As I’ve written about before, I was an early fan of TLC’s Jon and Kate Plus 8. I watched the first hour-long special intensely, wondering how on Earth these young parents (I think Jon and Kate were about 26 and 27, respectively, when they had the sextuplets) were going to manage with eight kids. Then I watched the second special. And I kept watching once they got a regular show.
Kate pregnant with the sextuplets - WHEW!
At first, the kids were too cute, tottering around, learning to speak, being mischievous. I laughed as Jon and Kate hurled insults at each other, only to make up once the kids were in bed. I never wanted to be like them, but I found their lives interesting.
Now, a few seasons later, the backlash against the family has reached an all-time high. Sites like Gosselins Without Pity blast Jon and Kate for what they perceive is the exploitation of their kids. Other former viewers say they can no longer watch the show after the premise changed from watching the family of 10 struggle with everyday life, to watching the family of 10 go to Disney World, on cross-county vacations, living it up in Hawaii for a vow renewal. Viewers, who used to think, “Glad that isn’t me,” now watch the show and say, “Man, why isn’t that me?”
Admittedly, I think some of the backlash is warranted. The timing of the show couldn’t be worse. While the recession deepens every day, viewers are treated to sneak peeks of the Gosselins new million-dollar house, and episodes with only one parent are becoming more and more common as Jon or Kate are traveling to promote their new book. I find it harder and harder to watch the show now.
Plus – is it just me or has Kate been really evil to Jon lately? She’s never been the nicest wife, but watching her belittle him for the slightest thing makes me extremely uncomfortable.
I don’t normally care how other people behave or what other families do, but I feel like I need to stick up for Kate (just a bit). Yes, she’s hard on Jon and probably needs to work on that (ASAP), yes, she has a foul attitude in most of the new episodes (clever editing, I hope?) and she’s always yelling. But don’t you think it would be extremely hard to parent 8 kids under a national spotlight? No, I don’t feel bad for her because she made the decision to do the show and as a result can live a better lifestyle than if they opted not to. But it’s got to be hard to hear all the complaints about what a horrible mother you are and why you’re kids are going to be screwed as a result of the decisions you made.
What about you? Do you watch the show? Has it changed for you?
I have been reading A LOT of negative things about her lately too that were quite shocking and seemingly out of the blue– at least to me.
1st I read about that Aunt Jodi situation and while it was a bit shocking, I didn’t want to let that affect how I felt about them or the show as a whole.
In the beginning, I couldn’t get enough of Jon & Kate and those lil adorable children. Even Jaedyn loved to watch the kids running around, screaming, and such. I had the show programmed into our satellite. No matter what was on, if that show was coming on, that’s what the channel would be changed to. Now? Yeah…definitely not the case.
Kate always made it kind of hard to watch the show in the beginning but after the last episode I saw, I was done (get to that in a minute). I don’t understand how people can say she is a bad mother though. I lose my mind & cool at times with one kid so I couldn’t imagine 8, especially with Mady (ugh, she drives me nuts). However her role as a wife SUCKS!
When I saw an article about their marriage being in trouble and Jon being out with someone else, I said to myself, “I don’t blame him!” She treats him like $#@%!!! The last episode I saw I believe was when Kate was off somewhere promoting the book I think, and Jon took the kids through the woods. You would think since she wasn’t there and he was, he’d ACTUALLY get to do the majority of the talking. WRONG. She dominates every single show and interview session. What got me is when she was saying something, and he cut in (after all, he was there and she wasn’t) and she ripped into him! Talking about how it drives her crazy when he cuts her off. WTF do you mean? You do this to him in EVERY episode!!! He just sits there, hand on the side of his face, might get a total of one full sentence in the entire show (during the one on one time with them).
I will admit Jon can be a bit of a goof and well…a guy. Guy needs constant reminding, etc., but she treats and talks to him as if he is child #9. In my opinion, I think the show has gone on long enough. I would love to see like an hour, maybe two, long episode once a year just to see where they are/how the kids are doing, etc,. But right now, it just doesn’t appeal to me anymore. I didn’t watch the episode, but I read the description about since they have a new bigger house, they are going to get not one, but two puppies. That’s like having two more children!!!
