Jon and Kate Plus 8, Official Thread-Part 3

[brockash]

I'm pages behind, so if this link from TLC has already been shared .. I apologize

http://tlc.discovery.com/videos/jon-kate-plus-8-season-premiere-sneak-peek.html

Thanks for sharing. I'm guessing everyone picked up on J&K not being in the interview chair together. The way they showed it so much though, seems to be pretty intentional.

 

[DMRick]

.. but Jon and Kate have said a lot of things that aren't true.

What have they said, that we know for sure was not true (not speculation)? Seriously, I want to know. I'm sure once you tell me I"ll remember, but I really don't remember right now.

I just had a thought. I wonder if Jon is the one who will end up making the most money on a tell all book LOL.

 

[DMRick]

Thanks for sharing. I'm guessing everyone picked up on J&K not being in the interview chair together. The way they showed it so much though, seems to be pretty intentional.

I bet it was to get us to watch it. Last night they showed snippets of the show and they were both in the chair together. Although I wouldn't say they looked cuddly. I did catch Jon saying he loved his kids and his family. I was waiting for the 'and Kate', but he didn't say it.
Do I read more into him saying they have been talking about doing what is best for the kids?

 

[Tikitoi]

Never understood why one should be paid to parent.

 

[DMRick]

OMG, no comparison. Smith and Yates were sick people. While you say no comparison, that makes my stomach turn.

I don't say at least they love them. I say to me it's obvious they love them.

Is that enough? Don't you think notoriously horrific parents like Susan Smith and Andrea Yates loved their kids? NOT comparing Kate and Jon to them; but saying "at least they love their kids" is pointless.

 

[MichelleVW]

Never understood why one should be paid to parent.

Well....they are on tv....

 

[DMRick]

Never understood why one should be paid to parent.

I never understood it either. Why the heck do the people with kids get so much back on their income taxes (as well as write offs)? I want to get all that back too LOL. Hey, they chose to have them. Let them pay for them.

Just playing with you

 

[Tikitoi]

Well....they are on tv....

...Oh yeah...showing us how they live....WOW!

 

[bbsak]

Without expressions online it's hard to see what any of us are saying without misunderstandings.......
I just took it as I assume she meant it. A mom happy to be home for awhile from selling the book, and pleased to do something fun with her whole crew. A little nervous because she hadn't been out by herself in public (yes, I know she had camera people, and a bodyguard but how much can they protect her from the lenses?), but wanting to do this fun thing with her kids.

We do agree about expressions online it's hard to see what any of us are saying without misunderstandings.

When I saw the photos of Kate out shopping with the group on Saturday I thought of a few things. 1. These errands are the type of things her assistant usually does - why is she doing this? 2. Then I answered my question. She was on this outing for a couple of reasons; those being that it was scripted/planned to put in the Birthday episode on Monday and also so that she could be photographed by the papparazzi with her kids (because of the criticism she's recently received for not being with her kids) and not be shielded from the lenses she says she abhors. Actually, she needs them around taking pics of her in positive family situations. It worked. She got the positive press on Saturday - she was on every entertainment/gossip blog the second they hit the first web site.

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

When Beth and Jody were on the show they said that Beth and Jody acted kind of like protectors for the kids during filming - ie, let's take a break for lunch and film in the afternoon or the kids need a nap, or the kids need a break from working all morning. I believe this came directly from Jody when she spoke out on her sister's blog. She also mentioned that she wanted to stay on the show for that reason - to be somewhat of an advocate for the kids.

I think Kevin and Jody probably did one long interview (as others have also said) and radaronline decided to air it in chunks and now, after listening to the latest one it makes me think that they may also be repeating snippets from others that have already aired. Does anyone else get that feeling from the cuts and pauses and edits that they're inserting repeats? Maybe I've heard so much of this garbage I can't remember what I've heard or where!

Anyway, I may not agree with Kevin and Jody's method, but I think they did what they felt would get their concerns the attention they felt was needed. They both said they've discussed with J&K the things they said in their videos and I think they felt they'd tried all they knew to do and this was a last resort; hoping someone who could be advocates for the kids would take notice and help. I don't know why they felt it was necessary to bring marriage contracts, cheating, fighting, the show not being reality, etc into the conversation, but they did and they can't take it back. Perhaps they hoped people might see them as more credible in the end because they told the truth -- no one knows other than Kevin and Jody, J&K and production people and the innocent kids.

