I'm going to admit up front that I have never seen a single episode of the TLC show, 'Jon and Kate Plus 8.' Unlike many who may boast that they never watch 'reality television,' I have never seen this show because I don't like children - although I do like reality television. I know that might sound a tad harsh, because the real truth is that I like some children, I just don't like a squadron of children - especially if they live in the same house. To further my original disdain over the show, I really don't like it when some woman has a litter of children (usually because of some reason other than an 'act of God' which means that her multiple embryos were planted using a procedure developed in the name of science) and then acts as if the rest of society should value the fact that she managed to squeeze so many hungry mouths from her womb. Yes, congrats for making your vagina into a clown car...but wait a minute, you are now saying that you might need some help taking care of 6 - 8 babies? I'm not someone who necessarily believes in a divine plan and such, but it seems as if a universal spirit might have been pretty wise in making sure that most humans come forth one at a time.
Maybe I'm jaded because I don't automatically think all babies, ergo children, are cute. I think all individuals have the capacity to be cute at one time or another, and I do concede that some babies do know how to charm, but most of those babes I have fallen in love with tend to not have immediate competition from siblings for attention while I coo at them from above their crib. I find it hard to imagine that 6 - 8 babies crying all at once for an array of reasons is cute...and I don't think I am alone in this observation. Yet for some unimaginable reason these multiple birth families have for decades (in the 1930's there was the Dionne Quintuplets) been the sweethearts of television 'news' segments involving such topics as 'How are they coping?' and 'Where are they now?' Come on, you know the canon; too cheerful morning news personality asks inane questions to the hapless parents sitting in some decorated room that only Freddy Krueger would appreciate, but they call it the family room, while they are overrun with half-witted babies (all because they were born at six and a half months because otherwise their mother's lower body would have exploded) crawling on them without any particular goal in mind. The parents smile and acknowledge that yes, it takes a lot of work to manage such a large family, and yes, their finances are very tight (hint-hint) and yes, all of their dear nubby-headed challenged children are blessings, and yes, they would do it all over again...which means, no, they wouldn't. Then there are shots of how the family keeps organized which fits the description a friend once told me about growing up in a group home/orphanage. Of course this is the old scenario for multiple birth families, now they are offered a reality show.
The first time I saw Jon and Kate Gosselin was when they appeared on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' I have no idea if this was before their show debuted on The Discovery Channel (it has been on TLC since the third season) or if it was after. Basically the only thing I remember about the interview is that Kate said something witty about three being the new two. Later I saw commercials for their reality show, which I ignored. In fact, the only time I was kept abreast on the Gosselins was when clips of the show would be shown on 'The Soup' and the joke would be how 'whipped' Jon was as he sat next to his wife who seemed determined to treat him as if he was her serf. Oh, how times have changed...I dare anyone to try and avoid news about them.
Granted, we Americans do love our dramas and since the economy is in the toilet it means the whole Jon and Kate family mess is getting even more attention than it would normally. The tabloids are filled with grainy pictures of Jon stepping out on Kate. The whole 'is he or isn't he' thing has become moot since they have admitted that they are having marriage problems. Some of the current reports are talking about how Kate has made fun of Jon for the deforestation that has happened to his hair as well as gaining weight. None of us can imagine that it must be fun wed to a woman such as Kate. Good God, she is a shrew! She would be a pill regardless if they were a childless couple, but if you add eight to the mix...it's never cool for a man to abandon his family... but damn.
There are reports of Kate cheating on Jon with the family's body guard. Seriously, what do these men see in her? One tabloid released pictures of her prior to her airbrush with stardom and my-my, someone went on a diet. Although I am not a fan of her 'reverse mullet' hairstyle, I have to say that she looks much better today than she did back in the day. The recent soap opera has resulted in the highest ratings ever for their reality program. Now her brother and his wife are making the rounds on talk shows asking people to stop watching the 'Jon and Kate' because their nieces and nephews are being exploited. Of course, they are getting appearance fees for their testimonies. Sigh.
Even though I am iffy about the reasons the aunt and uncle are doing it, I have to admit that they have a point. Apparently there are no laws governing the rights of children who appear in reality based programming. Unlike any other entertainment where there are laws to how long individuals under the age of 18 are allowed to work, the whole idea behind reality programs is that they are reality. Of course we all know that it isn't reality to have a camera crew and producers following your family along their daily rituals. How many of us would cringe at the idea of greeting a camera when we first wake up? Sure, I can imagine several families that might welcome the opportunity to have a documentary crew film them for a month or so just so that they have the footage of what they were once like sometime in the future, but that's not what is happening to the Gosselin family - especially the children who are presumed protected by their parents.
I did see clips of the first show of the season where Kate is complaining about how the paparazzi follows them around. Oh, I know you know where I'm going with this. I think it was in an article I once read about the British royal family in 'Vanity Fair' where the Windsor matriarch realized that she had inadvertently opened a can of worms when she first allowed the BBC to film a documentary about her family acting as a family. In other words, she invited cameras into her palace and assumed once the filming was over everyone would catch a clue that now the only time they were allowed to peek at the royals was when they were dedicating ships or cutting ribbons for an opening of a hospital wing - but that's not what happened. Along with advances in technology, once you step over that line of 'here we are in our private lives' it becomes muddled with 'here we are performing our official duties.' Once you are more than 'Queen' and become a personality (or cult of personality such as was the case with Princess Di) merged with 'Queen' the genie has escaped the bottle.
