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

[Crown_princess]

So people doubt that JK8 will not last long. I personally can't wait to see the kids keep growing. Especially the drama of the teenage years.
All those girls in a house!!

Even if they shut the show down from ages 8-13, the teenage drama would allow the show to pick right back up.

 

[barkley]

The Sprouse brothers (Suite life) are on GMA now, speaking to the fact that when they were younger, they had to split the time on screen ... because there are RULES about how long they can be working per week or whatever.

Someone should give Jon & Kate a copy of those rules.

currently children in 'reality' shows are exempt from child labor laws-including those that were put into place spec. to protect child performers. paul peterson's group (a minor consideration) and other groups that advocate for children are pushing for oversight in this area (and not just focusing on j&k-they name other shows).

there's been speculation that one of the reasons the gosselins are looking at moving to the state the production company that produces their show is located in is because even if there is success in putting reality show kids under the umbrella of existing laws-that particular state has very liberal laws that are designed to be production friendly such that they activly solicit filming projects with the enticement that they permit a minor working environment that is prohibited in most other states.

 

[madge]

currently children in 'reality' shows are exempt from child labor laws-including those that were put into place spec. to protect child performers. paul peterson's group (a minor consideration) and other groups that advocate for children are pushing for oversight in this area (and not just focusing on j&k-they name other shows).

there's been speculation that one of the reasons the gosselins are looking at moving to the state the production company that produces their show is located in is because even if there is success in putting reality show kids under the umbrella of existing laws-that particular state has very liberal laws that are designed to be production friendly such that they activly solicit filming projects with the enticement that they permit a minor working environment that is prohibited in most other states.

When it all comes down to it, that's what my bigger issue (these days ) is with the show. These kids aren't actors, didn't ask to be in TV ... and their parents made that choice for them. their life is the show. The show is their life. They're working hours/days each week (who knows how many? no one here, that's for sure) and their home is a soundstage. There's so much surrounding the filming of this show that we have no answers to, so there's no point in me listing them all ... because we can all have an opinion, but no one knows the facts.

But, I thought it was interesting that in the same segment are/were child actors... who are protected by law, and the Gosselins, who aren't.

 

[sha_lyn]

currently children in 'reality' shows are exempt from child labor laws-including those that were put into place spec. to protect child performers. paul peterson's group (a minor consideration) and other groups that advocate for children are pushing for oversight in this area (and not just focusing on j&k-they name other shows).

there's been speculation that one of the reasons the gosselins are looking at moving to the state the production company that produces their show is located in is because even if there is success in putting reality show kids under the umbrella of existing laws-that particular state has very liberal laws that are designed to be production friendly such that they activly solicit filming projects with the enticement that they permit a minor working environment that is prohibited in most other states.

I would love to see something officially stating this. From what I read back when this came up before, if child actor laws do not apply, then the regular child labor laws would. The regular child labor laws are usually more strict than the child actor laws.

As for The speculation about moving to NC, there are federal child actor laws that NC can not override. I don't know if I would say that the NC laws are designed to be production friendly. NC is not a "hot spot" for production. From what I could tell there aren't many places that do make child actor laws that are more strict than federal law. The ones that do are the areas that do a lot of film/TV production such as CA and NY

 

[whitneyNC]

I would love to see something officially stating this. From what I read back when this came up before, if child actor laws do not apply, then the regular child labor laws would. The regular child labor laws are usually more strict than the child actor laws.

As for The speculation about moving to NC, there are federal child actor laws that NC can not override. I don't know if I would say that the NC laws are designed to be production friendly. NC is not a "hot spot" for production. From what I could tell there aren't many places that do make child actor laws that are more strict than federal law. The ones that do are the areas that do a lot of film/TV production such as CA and NY

Children employed as actors are exempt from all Federal Child Labor Laws. Having laws in place to protect youth who act, model or perform is up to the individual state. I have never seen specifics for PA, but work with employing youth in NC daily. In NC, actors and entertainers are exempt from all state child labor laws except the one stating a worker's permit has to be obtained. The Gosselin children are probably not employed by anyone, because they "don't work." This show is a "documentary."

