Jon and Kate Plus 8 Official Thread - Part 5

[WaltD4Me]

I enjoyed the shows tonight. I loved seeing the kids. I loved it when Aaden said "I've been wishing for a beach." He is just way too cute. I thought Kate seemed more relaxed too. Less OCD and annoying. She even put some food down for one of the kids right on the table...it looked like grape tomatoes, not sure, but no plate, no worry about a mess! I used to find Kate rather annoying, but she was much more watchable this week I though. Good PR people? Maybe, but I hope not, maybe she is really trying. It seemed like it to me.

 

[anbouk]

Darn missed that episode. Would love to see how much her character has changed! Those lil' kids are so darn cute, though! Anyone know if there is any way for me to watch last nite's episode?

 

[GeorgiaPeach8]

I agree with pp that reality kids need protective law and that this is a slippery slope. However, I think there is an argument to be made that most of the "work" is being done by their parents. I wish TLC would do a behind the scenes show to show how much the kids are really asked to do, re-do, etc. If TLC/Kate/Jon aren't lying about just filming the kids doing regular stuff and letting the editing do the rest. I think another major difference is that parents of child actors have essentially chosen their life path. How many child actors grow up and patheticly try to keep acting? Because that is all they know. Many have never been to a regular school. Gosselin kids are still have somewhat regular experiences. Also, I don't see that everything they do is being filmed...Bald Head was a 7 or 10 day vacation--Kate said only 3 days were filmed. The crew seemed to go with what Kate and kids were doing. They commented on how quickly they ran down to the beach after arriving at the house. Like the crew wasn't quite prepared.

Question--What happened to Jenny?

Three statements--1) I love the fact that Kate mentioned long time friends. I have always wondered if people were overly critically in this area.

2) didn't miss Jon a bit.

3) Kate did seem more humble, shaken as I'm sure on a divorce and your husband dating a child can do to someone. I loved it when she said she has lost the ability to see her future so she is back to the one minute, one hour, one day theory. What great advice--especially for people who tend to be controlling or worry warts.

 

[ksjayhawks]

Didn't watch, didn't record for later. Just reading here.

I have to wonder how much this "reality" show will really be reality anymore and how much of it will be scripted/staged from now on. TLC surely has people reading blogs/discussion boards/etc and could easily set up situations to make Kate look a certain way. If Kate wants to keep doing the show and getting the money, she will probably go along. And, they can do retake after retake after retake to get it right and how would the audience ever know? They can coach her as to what to say on the "chair" interviews. Same for the episodes that will have Jon in them.

 

[GeorgiaPeach8]

And, they can do retake after retake after retake to get it right and how would the audience ever know? They can coach her as to what to say on the "chair" interviews. Same for the episodes that will have Jon in them.

I'm sure there is more editing going on than they would like to admit. I was glad to hear Kate say the PA set up the bigger tent...made it more honest. I have to think that the show and probably most "reality" shows lean more toward reality with some editing, re-takes. If not, and they are "coaching" Jon on what to say in the chair--that PA should be fired.

 

[Tomader]

I saw the last 15 minutes only because my daughter was watching. I thought Kate seemed rehearsed. I think she will keep going for the sake of the money. I'm so sick of hearing,"I'm doing this for my kids." It's all about the money. The kids allowed them to have this show. It was cute when it started now it has become sad. The show has nothing to do about the kids anymore. It will be about Kate moving on. They should really change the name to Jon and Kate. I will not watch anymore. To support the show would only support what they have become. That I do not support.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Visited Bald Head on Thursday. It is such a beautiful and secluded beach. I was sad to see photographers bothering them during their vacation.

My DD and I clapped when Kate threw away the bibs!

 

[MichelleVW]

I just watched the Beach episode.

Alexis was really cute talking about her bikini!!

OMG KATE FINALLY THREW THE BIBS AWAY!! YEA!!!

 

[redrosesix]

So they still selling that Kate is doing it all alone? People really don't know about the nannies, helpers and crew that helped Kate put up the tent and will get the kids in the car? How is that relatable? A big family with no money worries and multiple residences...? I don't get it. somebody needs to tell the kids it's a 'happy family' show. I'm not sure they would agree.

I think she will move to Maryland, we will see.

And the multiple stories on how the catering trucks show up on filming days and that Kate only needs to cook the meals that they are actually filming.

Didn't watch, didn't record for later. Just reading here.

