Jon and Kate Plus 8, Official Thread-Part 4

[DMRick]

IF they were really doing that show for the future financial security of their children, they would have split the money into tenths; Jon and Kate would take 1/5 of it for the household income (house, cars, gas, food, etc, if they pay for any of those things) and a remaining money should have been split 8 ways with each of the kids getting an amount set aside in a trust fund. :

We have no idea if they did or didn't do, just what you laid out. The kids may have huge trust funds.

 

[madge]

but they will be farces.

like the "Mother's Day" brunch at the end of the show? I just read where they claimed to have gone out to lunch on Mother's Day and how rainy the weather was .. well. it wasn't. that was the weekend of the kids b'day and when Kate went tanning.
http://justjared.buzznet.com/2009/05/11/kate-gosselin-mothers-day/

 

[Starbrite]

Kate is not your typical single Mom. She doesn't go to a 9-5 job, struggle to pay daycare, come home exhausted to no help, do it all alone, but still enjoy her children. I think it will be a slap in the face to single Moms out there that are struggling to hear of her "struggles" with cooks, house cleaners, drivers, bodyguards, nannies, etc., etc.

As a single mom....If they continue shooting, I'll watch. Her financial & household struggles may be different than mine, but she is still "alone". She has no significant other to share special moments with. Believe me, I'd rather spend them alone than with my Ex-H but it's still sad. She will have many of the same emotional struggles that I had.

 

[DMRick]

Kate is not your typical single Mom. She doesn't go to a 9-5 job, struggle to pay daycare, come home exhausted to no help, do it all alone, but still enjoy her children. I think it will be a slap in the face to single Moms out there that are struggling to hear of her "struggles" with cooks, house cleaners, drivers, bodyguards, nannies, etc., etc.

Regardless, she would be a single mom.

I assume she will have other struggles, just like single moms. Not neccesarily poor single mom's, but I assume there is a lot more to spending an evening by yourself, and not having dad to share the days triumph's with as well as the problems with the kids.
I have friends that are single mom's with wonderful, executive jobs. but they are still single mom's with struggles.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

like the "Mother's Day" brunch at the end of the show? I just read where they claimed to have gone out to lunch on Mother's Day and how rainy the weather was .. well. it wasn't. that was the weekend of the kids b'day and when Kate went tanning.
http://justjared.buzznet.com/2009/05/11/kate-gosselin-mothers-day/

I didnt' hear them say it was a Mother's Day brunch. Jon did say they were going to a fancy dress up brunch but I don't recall it being Mother's Day?

 

[Magical JenK]

I didn't read all of this thread (yet LOL), but here's my stand on this whole thing...

If you have to announce that you have a "special announcement" that's just a ratings ploy. They could have, announced the divorce separately & perhaps did their interviews on it on the show, but to have TLC advertise that a special announcement is coming? That's sick. It's a divorce not a new motorcycle. It's a major, should be personal, situation & they've (either TLC or J&K) have pimped them out for the whole world to see.

Money/the show totally changed them both, period. Sure it allowed Jon to stay home w/his kids & that's great, but their marriage suffered. I just find it sad that in one People magazine interview she said that she'd do the show because she needed to for the public/fans. Ah no...you NEED to do what's best for your family, not your pocket book & I think that has long since been forgotten.

 

[DMRick]

I can see I'm alone in this, but I would rather live in a little cramped apartment and know that my kids are being taken care of emotionally than live in a mansion that is all a lie.
.

I understand what you are saying. My question is, what if the fine is more than they have? What if they are staying in this, because they don't have the money to buy out of it? You talk about a cramped little apartment. I'm talking about having zero. I would love to know what the buy out figure is..and then I would be happy to judge her, based on knowing that figure. Some of these contracts have very high buy outs. The point is, to make sure the person in the contract doesn't leave the show.

I do think if they want out, then TLC should let them out, but I haven't heard them annouce they will.

 

[madge]

I didnt' hear them say it was a Mother's Day brunch. Jon did say they were going to a fancy dress up brunch but I don't recall it being Mother's Day?

only going by what I read... hopefully someone else who watched will know .. LOL

 

[blissventure]

It doesn't matter "who" was the "most" wrong - or who was the "most" right..

There's is absolutely no reason (other than money) for them to air their dirty laundry and announce their pending divorce on tv - knowing full well what kind of impact this will have on their children - both now and in the future.. It was totally disgusting and irresponsible on both of their parts..