Long ago, NC was criticized for not having child labor laws for actors when Firestarter and Richie Rich were shot here. Recently the same has been said about Hounddog and The Secret Life of Bees.

NC in general is one of the top ten locations for film and television production, with Wilmington and Asheville being two of the fastest growing cities in the country for this industry. A big reason is that the NC Film Office offers LOTS of monetary compensation for shooting in the state for both actors and production companies. They include things like tax refunds, write offs, scouting compensation, production costs being subsidized, etc. Ecomomic incentives have worked brilliantly for the film industry in NC.

I have no idea why the Gosselins are moving to NC if they are. With their film company being located in central NC, it would seem logical ecomomically

 

[Camster0307]

Here's a link in case anyone missed it this morning:

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/story?id=6042238&page=1

I thought the kids were very well-behaved! See - they can sit nice and quiet! Cara did look miserable though.

And I have to disagree with you, madge. Kate didn't seem very different to me at all. I thought she came across pretty personable.

 

[KAMLEM]

and for some reason when Leah hollers out of the van "Daddy, don't forget our bookbags" I don't know why, but I just think that's adorable.

I thought that was really cute, too. I think it's because she speaks so clearly for such a little girl.

 

[ChrisAlli]

Robin Roberts mentioned Beth Carson as a co-author. Kate just sort of said, mm hmm to that. No mention of Jon having a byline, either. I know that it won't be asked, but I wish someone would about Beth. And I wish Kate would just honestly say, she's not in our life anymore and leave it at that. SOMETHING.

Why isn't she in their life anymore?? Is she the friend that had the big house on the hill with the pool?

 

[Muffy]

Here's a link in case anyone missed it this morning:

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/story?id=6042238&page=1

I thought the kids were very well-behaved! See - they can sit nice and quiet! Cara did look miserable though.

And I have to disagree with you, madge. Kate didn't seem very different to me at all. I thought she came across pretty personable.

Thanks for the link! I missed it this morning with the morning rush!

Those kids are so cute AND well behaved. I agree that Kate came across as very personable and so did Jon. I think they are a great family and I hope their book does really well.

Muffy

 

[barkley]

Children employed as actors are exempt from all Federal Child Labor Laws. Having them apply to youth who act, or not, is up to the state. I have never seen specifics for PA, but work with employing youth in NC daily. In NC, actors and entertainers are exempt from all state child labor laws. The Gosselin children are probably not employed by anyone, because they "don't work." This show is a "documentary."

Long ago, NC was criticized for not having child labor laws for actors when Firestarter and Richie Rich were shot here. Recently the same has been said about Hounddog and The Secret Life of Bees.

NC in general is one of the top ten locations for film and television production, with Wilmington and Asheville being two of the fastest growing cities in the country for this industry. A big reason is that the NC Film Office offers LOTS of monetary compensation for shooting in the state for both actors and production companies. They include things like tax refunds, write offs, scouting compensation, production costs being subsidized, etc. Ecomomic incentives have worked brilliantly for the film industry in NC.

I have no idea why the Gosselins are moving to NC if they are. With their film company being located in central NC, it would seem logical ecomomically

well said

 

[barkley]

i just wonder how they manage to get the twins out of school for all the travel associated with the show,and now the interviews (as well as those personal appearances that the twins are included in). i presume that they are'nt always doing red eye flights so unless they leave and do all night driving sessions that would entail what? at least a couple days off school? i can see a preschool being flexible (though my kiddos was'nt because one of their goals was providing consistency in attendance so the kids would be ready when 'real school' started up) but even private schools as i assume the twins attend must have attendance criteria (again, only my personal experience, but the ones my kids have attended were much more adherant to these than the public schools).

i guess they could use the excuse that it's somehow educational and beneficial for the kids to be out of school for this stuff, but realy how educational can it be to get trotted out on yet another television set where you sit and maybe say one or two words while your parents are being interviewed? (sorry but to me it looks like the kids are being used as nothing more than set pieces ).

