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/
