Jon and Kate Plus 8 Official Thread - Part 6

[OhMari]

This is an example of how we all can watch the same thing and come away with completely different perspectives at times. Before this tabloid circus began I was more a team Jon person and even then I felt that Kate was the more patient parent and equally nurturing. I think they both enjoy time with the kids, seems to me that Kate enjoys it more these days.

I also hope that Jon remains part of their lives. I found it very touching that Cara put so much work into his Father's Day card which was shown on the last episode. Jon loves the kids, I have no doubt about that as does Kate. I just think he has lost his way and it shows by some very selfish decisions.

Looks like Kate is not buying Jon's recent action: http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2009/09/exclusive-kate-gosselin-not-slowing-divorce

I wish all of you at Disney a wonderful time with great weather, small crowds and magical moments.

I don't blame Kate, for wanting to go ahead with the divorce.
Wasn't it Jon, that was going to throw a big party, the day they got divorced.
I guess Jon, must have stopped it. Wasn't the divorce suppose to be final on the 28th?

 

[mousey]

I don't think the new "Kate plus 8" is going to work. There has been too much lying and deceit that turned off loyal viewers. Jon, Kate and TLC are all guilty of deceiving the fans.
How can you relate to Kate as a single parent, when she has nannies, babysitters, housekeepers, film crew around her on a daily basis. Most single mothers I know work 1 or 2 jobs to make ends meet. They don't live in a million dollar home with every known convenience at their fingertips. They don't have the resources, money or freebies that this woman gets to live her life. They can't drop everything and fly cross country to go to the SPA.

I don't know why TLC just won't pull the plug. As for Jon slowing down the divorce, its just a damage control ploy by his lawyer. J & K have been blowing money like it grows on trees and now we are suppose to feel sorry for them??

Yesterday on one of the entertainment shows they said some "reality stars" are being paid $125,000 an episode--that is for 1 person--not a husband, wife and 8 kids. Unbelieveable!!!

 

[redrosesix]

I don't think the new "Kate plus 8" is going to work. There has been too much lying and deceit that turned off loyal viewers. Jon, Kate and TLC are all guilty of deceiving the fans.
How can you relate to Kate as a single parent, when she has nannies, babysitters, housekeepers, film crew around her on a daily basis. Most single mothers I know work 1 or 2 jobs to make ends meet. They don't live in a million dollar home with every known convenience at their fingertips. They don't have the resources, money or freebies that this woman gets to live her life. They can't drop everything and fly cross country to go to the SPA.

I don't know why TLC just won't pull the plug. As for Jon slowing down the divorce, its just a damage control ploy by his lawyer. J & K have been blowing money like it grows on trees and now we are suppose to feel sorry for them??

Yesterday on one of the entertainment shows they said some "reality stars" are being paid $125,000 an episode--that is for 1 person--not a husband, wife and 8 kids. Unbelieveable!!!

Yes, this is damage control. But since they aren't going in to court agreeing on the terms of the divorce, they're going to have to go through all of the issues and provide evidence of who is the better or worse parent, including possibly the testimony of the 8 kids I think refusing to even discuss terms may come back to haunt Kate once the details of the proceedings start to leak out (and we know they will, just as the sealed divorce documents were plastered all over the internet for everyone to see).

Having said that, 90 days would have been enough time for Jon to clean up his image somewhat ie. to give people time to forget his mistakes a bit and for people to start thinking of him as Jon the dad, not Jon the DB. So if Kate really wants full custody this may be her only chance to get it.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I really don't understand the divorce delay thing. Jon didn't say he wanted to work things out and maybe repair their marriage, he said he wants them to communicate better as parents or something...if he is still with Hailey and isn't trying to save their marriage, what is the point of the delay? Can't they work on better parenting communication or whatever if the divorce is today or in 90 days? I just don't get it. To me the only reason to delay a divorce is if you hope to get back together, but that doesn't seem to be what Jon is saying, at least I don't think so.