For a year people criticized Jody because she wouldn't speak out more about what happened with her and Beth. Now, K&Jody have spoken out and they're still criticized. In this situation, I don't think there are any winners and there are as many different opinions as there are different rumors.

As much as I'd like to believe J&K are in a committed, loving, Christian relationship and the kids haven't been affected negatively by the show or their parent's choices I don't think that's the case. I hope someone, somewhere can get J&K's attention and turn it towards strengthing their relationship (if that's what they want) and to raising happy, well adjusted, and healthy children. Since it appears the show is going to continue I'd like to see more 'real' Gosselin life rather than hiding people and things and activities from viewers. I wish TLC would make this a 'true' reality program showing their REAL lives - the changes that have taken place and how their lifes really are. Now, that interests me. I'm not interested in watching a planned show.

Yes, I think we all understand now that Jodi and kevin only ever wanted to be advocates for the children - as long as they got paid for it.

So when did they talk to Jon and Kate exactly? They did say they hadn't spoken to them in a year? So what they spoke to them about their fears - did they also mention they were planning on selling them and their children out to the gutter press?

Jodi seemd perfectly able to get her side of the story out through her sisters blog. And rumours are all that are flying around just now - at the moment people seem to find it preferable to believe the nastier ones.

I just think it is terrible that adults can't work out their family issues without resolving to petty sniping in the media.

 

[Kycha]

------------------------------------------

I haven't seen these parents on the front of tabloid magazines; haven't seen them publicly discuss their marital situations; and the majority of the children on the other shows you have mentioned are old enough to speak for themsleves.. Not so with the 8 Gosselin children - although it won't be long until Mady & Cara can (if their parents choose to listen to them)..

I'm not thrilled with any of the shows that use their children as an avenue to fame and fortune - but as of yet, their lives haven't taken the same turn as the Gosselins - if in fact that "is" their reason for having a show.. When and if it takes the same turn, yes - I would do the same thing..

My stand may not be popular with some, but that's the great thing about living in America.. I can choose to voice my opinion about "Jon & Kate Plus 8", just as the next person can choose to voice their opinion about a show with too much sexual content; too much graphic violence; or whatever..

Actually, you are wrong about the other 2 shows I mentioned. Table for 12, all 10 children are minors, all under the age of 13. And 18 Kids and Counting, 14 of the 18 kids are under the age of 18. But, you can do whatever you think is right. Honestly, I don't think it will make a difference. But, that doesn't matter. I'm not sure why you think now is the time to start boycotting sponsors. Because J&K are having marital problems? J&K's lives didn't "take a turn" as you say. They have been struggling with marital and familial problems for a while now. The difference is now the papparazzi and tabloids have learned they can make money by hyping things out of control.

I guess my whole problem with people getting up in arms about J&K+8 and saying they are trying to protect the children. They don't seem to be making the same criticisms or having the same heated conversations about the other shows that feature children. If J&K are doing a disservice to their children by having them on a reality show thus having their dirty laundry aired all over the world. The same thing is happening to these other families and shows. Or it will soon enough.

Oh boo hoo! Poor Kate would have to handle her children ALL BY HERSELF! Like John doesn't do it all the time while she's traveling all over.

How do you know that Jon isn't using a babysitter as well? Again, Jon is portrayed as a saint while Kate is evil incarnate.

I'm sorry, but that was simply too much bs for me to stomach!
As others have stated, it's all about Kate, Kate, Kate and how difficult her life is. Poor, poor Kate. Having to fight off the papps, yet forgetting to mention she had 2 bodyguards with her as well as 2-4 crew members who help her anyway. I want to see 'real'. If they're going to tell us their sob story of how their lives have changed because of the show on Mon, then I want to see their real lives. The nannies, the cooks, the bodyguards, etc, etc.

