What Was The 'Career-Ending' Documentary About The Bates?

Bringing Up Bates had a successful run with UPtv from 2015 to 2021. However, in January 2022, the network revealed that they would be canceling the show after 10 seasons. UPtv stated that they will be focusing more on movies and a new scripted series. But some think there’s a bigger reason why the supersized family left the show. It was believed to be a “career-ending” documentary, and some Redditors are curious as to what happened to it today. Keep reading to see what the docuseries was.

Bringing Up Bates: The Bates Family Continues To Thrive Despite Cancelation

Despite their unexpected disappearance from the small screens, many members of the Bates family still thrive in life today. Gil and Kelly Jo have been sharing positive content about their kids today. The Bringing Up Bates stars recently celebrated Christmas with their children as well.

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The Bates have also been active in their church, the IBLP. But some kids and in-laws have denounced it following the docuseries, Shiny Happy People, which exposes the church’s harmful teachings. One of them was Esther Bates, who said that they have nothing to do with the IBLP despite it being her husband’s family’s religion. Alyssa also expressed her opinions about the documentary and said, “I see truth and lies and I see both sides even though I don’t necessarily agree with either.”

Fans Discuss Documentary About The Bates

Some Reddit users discussed the documentary that is believed to have ended the Bates family’s reality TV era. It was none other than Shiny Happy People, which also involved their family friends, the Duggars. According to the poster, the docuseries was said to be “so horrible” for the Bates, and that was the reason why it went off the air. However, it seems they were unfazed by it and weren’t as affected as the Duggar family. Some even think that it wasn’t the main reason why the show was canceled.

“I don’t think there was ever any evidence that the show was canceled because of the documentary. The most popular theory seems to be that it was about the George Floyd “joke”, but the only official statement was that UPtv just decided to focus on scripted content instead of reality shows,” one person said.
“The George Floyd comment was in November 2021 and they were canceled in January 2022. So it is possible that is the reason why, but I don’t understand why they would wait so long to make that call,” another commenter chimed in.

Meanwhile, some insisted that the Bates family’s affiliation with the IBLP forced UPtv to cut ties with them. Regardless, others think that the family was careful enough not to talk about their show’s cancellation, as it would’ve made things worse for them. “Even if the show wasn’t canceled, none of them would have admitted it. It would destroy the image,” another commenter said.

Will Bringing Up Bates Return?

UPtv has yet to share if Bringing Up Bates will return. But it seems the network presently has no interest in bringing them back. Meanwhile, there are speculations that TLC will bring the family back if possible, considering that the Bates initially debuted in a TLC TV series called United Bates of America in 2012. Regardless, most of the Bates kids are content with their lives today and have utilized their TV fame to grow their social media accounts.