Meet the "American Gypsies"
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The Family
These days, it's getting tougher and tougher to make a fortune in the fortune-telling business.
Meet the Johns family, one of Manhattan's most prominent Gypsy families. In each episode of this new series, cameras document their efforts to preserve Gypsy customs amid the vices of the city, while upholding their family's power in the community and expanding their psychic show empire. Go inside Gypsy culture for the first time for an intimite portrayal of a family trying to capture their version of the American dream.
Front Row (L-R): Tina and Bob Johns. Back Row (L-R): Nicky, Joey, Jack, Bobby, and Erik—Tina and Bob's five sons.
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All in the Family
The Johns family (L-R)—Back row: Bobby, Chris, Joey, Jack, Val, Shawn, and Erik. Front row: Tina (the matriarch) and her grandson Tristen. Recovering from health issues, Bob Sr. (the patriarch) is not pictured. In Gypsy tradition, the eldest man is the boss, but, while Bob Sr. convalesces, Bob's eldest son, Eric, fills the role.
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The Matriarch
Tina Johns is the matriarch of a huge Gypsy family. Her five adult sons—Erik, Bobby, Nicky, Joey, and Jack—have cumulatively given her five daughters-in-law, 15 grandchildren, and, as of recently, one great-grandson.
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Three Brothers
During the family gathering, three of the five brothers—Bobby, Erik, and Joey—have a heated conversation. With their father still sick, the brothers are in charge of the family business... but they don't always see eye to eye.
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Gypsy Girls
Amanda, in the red dress (red means good luck for Gypsies), dreams of being an actress, but her grandparents forbid it. Acting, according to them, is for gadjo (or non-Gypsies). In Gypsy tradition, a young lady is expected to work in the tarot shops to help support her family. Making a good Gypsy wife should be her number-one priority.
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Val and the Boys
Erik's son Val jokes around with some of the other young Gypsy men. Val has a secret. His family doesn't know that he's dating Sofia, a girl from a rival Gypsy family—if they found out, they would force the relationship apart.
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Bobby's Girls
Bobby Johns poses with his daughters Vivian and Amanda.
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Joey's Girls
Joey Johns poses with his daughters Strawberry and Candy.
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Jack and Sylvia
Jack Johns poses with his wife Sylvia.
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Father Knows Best
Val fist-bumps his uncle Jack while his father Erik gives him advice.
I really love this show, love the John family they are great. You really are given a chance to see the hidden world of the gypsy culture, I hope there is a second season, I would like to see more on the wives, how they cope and deal with the life given to them. I love Tina she is great, she really has a handsome husband and sons, I love watching her and the interaction with the family on a day to day basis.