Set your DVR -- "My Monkey Baby," a TLC special that debuted on Sunday, goes inside the lives of childless couples who adopt monkeys and raise them like human offspring. Okay. We know people like to treat their pets like kids, but this is just ridiculous: an estimated 15,000 monkeys are getting the human treatment in the United States alone. Parents of so-called "monkids" love their primate babies because you can put them in diapers, bottle-feed them, crochet little hats for them, and they will never suddenly start locking their door, blasting Ministry and hating you for no apparent reason. It is this presumed precociousness, that often leads people who either can't have children or don't want human kids to adopt a baby monkey.
Jim Johnson, one monkey dad covered in the show, remarks, "If I hear somebody call her a monkey, I throw a fit. She is my daughter, 100 percent." Except that most kids probably won't brutally attack you if you touch their peanuts, as was the case with monkey mom Angelle Samprey.
It's a good thing there aren't over half a million kids in foster care who could ... wait, what's that? Oh, there are? Well, those foster care kids hate it when you call them names like "Silly Willy" and "Butters," so monkey babies it is!
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Tuesday 06 October
By Carla
This is rediculous. As an adoptive parent, TLC would have faired much better if they had actually focused on Adoptive Famiies and told their stories.
There are still Too many misconceptions about adoption today, too many ignorant questions and statements, and MORE positive stories vs. negative.
The Monkies? What a joke.........Please, they are not children, they are pets, plain and simple.
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Tuesday 06 October
By Olivia
I know! And they're barely even pets, one woman in CT got her FACE and HANDS ripped off by her "pet" monkey. I think monkies are better off in the wild where they belong, and someone should really start caring about real humans than "fake" ones.
Tuesday 06 October
By Barbara
To the perspon that said they are monkeys .. plain and simple -- I have two questions? 1) Do you have any children 2) If not do you want any children. It's called filling a void....
Tuesday 06 October
By JOANNE
Does anyone remember the story out of Connecticut? A woman raised a chimpanzee like a child and he grew up and attacked her and almost killed her friend!! These are ANIMALS!! They need to swing in trees and be free!! This is rediculous for TLC to highlight these kind of adoptions, wrong and way out of line! There are so many children in foster care that need parents...WAKE UP PEOPLE!!
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Tuesday 06 October
By kearls
yeah and remember the hundreds of kids that kill and murder their parents... how is that any different. Don't be ignorant and do not judge.
Tuesday 06 October
By Pat
I watched the entire TLC program and I firmly believe that all of the people on that program are mentally unbalanced.
I am dumbfounded that TLC would waste its time filming such rubbish.
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Tuesday 06 October
By Lydia
I watched the show the other night, as it is a "cute" concept, as others have said they are monkey's and can have issues with temperament. Granted so can human childern (look at all those that grow up and become serial killers ect) the monkey's are still just pets. Not quite sure why people are going as far as they do with their pets any more but hey to each their own, either way your still faceing similar risks no matter what kind of child you have.
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Tuesday 06 October
By NancyAnne
Monkeys are not meant to be put in human clothes and be kept in captivity. However, that being said, maybe monkeys would have been a better choice for Jon & Kate and Octomom. Then, when their 15 minutes of fame was over, they could simply donate them to a local zoo.
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Tuesday 06 October
By Linda
I have to agree with you. TLC is going down hill and fast. Get the monkeys off and Jon & Kate
Tuesday 06 October
By NancyAnne
Monkeys are not meant to be put in human clothes and be kept in captivity. However, that being said, maybe monkeys would have been a better choice for Jon & Kate and Octomom. Then, when their 15 minutes of fame was over, they could simply donate them to a local zoo.
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Tuesday 06 October
By Cathy
Carla......I agree, except Monkeys are not pets....they are wild animals and should not be domesticated. Anyone that watches this show is a moron and the state should step in and take the monkeys away and give the people "adopting" the monkeys a huge fine for having a wild and possibly dangerous animal.
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Tuesday 06 October
By Brenda R
I agree , these are wild ANIMALS , if these people CANT have kids then adopt some ! ,{ there are plenty out there ! } If they dont WANT kids.. then they shouldnt be hoarding wild animals and treating them like the kids they dont want . Didnt anyone learn a lesson about wild animals being house pets ? or do we have to play that 911 tape again from the woman whose "child" ripped the face off her best friend and almost killed her and ended up dying a terrible death itself . TLC shame on you !!!! We as Parents have been insulted enough with Jon and Kate ! There are good parents out there , give us a chance !!!!!
Tuesday 06 October
By mata
What do you expect from TLC? Look at the garbage they are putting out these days. I honestly think they have hit bottom and feed trash they call what is passing off as television these days. Enough TLC.
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Tuesday 06 October
By Dottie
you do not ADOPT an animal, any animal, you BUY it, you are not the parent or guardian of any animal, you may only be the parent or guardian of a human child or an adult who is not able to be independant.
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Tuesday 06 October
By Barbara
You are wrong you do adopt pets ...
Tuesday 06 October
By Super Mario
I thought at first it was a bio of Michael Jackson's parents.
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Tuesday 06 October
By Jamie
Funny,I thought it was a bio of YOUR parents!
Tuesday 06 October
By Michael
I love monkeys and other primates, but these people are NUTS!!!!!
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Tuesday 06 October
By Kat
Thank you for what you wrote. It is about time someone said something about adopting pets. Don't get me wrong, I feel bad for anyone who is childless, but to go and adopt a pet and give them the luxuries that you can give a poor, innocent, helpless, hungry child is utterly selfish. So many kids are out there that truly need our help to fit into society. So many kids just want that chance so they can expand their knowledge and love with someone who will love them earnestly in return. So monkey lovers or whatever you are. Get a grip, that animal can survive in the wild, that is the way they were meant to be.
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Wednesday 07 October
By ADDIE
You take foster kids,you have them for years praying you get the chance to adopt them,then the parent that brutally beat or neglected them go to a few classes and the kids get snatched out of their safe haven and given back.pardon me but i'll take a monkey please.you don't know heartache till that happens to you.