With the Gosselins, both Jon and Kate signed away their rights as private citizens whom no one would look twice at in line at the grocery (except for the legion of children in their wake) to being someone that you would call on your sped dial after leaving said line to report, "I just saw Kate Gosselin and her brood and her reverse mullet in the store!" then the game is over. Of course you can complain about the paparazzi but your complaints fall on deaf ears for the most part. Whining about your privacy only makes many viewers shake their collective heads because you (Kate and Jon) sold your privacy when you said 'yes' to the show and the various endorsement deals that were heaped on you. Yet, the sad part is that your children did not. In fact, unlike child stars who as the stories go may have really wanted to perform, your children had no say as to if they wanted to be surrounded by strangers (whom they probably 
know by first names) filming their tears, their joys, their daily lives. Probably like children who know no different, say the Olsen twins for instance, they will have a very skewed idea of what reality is. Unlike the Olsen twins, which one can assume that they knew they belonged to a family who for the most part weren't part of their work environment; your children probably view being home as work. In fact I have to wonder if each child is getting paid for their performances as being themselves. Is there some sort of trust that has been set up for them that is being managed by someone whose livelihood doesn't depend on them acting the part of themselves for the small screen? Now that their parents' marriage is in quagmire they too have to suffer the increased paparazzi when they go out for the most minimal of reasons. God, I hope they have individual college funds.
Here's the deal, reality television isn't going away and although I know that the fraction of children involved with such the institution is small, I think that it would be fairly easy to write legislation which would limit the amount of time a child can be in front of a camera for the purpose of entertainment even when it might be documented as 'educational' (TLC stand for The Learning Channel). This problem isn't going to go away, in fact without some sort of intervention (A&E has a show called 'Intervention' which is where families confront loved ones on their substance abuse issues) the problem is only going to get worse. Apparently Octomom has signed up for her own reality program. Let's end the insanity while we can, before one of the Gosselin's sextuplets end up on a special edition of 'Intervention.'
Westerfield © 2009
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Comments: 120
I have seen a few episodes in passing, and have long disliked how Kate acts towards the kids, and her husband. I think they both brought this on themselves, and that they were greedy and wanted more money. They got it, but at the expense of their family. Maybe in 10 years, they'll look back and realize what they did.
Princess Spanky Pants, I imagine in ten years they will regret a lot. I wasn't kidding with my 'Intervention' comments.
I don't doubt something will happen. At what point do they stop and say, "Ok, this is enough!"?
The older girls are 8 now, I think. When do they stop filming, when the girls are getting their first periods live for the world to see? Or going out on their first dates? Sneaking in drunk one night? At some point, they have to look at how they are raising those kids, and realize that their own selfish greed is going to be those kids downfalls.
I have no doubt in 10 years, we'll read articles about something one of them did, ala Lindsey Lohan or Britney Spears style.
Princess, I agree entirely. I think that prolonged exposure to fame, especially when no one seems to be looking out for your best interests as a child, can be such a mind trip that if you don't have parents who are investing in you emotionally then I just cringe for their welfare.
You brought up the Olsen twins. They have both had various problems from their overexposure. This is going to get worse and worse for these kids unless someone puts a stop to this.
Elizabeth, at least the Olsen twins were compensated for their work, I don't even know if these kids are getting any money. I read today that social services is getting involved which is a relief.
Only took em what? 5 seasons, I think someone said?
Yeah, season 5, and they are FINALLY being investigated for child labor laws. TLC says they comply with all child labor laws, but I have to wonder.
The kids have a cushy life, but that's not the same as having a pay check that's set aside for each of them when they turn 18. Instead, it's probably looked at as "Mommy & Daddy's Money", and they sit on it. If the books and show dry up, I doubt there will be anything left when the kids are all 18.
Elizabeth, yup.
Princess, that is sadly grim...and probably true.
Anybody remember McCauly Caulkin? Had to sue his parents for HIS money?
Elizabeth, I do remember that! How horrible. Remember all the articles that came out about his father? He turned out to be a control freak.
Yep, and when McCauly wasn't available anymore, he started with his younger brother.
If you need a new star just create one. Keep the cycle going.
That's right! Look at how Lindsey Lohan turned out? And now, her 14 or 15 year old sister is being groomed right in Lindsey's image- not as a star, but as a child who is being shown she doesn't have to attend school, doesn't have to act or look her age, and has even had her mom try to sneak her into bars. Her mom is hoping to cash in big on her, and of course, the kid doesn't see anything wrong with it- she wants to be a celebrity.
i saw the show when i only got one tv channel and it was blurry and lost sound quite often cause i couldn't afford cable and for some reason Discovery Health sort of came in. i used to call it "the all baby network" or "the migraine network" cause all i got to see was screaming kids and births. let me tell you, that was great birth control.
