August 28th, TLC premiered Abby and Brittany, a new reality TV show with a completely different twist. While other shows feature overexposed weddings, extreme obsessions, and crazy kid pageants, this documentary-styled reality show follows the lives of Abby and Brittany Hensel, 22-year old conjoined twins in Minnesota.

Twins, Abigail and Brittany Hensel, were born in 1990 conjoined at the torso. One in 40,000 twin births are conjoined, and only one percent of those few births make it to the age of one. Yet, the Hensel parents rejected the attempt of surgical separation upon birth, unwilling to make such a risky decision with the lives of their daughters. Nevertheless, this proved to be nothing of a challenge for the conjoined sisters.

When you look at them, you would think they are very different from everyone else, but when you see how they live, they are really very much like the rest of us.  They live each day as an adventure, and have never let their predicament be an obstacle.

Each of the girls control their own side: Brittany the left, and Abby the right, requiring a lot of cooperation from both Hensels. With this cooperation, they are able to drive a car, bike ride, and even type on a keyboard at a normal rate.

Of course Abby and Brittany are no strangers to the cameras and media, having been in the public eye since birth. They have been on The Oprah Winfrey Show, and two documentary type specials on the Discovery Channel and the Learning Channel, as well as a few other appearances.

Their parents decided to keep their daughters out of the media as much as possible, so the TLC show Abby and Brittany was seen as a good opportunity to respond to all unanswered questions and curiosity of the public.

The documentary/reality show focuses on their transition out of college life and into the real world as adults, taking on challenges such as finding a job, and possibly acquiring a new life away from home. Not only that, but it shows just how normal these girls are. No day is a challenge for Abby and Brittany Hensel, no matter what the situation.

This heartfelt, upbeat, and inspirational show is a great addition to the TLC family, as it could have been to any network.

The rock/pop style music brings the Hensel twins’ adventures to life, and the absence of sound effects in certain scenes outlines the serious conversations with their friends and family. Despite the fact that camera angling is a bit edgy and sometimes hectic, it perfectly fits the active and adventurous lives of the Hensel sisters throughout the episodes.

It seems rather redundant for the Hensel parents to release and exploit their daughters to the media for all unanswered questions at this time when it could have been done earlier in their lives. It’s an interesting parental choice though, leaving one to wonder if there is an ulterior motive to the sudden change of mind.

Overall, this documentary type reality show is overwhelmingly fun and crazy for most viewers. TLC may have outdone itself with this one in a million sensation.

New episodes of Abby & Brittany premiere Tuesdays, at 9PM Central on TLC.