If Kate or anyone else associated with show is going to continue to give the fans the 1/2 truths and fairytale stories like she wrote in the blog they may as well close up shop now. IMO she did more harm than good by wasting her time writing that mess. If she can't tell the whole truth about a situation it's better to not say anything at all. Don't mention Jon, it wasn't necessary. No need to tell us you only got 3 hrs sleep, we don't care. I'm sorry, but I wish she hadn't even written that bunch of garbage. Ugh.

Honestly, when is enough enough. They have said numerous times that they have help, especially nannies. Are they supposed to have a little clip before each show with the breakdown of who did what...

"In the production of the show, the following services were utilized...

2 Nannies 24 hours
1 Cook 20 hours
2 Bodyguards 48 hours"

Would that satisfy people??? I doubt it. It would just give more fuel to the fire. Over and over again J&K have tried to address criticism from critics and questions from fans. And it just makes things worse.

 

[turkeymama]

There are aLOT of american kids who need sympathy..who have no loving parents..who live in poverty....but everyones "heart is breaking" for the gosselins??

I'll confess up front that I'm not a super-obsessed fan of the show, nor am I a Kate-hater. I just don't have really strong feelings about it either way. I like watching the show sometimes.

But your last statement sums up my confusion with everyone's strong opinions on how awful the Gosselins are. There are so many kids who are going through situations like this everyday. And yes, some of them are children of celebrities. Good golly, Alec Baldwin called his daughter terrible names on a voice message that the media got hold of. That was awful. David Hasselhoff went on drunken binges in front of his kids. That was pretty painful to see on the news.

Bleeding hearts unite and lets save them all.

I know....I'm ready to get flamed by all the J&K haters. Flame away. I just don't get all the strong opinions on this. If you really want to save children from incompetent parents, go to your closest elementary school. I'm sure there are plenty of poor, pitiful kids there. The only difference is, their parents aren't getting paid to live their lives on t.v. Big deal. I didn't know that made them better people by default.

(Please don't flame too much. I've only recently found the Disboards and I really like it here. )

 

[1stluvispooh]

Oh boo hoo! Poor Kate would have to handle her children ALL BY HERSELF! Like John doesn't do it all the time while she's traveling all over. And I'm sure she expects that her babysitter should be able to do it by herself, but not Poor Kate. This woman is unbelievable. We have no money, but let's get pregnant with 8 kids, then expect the world to pay for everything because they owe me because I carried all these babies, but please, don't expect me to actually raise them or be able to handle them all. Again, sounds all very familiar -- very OctoMom-ish. I was once a big fan of this show and J&K, and thought the Duggars were crazy. Boy, was I wrong.

I totally agree with you Poor little Kate had to take all the kids with her! She has said before. "I had no help" when there was a babysitter or Jon around. I thought lady if you really want to see what no help looks like you need to come to my house!

 

[mousetravel]

Is that enough? Don't you think notoriously horrific parents like Susan Smith and Andrea Yates loved their kids? NOT comparing Kate and Jon to them; but saying "at least they love their kids" is pointless.

Speaking of Susan Smith, me & a friend were talking about that the other day. Here is the SC inmate search that is available to the public. She looks very different now. https://sword.doc.state.sc.us/incarceratedInmateSearch/index.jsp

***edited to add: you have to type in her name***

Back to J&K, I thought on their sneak peak, when giving their interviews, they seemed forced and miserable. They had many of those type interviews last season. For me, if I wanted to keep my fans & viewers, I'd step it up a little in the interviews.

 

[Kycha]

I'll confess up front that I'm not a super-obsessed fan of the show, nor am I a Kate-hater. I just don't have really strong feelings about it either way. I like watching the show sometimes.

But your last statement sums up my confusion with everyone's strong opinions on how awful the Gosselins are. There are so many kids who are going through situations like this everyday. And yes, some of them are children of celebrities. Good golly, Alec Baldwin called his daughter terrible names on a voice message that the media got hold of. That was awful. David Hasselhoff went on drunken binges in front of his kids. That was pretty painful to see on the news.

Bleeding hearts unite and lets save them all.

I know....I'm ready to get flamed by all the J&K haters. Flame away. I just don't get all the strong opinions on this. If you really want to save children from incompetent parents, go to your closest elementary school. I'm sure there are plenty of poor, pitiful kids there. The only difference is, their parents aren't getting paid to live their lives on t.v. Big deal. I didn't know that made them better people by default.