CC, just the mention of children makes me happy that I no longer have a uterus. Side note, a friend of mine calls the A & E network the arts and dismemberment channel.
i caught a bit of the season premier the other day. she said that she wasn't going to give up being in front of the camera as she likes it too much. as far as i'm concerned, she has no right to complain about the paparazzi since she likes the attention so much. they make in one episode more than most people make in a year. i'd welcome that kind of attention if someone would pay me that kinda money. (hear that people who make others famous? i'm waiting!)
I agree! You can't put your life out there for everyone to see, then complain that the bad comes with the good!
CC, I think dedicating themselves to say a season or two for financial help is fine, but this show has been on for five seasons and now all of their drama is being cataloged in the tabloids. I sincerely hope they make this season the last one because even though it is bad, I can definitely see how it can become much worse.
Princess, I think you can, but I think by doing so people simply roll their eyes.
I do watch. I want grandchildren and these are my replacements.
Sharon, congrats, you win the best comment on the thread so far!
I have never watched the show, but I have friends with 6 - 8 children, mostly individual births. My friend's mother, who has 12 children, says she never liked kids until she had her own. She manages to stay in touch with each child's needs, ups and downs, dreams and goals.
Thanks for posting to Fugitives from Ignorance, Conformity, and Peer Pressure
Jan, I know that some large families can work very well, and I'm not really in a position to judge pro or con, but I've read where there was some fibbing on Kate's part about needing fertility treatment when she was really too young to receive it, especially when it came to having what I think the Wikipedia entry said was seven embryos. I'm against people having multiple children from implanted embryos. I think the limit should be two embryos per session.
The 18 and Growing couple, forget their name, really irritates me too. If you want 18 or more kids, and you can support them, that's your business. However, I don't want them on my T.V., that means they CANT support their brood.
I also don't see how they can give each childe the individual attention they deserve. The one special I saw about those people "Mom" was explaining how each child has a "buddy", and that she's each child's first "buddy". I'm not my children's "buddy" I'm their MOTHER, and that means that sometimes they aren't gong to like what I say, or make them do, or whatever, but I'm not supposed to be their friend, I'm supposed to make sure they make it safely to adulthood, and become FUNCTIONING adults. (holy runon sentence batman!)
I have the greatest respect for women with large families, Elizabeth. It amazes me how they DO know what's going on with every child. Without exception, the women I know with large families have a certain serenity and they're excellent managers. I don't know how they do it, but they do! My observation of their children is that they are more independent and less inclined to drama or getting in trouble. Rarely are they spoiled or rude. They're close to one another and like each other. There's always someone to talk with at home.
I agree with you about mothering. I think the older kids can and should help the younger ones, and the buddy system doesn't appeal to me, either. Moms should not be subcontracting their responsibility to their kids.
Elizabeth, I agree. Once you have to regiment your home to function as an orphanage then you know that perhaps you should give the baby making a bit of a rest. Society is getting more complicated not less, and that means a that it not only takes money to raise children but a lot of energy which we all know that such huge families can't do. I'm even hoping that Branagelina give it a rest because even for people with their resources six kids is a lot.
Jan, no doubt my hat is off for women who do have large families and no television contract. I'm sure it's very hard for them, but in this day and age when there are various alternatives, starting with birth control, or even simply not having sex and yes, even abortion. I'm a great believer in if you choose to have children be the best parent you can be. I think it was the Duggan family Elizabeth was writing about. Granted, they appear not to have had fertility treatments, but they have a large house and a lot of help. Think of the circumstances if everyone had such a large group of children?
It REALLY bothers me when people have fertility treatments, intentionally have 4 or more blastocysts implanted, then find out they ALL took, then go begging at church, fundraising, or TV specials/series, for everything from babysitting to diapers and formula to actual money. Fertility treatments are EXPENSIVE, if you have the money for THAT then you have the money to support yourself. If you DON'T then you shouldn't be getting the treatments either!
I got pregnant and married at 19, my son is 11.5 yo, I got remarried in 2004 and got pregnant in 2006, my younger son is 2.5 yo. Doing the math means that my kids are 9.5 years apart in age and from two different marriages.
I didn't receive any special awards for NOT having a child that I couldn't afford. For NOT getting pregnant between marriages. For NOT bringing more fatherless children into this world.
You all must be younger than I. When I was growing up in the 50's - 60's, large families were very common. Kids all wore hand-me-downs and nobody starved. That was pre-birth control pill, so I'd say those who have large families now do so because they want them. What strikes me most about my friends with large families is that they are so happy.
I have another friend whose first words when she learned that she was pregnant for a third time were "This means another hundred-fifty grand!" I had never considered putting a price on a human life.
I know a family with 13 kids. There are TWO mothers and a dad in the house. That's why it works.
Some women are more capable than others. I can't imagine having so many children and not burning out, but these women make it look easy. I can't explain it, but am in awe of their abilities. None of the families I know receives aid and none of them have TV shows. None have any hired help, either. One mother's calendar looks like a patchwork quilt. She has her kids' activities color coded. That's organization.
Elizabeth, I agree. Beyond all else people who have received fertility treatments obviously (the case with the Octomom being the exception) have the money to raise a family, but if they can't afford four children then they shouldn't be implanted with four embryos.