 

[barkley]

i don't know how divorce works in their state-do certain details regarding the finances and the kids have to supposedly be ironed out and agreed to before it becomes finalized? if that's the case it could be that jon's looking to this as an angle to allow more time to gather information about their finances (i read somewhere that he was complaining about a suspected $1 million deal kate had been negotiating during their in-tact marriage that he believes she has sealed and squirlled away to keep separate from the marital assetts) and child custody given what's being reported about kate's newest ventures that will take her away from the home (can't imagine any talk show or separate tlc venture will schedual around the times the kids are'nt at home).

i also have to wonder what kind of behind the scenes issues are happening with tlc and jon regarding future filming of the kids. even if kate agrees to have them filmed, unless she finagles some kind of sole custody that allows her to be the only voice in this issue jon can prevent it once whatever existing contract they have expires. from what's been reported that was one of the big blow-up issues with the women on 'real housewives of new jersey'. one got mad at one of the others and tipped off the ex husband that the production company required the permission of the legal parent(s) to show the kids, he never gave his and the s*** hit the fan. there are more than 2 parties affected by this divorce-and one of those parties is tlc. i just wish that like jon, kate and tlc-all of those kids had a separate uninvolved party looking out for their best interests.

 

[walden]

no one (except the parties involved) know how the gosselin's contract with tlc was set up, so even if tlc is'nt going to feature jon on the show anymore it does'nt mean his source of income from it will end.

it will be very interesting from another angle as well-traditionaly courts have not forced women who were'nt the primary earners in a household where income continues to be provided from the second parent to forego custody in order for the woman to provide greater revenue. if jon's legal team can show that over time jon and kate jointly agreed to have him forego traditional work in favor of her pursuing the revenue streams it could be argued that she is the one who is obligated to provide the larger portion of child support, and that since it was'nt an issue with him being the primary caregiver during her absences for those pursuits during their marriage-it is logical and provides continuity for that arrangement to continue after the divorce.

there are plenty of women who have divorced men in the entertainment or other high dollar industries who have sucessfully negotiated support and alimony to facilitate their being sahm's while their kids are young. many use the time their kids are in school or doing visitation with the other parent to develop/pursue their own careers. if jon has a good lawyer he could wrangle a custody situation that gives him the same kind of arrangement.

when it comes down to the dollars and cents of what it costs to support and provide for these 8 children, a strong arguement could be made on either parent's behalf that if one was willing, capable and available to be a sahp the savings vs. what it costs to provide childcare (school days out/minimum days, periods of time when entertainment/promo tours require parent(s) to travel, sick days for kids-and lord if it's anything like with my kids, one gets it and is out of school-returning just as the next one comes down with it multiply that by ) it could be financialy beneficial to all concerned.

Barkley, very well thought out post, as usual. If they want to finish the contract with Kate for this season they will have to pay Jon off, whether he is filmed or not. I'm fairly convinced that the contract does not mention paying the kids, to avoid child labor issues.

I only want to add that the Gosselins should already have some income coming in quite apart from filming new episodes with TLC. Examples being residuals from the never-ending repeats of earlier seasons, DVD sales and book royalties. IIRC, Multiple Blessings is *authored* by both Jon and Kate Gosselin (both names are on the cover) and Beth Carson. Jon could argue for a share of the proceeds from that book, if not the second one, where Kate is the only named author. I expect they are squabbling over all that money too.

I think Jon could have a reasonable case for custody -- if he wants it and if he cleans up his act.

Yes, this is damage control. But since they aren't going in to court agreeing on the terms of the divorce, they're going to have to go through all of the issues and provide evidence of who is the better or worse parent, including possibly the testimony of the 8 kids I think refusing to even discuss terms may come back to haunt Kate once the details of the proceedings start to leak out (and we know they will, just as the sealed divorce documents were plastered all over the internet for everyone to see).

Having said that, 90 days would have been enough time for Jon to clean up his image somewhat ie. to give people time to forget his mistakes a bit and for people to start thinking of him as Jon the dad, not Jon the DB. So if Kate really wants full custody this may be her only chance to get it.

I saw that Kate is resisting the idea, but I'd assume it is not her decision but the Family Court judge's to allow or deny a motion for a 90 day delay. Jon's attorney will probably argue that, as he has only recently taken the case, he needs the time to get up to speed. A reasonable and not unusual argument, Although it does also give Jon a chance to reinvent his image a bit, which I imagine is the primary goal.

I'll not be entirely surprised if a whole new Jon appears in a few weeks. A Jon who moved in with his Mom, is registered for classes, is working a part-time job (in anything), and hasn't been to a bar or on a date since he went to rehab. Or at least one or two of these . . . But then, I am a total cynic!

As to the kids testifying, yes this is likely if J & K can't agree re. custody. Awful as it sounds, Family Court judges usually just have a pleasant little chat in Chambers with children. Most are fairly good at being non-threatening. The really traumatic thing for kids is the divorce itself and when parents try to influence them or rehearse them before hand. I'd hope that neither J or K would do that.

And I hope to goodness that the court proceedings are sealed and kept sealed!

