Jon and Kate Plus 8 Official Thread - Part 5

[nuke]

I ran across a JK8 fan board the other day ... and some of those people were downright harsh about this new show. And I thought it was almost laughable, because it's stuff these people have berated the non-JK8 fans for over the last year.

I was thinking the same thing about posts on this thread about the new show. I have only seen snipets of it so I won't comment but why does this mom not get the "it's the editting" argument?

 

[Epcot luvr]

I am still trying to think of my question for Kate, under truth serum, those lie detectors are not 100%.
FYI, Old navy's $5 shorts and swim wear sale starts today and continues this weekend. I used my coupon from Old Navy.com for 15% off, Kate would be so proud.
I'll check back later with my question for Kate, I'm waiting to see if they can find a convoluted angel to have Kate be relevant in MJ's death, and interview her on Larry King, seems like every celeb out there is talking about him.

 

[DMRick]

I was thinking the same thing about posts on this thread about the new show. I have only seen snipets of it so I won't comment but why does this mom not get the "it's the editting" argument?

Are you asking me if I get 'it's the editing'? (I couldn't tell, because you quoted someone else)

If so, I agree that once again a lot has to do with the editing. However, supposedly this family said they learned a lot from watching the J & K show, about what not to do..and this show seems a lot like a clone. So what was learned? If they learned not to show private moments of the kids..well they are showing them, if they learned not to berate each other, well, they are berating each other, if they learned not to show anytime the kids are in danger, well, they are showing some scary (IMO) moments, if they learned not to show the freebee's, well they are, if that van and her tummy tuck & enhancement & all the diaper boxes around the house count LOL. And did they learn that if dad would rather not do something, not to do it? Nope, mom's word rules!

I'm sure this is a lovely family and we are only being shown the worse. But then, what was learned? This could easily be a train wreck, but they skipped the first few seasons, to give us a chance to fall in love with the kids, and went right to what J & K had going in season 4 LOL. I just don't understand, anyone that has been living on this planet has seen what has happened with the public and the paparazzi with the G family. I actually find the G family easier to watch, because they seemed to have more control over their kids. By the way, you don't really see the mom and dad managing the family, because they just don't ahve time, they both work full time, but you do see the pizza box and chicken nuggets for diner LOL. And she has him on a diet because she says he's too fat (but he cheats when he's out of the house!).

But maybe I just haven't given it a chance. I just watched two shows and turned off the tivo LOL.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I pop in from time to time and read these great comments, but have never posted before.

I was a big follower of J&K+8 from the beginning until I had a lightbulb moment (about a year or so ago, well before the word exploited started being used) that I was in fact part of the problem with this family. I don't know why it took me till then or what exactly it was that made the lightbulb go off, but it did, and I stopped watching. I will admit that I watched the Season premier, and wished I had not. It was awful as I am sure this past week's episode was (and was likely even worse.)

But I have to comment on the new family. I do not get the WE channel, would not watch if we did get it, and had not until today anything about the new show except that there was going to be one. All I could think was WHY??? With J&K you could MAYBE say they didn't know what they were getting into (though anytime there is a lack of privacy there are issues.) But this family has a perfect example of the way your life will likely follow. I can't for the life of me figure out why you put your children and marriage through the craziness and destruction for what? Trips? Money? Manicures?

I know many will say I am judging and you know what? You are right, these people put themselves out there, what do the expect? But I will tell you, tomorrow is my 16th annivarsary. We have had high points, we have had low points, and together we have worked them out to be where we are now which is an almost perfect marriage. I remember at our pre-marital counceling, the minister told us to keep our marrige issues our marrige issues. I always remembered that. When I have an issus with my DH, I don't run to my family, I don't compain to my friends, I go to him and privately we work it out. Too bad these couples didn't get, or listen to that advise. They have chosen to put their marriages on display, good and bad, and it seems that because of that (and many other issues) the marriage has fallen apart.

I don't wish that on this new family, but it almost seems like how can it not happen? I believe that if, in our past, when we had issues if it had been on display for all to see it may not have been so easy to work out and I too may not have been able to work through those times to get back to the great times. I tell you, DH and I don't have much money, I don't get my hair done, have lots of nice clothes, and never have had a manicure, but I do have my life, and it is happy and blessed, and I would not trade one day of my happiness for all the freebies they have gotten.

I think J&K really blew it, I don't know if they could fix it but I think they owe it to their kids to try, and the first step is to stop the show. But for the new family, I just wonder, why not learn from J&K's mistakes?