Jan, yeah there is a big shift to how people view big families. I think happiness can come from families of all sizes. I do think you are on target about the hand-me-down clothing, that was true recycling at its best.
150,000 grand, they are getting off cheap.
Em, now my curiosity is up? Two mothers and a father? Do tell.
Jan, that is the type of organization that I can only admire because I would never be able to do half as much.
"that is the type of organization that I can only admire because I would never be able to do half as much."
Nor could I, Lady Lisa! That's why I admire these women. I think the big difference is that my friends got their kids one at a time, except for one set of twins. They built up to being able to manage kids of all ages. The parents who have multiple births get a bunch of newborns, all at once. I can't even imagine that.
Jan, not that I'm one to preach about a grand design, but seriously, there is a reason why women don't have litters. Human infants are one of the neediest creatures on earth. You can be parent of the year material, yet fail to meet their needs. I think for many that is where a lot of our anger comes from with these large families. Granted, I'm not an advocate for large families with dozens of children, but quite frankly it isn't my business. It does becomes a bit my business when parents set out to have dozens and dozens of children...instantly. Babies born too early have learning issues that in the case of implanted multiples could have been addressed with less embryos - as in not enough womb in the inn.
According to maternal science there is a "formula" for the average number of offspring a mammal will have. A mammal female will generally have twice the number of breasts as babies she will carry. We have two, meaning we should, usually, only carry one. Cats, dogs, and other 4 legged critters have between 4-8, etc.
Elizabeth, I never thought about it that way, that totally makes sense.
and you know Octomom only got impregnated so she could get a reality show.
CC, then that makes her far more clever than I thought she was.
This is just revolting. Any network that would give her a show should be boycotted. She just makes me want to hurl.
Elizabeth, to be honest what else is she going to do? I bet she is trying to sell a 'situation' as I type this.
Open adoption? Forced removal of her children, because she is OBVIOUSLY out of her mind? Forced hysterectomy? I'm sure I could come up with some other ideas given time.
Elizabeth, well if she is to lose the children I hope it is soon so they can bond with other parents.
Personaly, I don't think she should have been allowed to take them from the hospital.
Elizabeth, I don't think they really any law enforcement agency would have had the jurisdiction to intervene at that point. I think the doctor who implanted Kate should have let her have three embryos and that's all.
Babies are kept from going home with unfit parents all of the time. If they are born addicted to drugs, they don't go home with "mom". I'm sure there are other reasons, and to me, this is a damn good one.
I think there should be a law about how many embryos can be implanted at one time.
I think stage parents are probably the worst of all parental genres.
Well, as an avid Jon and Kate Plus Eight follower I will say that I love their show. As a mom of three preschoolers it is often one of the escapes I get when I look into their world and think to myself, "See, it could be worse..." or "See her huband can't read her mind either!" They even provide us with comic relief from time to time.
There is definitely an audience for their show (and we SAHM of preschoolers know who we are!) and I am not saying that everyone should love her or him, or their kids, but they have just as much a right to a television show as any of the other CRAP that can be found on TV --- I mean seriously, it's not like TV has this pristine reputation of only putting exemplary programming on. If there is an audience for it and some TV execs think they can make money off of it, they will put it on the boob tube.
I watched the season premiere on Monday and I cried several times throughout. My hubby and I even had a conversation about the show, afterwards and I will say it was one of the best marriage discussions we have ever had. It is very easy for frazzled moms to treat our hubbys like Kate treats Jon and their show has helped me look in the mirror and learn how to show my husband respect. Hardly any other show on TV has ever helped our marriage, helped us reflect on our parenting, let alone made any truly MEANINGFUL impact on our lives. I mean seriously what has MTV, Survivor, 24, American Idol, or a gazillion of other popular and less "controversial" shows done for you lately? Nothing besides entertain for a fleeting moment...
I truly wish them the best. Has the show damaged their family, their marriage, etc...? I don't know. Only they do. I was heart broken when I saw the emotional distance that was obvious during the premiere. I truly pray that they will find their way back to eachother and that their kiddos will not have to go through the devastation of a divorce. Fame sometimes destroys people, but it doesn't always have to. I don't think they are exploiting their children, I think they are simply trying to provide for their kids. I respect that. There are plenty of people that have tons of kids that sit on welfare and don't do anything to try and better their own circumstances. You can't fault someone for trying to provide for a large family (no matter how the family was created.) Anyway... I want the old Jon and Kate back... and I really hope they can figure out what went wrong and how to get their "groove" back. They have tons of fans still and does anyone truly wish divorce on those babies? Not me.
I am glad you have been able to pull something good from watching their lives under a microscope, but what they are doing to those kids is not good. The family is broken up, their affairs are splashed on newspapers, they can't take the kids anywhere without cameras following them- that's not how a child (any child) should be raised.
They willingly did that, and to now sit back and complain about the negative aspects is disgusting, at best.
Heidi, wow, that was an insightful comment. Obviously the show has meant something to you and I'm glad that it spurred an important conversation between you and your husband. I still think that there is something to be said for instating laws to limit the amount of exposure children have with reality television. I would think it is unhealthy for anyone to be filmed for large chunks of time (remember 'The Truman Show?'). I don't wish this family pain, and I understand that with a big family any woman would be ready to beat the life out of anyone shirking their responsibility, I hope they are able to work out their issues and make the best decisions for their children.
