Jon and Kate Plus 8. Official Thread!!

[madge]

I've stumbled across a new blog:

http://pennmommyfortruth.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html

It looks like it's someone that knows Jon & Kate. I've only read the first entry so far... so I'm not sure how the rest of it is. But, I like how the blogger points out some of the inaccuracies that have been widely circulated.

 

[whitneyNC]

I've stumbled across a new blog:

http://pennmommyfortruth.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html

It looks like it's someone that knows Jon & Kate. I've only read the first entry so far... so I'm not sure how the rest of it is. But, I like how the blogger points out some of the inaccuracies that have been widely circulated.

She's pretty intriguing. I've read her blog before. I think she has 3 or 4 entries. Who knows, but it sounds like family. I have read that one of Jon's sister in laws helped out in the beginning but is now estranged from Kate and family? Maybe?

 

[madge]

She's pretty intriguing. I've read her blog before. I think she has 3 or 4 entries. Who knows, but it sounds like family. I have read that one of Jon's sister in laws helped out in the beginning but is now estranged from Kate and family? Maybe?

I notice that there aren't many comments, but in one of the entries they ask if it can be posted on GWoP. Traffic for this blog is about to go wayyy up.

It's an interesting read, for sure. The kind stuff I think has some credibility.

 

[whitneyNC]

I am curious how much the Gosselins make from the show. I wonder if they are paid per episode. The reason I wonder is because I would hope they are putting money away for the kids' future. I know they have eight kids, but surely by now they have earned enough to invest for each kid's college fund and fully fund their educations?Although it doesn't seem the parents are working anymore, so I understand they need to use the funds for their day to day expenses. Plus the talk of buying an expensive home. I guess I am just curious!

Evidently the Governor of PA did set up TAP funds for all 8 children, and announced it during the sextuplet's first birthday party. Part of the press release is below:

"If you would like to make a contribution to the Gosselin Family’s TAP account, you can do so by making your check payable to “TAP 529,” writing “Gosselin” in the memo portion of the check, and sending your contributions to: Gosselin Sextuplets and Twins Accounts, TAP Bureau, 218 Finance Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120. More information on the Tuition Account Program can be obtained by calling 1-800-440-4000 or by visiting the Treasury website and clicking on Tuition Account Program."

Due to legalities, the amounts donated to these accounts is not public, and may or may not be substantial. I have read if they move out of the state of PA, these accounts are invalid. I don't know if this is the case.

I keep hearing that a home is under construction for them closer to Figure 8, courtesy of the film company. Wonder if that's really happening? Seems like a big commitment by both parties.

 

[madge]

I keep hearing that a home is under construction for them closer to Figure 8,courtesy of the film company. Wonder if that's really happening? Seems like a big commitment by both parties.

I just had a thought.

If (and it's a big if ... ) Figure8 is really, truly building the Gosselins a house ... is that normal for a reality TV show? I know that TLC came in and helped the Duggars with some of the aspects of their home, but I've always gotten the impression that they did save the money and paid for some of the construction of their home, or at least worked out those details themselves. In other words, I believe that house would have been built in some form or fashion regardless of the TV show.

But other reality show people, do they get houses? Most reality shows have a place for the people involved to stay, but it's only temporary ... for the life of the show. Eventually, they go home. LOL.

If they are getting a house out of the deal, you are right ... what a HUGE leap of faith Figure8 is taking in the success of the show. And it would seem to me that it's obvious that Jon & Kate intend to be involved than more than a couple of months if they're moving into provided housing. I may be off base there a little bit - but I can't imagine the production company making such a huge investment (a house) without expecting some sort of commitment.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

I just had a thought.

If (and it's a big if ... ) Figure8 is really, truly building the Gosselins a house ... is that normal for a reality TV show? I know that TLC came in and helped the Duggars with some of the aspects of their home, but I've always gotten the impression that they did save the money and paid for some of the construction of their home, or at least worked out those details themselves. In other words, I believe that house would have been built in some form or fashion regardless of the TV show.

But other reality show people, do they get houses? Most reality shows have a place for the people involved to stay, but it's only temporary ... for the life of the show. Eventually, they go home. LOL.

If they are getting a house out of the deal, you are right ... what a HUGE leap of faith Figure8 is taking in the success of the show. And it would seem to me that it's obvious that Jon & Kate intend to be involved than more than a couple of months if they're moving into provided housing. I may be off base there a little bit - but I can't imagine the production company making such a huge investment (a house) without expecting some sort of commitment.

Aren't most other reality shows of this subgenre (day-to-day life, not something specific like the makeover shows, etc.) focused on celebs/wealthy people who already have nice houses? I don't watch Little People, Big World, so I don't know what their house looks like, but most of the reality tv stars already have ridiculously huge houses.

Of course, Extremem Makeover: Home Edition people get remodeled/practically new houses.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

The fact that the new blogger was more than happy to be linked to GWoP kind of brings the credibility down for me.

Not saying that she is or isn't personally acquainted with the family, but any decent writer can make it look like he/she is a friend, family member or acquaintance of anyone...celebrities, politicians, the Pope. I find it interesting how many people will believe some of this stuff hook, line and sinker.