(Please don't flame too much. I've only recently found the Disboards and I really like it here. )

Welcome to the Dis!

You won't get any flames from me. I totally agree.

 

[Family Fun Mom]

Did she have 6 of the same age? Because there is a HUGE difference between having 7 children and having 8 children with 6 of them being the same age.

They aren't infants anymore. They can walk, talk, feed themselves, wipe their own bottoms, and follow rules. That excuse no longer flies. At this age, she should be able to take her kids to the store without a crew of helpers.

 

[MichelleVW]

They aren't infants anymore. They can walk, talk, feed themselves, wipe their own bottoms, and follow rules. That excuse no longer flies. At this age, she should be able to take her kids to the store without a crew of helpers.

Yep....but my comment was to the PP who was talking about how great her Aunt was because she had 7 children....not this outing in particular.

I personally wouldn't want to be in charge of 6 kids who just turned 5.

 

[mousetravel]

Just to lighten the mood up a little, here's a funny youtube parody of J&K.
Jon & Kate take a break from all the drama to enjoy a day at the beach.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZrNJHTWVyA

 

[C.Ann]

Actually, you are wrong about the other 2 shows I mentioned. Table for 12, all 10 children are minors, all under the age of 13. And 18 Kids and Counting, 14 of the 18 kids are under the age of 18. But, you can do whatever you think is right. Honestly, I don't think it will make a difference. But, that doesn't matter. I'm not sure why you think now is the time to start boycotting sponsors. Because J&K are having marital problems? J&K's lives didn't "take a turn" as you say. They have been struggling with marital and familial problems for a while now. The difference is now the papparazzi and tabloids have learned they can make money by hyping things out of control.

I guess my whole problem with people getting up in arms about J&K+8 and saying they are trying to protect the children. They don't seem to be making the same criticisms or having the same heated conversations about the other shows that feature children. If J&K are doing a disservice to their children by having them on a reality show thus having their dirty laundry aired all over the world. The same thing is happening to these other families and shows. Or it will soon enough. [Quote/]
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All of the children on the other shows you mentioned - except for the very youngest ones (Mady & Cara's age and younger) are old enough to say, "I don't want to do this anymore.. Get that camera out of my face.. I don't want to be filmed lying on the laundry room floor because I'm vomiting.. I don't want anyone filming my 'poop' for all the world to see.. I don't want to see my parents faces all over tabloid magazines.." And that's where the difference is..

Just as I am free to contact sponsors about my concerns, anyone here also has the same option of contacting them to say they love the show and want to see it continue.. What they choose to do with their options is up to them..

And just for the record (not aimed at you), for the length of time I have been following this thread (which I will freely admit has not been from the very beginning), I have never seen anyone post that Jon and Kate don't love their kids - nor have I ever said that.. However, "loving" your kids and acting in their best interests don't always go hand in hand.. You can see that right here on the DIS.. Everyone "loves" their kids, but sometimes they have errors in judgement - even though their "intentions" are good.. Fortunately for those of us on the DIS they aren't played out on on t.v. every week and splashed across magazines, newspapers, and rag sheets all over the world..

I have stated over and over that I wish that Jon & Kate could work out their differences - that I have no doubt that they love their kids.. And I wish they would pull the plug on the show so they could devote all of their energies to working on their issues in private (while at the same time allowing their children the privacy they need and deserve now - as well as while they grow older and become more and more aware of this "circus/scandal" that is swirling all around them)..

If that makes me a bad person in others eyes, so be it.. "Others" aren't my concern.. I'm concerned about the Gosselin children - which has prompted me to make certain choices - just like Jon & Kate have made certain choices.. I'm not asking for anyone else to agree with me - and/or to follow my lead.. I don't really care what others choose to do - that's up to them..

I'll do "my thing" and everyone else can do theirs..

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Geez, this thread has been hopping along today! Ok, let's mix things up a little...

So for those reading along who think the Gosselin kids are just fine and being properly cared for, would you put your life and kids on TV for money? I don't care how many kids you have, be it 1 or 20. I'm really interested to see what you all think!

For the record, I would never put my family and 3 kids on TV for money. I think it's unhealthy and will affect them negatively. There, I said it!