La Lady --- I do agree that they need to make some serious decisions as far as the show goes since it is obviously affecting things at home. And, I do agree that some laws governing children in reality shows would probably pre-empt some of the problems we are now seeing in their family... but I did want to be a voice of reason and thoughtfulness in all of the Jon-and-Kate-Haters. It's easy to hate people who are successful, and far more difficult to look at their situation and not just call names and sling mud the minute it all goes "south." To me the people slinging mud at Jon and Kate aren't any better than them. At least you have some good ideas about laws and such. Most people just like to bitch and not come up with any real answers!
"I mean seriously what has MTV, Survivor, 24, American Idol, or a gazillion of other popular and less "controversial" shows done for you lately? "
Thanks to America's Next Top Model I can now smile with my eyes while grimacing with my mouth and display fierceness at the snap of a finger.
I would probably need to use both tricks if I watched an episode of Jon and Kate.
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I don't think these two people had to pursue a TV show to support their children. If you can conceive (no pun intended) of having six kids at one time through a medical procedure, then you can support the children you paid to carry without parading them around consistently on TV. They have made plenty of ready cash off of these shows, but the shows continue because of ego.
If you are going to have eight kids and are determined to raise them, then there are alternatives. John and Kate could get that sun-kissed glow from working in a large family-sustaining garden every day after work! They could forgo using bleach on their teeth and only put it in the endless laundry that they would do themselves 365, etc.
Kate is exactly ten years older than I am, and I could not imagine myself, five years from now deciding to, after having had twins, having myself implanted with multiple embryos.
And I wouldn't call Jon and Kate successful, they make money but at what cost? As cheesy as it is, there are intangibles that money does not buy, and I would wager that those oh-so-easy to disdain people on welfare know a bit more about them than Jon and Kate.
Heidi, I appreciate your stance, I think you are giving another side of what the show means for someone, especially for those of us who don't watch it. Listen I watch a baffling array of things and often find the most meaningful moments are sandwiched between what otherwise is the dumbest of television premises.
Ashley, it is very, VERY important to smile with your eyes. Because of 'Top Model' I know that if I want to photograph well I have to look FIERCE!
I think you have hit the nail on the head for me when you are talking about the continuation of the show. Seriously, I can understand the idea about having a film crew follow you around for awhile, sampling just a little taste of fame, but when you keep doing it to the point that it becomes a lifestyle is when issues arise. I agree, there are other things the family could do besides sell themselves to reality television.
I understand a "special" or two, and maybe an "update", but a series that goes on for years? No, no way, uh huh, forget it. Does anyone know who the Dilly 6 are?
Elizabeth, I have never heard of the Dilly 6.
Exactly! There was a special about them on Discovery(?) right after they were born, the filming started while mom was pregnant. Then there was an "update" when they turned 12, and another at 16. Recently, they were on Food Network as guests for a "Challenge". I think it was their 18th b-day. They are sextuplets from invitro, but she was only implanted with 4(?) so at least one egg split. However, THEY don't have a show, and I'm pretty sure that's by CHOICE.
It sounds like the bridged the gap between earning some money and education as well as protecting their children. I do think I have heard of them. Some of the twins are identical right?
I caught a few early episodes. Immediately thought they were two of the most selfish and stupid people ever to breed - artificially or otherwise. They had 2 kids. What makes them think they're so special the world needs to be filled with their genes?
The dad always looks like he is in total hell. The mom is such a bitch. I think a better show would have been John and Kate get neutered and spayed. I seriously believe if a person can't reproduce naturally, that's probably a sign they shouldn't for either health or sanity reasons. I worked with an insane career woman who had to have it all. She put her in-vitro procedures on her credit card so she could earn frequent flier miles and take a trip to de-stress after the twins were born. Yes, the children are freaking neurotics too.
EM, with all due respect to Heidi, that has been my impression as well. Granted I wouldn't know any of this if I didn't watch 'The Soup' but since I do I can only laugh that we think the same. In all seriousness, their interaction would be sort of cute if they were an older couple, but Jon was born in 1977, which took me aback since he appears to have been born in 1917. I'm keeping mum in regards to the chitlins.
All I see in this thing is the parents sacrificing their children to satisfy their own greed. If I were a social worker I'd yank those kids out of there and have the parents charged with reckless endangerment.
And people wonder why I don't have a TV.
I have a TV, but I don't pick up programming, and I certainly don't pay for it. My life has certainly not suffered as a result.
Roy, I can understand why you don't have a TV. For the longest time I lived without one, but then it became too silly for me to stare at the sets in other people's home as if I was seeing this thing called T...V for the first time. I don't think the children should be yanked from the home because, quite frankly, it isn't as if there are a ton of options for alternative placement for the kids. I just think it is one of those situations which require some sort of laws to be in place which limits the amount of time children have to endure 'reality' cameras in their lives.
Ashley, I have to admit that TV was my savior during chemo since I didn't have the option to read (the chemicals made my eyes googley). Speaking of 'America's Next Top Model' I remember just vegging out on the sofa knowing that one of those marathon showings of 'ANTM' was on and that I could kind of watch it (it would keep my interest) until I could fall asleep.