 

[redrosesix]

I really don't understand the divorce delay thing. Jon didn't say he wanted to work things out and maybe repair their marriage, he said he wants them to communicate better as parents or something...if he is still with Hailey and isn't trying to save their marriage, what is the point of the delay? Can't they work on better parenting communication or whatever if the divorce is today or in 90 days? I just don't get it. To me the only reason to delay a divorce is if you hope to get back together, but that doesn't seem to be what Jon is saying, at least I don't think so.

No, he's saying that he wants to come to some agreements re the kids, custody etc. Here, you can go into court without those agreements, the judge declares the marriage over, and both sides go to war over the kids or the assets. Or you can walk in together, say you've been able to agree on the major points, and the judge simply reviews those agreements. It's obvious to me that Jon is saying that Kate has to reach an amicable settlement with him or he's going to fight her over custody of the kids -- given Kate's statement today, it looks like they're going to war.

i don't know how divorce works in their state-do certain details regarding the finances and the kids have to supposedly be ironed out and agreed to before it becomes finalized? if that's the case it could be that jon's looking to this as an angle to allow more time to gather information about their finances (i read somewhere that he was complaining about a suspected $1 million deal kate had been negotiating during their in-tact marriage that he believes she has sealed and squirlled away to keep separate from the marital assetts) and child custody given what's being reported about kate's newest ventures that will take her away from the home (can't imagine any talk show or separate tlc venture will schedual around the times the kids are'nt at home).

i also have to wonder what kind of behind the scenes issues are happening with tlc and jon regarding future filming of the kids. even if kate agrees to have them filmed, unless she finagles some kind of sole custody that allows her to be the only voice in this issue jon can prevent it once whatever existing contract they have expires. from what's been reported that was one of the big blow-up issues with the women on 'real housewives of new jersey'. one got mad at one of the others and tipped off the ex husband that the production company required the permission of the legal parent(s) to show the kids, he never gave his and the s*** hit the fan. there are more than 2 parties affected by this divorce-and one of those parties is tlc. i just wish that like jon, kate and tlc-all of those kids had a separate uninvolved party looking out for their best interests.

If Kate gets full custody (assuming rules are the same in PA as they are here) she alone decides whether the kids have to do the show.

I agree with you about the kids -- I'm hoping the judge will appoint a guardian ad litum to speak for the kids, since they are the cash cows for so many people -- even just to ensure that their best interests are looked after. Technically, they are even paying their parents' divorce lawyers.

 

[kidshop]

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b146596_kate_gosselin_on_ice_true_diva_show.html

Kate Gosselin on Ice: A True Diva Show

Finally I see an octomom reference!

 

[walden]

No, he's saying that he wants to come to some agreements re the kids, custody etc. Here, you can go into court without those agreements, the judge declares the marriage over, and both sides go to war over the kids or the assets. Or you can walk in together, say you've been able to agree on the major points, and the judge simply reviews those agreements. It's obvious to me that Jon is saying that Kate has to reach an amicable settlement with him or he's going to fight her over custody of the kids -- given Kate's statement today, it looks like they're going to war.


If Kate gets full custody (assuming rules are the same in PA as they are here) she alone decides whether the kids have to do the show.

I agree with you about the kids -- I'm hoping the judge will appoint a guardian ad litum to speak for the kids, since they are the cash cows for so many people -- even just to ensure that their best interests are looked after. Technically, they are even paying their parents' divorce lawyers.

I just looked it up, because I had a memory that divorce in PA is different from my state. Note this is from a simplified site that I reached from googling Divorce law PA. http://www.divorcelawinfo.com

"No-Fault Divorces in Pennsylvania

Mutual Consent - A mutual consent divorce will be granted where it is alleged that the marriage is irretrievably broken and 90 days have elapsed from the date of the commencement of an action and an affidavit has been filed by each of the parties evidencing that each party consents to the divorce.

Irretrievable breakdown- If the parties have been living separate and apart for a period of at least two years and the marriage is irretrievably broken and the defendant has either:

a) Does not deny the allegations as set forth in the affidavit.

or

b) Denies one or more of the allegations set forth in the affidavit but, after notice and hearing, the court determines that the parties have lived separate and apart for a period of at least two (2) years and that the marriage is irretrievably broken.

You have a non-contested divorce when both parties reach an agreement on property issues, child , support, alimony, retirement, and any other issue.[/I]

It looks as though in PA agreement must be reached before the decree is final in a no-fault divorce. Interesting. One wonders whether one or the other will file a fault divorce instead. Can one do that?

