Jon and Kate Plus 8 official Thread, Part 2!!

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I only lurk on this thread but just had to chime in that I'm a 43 yo Allison (2 "L"s and an "I" thank you very much). Growing up there were very few of us. I was asked all the time if my parents named me after the character on Peyton Place.

Now there are so many Allisons out there that I turn my head every time some one calls. I've even answered a few parents even though I know they're not talking to me. I just can't help myself.

 

[DreaGirl]

From J&K's archived praise webpage after the babies were born they gave thanks to the Giant grocery store for "1 Year supply of diapers, $5K in groceries....." along with " 1 Year supply of baby food, and $5K Gerber certificates..... to be used at Giant Foods", Free photo's and detergent..... from Sams, and 6 month supply of Huggies diapers for each baby from Kimberly Clark. So, Kate's shopping trips to Giant and Sam's was either 1) part of their free gifts from Giant, Sams or the manufacturers, OR were 2) greatly discounted because the stores donated the shopping trips in exchange for free advertising for the show and as 'product placements'. IMO the shopping was a combination of #1 and #2 - freebies from their gifts from having the sextuplets along w/Kate's own accumulated coupons and advertising/product placements to make an impressionable episode.

At first I believed those shopping trips were typical of her normal routine, but then realized it was impossible for someone to have soooo many coupons for such specific items for it to be a regular thing for her to do and now believe it was most likely an exaggerated situation just for the show.

Someone on another message board saw that during their Sam's trip,Jon bought some computer game (urban assault?). Now tell me how a father of 8 with little to no help (yeah right) had time to play a game? I'm sure that trip was free as well as the shopping trip to Giant,so I'm sure they loaded up.

 

[MichelleVW]

Someone on another message board saw that during their Sam's trip,Jon bought some computer game (urban assault?). Now tell me how a father of 8 with little to no help (yeah right) had time to play a game? I'm sure that trip was free as well as the shopping trip to Giant,so I'm sure they loaded up.

The man can't even buy/get for free/whatever a video game without critics complaining??

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

The man can't even buy/get for free/whatever a video game without critics complaining??

I've got one child and there are times I need alone time. My escape is a book. Maybe his is computer games. I'm with you. I don't fault anyone that needs a time out from the family even if its after everyone is in bed.

 

[DreaGirl]

The man can't even buy/get for free/whatever a video game without critics complaining??

I wasn't complaining, I was pointing it out. I can't even point out things now? You don't find it odd that a family that is pinching pennies, has 8 kids, and has a wife that didn't sit down for 2 years (or so she says) has time to play a video game? I wouldn't have even thought twice about it, but it's these little inconsistencies that leave me shaking my head. They bring these comments upon themselves IMHO.

 

[nuke]

The man can't even buy/get for free/whatever a video game without critics complaining??

He didn't use a coupon! I can't believe you are condoning shopping without a coupon! Where is your Kate support?

 

[newtodis]

From J&K's archived praise webpage after the babies were born they gave thanks to the Giant grocery store for "1 Year supply of diapers, $5K in groceries....." along with " 1 Year supply of baby food, and $5K Gerber certificates..... to be used at Giant Foods", Free photo's and detergent..... from Sams, and 6 month supply of Huggies diapers for each baby from Kimberly Clark. So, Kate's shopping trips to Giant and Sam's was either 1) part of their free gifts from Giant, Sams or the manufacturers, OR were 2) greatly discounted because the stores donated the shopping trips in exchange for free advertising for the show and as 'product placements'. IMO the shopping was a combination of #1 and #2 - freebies from their gifts from having the sextuplets along w/Kate's own accumulated coupons and advertising/product placements to make an impressionable episode.

At first I believed those shopping trips were typical of her normal routine, but then realized it was impossible for someone to have soooo many coupons for such specific items for it to be a regular thing for her to do and now believe it was most likely an exaggerated situation just for the show.

As for the shopping - I absolutely believe that it was "for the show" either "paid for" by the show (I think Discovery Health at the time) or the store they were at. Now she did get a receipt, granted she didn't share the receipt or show her actually paying for it so I guess that's left up to the viewer to "assume" how the transaction ended.

As for the amount/type of coupons, I think it's TOTALLY possible. I've joind afullcup.com and it's amazing to me the number of coupons some people have for items- seriously some have in the 100s for one item! So yes, having the coupons I fully think is realistic if Kate was a real coupon user (like I strive to be!)

More OT-met up with TotalSnowWhite yesterday for a ride on Space Mountain!!!

YAY!! Glad to hear you're having fun!