I hear that! Except my saviour has been this laptop and I was recovering from Menengitis/Encephalitis, not chemo.
Elizabeth, I loved the Bravo network during the time I was sick. I still like it of course, but literally it was such a lifesaver when I was ill. I could watch the shows with interest but not so much interest that I couldn't fall asleep.
I've seen a couple of the shows, but I'm not an avid follower. I just want to know when couples will stop and look at all the other couple reality shows and how most of them are now divorced. Why agree to put yourself through this for a little bit of money? I also don't really trust the Brother and SIL. It really seems fishy that they choose to speak up now and not earlier. Of course earlier they probably wouldn't have gotten a fee for being on so many shows to bad mouth their own family.
I can promise that I will never watch a show about octomom. She just furiates me beyond belief.
Jamie, I just read an article about how all of the Gosselin fuss has reinvigorated the tabloid magazine market. I'm pretty sure that things will come to a head sooner than later.
Lisa, thanks for the update (about what’s really of concern in the U.S. right now). I have been in Europe for the past month, so based on what I catch on my google home page and daily internet edition of the NYT/BBC, I thought the focus was on such boring things as healthcare reform, getting a new Justice on the supreme court, global recession and nuclear testing in North Korea… I stand corrected.
I don’t own a TV so even when at home, I had never of Kate and Jon until they showed up on a Yahoo newsflash. But even then, I didn’t realize I was supposed to care. *Reality* TV? Isn’t that an oxymoron? I know this will sound naïve, but I thought the news were reality TV; until I visited with friends abroad who, thanks to the wonder of twenty first century telecommunications, get multiple news feeds from around the world. I assure you that the same daily events don’t appear to have much in common, when viewed on CNN, BBC, al jazeera , etc… news (although al jazeera often seems more factual and objective than others major networks).
Now I surmise that Reality TV implies a program focusing on the *real lives* of supposedly *ordinary people* (whatever that means). And here I thought that real life was what you and I did everyday, anonymously: the best we could to live it meaningfully, enjoy it to the fullest, and at time just struggle to make to the end of the day. But ok… in case anyone cares, I woke up about one hour ago in Paris; rejoiced that the sun was shining again after two days of gray skies; noticed that my friend’s two teen-age daughters had, per usual, left for school leaving the kitchen looking like a superfund site; briefly wondered whether to clean it up or follow their mother’s advice and NOT pick up after them (said mother is away this week, they will have to clean up the place before she gets home or suffer the consequences). I opted to follow her advice and simply fire up the espresso machine; on the second try I coaxed a decent cup of cappuccino out of it and declared the day officially started; then I powered my computer and read your post…
PS – I totally agree with you on children, and scientifically-induced multiple births.
Josette, don't you know that all of those things that you mentioned in your first paragraph take a back seat to what is happening on 'Jon and Kate Plus 8?' Hello, these people have real problems which must be solved by the masses!
Let me just add that your story about waking up on a sunny day in Paris gave me the biggest smile I have had all week. Speaking for myself, I know that there are so many scary issues out there that sometimes studying about them just makes me want to cry and never stop. With these 'reality' programs (which BTW, your summary of them is on the money) is that they have issues that I can solve...well, maybe not about the multiple birthed kids, but about exposing them to cameras for the enjoyment of the masses...yeah, I can add my two cents into the mix. Now if you are talking about global warming or funding universal health care (something that the world needs) that I find myself stumbling upon in terms of a solution. Recently I attended a walk-a-thon for some earth centered society and the thing I learned is that earth supporters don't know how to organize a walk-a-thon (kids in strollers, families, dogs; everyone walking in a different direction around Kansas City's Plaza) and I thought how are we going to save the earth if we can't even get a simple coherent walking path together?
Not to nitpick(G) but the Earth doesn't need saving, it's the human race that needs saving. The Earth is going to live with or without us, and at some point She is going to get tired of our shenanigans and shake us off like a bad case of fleas.
Elizabeth, that's the spirit!
Amen, Josette!
Roy, I agree!
I've never seen this show and never will -- my idea of hell is to be surrounded by a mass of howling, sobbing brats, which every preview of J&K+8 promises. Mostly I wanted to stop by and fling my arms around you as a sister, Lisa -- I'm so relieved whenever anyone else will show up and admit to not liking children. I'd rather clean the cat crap out of an animal hoarder's furniture than spend half an hour with one kid, let alone eight of the screeching little banshees.
I'm also glad you called her, and other people who don't understand it, on believing in science long enough to have most of a baseball team take root in her body. This stuff makes me want to donate my own uterus to science. Tomorrow. Or as quickly as I could yank it out with a barbecue fork.
And I'm totally stealing "reverse mullet." Kate is the hairstyle soulmate of Adam Lambert.
I disagree -- no matter how Adam Lambert did (or didn't do his hair,) I never had to squash the urge to set him on fire... then again, maybe it isn't Kate's hair that causes that in me.
Kris, believe me, in my social circle people like us are the majority. One time we were all sitting around and someone discovered that out of say twenty women, only one wanted children...and she just wanted one.
As far as the reverse mullet, that isn't my creation, so feel free to use it.