 

[madge]

The fact that the new blogger was more than happy to be linked to GWoP kind of brings the credibility down for me.

Not saying that she is or isn't personally acquainted with the family, but any decent writer can make it look like he/she is a friend, family member or acquaintance of anyone...celebrities, politicians, the Pope. I find it interesting how many people will believe some of this stuff hook, line and sinker.

why would someone create a new blog, with the intent to link it to GWoP? Why not just post there, if they wanted to be truly connected to them? Many, many people blog about JK8 and not everyone ends up on GWoP. I guess the blogger could have declined when someone asked. There was little to no traffic on that site before today.

I don't believe anything hook, line, and sinker that I read on the internet. I find it credible, simply because most of it is information we've heard, but not over the top. It sounds very reasonable to me.

 

[madge]

Aren't most other reality shows of this subgenre (day-to-day life, not something specific like the makeover shows, etc.) focused on celebs/wealthy people who already have nice houses? I don't watch Little People, Big World, so I don't know what their house looks like, but most of the reality tv stars already have ridiculously huge houses.

That's true. And the reality shows like The Apprentice, Survivor, Big Brother, etc are show-specific.

I still think that's quite an expense for a production company to build a home for a family of 10, without expecting quite a commitment on the part of the Gosselins. I can't imagine that the show has made them so much money they're doing this out of kindness. It's a cable show that's popular... but it's hardly American Idol, M*A*S*H, or the Cosby Show. KWIM?

 

[huey duey & luey]

Aren't most other reality shows of this subgenre (day-to-day life, not something specific like the makeover shows, etc.) focused on celebs/wealthy people who already have nice houses? I don't watch Little People, Big World, so I don't know what their house looks like, but most of the reality tv stars already have ridiculously huge houses.

Of course, Extremem Makeover: Home Edition people get remodeled/practically new houses.

I am pretty sure MTV pays for the house that the girls from the Hills live in

 

[whitneyNC]

I am pretty sure MTV pays for the house that the girls from the Hills live in

They just use the house to shoot the show. MTV didn't give it to them! We're talking no mortgage, here's your family's new home!

 

[talulabelle]

I've stumbled across a new blog:

http://pennmommyfortruth.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html

It looks like it's someone that knows Jon & Kate. I've only read the first entry so far... so I'm not sure how the rest of it is. But, I like how the blogger points out some of the inaccuracies that have been widely circulated.

Well that one pretty much tells it the way it is...I can't believe some of you refuse to believe the stuff that is continually laid out by MANY people who have been close to the family. You can see with your own eyes how this woman is on TV. And this is when she KNOWS the cameras are rolling. Imagine how she is off camera!

I actually think that the new episode was calmed down because their damage control firm that they hired (probably with donated money) is telling them to act - telling the show that if they don't make it seem nicer (cut the parts out where Kate is insane) that they will stop doing the show etc....Kate just keeps cutting people off that aren't useful to her or disagree with her, I think that very soon she is going to tick someone off one too many times at Figure 8 and that will be the end. They can find another family to follow (that is if there is another family willing to ***** themselves out and make a business off peepshows of their kids. )

 

[madge]

And this is when she KNOWS the cameras are rolling. Imagine how she is off camera!

I've read 3 actual accounts from people, not including Aunt Jodi/Julie's blog and the occasional post from someone who has bumped into JK8 out in public.

One was from the lady that was so starstruck and thrilled to be on the flight with them to Utah. She had very nice things to say about her experience.

The other two were people from Pennsylvania - this new blog and an entry on GWoP last month. Both of them said one thing I thought was interesting ... that they were only sharing parts of their experience. That there were things that have happened that are worse than we've read and it seems as though they are afraid to post any more (they've all but said that) because they know what the consequences are if Jon & Kate find out what they've posted. If you're going to say things like that and have gone as far as to post some things ... why not go ahead and post it all? It's all adding fuel to the fire either way. If someone posting this stuff is that concerned, then maybe they shouldn't be posting anything at all.

 

[talulabelle]

I've read 3 actual accounts from people, not including Aunt Jodi/Julie's blog and the occasional post from someone who has bumped into JK8 out in public.

One was from the lady that was so starstruck and thrilled to be on the flight with them to Utah. She had very nice things to say about her experience.

The other two were people from Pennsylvania - this new blog and an entry on GWoP last month. Both of them said one thing I thought was interesting ... that they were only sharing parts of their experience. That there were things that have happened that are worse than we've read and it seems as though they are afraid to post any more (they've all but said that) because they know what the consequences are if Jon & Kate find out what they've posted. If you're going to say things like that and have gone as far as to post some things ... why not go ahead and post it all? It's all adding fuel to the fire either way. If someone posting this stuff is that concerned, then maybe they shouldn't be posting anything at all.

well, the starstruck lady on the plane: you really can't go by how Kate acted with her, because there was a cameral crew in tow .

As far as why they don't post other things: I would think that people who want to go unnamed (this blogger) would not want ot tell a story that would make it obvious to J&K who the person was. They only tell storied that could be one of many people reporting on.