And ITA on the GAL. I don't think either parent can be trusted right now to look out for the kids.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I am wondering that one of the reasons that Jon wants to delay the divorce is that he discovered that the grass isn't so green on the other side of the fence. Maybe Hailey doesn't want an older man with 8 kids.

 

[themilesfamily]

I don't blame Kate, for wanting to go ahead with the divorce.
Wasn't it Jon, that was going to throw a big party, the day they got divorced.

Yeah, doesn't Jon "despise" her -- as he so publicly stated on TV? Why would anyone want to stay married to someone who despises them? Not to mention a man who states -- yet again on TV -- that he loves his twenty-three year old girlfriend more than his wife of 10 years and the mother of his children.

Go be with your soulmate Jon. Nobody is standing in your way. I'm sure she'll still love you when you have no money and are no longer famous. I'm suuuure she will!

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I don't blame Kate for wanting to go ahead with the divorce, I hope she doesn't take him back. Kate deserves alot better than Jon.

 

[kidshop]

Yeah, doesn't Jon "despise" her -- as he so publicly stated on TV? Why would anyone want to stay married to someone who despises them? Not to mention a man who states -- yet again on TV -- that he loves his twenty-three year old girlfriend more than his wife of 10 years and the mother of his children.

Go be with your soulmate Jon. Nobody is standing in your way. I'm sure she'll still love you when you have no money and are no longer famous. I'm suuuure she will!

He wants to delay the divorce to hammer out money and custody issues. It may get ugly(er).

 

[mousey]

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b146596_kate_gosselin_on_ice_true_diva_show.html

Kate Gosselin on Ice: A True Diva Show

Finally I see an octomom reference!

This tops the cake. Kate is a very selfish person.
Why would she want to drive in a limo for 5 hrs to an event when you could fly in so much faster. Was this a ploy to be with her boyfriend I mean bodyguard?? I'm glad Kate was overshadowed by the skaters and the Housewives of NYC. I wonder how she liked not being the center of attention. The 10 hr. drive meant more time away from her kids--but this is probably the reason--she only wants to be with them in front of the cameras!
I can't believe she wanted the charity to send a stretch limo to pick her up and taker her home--at their expense. Boy, she is really a generous person.
Good old Kate--back to the old tricks.

 

[mla1977]

So, what was Kate doing in DC?

I know there are 3 major airports in the DC area, but the closest ones to Danbury are Hartford and NYC (that would likely have available flights from DC). So while insisting that the charity foot the bill was a horrible thing to do, driving to Danbury wasn't too unreasonable.

 

[redrosesix]

I just looked it up, because I had a memory that divorce in PA is different from my state. Note this is from a simplified site that I reached from googling Divorce law PA. http://www.divorcelawinfo.com

"No-Fault Divorces in Pennsylvania

Mutual Consent - A mutual consent divorce will be granted where it is alleged that the marriage is irretrievably broken and 90 days have elapsed from the date of the commencement of an action and an affidavit has been filed by each of the parties evidencing that each party consents to the divorce.

Irretrievable breakdown- If the parties have been living separate and apart for a period of at least two years and the marriage is irretrievably broken and the defendant has either:

a) Does not deny the allegations as set forth in the affidavit.

or

b) Denies one or more of the allegations set forth in the affidavit but, after notice and hearing, the court determines that the parties have lived separate and apart for a period of at least two (2) years and that the marriage is irretrievably broken.

You have a non-contested divorce when both parties reach an agreement on property issues, child , support, alimony, retirement, and any other issue.[/I]

It looks as though in PA agreement must be reached before the decree is final in a no-fault divorce. Interesting. One wonders whether one or the other will file a fault divorce instead. Can one do that?

And ITA on the GAL. I don't think either parent can be trusted right now to look out for the kids.

I'm going to bet that they can -- when Kate originally filed for divorce, she had stipulated that they would have joint custody but later filed for full custody. But she did tick off both boxes on the original filing (we may yet hear proof that the last 2 years of the show were a sham as far as the marriage was concerned)

Should mention -- another reason people here try to get as many details agreed to in advance is to minimize court costs. Ironically, divorce lawyers here really push their clients to find at least something they can agree on. The cost difference between an arbitrator and a court proceeding is huge.

He wants to delay the divorce to hammer out money and custody issues. It may get ugly(er).