Joy, I want to get back to your comments but I have to leave. I also have to google Adam Lambert because I don't know who he is.
I don't know who any of these people are, but does that mean I have more time for say, reading War and Peace, or writing? No. I just have different vices: Playing Bejeweled 2, watching old seasons of The Shield.
ahhh... The Shield --- now there is television genius at its finest! My husband got several eye rolls from me as he sat on the edge of his seat during the final season... oh well... to each his/her own!
Charles, that is probably a good sign that you don't know who these people are.
Heidi, I have never seen that show. I guess I missed out.
Lisa, I admit to rabidly following this train wreck for a variety of reasons, most of which I'm not going to disclose publicly. I've watched from season one (just lucky, I guess,) and Kate has ALWAYS been a bitch on wheels. It just rolled off of her in waves and made me feel even skeevier, somehow, than any episode of the Flavor of Loves or even Rock of Love: Tour Bus. The most recent (and most watched episode,) was a treat on so many levels, since we got to see Kate at her finest: Bitching, moaning and pissing about what a martyr she is, all the while being arrogantly clueless as to why she's completely full of it. She claimed that she is regularly traveling on book tours and speaking angagements because that's "her job."
I nearly went apopleptic at that, simply because it's such an insult to anyone with half a functioning brain in their head. HER JOB was to raise eight kids; the books and the speaking engagements came OF that job. Does she realize that, though? Hell no! Really, I want to set her on fire. I may still do the "Pants Deconstruct The J&K+8 Premiere" article over the weekend. I haven't decided.
(On a "technical" note, can I just say that you turned a couple of phrases in here that make me GREEN with envy -- particularly, "her air brush with fame." Brilliant!)
I totally agree. I have a job, I stay at home and take care of my 2yo and I'm here if my 11yo needs me from school. My children will never have to wait for hours in the nurse's area because I can't be reached or because I'm busy. THAT is my job until they are old enough to take care of themselves. IF something like a book deal, or some other money making thing fell into my lap BECAUSE of that, it would STILL take a back seat to my children.
What I personally LOVE about Kate, Elizabeth, is how she's wandering around the country speaking about her "experiences" parenting multiples. Well, HOW in the hell is she "experiencing" parenting multiples if SHE'S NEVER THERE?!
THAT, my friend, is the question.
The only thing I REALLY remember about the little I've seen of them was abouot her hair. The special they did when she was pregnant with the 6, and then after they were born, her hair was brunette, and short. Jon said that it wasn't that way when they got married, that she'd had long blonde hair. She said she cut it because it was easier to take care of, and that he should have checked her roots. She said she didn't have time to bleach it with all of the kids. Apparently, now, she has time.
St. Joy, if you write an article about them please, please, please link it with this article. Feel free to use, "air brush with fame." Kate has, according to the clips I have seen on 'The Soup,' always came across as the type of woman that would...how should I put this...deball any man. The clips I have seen of the first episode made me roll my eyes when she rolled her eyes about being the one who had to plan the birthday party. Hello! As if TLC wasn't footing the bill for it in the first place.
Oh, and thank you for the compliment about "air brush with fame."
Elizabeth, amen to your making your children into your priority. I know that it is impossible to be a perfect mother, but lordy, must she belly ache about everything?
St. Joy, what are you talking about, she has a camera crew in her home which means that she can download videos to see how the kids are doing.
Elizabeth, I can't fault her for being blonde.
I don't care if her hair is purple polka dots! It's just the only thing I remember from the initial special, because I thought she was kinda nasty about the way she responded. Also, as I said, she seems to have re-found the time to do it.
Well if you have nannies and such I imagine that any mom could find time to have her hair done.
*tv is satan*
I have never seen a single episode~as a young lass I had a nightmare of birthing a litter of 12 squalling infants at once~I avoid anything with multiples, well except CENSORED ;)
Thank you for posting to GutterGirls ~
Purrrrr, I think I would totally break down if I had more than one child which is good that I don't have any.
I catch an episode of this series usually from my bed, nursing a cold or virus. The shows are pretty much the same... get the kids ready, with one of them melting down, getting them out to the van, then another one melts down, then they get to the "thing" (fill in museum, playground, pizza place), and one of the kids melts down. All this new controversy can only do them good because I would imagine it was getting pretty hard to think of new blood to pump into the show, until the kids start dating, anyway.
Kids melt down all of the time, that is the nature of kids. They melt down because they are stressed, tired, hungry, want what they cannot have, or just because.
I never watch it. I deal with 15+ kids a week with developmental issues. I do not need to watch parents be idjits just because they can.
Vicky, kids breaking down is the reason why I go to the grocery store at odd hours.
Grem, let me just say that you deserve a salary of two million a year. I know that you probably don't make that much, but I'm saying that you deserve it.
Yes, congrats for making your vagina into a clown car...but wait a minute, you are now saying that you might need some help taking care of 6 - 8 babies?
HAHAHA! I've had the same type of thoughts! I've never watched the show, although I did see the original "special".
The Dionne Quints are a really sad story. That truly was an "act of God", so to speak, and somehow they were yanked from their parents arms and put on display. They were even put in their own little "cage" with plexiglass so that tourists could watch them play, go to school, and just be kids. It's really very disturbing.