Someone on another message board saw that during their Sam's trip,Jon bought some computer game (urban assault?). Now tell me how a father of 8 with little to no help (yeah right) had time to play a game? I'm sure that trip was free as well as the shopping trip to Giant,so I'm sure they loaded up.

I have to say if I were on a budget or had 8 kids that I don't think I'd be throwing a video game (especially a potentially violent one at that) in the cart with tv cameras following us around. Yes he needs a break, yes he's an IT guy (maybe he played the game while he was at work on his lunch hour or something????), yes he should get to blow off some steam. I just think it was a bad call on his part but maybe he thought "hmm if they're buying, I'm throwing this in too!" (now again, I don't know who actually paid so I'm just presuming that's might may have happened!)

The man can't even buy/get for free/whatever a video game without critics complaining??

I don't think it was a complaint - there's just a lot of comments from J&K about how busy things were and not having help.....you really think he'd have time for a computer game??? I only have two kids but they keep me busy enough that my DISing's really only while I'm at work and have a minute here now! I can't imagine having 8 and trying to find time for a computer game too...

I wasn't complaining, I was pointing it out. I can't even point out things now? You don't find it odd that a family that is pinching pennies, has 8 kids, and has a wife that didn't sit down for 2 years (or so she says) has time to play a video game? I wouldn't have even thought twice about it, but it's these little inconsistencies that leave me shaking my head. They bring these comments upon themselves IMHO.

I agree with the bolded part (I bolded). It is hard to believe that he'd have the time at home - but maybe he was playing on his lunch hour or something like that. Or, maybe it was something different altogether (I personally didn't see it and deleted the episode so I'd have to find it on line or wait for it to come on again). Maybe he bought it on Discovery Health's dime and resold it on Ebay to make money! You just don't know....


Now I finished watching the second special and the part where they took the kids Christmas shopping for each other (not sure if that was one of their first "shows" or part of the special...they're starting to run together for me!). Now they went to TRU for shopping - personally I don't shop there with their high prices and horrible return policy. This is where Kate let Jon have it about not helping and yelled at him twice in the store. They also showed Kate using some sort of debit/credit card to "pay" but maybe sure they only showed the back and it didn't appear to have a signature on it (I wasn't watching that closely honestly) so I don't know if that was a TLC/Discovery card or their actual card. It just seems weird that they'd shop at TRU if they were on such tight budget. It makes sense if the show paid for it at that point...

When they were loading the van, Jon told Kate how embarassing it was when she yelled at him and during the interview told her how much it hurt him because he knew people would think badly of Kate and how it makes her look when she does that. Kate didn't seem to understand this. Her answer was something like "I don't see other people" or something....poor Jon! He honestly tried to talk to her in the parking lot (probably not the best time with both of them upset) and in the interview chair (agian probably not a good time in front of the camera) and barely got a "Sorry!"

 

[bjgrazi]

I wasn't complaining, I was pointing it out. I can't even point out things now? You don't find it odd that a family that is pinching pennies, has 8 kids, and has a wife that didn't sit down for 2 years (or so she says) has time to play a video game? I wouldn't have even thought twice about it, but it's these little inconsistencies that leave me shaking my head. They bring these comments upon themselves IMHO.

Maybe if you didn't hold them under a microscope and get on with your own life it wouldn't bother you so much. People make time for themselves. If he wants a video game so what. You haven't any right to comment or judge.

 

[brittsmum1998]

Maybe if you didn't hold them under a microscope and get on with your own life it wouldn't bother you so much. People make time for themselves. If he wants a video game so what. You haven't any right to comment or judge.

The title of this thread should be changed to include the words "love fest" then the few could stay on this thread and comment and judge only positively.

 

[nuke]

Maybe if you didn't hold them under a microscope and get on with your own life it wouldn't bother you so much. People make time for themselves. If he wants a video game so what. You haven't any right to comment or judge.

Actually yes she does have a right to comment. Just like you have the right to comment on her comment.

 

[Maggimus]

I think this thread as a whole is very negative. Regardless of how you feel... these are parents of kids. No one deserves to be bashed as much as this couple has been. Jon has two legs and can walk out on his own into the real world if he so desires. Kate is a grown woman and can act how she wants, and will eventually reep what she sows. We don't know the in's and out's of their lives... we watch a small episode one night a week about them. This is a very skewed look at a family. I think if people dislike Kate this much, and don't support the couple as a whole (and if you don't like the way Kate treats Jon, then you fall in this category)-- then why watch the show? Why breed the negativity. What are we teaching our kids? To be highly judgemental of others? Sure we all have our own opinions... but when it comes to the well being of a family as a whole- why not keep them to yourself. These comments will eventually (if they haven't already) effect those kids as well. Why not do your part and not contribute to the negativity. This is not only a TV show- but these are real people.