What is the saying? Those who don't learn history are doomed to repeat it. I know it wasn't meant for reality TV, but it seems appropriate.


I really don't understand???

 

[newtodis]

You and me both! I would love to see their contract because I think it would dispell rumors and assumptions. My guess is that there's some strange details but that's just my opinion. Madge, can you find a copy of the TLC contract?

Yeah Madge...we'll all be here waiting!

I have now watched both shows that were on last night (the mom on the new show got a free tummy tuck and augmentation last night) and I just can't believe this show..seems like nothing was learned.

I haven't seen this one yet - guess I need to watch it...

I am definately more for the dad on the new one. He seems more reasonable than her, in what he thinks they can tackle with the kids..but it doesn't matter what he thinks, so far it looks like whatever she wants to do, is what they will do.

See I don't know...I don't know about reasonable. I also don't think they do whatever she wants. He said in one of the interviews (and I think she agreed) that when he's with the kids they'll do it his way and her way when she's with them. I know he's working full time and going to school but they're your kids. When I walk in the door after working 9 hours every day, I jump right into my kids - don't have an option as I'm usually tackled at the door. Now my DH would love to come in, sit down, watch some tv, whatever so he can relax from his hard day....That ticks me off more than just about anything at all. We've both worked all day (I'm taking classes as well) and they're both of our kids so we should both be taking care of them....not complaining/discussing who's worked more. JMHO. I guess that's kind of how I saw the dad.

I personally don't think they have any control on their kids and I'm worried for their safety.

There were a couple of times I was a bit worried as well. One time she was putting the kids in the van and chattering away about something and realized one was gone and I think s/he was in the neighbor's yard. Another time was when they moved the tree and the kids were playing in the mud...I was waiting for one to fall in head first. I think some organization would help a lot...

They did say last night, they have to stop the competition on who does the most helping with the kids and cleaning the house..but I don't see that stopping anytime too soon. J & K sort of rolled into where I think this new family is now.
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2207431&page=2

Yeah I've heard them say that before. Like I tell DH, quit talking and start doing. You can say anything, actions speak louder than words to me.

Thanks for the link...I'll have to check it out althogh if it's a love fest, I don't know that I'll fit in over there!

And, you have to remember that we are only seeing little bits of what actually happened; heavily edited.

Sorry I wasn't clear - I meant IRL- not just dealing with J&K but yes we're only seeing the edited stuff on tv.

K & J are quiet right now, so I guess I can post about this new show.
(the van had a big sign on the door. I thought it said, donated by Grand Canyon University class of 2029.)

I think they said in another show that the university was getting new vans and donated one of old ones to the family - hence the university and "class of" stuff already on the van.

Awesome post!

It is so easy to look at someone else's life and say "well I would never......" but usually we don't know all the circumstances. I keep telling myself to remember this every time I want to slap Jon.

Aww thank you. It is all too easy!

Madge, I can watch the J & K show and actually enjoy it. I got no enjoyment out of this new show. I spend most of the time, wanting to jump off the chair wanting to 'save' a child from harm. If I watch it at all from here on out, it would be just to watch the train wreck.

I enjoy both shows but am more involved by far with J&K. Like I said above, there were a couple of times where I saw something I personally wouldn't do but I see that every day of my life in different situations... It will be interesting to see how long the show lasts and how it ends for sure.

I wonder if they were premature

Yes they were - I can't remember but I want to say she was like 34 weeks when she had them??? They were all in the NICU obviously until they were able to come home and she was in the ICU because of something happening right after her c-section if I remember right.

If so, I agree that once again a lot has to do with the editing. However, supposedly this family said they learned a lot from watching the J & K show, about what not to do..and this show seems a lot like a clone.

I'm not sure how much say this family has with what's in the show and what's not. Not trying to defend because honestly I don't know much about them. I'm sure WE saw TLC making the money off the G's and is using that show as their template for this show.

So what was learned? If they learned not to show private moments of the kids..well they are showing them, if they learned not to berate each other, well, they are berating each other, if they learned not to show anytime the kids are in danger, well, they are showing some scary (IMO) moments, if they learned not to show the freebee's, well they are, if that van and her tummy tuck & enhancement & all the diaper boxes around the house count LOL.