All in all, I don’t watch the show like I used to. We only get a glimpse of what their life is like but I can only hope some of that is made/done simply for ratings.
I am a big fan of the show, have been since the beginning. No marriage is perfect and they are willing to put it out their for the world to see. Could Kate do better? Yes. Has she mentioned it before? Yes. Cut her some slack.
As for capitalizing on their fame. Don’t hate. Congratulate. They have been blessed. They have used the opportunities that have been afforded to them with the show to give their children things they probably wouldn’t have been able to. Let them work it for as long as they can.
I’m not up on all the rumors surrounding the show and the family but if people are that concerned about their marriage and the kids, pray for them. Don’t terrorize them.
Every time I watch that show, which isn’t all the time, I get mentally tired. And how does she keep that house so clean?
I used to watch too but haven’t watched in quite some time. I think that all too often Kate is very rude, disrespectful and condescending to Jon. I could see every now and then (although this is wrong as well) but it happens far too often. Perhaps it is the editing but the couple should have some say in the editing seeing as how it’s a hit show for the network and seeing as how they renew their contracts for additional seasons. I’m not saying that Jon is a saint…he has faults too. Actually, I just came across this link about him…who knows if it’s all true but…
http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE5250IL20090306
Duh, I posted the wrong link…
http://www.parentdish.com/2009/03/05/jon-gosselin-parties-with-co-eds-well-deserved-break-or-big-mi/
I believe Kate is such a wonderful person and mother, so people who hate har has a personality-disorder. I admire both Jon and Kate,and whatever the media is mixing up of stories, I believe 90% of it is lies and lies and lies. The 10 % may have some resemblance to reality. Kate is an organized person with great integrity and moral, and imagine what she has been through! It is easy to see thar both Jon and Kate have the greatest love for their children. Of course they have not had time for each other, with 8 little children tip-toeing around them. Kate seems to me to be an honest person with the greatest heart. I love the way she takes care of the children as 8 different personalities. She is fantastic. Just fantastic. Want to send my best greetings to her, I know how it feels when “best friends” stabs you in the back, just because you are too good for them, and they never realle knew you. Hold on be strong Kate. And Gods blesings to you every day!! I am a single ma of 4. Now grownups. Battled 3 lawsuits. Won them all. The truth wins over twisted lies even in this wicked world. I had appr 10 friends. Realized that I really just had 2. 15 years ago now. But the betrayal still hurts and I have blocked false friends and some familymembers out of my life for good. They took part in lies, and if they want to have anyting to do with me, which they of course do after I won all courtbattles, and lot of money, I “slam my door” to them unless they go down on their knees and beg me forgiveness. Makes me strong. I kept my dignity and integrity, and I am very sure you will too!! Gods blessings again to you Kate, and to all the kids. and of course to Jon too.!! Elisabeth from Norway.
@Serena – I don’t think they are wrong for taking advantage of the lifestyle being on TLC has afforded them. Heck, if it was me, I’d be dragging those kids to Hawaii too! Those kids are getting to see places and do things that they could NEVER do otherwise. (I do hope that they are being wise with their money. This fame/fortune won’t last forever and raising eight kids will STILL be expensive.) As far as the marriage is concerned, I think I care because I’m really rooting for Jon and Kate to make it. I would love to see them stick it out after all those years and all those babies and say, “Yes! We did it!” But it looks like the stress and the years are getting to them….I pray that it’s just editing and we just don’t see the make-ups.
@Courtney – I know exactly what episode you are talking about. I cringed so hard and I was like, “Ouch, Kate. That was a bit harsh, don’t you think?” I know I used to be guilty of going off on the hubby like that sometimes, but one day I just listened to how I was talking and asked myself if I wanted Ayanna to talk to her husband like that. If she’s on TV, she’s got to know how she comes across, even if they know deep down how they feel about each other. Gotta be able to show it…
@Chante – I think it might be the editing, but you’re right. I would want some say in the editing of the show, especially if they just string together all the fights and bickering to make it look like I’m a bad wife.
@ Arlice – I was wondering that too! Like, does she have a cleaning crew now or something? Because the kids are all over the place and they are tossing toys and hitting each other it’s amazing that the house doesn’t look like a tornado hit it.