For the first time cameras are taking viewers into the complex world of the American gypsy culture via two new series —National Geographic Channel’s American Gypsies (debuting later this summer) and TLC’s My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding (this spring).
Ralph Macchio (Karate Kid) is the executive producer behind American Gypsies, a compelling look at one of Manhattan’s most prominent Gypsy families — the Johns family. Despite the title of their show, the family prefers to be referred to as Roma vs. Gypsies.
“It was difficult to get people to open up on camera because the Roma have been taken advantage of and discriminated against by the gydje (non-Gypsies) for centuries,” said Bobby Johns. However, the 10-part series follows the Johns as they try to preserve their age-old customs while upholding their family’s power in the community and expanding their psychic shops. Viewers will witness the inner workings of the family from secret elder assemblies, arranged marriages at age 18, vicious family feuds (which include dead crows on doorsteps), tarot card readings, an attempt by an exiled Gypsy to be reinstated and more.
In My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding, TLC takes viewers on a journey into the lives of America’s Gypsy and Traveller communities revealing the hidden culture and over-the-top weddings that occur. TLC press materials note that there are an estimated “one million Gypsies and Travellers throughout the U.S., but most live in complete secrecy, away from the judgment and discrimination that plague their communities.” TLC will go inside their homes and attend their parties to share what it’s like to be living as a Gypsy in America. The series will feature families from West Virginia, Georgia and Maryland, specifically:
• 23-year-old Bill, who is preparing to marry 18-year-old Tamara, who is a non-Gypsy and struggles to become accepted by the local community.
• Nettie and JR married in secret when they were teenagers, and now want to celebrate with their families in a wedding renewal — thrown the traditional, extravagant way.
• At 14, it’s time for Priscilla to start looking for a future husband. Her father plans a big party to bring together the available Gypsy men to see if she can find her true love.
• Chris and Amanda are planning lavish baptism celebrations for four of their children. They must all look their best, and they commission a Swarvoski crystal-crusted pacifier.
people say the haters are jelous but they dont understand how much trouble they are going to make to make. how many roma go to work and when a gadjo ask what race are you? dont you say your italian or some shit like that? how often do you tell a gadjo your a gypsy? were not mad because where jelous, where mad because they all rats in the romania and just so everone know, THEY ARE NOT BIMBO’S. bimbo’s go by ELI, SNAKE, GEORGE, TENE, WASSO, AND JONES. i talked to alot of people to find out who the rats are and everone told me there are JOHNS. johns are not bimbo’s. there is johns here in chicago and no one likes them because there low lifes and very dirty, smelly people. the guys are related to the guys there in new york. ALL SCUM BAGS
for all the haters out there am prode of theses guys atless some gypsies can become someting and ppl are just julsous cozz there not in it lol congrats guys hope the show come out fast lol
I can’t under stand what the hell you people are trying to prove to guy-jay its not like yous have a nine to five job or earn your money the right way like guy-jay do you have psychic shops did you tell the guy-jay you was born a psychic you stupid fuck i am so mad right now because of people like you’s that will just make life harder for the good gypsy people out there an life for gypsy people is hard enough what was you’s thinking youll make life better or easy for us yous can suck ‘it’ an go team up with that other fake program my big fat gypsy wedding this is going to kick yous in your ass in the long run an yous will need it.
bray what the hell are you people doing?. the romania is going through enough, you need to put us on tv now. dont you knwo the gadja is going to hang usfor that. i know why your doing the show. one of you got arested and feds told you to make the show and rat everything or serv time. im a bimbo off my mother and father’s side, we dont claim the john’s as bimbo’s. these people are not gypsy’s anymore, there scum, rats, and dumbass’. we dont put our selfes with gadjay because they fuck us till we die and your making a show for them. how fucked in the head are you?. your gonna set the town on fire for the normal roma and get blackballed from everyone and you need that you dumb fucks
100% Sir
they probley dont care about being blackballed because they already live like guyja and no rom deal with them anyways.my opinion you guys suck and you are very very stupid for doing this you guys will regret it because you will not get daughter in laws no one will marry your daughters and the next 4 generations no gypsies will deal with you by that time you guys wont even remember how to talk gypsy or know any of are customs you stupid bastards
National Geographic Channel has moved “American Gypsies” from spring to summer 2012 with no firm premiere date. TLC tentatively plans to air “My Big Fat American Gypsy” later this spring. Will post dates when final.
When is this Suppose to air on tv?
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you bastards or all fucking nuts Sa Fucking Deeleemos youre all gonna be Black balled For this one junk fucking bimbo Johns Mother Fucks
way to go bobby congratulations can’t wait to see it best of luck…. keep it up and your out of the family…lmao
To all my gypsys:
Ma nie Romaniea
There is no more real gypsy people just to warn everyone about this show it’s gonna be 100%bullshit! It’s all a act and they are gonna make them self look bad like real bad.
Johns?? Lmao junk people in my book….
-facepalm- I’m a gypsy and I have to say. This is dumb.
Me sim Roma. Va! Facepalm!! Si djungale manusha thaj maj but mahrime.
Wow .. I’m So Suprised That There Making A Rtv Show About Our Culture There Arnt Many People Who Know What Or Who Gypsy’s Are All Tho They Might Have Alot Of Negetive Thoughts, Or Opinions, I Still Am Pretty Happy There Makin This Tv Show. Can’t Wait See It! … 🙂
You’s are the bad GYPSYS that’s why we are doing this show to expose yous from us the good Roma yous are the low life’s and we are gonna expose all of your bull shit ?
stupid bimbos sa te secaven you people been blackballed and now your whole generation will be too..cant wait for costomia to want everything back and lock your asses up
they oughta be ashamed of themselves with your doing you deserve to blackballed in the Roma for the gypsies to fuck Ur TV show
These idiots aren’t going to break stereo types…they are making us look worse! These people are only a small percentage of Gypsies. Most gypsies don’t want to be seen or heard. They are happy with their quiet, private lives. These people are idiots!!!
I am honestly hoping that Mr Machio petreys the Romani Gypsie in there true light has tax paying honest working creative and gifted people with some crazie family members as well as in any ethnic groupe 🙂
This shits crazy I wanna be in it lol
There’s apparently something called ‘Gypsyville’ that TLC is working on as well.
I had honestly never even heard of an ethnic group called the Romani people and did not know Gypsies were an actual ethnic group before the emergence of all these TV show announcements.
Hopefully these will help break stereotypes for them.
No. It makes everything worse for us. These shows are filled with lies & the only families who go on them are criminals! They make us look terrible!