I know they said the van was donated. I'm guessing if the MIL (I think that's what I'd read) worked there if they didn't donate, they gave her a darn good deal just because of the MIL working there. IIRC the diapers weren't just one brand. I think I remember Huggies, Pampers and generic boxes all over. I would think if those were donated they'd all be the same brand.

And did they learn that if dad would rather not do something, not to do it? Nope, mom's word rules!

Can't say I agree with that....

By the way, you don't really see the mom and dad managing the family, because they just don't ahve time, they both work full time, but you do see the pizza box and chicken nuggets for diner LOL. And she has him on a diet because she says he's too fat (but he cheats when he's out of the house!).

I agree - I'd really like to see how these families (both the M's and G's) organize their lives to make everything run so smoothly because I could sure use some help in that area!

I blame both of them for the dinner/weight gain nonsense they've talked about. It's not really that challenging to cook something for yourself and it's a lot cheaper! I think it's fine to show what they're feeding their kids (not everyone eats all organic like Kate) but to be realistic. If you have time to microwave something for the kids, you do for youself too....I know I'm not there and I'm assuming, but it just seems logical to me...

 

[newtodis]

Not breaking news, but an excerpt from an article:

I don't think there's a divorced mother out there who didn't hear herself in Ms. Gosselin's words when she said: “I have become very hard, very crass, very jaded, maybe. And I am sure that is what people see about me. But that is my survival self digging in and saying, ‘I will not lay down and die.'” She continued: “I don't want to do this alone.”

And there are likely just as many ex-husbands who feel solidarity with the hen-pecked Mr. Gosselin.

But perhaps there is insight, not just entertainment, to be gained by watching this pair. While it's tempting to dissect their individual foibles and lay blame on one or the other – Mr. Gosselin did seem a tad cavalier about the life-altering decision as he slouched on the sofa with his stud earrings twinkling – the better response is to see them as exemplars of humanity.

The Gosselins are us, and if there's any scrutiny warranted it should be of our own imperfect hearts in our relationships.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life...te-a-marital-split-writ-large/article1197335/

 

[newtodis]

Kate Gosselin’s book about cooking for a close-knit family is still a pending project for Christian publisher Zondervan, according to USA Today.

Slated for release Oct. 13, the book “Love is in the Mix: Making Meals into Memories” contains family insights, prayers and recipes from the maligned star of the show “Jon & Kate Plus 8,” which recently concluded on TLC with the announcement that Gosselin and her husband would be separating after acts of infidelity and neglectful parenting. The two have eight children.

The book would be the third associated with the family released by Zondervan. Many speculate that the release of the book will have to be pushed back, given the swirling negative publicity currently surrounding the Gosselins.

http://www.churchsolutionsmag.com/hotnews/kate-gosselin-book-still-a-go-from-christian.html

 

[newtodis]

DARLA ATLAS
I recently happened upon a headline that read, "Robin Wright Penn: Marriages require work."

Well, stop the presses. This is like reporting, "Humans require oxygen." "Nights require subsequent days."

I do believe anyone who has been inside a marriage for any length of time realizes that it requires work. And if you've somehow been able to escape this fact, the sad details of Jon and Kate Gosselin's divorce bring it all home.

I've never been a huge fan of the show, but I'd occasionally catch it while flipping channels. I remember watching an early episode – before they moved into their posh surroundings, before they got all the freebies, before they were treated to tummy tucks and hair plugs.

Back then, the overall theme seemed to be, "Wow, look at all of those babies! How do they do it?" Watching the show gave me a good feeling, even if it came solely from relief that I had just two kids.

Now? The good feelings are gone. In the course of raising all of those babies – along with the added hassle of filming a television show – the "Jon & Kate" part of Jon & Kate Plus Eight lost that ampersand. They're no longer a unit.

That was all made very clear on Monday's episode. "We don't have anything now," Jon said. "We're just like two people that happen to live here. It's a total breakdown of everything."

Would they have broken down if they hadn't gotten famous? Maybe, maybe not.

But if he were part of just any other couple, he a) probably wouldn't be out at bars at 2 a.m. with assorted ladies; and b) even if he were at bars at 2 a.m., the ladies would know him as some married, hairplug-devoid dude who has EIGHT KIDS at home.

Instead, he's "Jon." As in The Jon. And the way I see it, flawed marriage plus opportunity to get out equals breakdown.

For her part, Kate admitted that she's become "very hardened, very crass, very jaded, maybe, and I'm sure that's what people see about me. But that's my survival self digging in and saying I will not lay down and die."