 

[lucas]

Here's a link in case anyone missed it this morning:

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/story?id=6042238&page=1

I thought the kids were very well-behaved! See - they can sit nice and quiet! Cara did look miserable though.

And I have to disagree with you, madge. Kate didn't seem very different to me at all. I thought she came across pretty personable.

Thanks for the link.

 

[MichelleVW]

i just wonder how they manage to get the twins out of school for all the travel associated with the show,and now the interviews (as well as those personal appearances that the twins are included in). i presume that they are'nt always doing red eye flights so unless they leave and do all night driving sessions that would entail what? at least a couple days off school? i can see a preschool being flexible (though my kiddos was'nt because one of their goals was providing consistency in attendance so the kids would be ready when 'real school' started up) but even private schools as i assume the twins attend must have attendance criteria (again, only my personal experience, but the ones my kids have attended were much more adherant to these than the public schools).

i guess they could use the excuse that it's somehow educational and beneficial for the kids to be out of school for this stuff, but realy how educational can it be to get trotted out on yet another television set where you sit and maybe say one or two words while your parents are being interviewed? (sorry but to me it looks like the kids are being used as nothing more than set pieces ).

I was wondering about school too, but maybe the twins are on a fall break?

 

[Mom2Nick]

I was wondering about school too, but maybe the twins are on a fall break?

I am in NJ not PA - but school in the NE has only been in session for 6 weeks at this point. Never heard of any school in this area that offered a "fall break".

 

[madge]

And I have to disagree with you, madge. Kate didn't seem very different to me at all. I thought she came across pretty personable.

that's part of what I love on this board. we all see the same thing differently. LOL. I watched again, and will agree that she seemed pleasant enough. I hadn't mentioned Jon earlier today, but I do think he was very personable and thought it was great that they had him on the floor with the kids while Kate was talking about her meatloaf.

I just think she seems more charismatic on the show, specifically when they're filming at home.

 

[madge]

I am in NJ not PA - but school in the NE has only been in session for 6 weeks at this point. Never heard of any school in this area that offered a "fall break".

I know someone that used to live in PA, and in her area, they got out for the first day of hunting season... I don't think it's time for that.

The Gosselins were in NYC at least part of the day yesterday, they went to see Mary Poppins on Broadway.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

I don't know where they live in PA, but I had a friend who could head to NYC for a day trip when he had the time. It was a bit of a drive, but nothing that entailed he be away for several days at a time. I know GMA is in NYC. Is Regis?

We have all kinds of ridiculous days off the first few months of school. I'd guess they're on some kind of vacation. Our district also allows a certain number of unexcused absences (this includes vacation, unconfirmed illness, etc.), so maybe they're just using those.

 

[MichelleVW]

I don't know where they live in PA, but I had a friend who could head to NYC for a day trip when he had the time. It was a bit of a drive, but nothing that entailed he be away for several days at a time. I know GMA is in NYC. Is Regis?

We have all kinds of ridiculous days off the first few months of school. I'd guess they're on some kind of vacation. Our district also allows a certain number of unexcused absences (this includes vacation, unconfirmed illness, etc.), so maybe they're just using those.

I'm sure they know in advance the school days off and could plan around it easily.

 

[Kitzka]

I am in NJ not PA - but school in the NE has only been in session for 6 weeks at this point. Never heard of any school in this area that offered a "fall break".

I am in Northern NJ. My daughter was out of school for 2 days each of the past few weeks in observance of the Jewish holidays and another firend was out of school (another town) on 10/10-1/14 for columbus day. I would consider the extra few days a 'fall break'. it's just not called that.

And all these kids went back to school just after labor day

lara

 

[madge]

I don't know where they live in PA, but I had a friend who could head to NYC for a day trip when he had the time. It was a bit of a drive, but nothing that entailed he be away for several days at a time. I know GMA is in NYC. Is Regis?

Regis is in NYC.

The Gosselins live near (or in) Elizabethtown, PA. I know this because I live in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. How ironic is that?!

Anyway, E'town, PA is 3 hours from Times Square.