The Blended Bunch: How Much The Shemwell Family Is Paid To Do The Show

Erica and Spencer Shemwell of The Blended Bunch have combined their two households and 11 children into one big family, just like The Brady Bunch. While large families are a favorite topic for TLC, the Shemwells themselves were probably glad to do the show, at least partly as a way to bring in extra money to support their combined family. Although season one was short, with only six episodes, the Shemwells still had the chance to bring home a fair amount of cast for their time on camera.

Life has definitely been challenging for Erica and Spencer. They have each lost a spouse. Erica lost her husband to illness and Spencer lost his wife to an accident. As Erica wrote on The Shemwell Bunch (the family blog she manages), “Once you’ve lost a husband, you’re terrified it could happen again.” Despite that fear and the opinions from other family members, like Erica’s brother Quinn Kendall, Erica and Spencer decided to marry and combine their two families.

The exact amount the Shemwells are making isn’t public knowledge, but Terence Michael, a reality producer, allegedly spilled the beans about what your average reality TV show family makes. According to InTouch Weekly, Michael said what families are paid depends on each episode’s budget. Families receive somewhere around 10% of the budget. Based on his experiences producing reality TV, Michael estimated TLC would budget between $250,000 to $400,000 for each episode. Why it takes almost half a million dollars to film one episode of a family hanging around their home is a whole separate issue.

With these figures, it would mean the Shemwells are making $25,000 to $40,000 per episode of The Blended Bunch. That doesn’t make them the richest reality stars, but it’s nothing to scoff at. With a short season one comprised of six episodes, that means their total salary would be in the range of $150,000 to $240,000. No wonder so many people are willing to risk national humiliation and constant internet trolling to appear on a reality show. That kind of salary for less than a year’s work is tempting and can go a long way to providing for the kids.

Season two of The Blended Bunch has yet to be announced by TLC. Some viewers find the journey of the families coming together over their personal tragedies beautiful and heartwarming. Others worry about the impact reality show fame will have on the children as they grieve. The Shemwells have the chance to become the next Duggar family, but that may or may not be the best thing for them. Still, at almost a quarter of a million dollars to be had, it won’t be a surprise if we haven’t seen the last of the Shemwells.

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