Exactly

And just to make the waters even murkier:
Apparently Jon sent a letter to Kate through the arbitrator apologizing, etc (same as the press release) last week, and his lawyers also gave notice to the other side that they would be filing a petition. I'll have to find the link, didn't post it because I didn't think much of it at the time. But now that I think of it, that means that TLC probably planned their press release to coincide with the petition -- not the other way around (assuming that the timing of Jon's being cut out of the show came as something as a surprise to him).

Kate denies having got the letter -- doubt that's true, since the arbitrator would be in huge trouble over that -- Jon probably thought she was just ignoring him and decided to go public in order to explain the reason for his lawyer's petition (which would be a matter of public record). Somebody mentioned that no matter what Jon does, it always ends up worse. Soooo true.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I agree with you about the kids -- I'm hoping the judge will appoint a guardian ad litum to speak for the kids, since they are the cash cows for so many people -- even just to ensure that their best interests are looked after. Technically, they are even paying their parents' divorce lawyers.

Good point. The kids are J&K's source of income. I suppose it does seem like a conflict of interest for all the parties involved...Jon, Kate and TLC. I agree with you and hope that someone is appointed for the kid's sake to keep everyone on the same page, which is of course, what is best for the kids.

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b146596_kate_gosselin_on_ice_true_diva_show.html

Kate Gosselin on Ice: A True Diva Show

Finally I see an octomom reference!

Oh good Lord! If this is true, it's pretty ridiculous behavior. How ungracious to demand a limo from a charity organization, an organization for kids too. She should be ashamed of herself for this kind of behavior. I really hate hearing this kind of stuff about celebrities. Sheesh, it wasn't so long ago that Kate was clipping coupons and giving birth to 6 babies and now she's demanding a limo and acting like a diva? Also, what was up with the whole avoiding the Housewives people at the event?

Yeah, doesn't Jon "despise" her -- as he so publicly stated on TV? Why would anyone want to stay married to someone who despises them? Not to mention a man who states -- yet again on TV -- that he loves his twenty-three year old girlfriend more than his wife of 10 years and the mother of his children.

Go be with your soulmate Jon. Nobody is standing in your way. I'm sure she'll still love you when you have no money and are no longer famous. I'm suuuure she will!

I agree with this. It's very suspect that Jon all of sudden is so concerned about Kate after saying those things. Looks like his new attorney is earning his $ then.

He wants to delay the divorce to hammer out money and custody issues. It may get ugly(er).

I hope it doesn't but I'm not too optimistic when it comes to these 2. This is probably only the beginning the mud about to be slung.

This tops the cake. Kate is a very selfish person.
Why would she want to drive in a limo for 5 hrs to an event when you could fly in so much faster. Was this a ploy to be with her boyfriend I mean bodyguard?? I'm glad Kate was overshadowed by the skaters and the Housewives of NYC. I wonder how she liked not being the center of attention. The 10 hr. drive meant more time away from her kids--but this is probably the reason--she only wants to be with them in front of the cameras!
I can't believe she wanted the charity to send a stretch limo to pick her up and taker her home--at their expense. Boy, she is really a generous person.
Good old Kate--back to the old tricks.

I agree with parts of this. It is ridiculous to demand a limo, especially from a charity organization for children. I wonder how long Kate's been gone all together since the talk shows/interviews/appearances started up.

 

[DreaGirl]

Looks like ratings fell again this week. Down to 1.3.

http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2009/09/jon-kate-take-another-ratings-dip

 

[redrosesix]

Oh good Lord! If this is true, it's pretty ridiculous behavior. How ungracious to demand a limo from a charity organization, an organization for kids too. She should be ashamed of herself for this kind of behavior. I really hate hearing this kind of stuff about celebrities. Sheesh, it wasn't so long ago that Kate was clipping coupons and giving birth to 6 babies and now she's demanding a limo and acting like a diva? Also, what was up with the whole avoiding the Housewives people at the event?

Yup -- all I could think was Wow -- just Wow. I'm a Canadian and even I know who Johny Weir is.

This is one of those articles that has so many people quoted by name, all saying the same thing, that it's pretty hard to ignore.

IMO, avoiding the Housewives had more to do with avoiding Jill Zarin (who had dinner with Jon and Kate Major in the Hamptons). But it really looks like TLC and Kate are a real team now.

 

[kidshop]

So, what was Kate doing in DC?

I know there are 3 major airports in the DC area, but the closest ones to Danbury are Hartford and NYC (that would likely have available flights from DC). So while insisting that the charity foot the bill was a horrible thing to do, driving to Danbury wasn't too unreasonable.

Steve lives in MD...just sayin'.