From what I hear, there's plenty of videotaped proof of her hardened personality. Much of her anger has been directed at Jon – which is why so many fans are taking his side.

A friend and I were talking about this much-ballyhooed saga the other day when I mentioned that I knew someone "who was nice to everyone except her husband."

As the words came out of my mouth, it hit me: The same could be said of me at times. I catch myself being loving and affectionate and giggly with the kids, but blasé and eye-rolling with the husband. It's not a good pattern.

Of course, it's easy to get that way, as husbands have a special talent for getting on one's last nerve. (At least that's been the case in my 14-year marriage. I would not presume to speak about yours.)

The other morning, Mike started trying to cuddle with me on the couch, scraping his scruffy beard all over my face despite the fact that he knows I hate it. As I craned my neck away he said, "C'mon, hug me back."

"You used to be the king of affection," he added, "but now you're the king of rejection."

He said it in a joking way, but there's some truth behind it. The image of Kate Gosselin and her now-broken home sprang to my mind. I hugged him back.

Some of us wonder why the Gosselins' big "announcement" on Monday couldn't have been that they're quitting the show to focus on their family. But no; they seem to feel that a life filmed for television is the only life worth living.

At least it can serve as a cautionary tale for the rest of us.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcon...--darla_26brf.ART.State.Edition1.4babddb.html

 

[newtodis]

Ok I had to post this for anyone who watched The Real Housewives of NYC....For those who don't, Alex (who was laid off from Victoria Secret thanks to the economy) and her DH (who's the manage of a hotel in NYC I believe) have two children who are commonly shown on the show misbehaving and running around like wild children. Simon and Alex are also writing some kind of parenting book (I think that's what they said in the reunion show). They're just a trip for sure!

Real Housewives star Alex McCord has offered advice to fellow reality stars Jon and Kate Gosselin.

The Gosselins, stars of reality series Jon & Kate Plus 8, recently announced their decision to divorce following a series of arguments.

35-year-old McCord has since given advice to the pair, suggesting that they need to make their relationship a priority.

"Remember that you [and your husband] were there first," she told People. "Remember that part of what makes raising your children a successful operation is having a successful relationship."

She added: "And if you are not happy, I... guarantee you will foist that off on your kids and they will pick up on it."

http://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a162065/housewives-star-offers-jon-kate-advice.html

Here's the People version of the article:

As Jon and Kate Gosselin go their separate ways, another famous couple are weighing in on how to “stay in love” under the intense spotlight of reality TV.

The Real Housewives of New York’s Alex McCord, 35, and husband of nearly a decade, Simon van Kempen, say that the key to keeping their family together while starring in a TV show is to make your relationship a priority.

“Remember that you [and your husband] were there first,” McCord told PEOPLE at the I Heart Gen Art 15th Anniversary benefit in New York City on Wednesday. “Remember that part of what makes raising your children a successful operation is having a successful relationship. And if you are not happy, I … guarantee you will foist that off on your kids and they will pick up on it.”

McCord and van Kempen, who have two young boys — Johan, 5, and Francois, 3 — also offered some words of advice for other reality TV couples.

“Obsessively communicate,” McCord says. “Tell each other everything — the good, the bad and the ugly. Today, even I [thought to myself], ‘You can either just tell him, or you can sit and let it fester’ — and that’s when you get into trouble. So just come out with it, whatever it is.”

“Look out for your marriage as much as you look out for your kids,” adds van Kempen.

Says McCord: “It’s all well and good to say, ‘We couldn’t keep it together but our kids will be fine.’ But you’re setting an example.” – Kristen Mascia

http://tvwatch.people.com/2009/06/2...elins-your-relationship-should-be-a-priority/

 

[newtodis]

Info on their attornies:

Kate Gosselin told People magazine that it’s her husband Jon who wanted a divorce “for a long time,” and, “no questions asked, he went and hired a lawyer and said, ‘You better get one.’”

As it turns out, Jon didn’t just hire any lawyer. According to the couple’s divorce filing, Jon retained Charles J. Meyer, one of the Philadelphia area’s most high-profile family law attorneys (one of his current clients is Philadelphia 76ers player Andre Iguodala, whom Meyer is defending in his child support case).

Kate went with attorney Cheryl L. Young. “She’s much more low-profile but she has an excellent reputation for being fair, reasonable, logical," says one local attorney. “She’s not a high-drama type, she's really, really solid.”