Or maybe this is a new "trend".. Video tape the discussion and announcement of your divorce, have it televised, and save that "happy childhood memory" on DVD for your children to enjoy over and over and over again..

Yeah.. That's it..

This is exactly the reason I was enjoying the college world series tonight. (Go LSU Tigers!!!) I was not going to watch any more of the train wreck. Both Kate and Jon have responsibility for what has finally come to pass. So sad that the decision was to hop right to divorce, rather than take a year or more and work hard at family therapy. I hope someone clues them both in that they are going to be working closely together for probably the next 20+ years. They still need to work out their "issues".
Those poor kids.
I can only hope someone at TLC has a heart for the 8 children and pulls the plug on the cameras. Those children don't owe us their pain. We have no need to see one minute of what they will be going through.

 

[Magical JenK]

only going by what I read... hopefully someone else who watched will know .. LOL

Kate mentions it when the kids are getting ready at the door. She says it was Mother's Day & then goes into how she'll always spend every holiday with the kids....or something along those lines.

 

[Buckalew11]

I'm with you. I think, like Kate said, this would have happened with or without the show. She mentioned several reasons why they have been doing the show, not just to have a tape of their lives. I think this has been going on for a very long time, but I still think she would have liked to have tried to work it out. He won't talk to her. He sees the brass ring and a chance to get out from under 8 kids, and he's gone. Although I'm betting he'll still enjoy the money.

I just can't get past how excited Jon was..he almost forgot to add that it's about the kids, after he said he had to do what was good for him.

I caught that also.

No I'm not kidding. Are you? I agree it was the most telling thing he said and I stand by my comment that he is a selfish man. How can he say that about this whole mess on camera?? Jon isn't innocent in this at all. But it's ok because he's excited about the new chapter in his life. Sounds like a responsible father of 8 to me. Imagine the kids watching that years from now...they get to hear their own father say that he's excited during the show where they announced their seperation. Very insensitive IMO. I guess his new identity is great then...cheating on his wife with a 23 year old girl who made a sex tape with her ex-boyfriend, who's brother has a horrible criminal record, spending time with this same girl in Utah on his wife's b-day and now Jon's dressing like a frat guy, pierced his ears, looking for apartments in NYC and so on. He is exhibiting the behavior of someone who wants to make up for lost time and sow his wild oats. That's my opinion anyway...

My exact feelings.

So is anyone feeling peaceful?

Tell me they didn't say anything resembling that 'everything they do is for the kids '. What child want to see their parents divorce on TV?

So am I understanding correctly that Kate must continue the show, but Jon can stop if he wants?

No, Jon didn't say anything about stopping. I tivoed it though and will see if I hear anything different when I watch it again.

I'm a stay at home Mom so I guess that means I can go have an affair and party it up at the bars so as to regain my identity? I would never do that. Jon's a big boy, he can man up and tell Kate no if he wants to. He quit his job to do the show. Plain and simple. Then when their speaking engagements came, he decided he didn't like doing that so he opted to stay home with the kids. Then he complained that he was always home with the kids. Now he's excited about this new chapter in his life. Yet he's still doing the show isn't he. Why is everyone pinning this whole thing on Kate? They are both responsible for their decisions.

Again. (Except he got fired, right?)

I found the episode tremendously sad. He just seemed totally disjointed and disconnected to the point of being inarticulate, and she seemed (to me) authentically sad and shaken up, though part of that is definitely because she feels that she "failed."

Dana I thought that too. I think when I wanted out of my marriage so badly (during the first 3 years), I think one of the reasons I didn't leave was because I cannot allow myself to fail. If DH had wanted out and I could not control the situation, I would have been crushed--esp. being "forced" to fail. I feel sure Kate really hates failing at this--becoming a statistic as she said.

I do believe they wore bibs at the restaurant. I don't why they were at a restaurant or what they were doing but that's what I read!

If Kate filed then I'm stumped. It seems that would be a move against TLC since separation was the theme of the episode until the end statement. Why would she do something to surprise TLC...? unless she and TLC planned that. It will be interesting what comes out.

Mother's Day Brunch. Interesting, huh? And if it really was MOther's Day, it was their b-day also.

I think she felt the need to file. I am not surprised. Jon will not discuss this with her, he's most likely cheating on her, he's apartment shopping in NYC...I think she had plenty of reasons to go ahead and file. She may have more that we aren't even privy to.

From the article about Kate filing for divorce.

