An Update on Our Family
External Rating43%
202560 minEnded

An Update on Our Family

Network:HBO

Previous Episode

S01E03 - "Where’s Huxley?"

Aired on Jan 30, 2025, 2:00 AM

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Show Ended

Description

An Update on Our Family explores the complex and symbiotic world of family vlogging – a phenomenon in which parents post a steady stream of lifestyle videos on their social media channels to be consumed by loyal subscribers whose views in turn generate money for the vloggers themselves. After controversy around former family vloggers Myka and James Stauffer went public, new scrutiny arose around the industry. The documentary raises questions about what motivates vloggers to expose their lives to the world and examines the issues surrounding making their children's lives public. The three-part series exposes the hidden-in-plain-sight, unregulated family vlogging industry.

Details

Status
Ended
Language
English
Runtime
60 min
Premiered
January 15, 2025
Ended
January 29, 2025
Schedule
Wednesday at 9:00 PM

External Links

Episodes (1 Season · 3 Episodes)

Welcome to Our Family

The episode chronicles the lucrative world of YouTube vlogging, including social media archival footage of Myka and James Stauffer, as well as original interviews with others. Hannah Cho, an avid YouTube consumer, explains how daily videos and constant updates provide a sense of community. Myka Stauffer's wholesome demeanor and willingness to share everything on camera results in huge viewership and brand partners rushing to endorse her. Teasing a "big surprise," the Stauffers, already parents to three children, announce that they are adopting a child from China.

Jan 15, 2025

60 min

Damn Good Mom

The business of family vlogging is explored, examining YouTube's algorithm, which rewards bold thumbnail photos, sensationalist titles, and the need to constantly promote exciting new content. As adoption day approaches, the Stauffers post videos counting down the days. The family continues to earn money from brand sponsors, but after more than two years as the "star" of the Stauffers' vlogs, their adopted son Huxley suddenly disappears and all videos of him go private on their channel.

Jan 22, 2025

60 min

Where’s Huxley?

The episode examines what happens when online vitriol rises and concerned fans turn into critics. The press sheds more light on the Stauffers' online content, including their lavish lifestyle, Huxley's treatment, and their tearful 2020 update on his absence from their life. Brand sponsors drop the Stauffer family and Myka disappears from the internet.

Jan 29, 2025

60 min

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