I know that the fraction of children involved with such the institution is small, I think that it would be fairly easy to write legislation which would limit the amount of time a child can be in front of a camera for the purpose of entertainment even when it might be documented as 'educational' (TLC stand for The Learning Channel).
I don't care how "small" the fraction is, there should be laws protecting these children, even if it means protecting them from their own families.
I also think that someone should make sure that each of these children gets a portion of whatever is being paid to the "family".
Elizabeth, hopefully, legislatures are working on some laws. After all this is a high profile time for the family and any politician should be happy enough to get their name on a bill.
I got sucked into glancing at this POS show because of the unavoidable foofaraw everywhere I turned, but I could only tolerate a few minutes of it. I grew up in the era of the Dionne Quintuplets and have distinct memories of the unbelievable exploitation those girls endured...and that was BEFORE television. Their case was different from the Gosselins, however, because the parents were taken out of the picture and kept in the background while the little girls were trotted out for the public like sideshow freaks. K&J, on the other hand, ARE the freaks in this sideshow: she's a dominatrix shrew and he meekly lets her juggle his balls. One of the most shocking two minutes I saw was when one of the six little G's pointed out some papparazzi lurking in the bushes at their highly publicized fifth birthday party and Mom said, "Don't use that word! Call them 'the P word' instead." In other words, "if we aren't being paid to have cameras pointed at us, it's an obscenity". Great lesson in parenting! I wonder which chapter in her book covers that one.
That's just awful. So, basically, she's teaching her girls to be whores.
Dame Ruth, I saw a made for TV movie about the Dionne Quints and wow their lives were horrible. They were messes when they became adults. I loved how you described the Gosselins. I hope you trademark that.
Elizabeth, I don't think she actually understands what she is doing to her kids. Especially with cameras following them everywhere.
Interesting exchange of ideas!
I have never watched the show, but from what little I know, the husband will probably leave home.
You couldn't cement me in place fast enough to keep me there!
Leo, well I wouldn't wish divorce on anyone, but they definitely appear to be a couple in great need of marriage counseling.
Elizabeth, but I have to admit that I do love the clips about this family.
Obscene at nausium.
Joyce I agree.
If it weren't for Gather, I wouldn't know who these people are.
Well, thank God for Gather.
Hey, I did do some interesting research last night after commenting here. Seems Kate's sister-in-law "aunt" Jodi (who appeared on several of the shows a season or two ago) and her husband (Kate's brother" made an appearance on one of the morning shows. Wow... Jodi's sister even has a blog about putting some laws into place about allowing kids to be filmed for reality shows, etc... Very interesting stuff! I am interested to see how it all shakes out.
Why the quotations around Aunt & Uncle- they are related, and have seen it first hand. They see what most of us see- a family obsessed with being in the spotlight, regardless of what it does to the kids.
I realize that until recently, many supporters of the show saw Kate as a darling little mommy, but it just makes me wonder what those people are like themselves. I look at Kate, and only see complaint, screaming, and ordering around. I don't see a loving mommy. I see a bitter diva who thinks the world should revolve around her, and is using her kids to insure that it does.
Yes, I know they are related. That is how she was referred to on her sister's blog (with the quotes around aunt). Really, there isn't a need for nitpicking, I was just stating that I did some research about it. That's it. Not giving my opinion either way about what they said or anything. Relax... It was interesting to see the interview especially because I have seen them on the show. I don't doubt that they see a truer side than America does. Wasn't disputing that at all.
Heidi, I think we can all agree that laws need to be put in place because reality television is only going to get bigger.
Princess, I think some people watched the show because watching the couple together inspires many of them to use birth control and to know any potential spouse well enough before making vows. Such as, if we have children will you nag at me until I'm half the man I was when we first met.
Like you, I've never really watched the show but am quite aware of the controversy surrounding it through a variety of alternate sources. The issue surrounding children and entertainment labor laws has been fought since the times of Mickey Rooney (probably earlier) and Shirley Temple (also Little Rascals) wherein their parents governed and/or lost the accumulated earnings. The Olsens were fortunate to have a caring family that adhered to the rules and laws regarding the earnings of the twins. This whole concept of using children to gain publicity, notariety or monetary gain (sans any tangible talents that are being exploited) disgusts me. I remember the issues surrounding the Dionne family and I was equally repulsed by the 70s program, An American Family that aired on PBS exposing all the emotional angst and intricacies of a nuclear family experiencing divorce in real time. As someone with more than a handful of children, I cannot see how any loving parent could subject innocent, developing children to the myriad issues caused by making their lives public long before their capacity to understand such things exists.
Madame Donna, can you imagine going through adolescence in front of millions of people and then forever being reminded of you awkward phase on YouTube? God that would suck, suck, suck!
Actually I can imagine going through adolescence in front of lots of people (since I did) but the part about being broadcast on YouTube would send me to therapy. Yes, it would suck, suck, suck until I choked.
Thanks for posting to Fugitives from Ignorance, Conformity, and Peer Pressure
Jan, you are welcome. Thank you for having such a great group.
I love the show.
Lynn, obviously it is more of a show that appeals to people with young children.