==================================================
"Over the course of this weekend, Jon's activities have left me no choice but to file legal procedures in order to protect myself and our children," Kate said in a statement Monday night. "While there are reasons why it was appropriate and necessary for me to initiate this proceeding, I do not wish to discuss those reasons at this time, in the hope that all issues will be resolved amicably between Jon and myself. As always, my first priority remains our children."
===================================================

Bolded by me. I wonder what that means? I'm honestly surprised Kate filed, I can't help but wonder what "activities" she means. Is there any advantage to be the one to actually file for the divorce? Does who files matter at all for anything?

I didn't like how Jon said he let Kate rule the roost, but now he is standing up on his own two feet and is proud of himself. If he passively let her rule roost for 8 or 9 years, how is she supposed to know that all of sudden he doesn't want that? Doesn't sound like he talked to her about it, sounds like he just decided to be a jerk one day. Yes, I know Kate was controlling, ect, ect, but it didn't seem like Jon wanted to step up either. He said himself that he let her rule the roost, maybe because he didn't want to. They have 8 kids, someone had to be "run" things. I'm sorry I don't believe Jon tried at all, if you decide to change the dynamic almost 10 years into marriage you have to talk to the other person and let them know that.

He said he was excited about this new chapter of his life. He went on to say he's only 32. What irked me was that he was smirking part of the interview, even my DH saw it said what a loser. DH then said why does Jon look like he's smiling when he's talking about divorcing his wife.

My DH was a bit ticked becausae I was going to watch and give them the time of day. He thought Jon was a loser also and not much of a dad to move so far away if that is indeed the case. He had a few choice words for Jon tonight.

I've been married 24 years and when I talk about my kids they are always referred to as "my girls", it is "my house", "my car", and I even say 'my bedroom" Never saw anything wrong with that and neither does my husband.

Me too. We're building and I refer to it as "my house". I'm painting "my bedroom" the same as it is now because I love it. Luckily, DH doesn't think I'm a shrew for saying that.



Because bashing Kate is so much fun I guess. It takes 2 people to make a marriage. Jon is excited about getting a divorce? I think he needs to grow up. I also think when Kate made the comment about how she didn't think Jon thought through the ramifications of his decision that she was totally right. I think (and this is JMO) that he is thinking about freedom and how much fun he will have. After all, he will be able to keep all his toys (which he admits to liking) and get to be with his kids when he can schedule it.




I found it sad too. It was hard watching the clips of the kids when they were young. I was a little teary eyed watching tonight. I also think that Kate was upset, in part beause she failed and also just due to the end of her marriage. No one gets married thinking they will divorce. I just felt watching him that he was just resigned to it and that he is relieved it's over and out in the open....now he ccan move on to his exciting new life.

I just totally agreed with your whole post.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I could be absolutely wrong, but I really felt Kate was being honest about how she felt. I remember when my sister and BIL were having problems (they seperated for awhile, but were able to work things out) she said the exact same thing as Kate. "I don't want to do it alone." I really think she would have tried to work things out.

I still find the wording of of Kate's statement today to be odd. Jon's "activities", makes it sound like he had a wild party at the house with the kids there. I know that isn't it, but activities sounds like he was doing something. Maybe drinking all night after the kids were in bed? Having DeAnna over to the house?

 

[brockash]

With 60% of Americans divorced and a large population of single moms? Sure. I think you might see different placements, but they will still be there. The focus may be different, and you may see things like 'The Maids' for Kate, and Dial a Date for Jon, but they will still be there. As well, I think you will see things meant to brighten the kids lives, such as parks and resorts.

If Jon and Kate have been arguing for a long time, this time out may be better for the kids. There are a lot of divorced parents on the Dis, and I've yet to hear one of them say, I wish I had stayed with my husband (or wife) and just duked it out..it's so much better for the kids.[/QUOTE]

I agree. I'm not divorced, but I'm the child of divorce. I was the tups age when my parents got divorced, and honestly I've always said I would have never wanted them married and all of us under one roof. I mean, of course it affected me as a person (I happen to think in both positive and negative ways) and yes there were times that I really missed the parent I didn't see as often and it was hard and a little akward going back and fourth, but really great things also came out of it. I have such a close relationship with my sisters, that I really don't think I would have had if my parents hadn't been divorced. We were eachother's constants, and I truly cherish the relationship we had and still have because of it. None of my friends seem to have nearly the bond with their siblings, as I do with mine. I don't know, I've just never been one to think that divorce always equals disaster for the kids involved or that it's always better to stay married (and I really don't have memories of my parents really ever fighting in front of us.)