I have to wonder how much this "reality" show will really be reality anymore and how much of it will be scripted/staged from now on. TLC surely has people reading blogs/discussion boards/etc and could easily set up situations to make Kate look a certain way. If Kate wants to keep doing the show and getting the money, she will probably go along. And, they can do retake after retake after retake to get it right and how would the audience ever know? They can coach her as to what to say on the "chair" interviews. Same for the episodes that will have Jon in them.

I'm not sure how real it ever was. But I find it hard to believe that they only showed Kate's worst moments on camera -- why would she have signed up for subsequent seasons if they had been portraying her unfairly? Same for Jon and the kids. JMHO, but they'll have to come up with a lot of ideas to get 40 entertaining shows per year -- older kids can do more things, but it won't be the same as watching 2 parents chasing 8 toddlers around for 1/2 hour per week. I have a DD9, and I doubt we could get a usable 1/2 hour show out of a week of her life without following her to school, dance classes, and playing with her friends -- nobody would want to watch me repeatedly reminding her to pick up her clothes and to get off the computer (she keeps in touch with her far-away friends on facebook)

And all of the complaints after school about some boy that was bugging her -- nobody would want to watch that.

I don't think regular child actors are filmed in their houses having their every move, every vacation, every outing with their parents staged and filmed for a tv show.

There are NO laws governing reality show children in PA. No guidelines as to how often and long filmed or any laws overseeing their earnings. No laws and no regulation for reality TV currently. It's a slippery slope.

ITA! And I think we have to take any denials from the parents and/or TLC with a grain of salt -- they have to stick to the script that they used for the defense in the lawsuit.

Child actors are at least allowed to have their private, personal lives. I heard that one of the Gosselin birthday parties took a whole day of shooting, with the re-takes, camera set-up for each scene etc. When the focus of a special day becomes a TV show instead of a child, there's something wrong. I agree with a pp -- a few specials each year, but not a weekly show.

Just reiterating: I am not a fan of Kate (who I think is mean and self-centred) or Jon (who is an idiot -- not for dating after they had separated, but for doing it publicly), so I realize they definitely have their supporters. In the same way, I'm also seeing there are posters who don't want to see anything wrong with them doing the show, and will defend it that way, and others who definitely think the show should be cancelled.

 

[OhMari]

I enjoyed the shows tonight. I loved seeing the kids. I loved it when Aaden said "I've been wishing for a beach." He is just way too cute. I thought Kate seemed more relaxed too. Less OCD and annoying. She even put some food down for one of the kids right on the table...it looked like grape tomatoes, not sure, but no plate, no worry about a mess! I used to find Kate rather annoying, but she was much more watchable this week I though. Good PR people? Maybe, but I hope not, maybe she is really trying. It seemed like it to me.

They had one bad incident with Kate and Jon, but they flashed across the screen, "This past January". They were discussing the new kitchen, and Kate asked Jon, "what planet he lived on." But his suggestion was actually a good one. He asked for a refrigerator at floor level, where they kids could go in and get juice boxes, small drinks etc. Her best friend explained it to her. Then Kate turned around and said, "maybe Jon does live on this planet." I think TLC maybe had that thrown in, to remind us, of the way she talked with Jon. She also had another demand to Jon. There were Flowers, "Tulips" sitting in a vase, and they were distracting Kate, and she bellowed to Jon, "Throw those away, they are droopy and distracting." This is what Kate needed to work on with her relationship with Jon. She just didn't talk nice to him. If the Tulips were such a bother to her, why didn't she just do it herself.


Also some of you are asking about the pool, Kate said they use the pool almost every day. I'm sure lots of people send letters and e-mails to TLC with their concerns, but I really do have a legit on. One of the little girls, put about 3-4 rings around herself, and arm rings around her arms. She jumped off the deep end of the pool, and those rings kept her afloat. If she would of tipped upside down, those floats would of held her under upside down. The lifeguard in me (my teenage years) just cringed when I saw the camera catch that on tape. I know someone would of jumped in and helped her that day, but if she does it, and only Kate is there, does Kate even know how to swim? She mentioned she is a sun worshiper and they showed her laying on the chair and not swimming while the kids were swimming. I think Ashley was in the pool with them that day.

 

[madge]

Kate will be on Live with Regis & Kelly next Thursday.

I wonder what other shows (if any) she might be appearing on ...

