrumental pieces on piano, Amos won a full scholarship to the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University at the age of five, the youngest person ever to have been admitted. She had to leave at the age of eleven when her scholarship was discontinued for what Rolling Stone described as "musical insubordination". Amos was the lead singer of the short-lived 1980s pop / rock group Y Kant Tori Read before achieving her breakthrough as a solo artist in the early 1990s. Her songs focus on a broad range of topics, including sexuality, feminism, politics, and religion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tori Spelling</span> American actress and author (born 1973)

Victoria Davey Spelling is an American actress and author. Her first major role was Donna Martin on Beverly Hills, 90210, from 1990–2000. She has appeared in made for television films, including A Friend to Die For (1994), A Carol Christmas (2003), The Mistle-Tones (2012), both versions of Mother, May I Sleep with Danger? and The Last Sharknado: It's About Time (2018). She has also starred in several independent films including The House of Yes (1997), Trick (1999), Scary Movie 2 (2001), Cthulhu (2007), Kiss the Bride (2007) and Izzie's Way Home (2016). She reprised her role of Donna Martin in Beverly Hills, 90210's spin-off, BH90210, in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TLC (TV network)</span> American multinational pay television channel

TLC is an American multinational cable and satellite television network owned by the Networks division of Warner Bros. Discovery. First established in 1980 as The Learning Channel, it initially focused on educational and instructional programming. By the late 1990s, after an acquisition by Discovery, Inc. earlier in the decade, the network began to pivot towards reality television programming — predominantly focusing on programming involving lifestyles and personal stories — to the point that the previous name with "The Learning Channel" spelled out was phased out in favor of its initialism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vanessa Lachey</span> Filipino-born American actress, model, and host

Vanessa Joy Lachey is an American television host, model and actress. She was named Miss Teen USA in 1998. She has been a New York–based correspondent for Entertainment Tonight and hosted Total Request Live on MTV. She has starred in two network sitcoms and hosted various competition and reality shows. Lachey portrayed the lead role in the CBS crime drama television series NCIS: Hawaiʻi (2021–2024) for three seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Gallner</span> American actor (born 1986)

Kyle Steven Gallner is an American actor. He began acting in 2000, earning recognition for playing Bart Allen in the superhero series Smallville (2004–2009), Cassidy "Beaver" Casablancas in the mystery drama series Veronica Mars (2005–2006), and Reed Garrett in the police drama series CSI: NY (2006–2010).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Roloff</span> American television personality

Matthew James Roloff is an American television personality, author, farmer, business entrepreneur, and motivational speaker best known for participating with his family on the TLC reality television program Little People, Big World. The show featured the Roloffs' daily life. Roloff has dwarfism, as does his ex-wife Amy and one of their four children, Zachary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Klebba</span> American actor

Martin Klebba is an American actor and stunt performer. He has a form of dwarfism called acromicric dysplasia; he is 4 feet 1 inch (1.24 m). Klebba is best known for his role as Marty in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drew Sidora</span> American actress and singer

Drew Sidora Jordan is an American actress and singer. She is known for her recurring role as Chantel in the Disney Channel Original Series That's So Raven, as Lucy Avila in the 2006 film Step Up, as Tionne Watkins in the VH1 TLC biographical film CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, and the BET comedy-drama television series The Game. She joined the cast of the Bravo reality show The Real Housewives of Atlanta in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meredith Eaton</span> American actress (born 1974)

Meredith Hope Eaton Gordon is an American actress. She is 122 cm tall, and refers to herself as a "short-stature actress". She is known for portraying the attorney Emily Resnick on the CBS television series Family Law, for her recurring role as Bethany Horowitz on the ABC series Boston Legal, and for her lead role as Matilda "Matty" Webber on the CBS series MacGyver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amy Roloff</span> American television personality (born 1962)

Amy Jo Knight Roloff Marek is an American television personality, author, baker, and motivational speaker. Roloff is best known for her reality television role on TLC's Little People, Big World. The show featured the daily life of the Roloff family, where the two parents have dwarfism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Kroll</span> American actor and comedian (born 1978)

Nicholas Kroll is an American actor, voice actor, comedian, writer, and producer. He is known for the FX comedy series The League (2009–2015), creating and starring in the Comedy Central series Kroll Show (2013–2015), starring in and co-creating the animated Netflix series Big Mouth (2017–present) and Human Resources (2022–2023) and the Hulu sketch comedy series History of the World, Part II (2023).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dwarf Athletic Association of America</span> American athletic organization

The Dwarf Athletic Association of America (DAAA) is an American athletic organization that sponsors and organizes athletic events for people with dwarfism.

Studio C is an American sketch comedy television show originally created by Matt Meese and Jared Shores. Produced by BYUtv, the show aims to be a clean, family-oriented comedy for a national audience.

Roloff is both a surname and a given name. Notable people with the name include:

Dwarfism has been showcased across many types of media. As popular media has become more prevalent, a greater number of works depicting dwarfism have popularized the condition.

Little People Big World: Wedding Farm is an American reality documentary series that debuted on November 13, 2012 on TLC. The series is a spin-off of Little People, Big World.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tori Kelly</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1992)

Victoria Loren Kelly is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She first gained recognition on YouTube before making it through to Hollywood week on the ninth season of American Idol in 2010 and eventually releasing her debut EP, Handmade Songs (2012).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Fromm</span> American football player (born 1998)

William Jacob Fromm is an American professional football quarterback for the Detroit Lions (NFL). He played college football at Georgia and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft. Fromm has also been a member of the New York Giants and Washington Commanders.