 

[madge]

Kate mentions it when the kids are getting ready at the door. She says it was Mother's Day & then goes into how she'll always spend every holiday with the kids....or something along those lines.

and it was really rainy when they went to eat?

the pics from that day weren't rainy at all. it looked like a nice day in PA.

oh well. that certainly isn't the first time they've faked something for an episode. it won't be the last. LOL.

off to bed... will be interested to see what the ratings numbers are for tonight's show. they'll be out sometime tomorrow afternoon, I think.

have a great Tuesday, everyone!

 

[Starbrite]

If you have to announce that you have a "special announcement" that's just a ratings ploy. They could have, announced the divorce separately & perhaps did their interviews on it on the show, but to have TLC advertise that a special announcement is coming? That's sick. It's a divorce not a new motorcycle. It's a major, should be personal, situation & they've (either TLC or J&K) have pimped them out for the whole world to see.

I don't think anyone referred to this is as "special" only a "major announcement". Had they not made an official announcement at all, there would've been posters (maybe not on DIS) complaining that it's all a front, the episodes aren't even real, they aren't together anymore, etc etc.

They defiantely needed to make an announcement, maybe the show wasn't the right way to go about it....a press release from both sides would've been better.

Maybe now the paparazzi (sp?) will back off a little. It won't be breaking news if Jon is having lunch somewhere without Kate.

 

[Buckalew11]

Kate is not your typical single Mom. She doesn't go to a 9-5 job, struggle to pay daycare, come home exhausted to no help, do it all alone, but still enjoy her children. I think it will be a slap in the face to single Moms out there that are struggling to hear of her "struggles" with cooks, house cleaners, drivers, bodyguards, nannies, etc., etc.

Kate and jon weren't your typical parents either. Most moms do not have 8 kids. Most dads are not SAHD. I just think she won't have to be seen as "typical" to be relatable or for people to want to watch them. Most people who watch the bachelor didn't start off their romances with 25 eligible choices that ABC has rounded up for them--but they watch anyway.

I didnt' hear them say it was a Mother's Day brunch. Jon did say they were going to a fancy dress up brunch but I don't recall it being Mother's Day?

I think she mentioned it and I also think it flashed up on the screen "Mother's day" or something like that. I am not sure it was filmed on Mother's Day though. Something made me think they may have celebrated a different day (for the taping).

I could be absolutely wrong, but I really felt Kate was being honest about how she felt. I remember when my sister and BIL were having problems (they seperated for awhile, but were able to work things out) she said the exact same thing as Kate. "I don't want to do it alone." I really think she would have tried to work things out.

I still find the wording of of Kate's statement today to be odd. Jon's "activities", makes it sound like he had a wild party at the house with the kids there. I know that isn't it, but activities sounds like he was doing something. Maybe drinking all night after the kids were in bed? Having DeAnna over to the house?

Me too. And "activities" did make it seem like he did something. I also thought it was interesting that their faith was not mentioned at all in any of this. Odd, to me, for a Christian couple who prayed on film together not to mention their faith. I think the love of money may have replaced that other love.

 

[nuke]

I'm proud to say I didn't watch and I won't watch ever again. The whole thing is ridiculous and they are both selfish jerks.

As far as Jon saying he is excited about the future. Hell I would be too if I lived with Kate for 10 years.

 

[DMRick]

like the "Mother's Day" brunch at the end of the show? I just read where they claimed to have gone out to lunch on Mother's Day and how rainy the weather was .. well. it wasn't. that was the weekend of the kids b'day and when Kate went tanning.
http://justjared.buzznet.com/2009/05/11/kate-gosselin-mothers-day/

I just looked back, and Jon said they were doing a fine dining brunch (he didn't mention what for and Kate didn't mention Mother's Day either). On the screen, TLC put up the words Mother's Day. On the way into the restaurant, Kate was carrying a Trader Joe's bag. I wonder if the bibs were in the bag

 

[Family Fun Mom]

To me, it is extremely obvious that Kate is doing her best to vilify Jon and TLC is right there to edit it perfectly. Kate is the best chance to keep the gravy train rolling. If they make Jon look bad and appeal to the single moms out there who will now "identify" with Kate then the show goes on.

Judging by this thread, it just might work.

The only people in this situation worthy of sympathy are those children. My heart goes out to them.

 

[DMRick]

To me, it is extremely obvious that Kate is doing her best to vilify Jon and TLC is right there to edit it perfectly. .

Hearing Jon speak, he did it all by himself. Right out of his very own mouth.