 

[pamouselover]

I have another question (sorry - I know I've had lots lately!) from watching the early on "special" (pre show). They had dinner with another family Kate said lived near them at a buffet (Kate mentioned the name and how they "loose" money on their family since there are so many kids that get to eat for free but I don't recall now). Who is the family?? It was a guy (I want to say his name is Jim but I'm not sure if that's right or not) and five kids (I want to say two boys/three girls) - quints. That was the only time I'd ever seen them on the show or heard of them. Jon mentioned (while packing the van for the trip to dinner) that he valued the guy as a friend because he could talk to him and the other guy being able to understand where Jon's coming from having so many kids.

I also agree with the other poster who asked when the "organic" really kicked in. Their cart at Sams had Eggos, Goldfish, Animal Crackers. I'm not saying you can't have these but it seems like Kate makes such a big deal about things being organic - it just didn't fit in. Their total at Sam's was like $1150. It looked like Kate was going to fall over! I know it's a lot but did they buy that much stuff because of the cameras (maybe the show paid for that visit???)? It seems like if that was what they "usually" bought she wouldn't have had quite the reaction (unless she just had the reaction for the camera).

ETA: Ok so I went home for lunch today and watched the J&K one year later (the first half anyways) where she went shopping with Mady and Cara at Giant. Her total was like $400 and I didn't see a coupon at all used???? Maybe they just didn't show it (I'll have to re-watch it later on tonight or another night to double check), but it looked like on the screen that her "savings" were like $2 and some change. I guess I'm just confused. I know they got "free" food (or another donation) from Giant so maybe that's why she didn't use the coupons????

The place was Shady Maple Smorgasbord. Yes, it was a family from church.
I dont know what Kate ate organic there....

 

[MegaDisney]

Maybe if you didn't hold them under a microscope and get on with your own life it wouldn't bother you so much. People make time for themselves. If he wants a video game so what. You haven't any right to comment or judge.

Actually, we do have a right to comment and judge. Did I miss the memo that said only positive comments are allowed about Jon and Kate? Hello- these people have completely opened up their lives and the lives of their children, for all the world to see. Do you not expect people to have their own judgments and opinions on this? Especially those that feel that this is completely unfair to the kids?

Everytime I hear someone comment "Well, if someone had a camera on me all day they would see some not-so-sweet moments in my house" I want to scream! Guess what- you DON'T have cameras in your face and the faces of your children all day. When you make the decision to do what the Gosselins did, which was open their lives to anyone who wanted to watch, supporter or non-supporter, then you accept the consequences of those actions. Your life is open for critique at any moment, but this is what they signed up for. The thing is, they could have stopped this madness months, if not years ago, but they chose not too. So now they have to lie in the bed they made, and we can all have our opinions on it- GOOD OR BAD!

 

[madge]

Anyone guess as to what the big red mark is on Jon's forehead in the preview clip? It certainly seems something is not right on the home front.

botox

 

[Maggimus]

Actually, we do have a right to comment and judge. Did I miss the memo that said only positive comments are allowed about Jon and Kate? Hello- these people have completely opened up their lives and the lives of their children, for all the world to see. Do you not expect people to have their own judgments and opinions on this? Especially those that feel that this is completely unfair to the kids?

Everytime I hear someone comment "Well, if someone had a camera on me all day they would see some not-so-sweet moments in my house" I want to scream! Guess what- you DON'T have cameras in your face and the faces of your children all day. When you make the decision to do what the Gosselins did, which was open their lives to anyone who wanted to watch, supporter or non-supporter, then you accept the consequences of those actions. Your life is open for critique at any moment, but this is what they signed up for. The thing is, they could have stopped this madness months, if not years ago, but they chose not too. So now they have to lie in the bed they made, and we can all have our opinions on it- GOOD OR BAD!

I don't think that poster meant that you didn't have the right to do that. It's a free country and we can all do what we please (with consequences of course). But sometimes doing something just because you can, doesn't make it right (or nice).

Not the best analogy- but...
A kid snatches a toy away from another kid, that kid then turns and hits the other (one might say that the other deserved it.. for doing such an act). Nothing is stopping them (they have the right, and its perfectly legal), but it doesn't make it right.