References

  1. ↑ "'Little People, Big World' final season premiering Sept. 6 | EW.com". October 9, 2010. Archived from the original on October 9, 2010. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  2. ↑ Nededog, Jethro (July 7, 2011). "'Little People, Big World' Returns to TLC With 4 New Specials". The Hollywood Reporter.
  3. 1 2 Bibel, Sara (July 12, 2013). "Two 'Little People. Big World' Specials to Premiere Tuesday Jully 23 & July 30 on TLC". TV by the Numbers (Press release). Archived from the original on July 14, 2013.
  4. ↑ Acken, Lori (November 20, 2012). "'Little People, Big World: Wedding Farm': 'Bing, bang, boom! We're in the wedding business!'". Zap2it. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
  5. ↑ Owen, Rob (November 11, 2012). "Roloff family returns to TLC, 'Little People, Big World: Wedding Farm'". The Oregonian.
  6. ↑ Brady, Elizabeth (November 13, 2012). "'Little People Big World: Wedding Farm' star Amy Roloff: 'We had to scramble'". Zap2it. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
  7. ↑ "'Little People Big World' returning to TLC with new 'Wedding Farm' series". Reality TV World. October 5, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Ability Magazine: Amy Roloff Discusses Dwarfism with Chet Cooper" (2010)" . Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  9. 1 2 "Amy Roloff Was 'Devastated' Learning Matt Had 'More Than a Working Relationship' with His Girlfriend Before Divorce". Peoplemag. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Matt Roloff Is 'Petrified' His Relationship with Fiancée Caryn Chandler Could Change When They Get Married". Peoplemag. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  11. ↑ Little People, Big World May 8, 2018, episode at 49 minutes, "It's Been Pretty Tough", TLC, Quote from Chris to Amy on way to her surprise 55th birthday party: "You want to hang on to 54 longer?"
  12. ↑ "Amy Roloff — Cruising for a Cause" ABILITY Magazine (Regina Hall Issue — April/May 2010) Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  13. ↑ Roloff, Amy (July 9, 2019). A Little Me. Indigo River. ISBN   978-1-948080-91-0.
  14. ↑ "Amy and Chris' Happily Ever After Part 1". TLC.com. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Tori Roloff Shares Rare Wedding Photos of Her and Zach in New Anniversary Post". Good Housekeeping. July 26, 2018. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  16. ↑ "LPBW's Zach and Tori Roloff's Relationship Timeline". In Touch Weekly. April 19, 2023. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  17. 1 2 "Little People, Big World's Jeremy and Audrey Roloff Welcome Daughter Ember Jean". Peoplemag. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Zach and Tori Roloff Welcome First Child — a Baby Boy". Peoplemag. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Zach Roloff's 3 Kids: All About Jackson, Lilah and Josiah". Peoplemag. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  20. 1 2 O'Brien, Jennifer (June 15, 2023). "Little People, Big World Season 25: Renewal Info, Potential Release Date & Everything We Know". ScreenRant. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Zach and Tori Roloff Announce Exit from Little People, Big World After 25 Seasons: 'That Chapter Has Closed'". Peoplemag. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Jeremy Roloff's 4 Kids: All About Ember, Bode, Radley and Baby on the Way". Peoplemag. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Little People, Big World Star Molly Roloff Is Married — See the Stunning Photos!". Peoplemag. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  24. ↑ Vacco-Bolanos, Jessica (September 9, 2019). "Inside Jacob Roloff, Isabel Rock's Farmhouse Wedding: Pics". Us Weekly. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  25. ↑ Schreiber, Hope (April 18, 2023). "Isabel and Jacob Roloff's Son Mateo Photos: Baby Album". In Touch Weekly. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  26. ↑ Crupi, Anthony. (April 24, 2006). "TLC Gives Little People 2nd Run". Mediaweek. Retrieved May 8, 2006.
  27. ↑ Gelman, Pam. Series review. Common Sense Media. Retrieved May 8, 2006.
  28. 1 2 Mandel, Michelle (December 3, 2006). "'Little People' delivers big lessons". The Oregonian. Retrieved December 11, 2006.
  29. ↑ Kennedy, Dan. (March 24, 2006). "Will TLC's new reality show change our perception of dwarfs?". Slate. Retrieved May 8, 2006.
  30. ↑ Heffernan, Virginia. (March 4, 2006). "The Challenges of an Oversize World". The New York Times. Retrieved May 8, 2006.
  31. ↑ "'Little People, Big World' Season Finale Ratings Break Series Records". TheWrap.com. October 2, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  32. 1 2 "Accident adds to scrutiny of Roloff family" . Retrieved November 5, 2006.
  33. ↑ "'Little People, Big World' star Matthew Roloff found not guilty of DUI" . Retrieved September 2, 2010.
  34. ↑ "LPBW's Jacob Roloff Explains Why He 'Didn't Press Charges' Against His Abuser: 'It Is Extremely Difficult'". InTouch Weekly. January 4, 2022. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  35. ↑ Henderson, Cydney (December 17, 2020). "'Little People, Big World' star Jacob Roloff says he was molested by producer; Mom responds". USA Today. Retrieved July 24, 2022.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.