And although Jon was the first to retain counsel, it was Kate who initiated the divorce filing. Why?

Mark Vincent Kaplan, the Los Angeles-based attorney who represented Kevin Federline in his divorce from Britney Spears (and is not involved in the Gosselin case), weighed in.

“It doesn’t matter who files first, but I like my clients to file first because that means I go first at the time of trial and present my construct of reality and let the other side have the burden of proving why that’s not accurate,” said Kaplan.

In other words, Kate will get to present her side of the story, including her ideal plan for custody, division of property and finances, etc., before Jon can weigh in.

Keeping tabs: Kate’s failure is People’s win
This week’s celeb weeklies offer a vast improvement over last week, but it certainly took a village to get there.

The Gosselin divorce announcement created cover opportunities for In Touch (“Kate’s Private Hell” is their cover line) and People magazine, which scored the big get: Kate Gosselin herself.

“It Feels Like I Failed” is a genius cover line because much of America is thinking, “yes, you did fail.” It’s affirming — and the consumer loves that — but compelling enough to inspire a sale. Better yet, People manages at the same time to be evenhanded by devoting a significant portion of real estate to Jon, including the headline “This will be a difficult transition.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31528413/ns/entertainment-gossip/

 

[Buckalew11]

Well, I bet that lady's DH wasn't joking when he said, Come'on, hug me back....

I've always said I can tell when my sister is talking to her DH on the phone. People often do it and I pay attention to it.


I have a friend who has a business with parking places and handicapped spots. he was told that he would have to make the request for the police to fine someone for parking there. Not sure if it is that way in other states (or even in TN) but that was what he was told. They'll fine someone but the owner of the property has to request it.

The gosselin's or TLC might have made a request to the owner/manager while eating there. Esp. since it was raining, they were filming and IF they rented the whole place out. Just a thought.

 

[newtodis]

The cover picture that they have with this article is AWFUL....Kate just looks terrible (just worn out and you can see it all in her face).....

The theme for the final episode of Jon and Kate Plus 8 (at least for a while) was "crooked houses" on TLC. Though the show theme was cute and the real "crooked houses" are adorable little playhouses for kids, many are now saying that theme is poetic justice for Jon and Kate Gosselin, the mother and father of eight kids that are now headed from their reality TV show on TLC to a real life divorce court.

Kate Gosselin Breakdown, Falls Apart After Jon Leaves

Did they bring it on themselves? Many believe they did but still there are human emotions behind this tragedy that will leave eight kids with split parents and a broken home. A new report that hits newsstands today features the show and the family and with big bold letters on the cover claims that "KATE GOSSELIN FALLS APART!" The magazine ofers this bit of their feature weekly cover story.

From In Touch, "Kate Gosselin’s husband, Jon, was out of town on June 17, and with her trusted bodyguard Steve Neild nowhere in sight, the mother of eight tried in vain to keep it together. Her face a mask of pain, Kate walked alone to the edge of her driveway, where she spoke to another security guard named Luke."

More - “He walked Kate back to the house, and you could see that she was breaking down,” says a witness. “She started wiping the tears from her eyes.” Before long, Kate was crying, the onlooker says, adding, “Luke was comforting her.” How will Kate cope?

http://www.nationalledger.com/ledgerpop/article_272626659.shtml

 

[purplegirl247]

But if he were part of just any other couple, he a) probably wouldn't be out at bars at 2 a.m. with assorted ladies; and b) even if he were at bars at 2 a.m., the ladies would know him as some married, hairplug-devoid dude who has EIGHT KIDS at home.

If Jon is as checked out of his marriage as he appears to be, I don't think being non-famous would've made a difference. He would still be having his quarter-life crisis or whatever it is, and be out barhopping.

And how would the ladies know that this theoretical non-famous Jon was married with 8 kids? Non-famous Jon would've had it much easier: he could just slip his wedding ring off and chat up the ladies. In this case, the lady that he chatted up (who had to have known who he was) shares a lot of the blame. Celebrity-chaser, maybe? Who gets cozy with a man who's married...with 8 kids...and who has been known to be followed by the paparazzi? Looking for her 10 minutes of fame (less than the typical 15, lol), I guess.

 

[newtodis]

I hope this is ok to post - it had the word "God" in it but it's not a "religious" article - please remove if it's not acceptable or I can remove - just let me know.