 

[madge]

Also some of you are asking about the pool, Kate said they use the pool almost every day. I'm sure lots of people send letters and e-mails to TLC with their concerns, but I really do have a legit on. One of the little girls, put about 3-4 rings around herself, and arm rings around her arms. She jumped off the deep end of the pool, and those rings kept her afloat. If she would of tipped upside down, those floats would of held her under upside down. The lifeguard in me (my teenage years) just cringed when I saw the camera catch that on tape. I know someone would of jumped in and helped her that day, but if she does it, and only Kate is there, does Kate even know how to swim? She mentioned she is a sun worshiper and they showed her laying on the chair and not swimming while the kids were swimming. I think Ashley was in the pool with them that day.

kinda like the bike riding with the helmets. I really, really, really wish they'd do something about that. it makes me cringe every single time. I can't imagine a bike safety group hasn't contacted the show about that issue.

 

[newtodis]

Good morning everyone! Just now catching up from the MI trip last week. Thanks to a lightening storm while we were gone, I have no DVR so I missed last night's shows....I'll have to find them on line or look for the repeats. Just wanted to stop in and say hi and catch up a little bit!

 

[dispor]

One of the little girls, put about 3-4 rings around herself, and arm rings around her arms. She jumped off the deep end of the pool, and those rings kept her afloat. If she would of tipped upside down, those floats would of held her under upside down.

I cringed when I saw that, too. I'm not sure if ANY of the kids know how to swim.

As for the bike helmets. My prediction is that they will make a big production out of the training wheels coming (back)off and will make the statement "I told them that now that they don't have training wheels they MUST wear a helmet at all times." (Have we ever seen Mady or Cara riding bikes? I don't know...) I think someone on here is correct and that someone from the show reads this thread! LOL!

 

[madge]

As for the bike helmets. My prediction is that they will make a big production out of the training wheels coming (back)off and will make the statement "I told them that now that they don't have training wheels they MUST wear a helmet at all times." (Have we ever seen Mady or Cara riding bikes? I don't know...) I think someone on here is correct and that someone from the show reads this thread! LOL!

they've never shown any concern to safety when the kids are on bikes or Cara is riding her scooter. No helmets, flip flops on their feet while riding .. those children are lucky they haven't had an accident. And I'm not 100% sure that we haven't seen Cara riding a scooter barefooted.

PS. the kids do have helmets. when they're seen, it's hanging from the handlebars of the bikes. real effective.

 

[mousey]

Talk about scripted episodes. Does anyone really think TLC can pull off 34 more episodes like last night?? I'm sorry, but I found it really boring. The bits and pieces they were showing from the beach, toasting marshmellows, setting up the tent, etc......totally scripted more than ever. Now a brand new kitchen because a friend's husband works for the company. I hope they don't have a 22 yr old daughter because you know who will hook up with her. Seriously, this show has run its course. They have gotten years of unlimited money, freebies, trips, etc......turn the cameras off and worry about how your divorce is going to affect your 8 children.

 

[torinsmom]

Maybe some of the "witchy with a b" attitude came from having to deal with an immature husband 24 hours a day. Maybe we didn't see the real Jon that she had to deal with. I just can't believe he has changed that much since they split. The problems had been going on for quite awhile according to them. Once my ex and I separated, I was in a much better mood. I didn't even realize how uptight and stressed I was until after it was over. She needs to surround herself with positive people at this point. She seemed to be in a much better place on last night's episode. She didn't even show any feeling when one of the kids said "Daddy knows everything about tents". She just said, "Well, daddy's not here".

Marsha

 

[TanyaLovesPooh]

They had one bad incident with Kate and Jon, but they flashed across the screen, "This past January". They were discussing the new kitchen, and Kate asked Jon, "what planet he lived on." But his suggestion was actually a good one.

I caught that as well and had to shake my head. Then I thought, well if this is around the time when the cheating started then I would have been barking at him as well.

 

[MM27]

Haven't we seen Ashley before? For some reason, I thought we had.

Ashley has been on a few times before.

So...what was the reason they got a new kitchen? What was wrong with the old one? Disorganized? I thought she was OCD organization woman.

Did it look nice? I guess I should watch, huh?

I had my kitchen totally gutted last year and had the cabinets with the drawers that Kate talked about put in all of the lower ones. It's wonderful. You don't have to get down on the floor level to see what you have in there. Did they need to redo the whole kitchen to put those in? No, but I guess when someone offers to do something for free, you don't turn them down.

I didn't understand why Kate made the comment about the fridge under the counter. Didn't she remember the morgue they had last summer in the North Carolina house for the hermit crabs. Easy access for the kids. She sounded like she had never heard of that before.

 

[torinsmom]

I do hope they donated the "old" cabinets to someone who could use them. I would love to have those, as my cabinets are 25 years old.

Marsha