The National Geographic Channel has premiered one of their most controversial shows to date, AMERICAN GYPSIES,
providing an intimate and revealing look at this highly guarded subculture.
Speak with Bobby Johns, of the star of this docu-series to discuss why this very private community has let cameras into their lives and homes for the very first time. Often portrayed in movies as a swindling, traveling, dirty, hooped-earring women holding crystal balls, the Gypsy reality is quite different. The Romany, as they are known historically, or Rom, have a rich cultural heritage with their own language, religion, education, laws and courts that have remained shrouded in secrecy.
Executive Produced by Ralph Macchio, cameras document one family’s efforts to preserve age-old Gypsy customs amid the vices of the city, while upholding their family’s power in the community and expanding their psychic shop business empire.
For more information visit: www.natgeotv.com/americangypsies
Tell us a little about the show:
If this is such a traditional and secret culture – why did you decide to let cameras into your life?
If the term Gypsy is considered slang for the Romani – why is the show named American Gypsies?
What has been the response from your own community to the show?
What was it like working with Executive Producer Ralph Macchio – the Karate Kid?
It gets pretty dramatic at times with the fights between your family and within the community. Is that typical of your day-to-day lives or is it sort of scripted for the cameras?
Where are the psychic shops you own?
Is your entire family psychic?
Why are you breaking with tradition when it comes to your younger daughters?