I'd never seen Jon & Kate Plus 8 until a Friday morning last month, when I was on the elliptical trainer at the gym, flipping channels to find CNN and happened instead on a two-year-old rerun of the show. By then the whole country had heard that the couple's 10-year marriage was on the rocks. I was curious. Would I be able to spot clues to their future problems?

In a word: Yes. In three words: Good grief, yes. And then came the queasy realization that's had me glued to this train wreck ever since: There but for the grace of God goes my own marriage.

Well, except for the boatload of children. The Gosselins are raising twins and sextuplets, all conceived via fertility treatments within the span of a few years. Not surprisingly, given the chaos in their home, she seems constantly overwhelmed and compensates by trying to control everything she can. He seems constantly overwhelmed and compensates by checking out as often as he can get away with. In the episode I saw, she'd asked him to install shelving in the garage and proceeded to pick apart every little thing he did. He, meanwhile, sulked and acted put-upon.

In other words, they're your typical overworked, overstressed couple with kids. Maybe more children than your average household, but everything about the Gosselins is mythic in its proportions. That includes their now-defunct union, in which he starred as the quintessential bad-husband archetype, the clueless manchild; and she as the ultimate bad-wife archetype, the domineering shrew.

Naturally, it all culminated in every wife's archetypal nightmare. Unhappy in his marriage--because it is he who seems to have been the miserable spouse--Jon could have taken any number of steps to make things better. He could have sought counsel from leaders at his church or suggested couples' therapy. Instead, he played to type, spurring action by--oops!--getting himself photographed with what looks very much like an Other Woman. And now, also a cliché, most everyone seems to be blaming that witch Kate for driving her man away.

So why have I been consumed with this sad, sordid tale? The truth is, I wanted reassurance. Watching Kate micromanage Jon as he installed that garage shelving, I thought, Do I sound like that? and knew with certainty that I often do. I adore my husband and am happy in our marriage. I think by and large he is too. But I can be overanxious. I try to compensate by making sure my life is super-organized. Busy and stressed, I don't often (read: pretty much never) take the time to phrase requests so they don't sound like orders.

For expediency's sake, I'll bark, "Could you empty the dishwasher?" instead of saying, "I know it's my job"--which it is, and I'm fine with that; he does his fair share--"but I'm running late this morning. Do you have time to help?" As my husband, who's neither clueless nor a manchild but doesn't exactly address relationship problems head-on, empties that dishwasher, I'm left worrying just exactly how henpecked he feels.

Since the Great Gosselin Divorce announcement on Monday, my anxieties are running high. Suddenly I'm wondering whether I'm a strident kitchen martinet and, if so, whether my husband will leave me over it. I suspect I wasn't the only wife watching Jon & Kate in the hope that this strife was all a big, ratings-grabbing misunderstanding, that Jon would embrace his wife and say he loved her despite her shortcomings; that he hadn't cheated and never would; that if she would try and change, he would too; that he was eager to start a new chapter in their marriage.

As we now know, that didn't happen. And I'm not sure I'll be watching Jon & Kate anymore. The show, apparently, will go on, as Jon and Kate separately parent their Plus 8 as divorced spouses--joined by, as one insider has suggested, Jon's reported girlfriend, 23-year-old Deanna Hummel.

So much for reassurance. I'm not ready to imagine my own marriage ever being filmed with a third party, from two different locations.


http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/26/gosselin-jon-kate-divorce-forbes-woman-time-marriage.html

 

[newtodis]

I think the paragraph below is how a lot of us feel. I don't think I can post the entire article as it's from a religious website but the paragraph itself I think sums up what many are trying to say.

“My hope, and indeed my prayer,” Poling wrote after the show's season premiere, ”is that the Gosselins will be able to seek the help they need to work through the challenges they face in their marriage: to own their own failings, to ask and offer forgiveness, to commit together to rebuilding on firm foundations of trust, grace, love, fidelity, acceptance and kindness. Not simply painting over the corroded spots, but doing the hard work of stripping and sanding and patching and priming so that real restoration can take place.”

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/faith/2009/06/evangelical_concern_for_jon_an.html

 

[purplegirl247]

Oh, I totally agree with that earlier author: for the longest time, I kept hoping and hoping that this was just a stunt to get ratings. It was too sad to think of them being unable to reconcile their differences.

 

[Buckalew11]

The cover picture that they have with this article is AWFUL....Kate just looks terrible (just worn out and you can see it all in her face).....

