i like to sing-a, about the moon-a and the june-a and rumspringa

I never realized that the Amish ever got to leave. When I was in sixth grade, and my class took a trip to D.C. and Pennsylvania, we were assured that the Amish were as mystical and exotically boring as we had always hoped. Locked away in their homes with the green blinds, riding their buggies and causing traffic, growing beards and having babies. The idea of one of them leaving, it seemed out of the question. We were 11 and 12, and we felt misunderstood by adults and society. We couldn't imagine how they felt. They would need a revolution to get out, we could just hide in our rooms watching tv and listening to music.

Apparently though, each Amish teen gets some time away from the farm, known as "rumpsringa". This is a time to, you know, come of age, meet new people, and witness technology. In fact, UPN announced today that five lucky anachronistic kids are spending their rumspringa on a new reality series "Amish in the City", which will begin airing on July 28th. Essentially just a Real World rip-off with more than one token puritanical virgin, UPN shot the series with the utmost stealth and secrecy, in order to avoid criticism for what is clearly exploitative and possibly immoral behavior.

And yet, I am so fascinated by the Amish, that I cannot produce the outrage and indignation this show requires. It's probably going to be great TV. I'm looking forward to that first freak-out when they realize that this involves soul-stealing cameras. Or the awkward flirtation leading to the even more awkward trip to that reality standard, the hot tub. Will they stay dressed in their overalls? Will they return to their farm or try their chances in Hollywood? My sixth grade questions, they're finally being answered.

Comments

[Johnny No Thumbs]

Had you been watching Judging Amy last season, you would have known all about rumspringa as Amy tried a case in juvenile court that involved an Amish youth gone bad during her rumspringa. Again J.A. is way ahead of its time.

[The X-Man]

HBO did one of those documentary type things on rumspringa. I don't remember much about it other than rumspringa somehow involves massive quantaties of "ice" beer