Keeping Marriage In The Family: My Three Wives

12/12/2012

Marriage is hard enough between two people, but what happens when you marry your wife, her twin sister and their cousin? That's exactly what polygamist Joe Darger did, and his family's story will be told in the new TLC special My Three Wives.

Darger grew up with twin sisters Val and Vicki, and their cousin Alina. It was Vicki's mother -- who is also in a polygamist marriage -- that suggested the two try dating Joe at the same time. The courtship wasn't without drama, but the two women managed to make it work. Years later, after Val divorced her first husband, Vicki and Alina welcomed Val into the fold.

The union of three women and one man is certainly nontraditional, but the four say it works for them -- and their 24 children. Darger eventually wrote a book about the family's unique situation, titled Love Times Three.

In this special look into an alternative family, Joe and his wives must deal with the marriage of their daughter to a man interested in continuing the family's polygamist tradition.

Don't miss My Three Wives, airing Tuesday December 18.

--Julie Gerstein

Comments

[Miranda]

When will the show air again? I really enjoyed the preview and their book.

[Adrienne]

At first i really like them better than the sister wives and kody (ick) BUT after reading how he married sisters and cousins.. that is just sick and taking it to a new level. They might all get along great but how jacked up will the kids be "this is my brother cousin..." THAT should be against the law... If they were not related I would support them 100% but they ARE all related. Talk about keeping it in the family.. SICKOS

[Leslie Gough]

I watched the show last night for the first time and the wedding of their daughter hit a familiar chord with me. I am a non- religious person with one husband . I hope I am wrong for your sake, but your new son-in-law seems very controlling and treats you with contempt. Don't be surprised if your daughter 's personality changes and he tries to isolate her from you. I speak from experience .

[Tayler]

I really wish they would have distinguished their religion and the filmers did their research. By them showing shots of the lds Mormon temple/temple square and lds church offices was wrong. Its like doing a show of a catholic family and showing a buddhist temple....totally different religions.

[Kemi]

I was not impressed with the Dargers, especially with Jo Darger who seems to control everyone. Overbearing!

[Takkenaway]

It is very refreshing to watch this show. Enjoyed every minute and my view thanks to the Browns have changed my thoughts of pural marriage.

[Kemi]

I love sister wives, and would miss the show. I am hoping that their business does well, and that future shows will include episodes where the children get to go and do more things.

[vicky]

I agree with the person above ,I am ready for a new show .sister wives crying poor me when you no the t.v. show is getting them their new houses and paying them,come on ..and i don't see why the didn't build one big house on that lot..are they pretending they get along...Meri and Robyn cry every show.bye bye sister wives hello my three wives

[monae]

I have a question the twins that are married on my three wives what do they tell their chidren because that means they will be siblings and cousins

[Holly]

I agree, these are strong, loving, stable families who have had long marriages. Polygamy and these families can teach us something about being family centered instead of being self centered.
I support you and thank you for giving us a glimpse into your lives.
.

[Patti]

Polygamy or poly-amory. Both are a beautiful thing in my eyes. A loving, strong, stable family of any size contains a beautiful love for one another. I admire it. I also admire their ability to adapt and accept each others flaws and love unconditionally.

[spinythought]

I agree...how do they afford those huge homes. It seems like every episode is a rerun of the previous show.

[Kim MacV]

Well, this explains why this family went on a "vacation" with the Brown family on "Sister Wives."

Let's hope that the launch of this show brings closure on "Sister Wives" because I'm tired of seeing a family with terrible credit and no jobs somehow being able to buy four $450k homes. Not reality.

[Natja]

I wish the copywriter 'Julie Gerstein' would have done her research a little better, this preview is sloppy and factually incorrect (they have 24 children for example).

[Beech]

Because let's sensationalize polygamy a little more with an additional show about it. It's against the law!