The theme for the final episode of Jon and Kate Plus 8 (at least for a while) was "crooked houses" on TLC. Though the show theme was cute and the real "crooked houses" are adorable little playhouses for kids, many are now saying that theme is poetic justice for Jon and Kate Gosselin, the mother and father of eight kids that are now headed from their reality TV show on TLC to a real life divorce court.

Kate Gosselin Breakdown, Falls Apart After Jon Leaves

Did they bring it on themselves? Many believe they did but still there are human emotions behind this tragedy that will leave eight kids with split parents and a broken home. A new report that hits newsstands today features the show and the family and with big bold letters on the cover claims that "KATE GOSSELIN FALLS APART!" The magazine ofers this bit of their feature weekly cover story.

From In Touch, "Kate Gosselin’s husband, Jon, was out of town on June 17, and with her trusted bodyguard Steve Neild nowhere in sight, the mother of eight tried in vain to keep it together. Her face a mask of pain, Kate walked alone to the edge of her driveway, where she spoke to another security guard named Luke."

More - “He walked Kate back to the house, and you could see that she was breaking down,” says a witness. “She started wiping the tears from her eyes.” Before long, Kate was crying, the onlooker says, adding, “Luke was comforting her.” How will Kate cope?

http://www.nationalledger.com/ledgerpop/article_272626659.shtml

At first I read this and thought, OMgosh, how ar can they take all this. Then I click on your link, see the cover pic (not that horrible IMHO) but the words on that cover!!

"Tears over how she destroyed everything"

"Kate promised her kids she would never divorce Jon. Now her controlling ways
have left her with heartbroken kids and a husband who no longer loves her."

WTH? I think it takes two...and jon certainly had as much to do with all this as kate. She's guilty, to an extent, because she was mean to him. But he definitely has a list of reasons he is equally at fault for this heartache.

She destroyed everything? Gimme a break. All I can say is the people who write this stuff will answer to God for the torment they cause over this type thing. Most people will not believe all that, but a lot of people will. A lot of people will cheer it on. These writers and editors can really lay their heads down at night and sleep after this? All I can say is, they will answer for such. I can't imagine feeling good about myself after writing such about someone's marriage, call it my job--for all the world to see. Sad, sad, sad.

 

[newtodis]

Recently, I’ve been tuning into “Jon & Kate Plus 8” at the gym. I watch on the sly like I’d rubberneck on the highway: the crash is too gory to view directly, but I can’t take my eyes off the drama. Some research suggests viewers watch reality TV because, deep down, they believe someday they, too, might be a star. I’d argue it’s more base than that: reality television plays on our ugly, but very human, need to take someone else — especially the rich, attractive or famous — down a peg.

Call it the “Can you imagine?” factor. When Playboy playmate Kendra Wilkinson hands her soon-to-be in-laws a signed copy of her nude centerfold, the at-home viewers can screech in horror and delight. “Can you imagine? Wow, I might do a lot of dumb things, but I would never do that!” When the 911 nanny looks on disapprovingly as a family’s children meltdown around helpless parents, we say to ourselves, “Can you imagine? At least I’m not that bad of a mother.”

Reality television neither encourages poor behavior nor serves as a cautionary tale because viewers are watching for entertainment, not as a model for “real” life. Since MTV first aired “The Real World” in 1992, hundreds of shows have freeze-framed on life’s tense moments as producers cut and craft for maximum effect, and viewers know it.

As family life crumbles for Jon and Kate, it’s too simplistic to draw a monkey-see-monkey-do correlation: just because more than 10 million viewers watched this week’s “announcement” doesn’t predict a spike in divorces this year. But pushing the shock-value boundaries only moves one way — and if upping the ante on televised deviance follows the same pattern of pornography and cinematic violence, we are unfortunately in for more (and worse) displays of heartbreak, idiocy and cattiness, all edited to amp up the anxiety.

So why do we keep tuning in to reality TV? It’s similar to why we read women’s magazines or drink margaritas: they’re delicious, and while it might have some useful bits, we know they aren’t really good for us. The models in magazine ads are airbrushed and few “real” housewives of New Jersey fill their days with Botox. But watching another’s unreal reality is frothy, fun and salaciously captivating. And from the comfort of our treadmills or couches we watch as the “stars” embarrass themselves, sighing with relief that at least we’re not that bad.

