Amish Mafia

I see a lot of reviews saying how fake the show is. It very clearly says at the beginning that a lot of parts are reenacted and are based on stories. This show definitely doesn't deserve the awful rating its gotten. People claiming that its not a "real" mafia, are comparing it to actual mobsters. The Amish community would be completely different then what we consider the mafia. Destroying a buggy or kicking out "English" people might seem like vandalism to us, but to them it would be considered a huge offense. They live by completely different rules then we do. So comparing them to Italian Mobsters or Cartel kingpins just isn't viable.

Now, do I think this is all real and that everything they show is what is actually happening? No. I certainly don't think that. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that some camera angles or footage would be impossible to get with out it being faked or reenacted. But the director, the writers do a good job telling a story. The story is good, even the acting is decent. The camera work isn't that bad. Overall the show is very watchable, doesn't seem overly fake, overly real. Just enough to make it enjoyable.

And lastly. For critics saying that the reason they dislike it so much is because it is overly fake. That the Amish and Minutenites driving Mercedes Benz and Cadillacs is completely unrealistic and that making that much money from what they do is a lie. I can tell you I know for a fact that its true. I've personally seen them drive those vehicles and my brother works as a CBP officer at a Mexican boarder. And has told me numerous times that the Minutenites are some of the most criminally involved people he has ever encountered. Not all hardcore criminal activity. But the transferring of drugs over the boarder and the smuggling of money into Mexico is such a problem that the majority of loads of drugs they catch have some sort of Minutenite involvement. And that they declare they're money coming in and out of the US and its easily over the tens of thousands of dollars AND in Cadillacs and Mercedes. So it's not completely far fetched to assume that there's some truth to these stories.

It's just an awesome show, I saw 2 seasons in 2 days!

I understand why people find it offensive by calling it reality tv, they do inform you that some scenes are staged and reacted, but I think maybe most of the show is. It's series/movies like this in almost every religion but please call it action/drama, not reality or documentary (That's what it's categorized in Norway), that's not right, FIX IT!

But if you can look past that, the show got action, it's funny and very entertaining! It's worth a try if you like shows that are a little weird and not "mainstream". I say weird because Amish Mafia, who would believe that.

Most people posting reviews seem to think "Amish Mafia"'s "validity" should be based on whether it's "real" or not. People, it's basura whether or not it's the truth. *

"Amish Mafia" exists for only one reason -- to pander to the public's taste for the trashy and disgusting -- in the name of revealing the "truth". Instead of a thoughtful, carefully researched series on Amish life -- of which the "Amish mafia" would be a legitimate part -- we are instead "treated" to some of the rottenest Bible-spouting "human beings" one can imagine, with the implication that most Amish are only slightly less-bad.

I watched /none/ of the first season, and recently watched the last five episodes of the second, plus the "wrap up" episode, to see if it was as bad as some people said. "Vile" is the kindest thing I can say. Its only value is as a negative -- extremely negative -- example of how people /should not/ lead their lives. I won't be watching any more, and my only disappointment will be not being around to see Esther receive her comeuppance for betraying her brother.

Discovery has largely abandoned high-quality programming, instead presenting phony "documentaries" about mermaids and giant prehistoric sharks. "Alaska the Last Frontier" is perhaps the best of its reality programming, showing how intelligent, responsible people lead their lives. "Fast n' Loud" is a charming bit of fluff, with Richard a model of good small-business management. "Mythbusters" remains one of the best non-fiction TV shows /ever/, but I hope Adam and Jamie will find the courage to move to some other network, to evade the stink wafting in from Discovery's other "offerings".

"Amish Mafia" is television at its absolute worst. It deserves a negative rating for the harm it causes, to both the Amish and the viewers.

* I suspect it's largely true. However, this page says it's completely scripted (though without any hard evidence). I wouldn't be surprised.

http://kindofviral.com/10-rigged-reality-shows/10/

It's another ridiculous fake show pushed as some kind of reality. I'm shocked that other reviewers of this show seem to be skeptical or suggest that "maybe" this isn't real. Of-course it isn't real. It's ridiculous to think it is. Most reality TV is fake or faked in some way. This show pushes the envelope on fake reality, perhaps to test just how much fakery audiences will consume thinking it's real.?? Dunno. In any case, real? Not in any way. It's just pure bogus all the way around. I'm not sure why these cable TV producers need to try and push content that is clearly faked, as real. Why not just push it for what it is, which is a unique take on crime fiction with some dabs of history thrown in?

That being said, it's pretty cool acting and action with some decent story lines.

This show is should be taken as "Entertainment" (if that's even remotely the case) and not as actuality... Almost NOBODY in the actual Amish communities even know this show exists, but the very few I've talked to about this is outraged about it... For one, it's listed as "Reality TV" which unfortunately is mistaken for "'Real' TV..." There is NO such thing as the Lancaster County Police or anything of the sort, and NONE of the Amish portrayed in the show have any Amish-like physical features or, really, anything related to the Amish to begin with (yes, even the clothing is off...) I wouldn't have as much of an issue with this show if it were listed as something other than "Reality TV." I would be OK with it being listed as Entertainment, Drama, or something of the sort, but "Reality TV" is pushing the lines a little too much...

Also, with everything I just mentioned, as well as the actual setup for the show itself, I expected A LOT more out of Discovery Channel with this... this would be more of TLC quality or something, but NOT Discovery....