 

[madge]

I think this thread as a whole is very negative. Regardless of how you feel... these are parents of kids. No one deserves to be bashed as much as this couple has been. Jon has two legs and can walk out on his own into the real world if he so desires. Kate is a grown woman and can act how she wants, and will eventually reep what she sows. We don't know the in's and out's of their lives... we watch a small episode one night a week about them. This is a very skewed look at a family. I think if people dislike Kate this much, and don't support the couple as a whole (and if you don't like the way Kate treats Jon, then you fall in this category)-- then why watch the show? Why breed the negativity. What are we teaching our kids? To be highly judgemental of others? Sure we all have our own opinions... but when it comes to the well being of a family as a whole- why not keep them to yourself. These comments will eventually (if they haven't already) effect those kids as well. Why not do your part and not contribute to the negativity. This is not only a TV show- but these are real people.

Jon & Kate Gosselin chose to turn their life into a TV show. Maybe to them,the rewards from doing the show are greater than all of the negative criticism. As long as they choose to put themselves out there, people will comment. That's really what it boils down to, IMO.

I think, for the most part, this thread is pretty consistent. There are people on both sides of the debate here (Two of the more vocal JK8 supporters on this thread are at WDW this week. ) I don't see too many comments on this thread/board about the children, certainly nothing like what's been said on other sites.

 

[mom2boys77]

I really have to say I agree with you. I cannot understand why people bother to watch if all they are doing is looking for negative things to comment about. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Just not nice.

I think this thread as a whole is very negative. Regardless of how you feel... these are parents of kids. No one deserves to be bashed as much as this couple has been. Jon has two legs and can walk out on his own into the real world if he so desires. Kate is a grown woman and can act how she wants, and will eventually reep what she sows. We don't know the in's and out's of their lives... we watch a small episode one night a week about them. This is a very skewed look at a family. I think if people dislike Kate this much, and don't support the couple as a whole (and if you don't like the way Kate treats Jon, then you fall in this category)-- then why watch the show? Why breed the negativity. What are we teaching our kids? To be highly judgemental of others? Sure we all have our own opinions... but when it comes to the well being of a family as a whole- why not keep them to yourself. These comments will eventually (if they haven't already) effect those kids as well. Why not do your part and not contribute to the negativity. This is not only a TV show- but these are real people.

 

[mommytobug]

There is a story in People magazine about John and Kate that addresses the "issues" that are buzzing. I thought it was odd that they used old pics we have seen before. John said she stayed with his mom for a few nights when she broke her foot. He also said that Kate's career has taken off and he is struggling right now with things. It was kinda odd but it said they were working on things and committed to being together. They acknowledged the fact that they were struggling and it really sounded sincere and sad to me.

I saw a bit of the program the other day when she returned from her plastic surgery. She was so excited to see everyone including John. She kissed each baby and told them she never wanted to miss another week of their lives. It made me sad, everything has changed so much.

 

[MegaDisney]

I really have to say I agree with you. I cannot understand why people bother to watch if all they are doing is looking for negative things to comment about. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Just not nice.

For the record, I no longer really watch the show. If I flip by and it is on I will watch for a bit, but quite frankly the show bores me now so that is why I stopped watching. However, while there are some people that SPECIFICALLY watch the show to find negative things, I think for the most part the negative things are there no matter what and are fairly easy to find. For many people, the whole idea of the show anymore is such a turnoff, and some folks truly are concerned for the kids at this point.

As far as your comment, "Just because you can doesn't mean you should". Well, Jon and Kate CAN continue to put their lives and the lives of their kids on display, but it doesn't mean they SHOULD. And if they do, they're always going to have critics. And rightly so.

 

[newtodis]

I saw a bit of the program the other day when she returned from her plastic surgery. She was so excited to see everyone including John. She kissed each baby and told them she never wanted to miss another week of their lives. It made me sad, everything has changed so much.

Yes things certainly have changed.

As for the "negative" comments, I do feel that they knew that would be part of the deal when they signed up for this. Does it make it right for people to make negative comments?? No but I agree with madge - things are pretty calm here compared to some links to other sites I've seen! Me personally, I am just trying to figure out the situation - I know I probably never will, but you never know - maybe someday I just might get to sit down with J&K and ask them whatever I want with honest answers.... you just never know. I think I've said before, I'd have been one of those people knocking on their door offering to help with kids when they were little, or even now if I didn't already know they were not looking for help. I truly wish them the best of luck - they haven't made their life much easier in my opinion (yes they have more money, but that doesn't mean life's easier) with their choices so it's going to be an uphill battle for the rest of all of their lives.