Above is an excerpt from this link: http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/25/why-jon-and-kate-wont-go-away/

 

[newtodis]

Last I'd heard is that he was looking at a 1 bedroom place...this is saying otherwise. Take it for what it's worth. According to this, Jon would have TLC on his side if they "help him" buy a condo in NYC if I'm reading this correctly and TLC would have some kind of a say in the divorce proceedings...

OK! Magazine tells Fox 29 that Jon Gosselin wants a $2 million New York condo – and he could get help paying for it.

OK! East Coast News Editor Shauna Bass told MyFoxPhilly.com that Jon Gosselin is in serious pursuit of a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo in Trump Place and his cable network, TLC, would foot part of the bill.

The kicker: TLC wants to shoot video of Jon Gosselin and his children in Manhattan, with his bachelor pad as the location for these episodes.

"The premise [is]... they can film the kids visiting dad in NYC, going to FAO Schwarz, taking carriage rides, in Central Park,” says OK!. “The producers are looking forward to scouting new locations and trying something completely different."

The idea of Jon Gosselin moving, at least partially, to a new city would also set the premise for a spinoff show from “Jon & Kate Plus 8.”

However, Jon and Kate Gosselin said this week they will keep their children in their Wernersville, Pa., home as they work out their divorce settlement.

Kate Gosselin has hired a top-notch divorce lawyer but any dispute over a financial settlement would now involve TLC, if the network invests in Jon Gosselin's condo.

With TLC as the primary source of the couple's income, any prolonged custody or financial battle in the divorce settlement would be limited.

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/entertainment/television/062409_Jon_Gosselin_Heading_To_NYC

 

[newtodis]

Some interesting comments from a local story in the Reading Eagle announcing the news of the divorce:

I have only actually met the family 1 time. They get their kids hair cut at the same place I take my daughter, on Penn Ave (Kids Cuts). Seemed very nice. I have watched the show, as I know a few of the production folks AND, I admit, I wanted to see what the fuss was about. I watched the show last night, and the only thing that I took from it, that rubbed me wrong, was something Jon said. He was commenting on how they are being watched 24/7 and never get any privacy. How people were taking notes on what they ate for lunch. As I respect what he said, that is what a life in front of a camera is like. They make their money by living ON CAMERA. Sharing 'what you had for lunch' with the world. I find it odd that he doesn't like the attention, yet he does a reality show. with 5 years under their belt, maybe he should have said no to the next contract. I think they are good folks, again, from the very little I know- not what I read or see on an edited show. Without cameras around, raising that many kids would be tough on ANYONE. Yes, they will get ripped apart in the press and around the coffee machines world-wide, but they should still get credit as humans, and left to have life issues, as the rest of us do, without having to explain it to anyone else.
Comment By idoaudio at 6/23/2009 11:06:01 AM

I am from lower heidleberg ( wernersville , pa ) and when i was driving on hefner rd this afternoon the papperizzi was so bad they stood in the middle of the street and i almost ran them over with my car. i would of been on the news for running over their papperizzi media that is rediculis there was no reason why a bunch of camra men and their side kicks to stand on the road to get a glimps of kate and her kids or her ex jon the gate was closed today on 06/23/2009 her dogs were out and her body gaurd and out of the blue when we were passing by the media comes storming out like gang busters. that is crapola i live in that township and i feel that i should not walk on egg shells for a celeberty neighbor and dealing with her issues what about who live there in that neighborhood appaigize to us. not us to them
Comment By krissygirl at 6/23/2009 8:22:30 PM

BTW, I'm not sure there's even a structure at 2269 Shillington Road.
Comment By IMKimba2 at 6/23/2009 8:51:36 PM

I'm assuming this comment is referring to the address listed on the website with the divorce information. Maybe someone could confirm?

2669 SHILLINGTON ROAD
PMB 356
SINKING SPRING, PA 19608 UNITED STATES

http://webapp.montcopa.org/PSI/Viewer/Detail.aspx?oq=aWQ9MjAwNjc3ODI1JmVudGl0eT1DYXNl

By the way,you really dont want to meet Kate, I have known her for years and she was always a b***h now she is a celebrity b***h ! She would most likely tell you to mind your own business if you made any conversation with her.
Comment By 4tigers at 6/24/2009 9:34:48 AM

I've always read that the locals didn't think highly of her and I'm sure the comments section of an article isn't the best place to look for support but yikes! I like hearing what the locals say/think/feel because they're there I guess and interact with it more maybe than what I just see on TLC and read here on the DIS (or google when I have time to venture out...).

Link to the article and the rest of the comments: http://www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=145187