 

[huey duey & luey]

They just use the house to shoot the show. MTV didn't give it to them! We're talking no mortgage, here's your family's new home!

Hollywood's quest for the NBT (that's Next Big Thing) naturally extends to gift-giving, when studios, agents and executives strive for creativity and originality? at often big expense. One of giftdom's most extravagant examples is now part of Hollywood lore: the cast of "Will & Grace" ? Will McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally ? received matching Porsche Boxsters, at about $50,000 each, as a thank you present from NBC.


The "Friends" cast is due for a major salary hike next year, reports Variety, which also reveals that Santa -- or Warner Bros., actually -- was very good to the TV show's stars this Christmas. Each, says the paper, "was recently given $200,000 after the studio ruminated over several possible perfect gifts to give David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow. Initially, the studio planned to give them Range Rovers." Warners' generosity is seen as a move to counteract the bad feelings the cast felt after the studio had given Drew Carey a Porsche earlier this year and the $1 million bonus presented to each "ER" top-liner when NBC paid a record $13 million licensing fee to the studio. Jennifer, David, et. al., meanwhile, had been given only paperweights.


seems like there are a lot of perks to being on a tv show

 

[brittsmum1998]

Hollywood's quest for the NBT (that's Next Big Thing) naturally extends to gift-giving, when studios, agents and executives strive for creativity and originality? at often big expense. One of giftdom's most extravagant examples is now part of Hollywood lore: the cast of "Will & Grace" ? Will McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally ? received matching Porsche Boxsters, at about $50,000 each, as a thank you present from NBC.


The "Friends" cast is due for a major salary hike next year, reports Variety, which also reveals that Santa -- or Warner Bros., actually -- was very good to the TV show's stars this Christmas. Each, says the paper, "was recently given $200,000 after the studio ruminated over several possible perfect gifts to give David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow. Initially, the studio planned to give them Range Rovers." Warners' generosity is seen as a move to counteract the bad feelings the cast felt after the studio had given Drew Carey a Porsche earlier this year and the $1 million bonus presented to each "ER" top-liner when NBC paid a record $13 million licensing fee to the studio. Jennifer, David, et. al., meanwhile, had been given only paperweights.


seems like there are a lot of perks to being on a tv show

Make the show ONLY about the parents and it works for me. Throw in small children who have no say in the matter and it makes me a little bit ill. Heck lets see J & K on the potty, talk about their "tempers" , mimick their speech stutter etc. and they would deserve it. "Pimping" your kids out like that is just lousy and somewhat selfish. Just my opinion of course.

 

[MM27]

Aren't most other reality shows of this subgenre (day-to-day life, not something specific like the makeover shows, etc.) focused on celebs/wealthy people who already have nice houses? I don't watch Little People, Big World, so I don't know what their house looks like, but most of the reality tv stars already have ridiculously huge houses.

Of course, Extremem Makeover: Home Edition people get remodeled/practically new houses.

I watch Little People, Big World too and while I don't know for sure, I would imagine that many of their purchases are paid for as well. As far as the house itself, they were in the process of remodeling when the last season ended and they said they didn't know if they would have the money to finish it. They do have a beautiful kitchen, living and dining rooms that they had done before. When they show things like the labels on the new windows, I would assume that they didnt' pay. They also got an in the ground swimming pool last season which was the focus of two episodes.

Make the show ONLY about the parents and it works for me. Throw in small children who have no say in the matter and it makes me a little bit ill. Heck lets see J & K on the potty, talk about their "tempers" , mimick their speech stutter etc. and they would deserve it. "Pimping" your kids out like that is just lousy and somewhat selfish. Just my opinion of course.

I agree that we didn't need to see the potty thing, but they don't show that anymore. And Kate confirmed this week that they do indeed use toilet paper, even though people were convinced she let them air dry.

I'd be more inclined to say that they find the little speech patterns cute and that's why they mimick the kids. I've read threads right here on the DIS where parents share the cute things their kids say, and they write it the way the kid says it. It sounds cuter when it actually sounds the way the kid said it.

 

[marathonmommy]

I'd be more inclined to say that they find the little speech patterns cute and that's why they mimick the kids. I've read threads right here on the DIS where parents share the cute things their kids say, and they write it the way the kid says it. It sounds cuter when it actually sounds the way the kid said it.

Absolutely! They weren't mocking the kids. They thought it was cute . . .
honestly, some of you read way too into things and make mountains out of molehills. Is Kate a bit overbearing, yes - but come on. They appear to be loving parents. Some of you seem a bit holy-er than thou.

 

[DreaGirl]

Hollywood's quest for the NBT (that's Next Big Thing) naturally extends to gift-giving, when studios, agents and executives strive for creativity and originality? at often big expense. One of giftdom's most extravagant examples is now part of Hollywood lore: the cast of "Will & Grace" ? Will McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally ? received matching Porsche Boxsters, at about $50,000 each, as a thank you present from NBC.


The "Friends" cast is due for a major salary hike next year, reports Variety, which also reveals that Santa -- or Warner Bros., actually -- was very good to the TV show's stars this Christmas. Each, says the paper, "was recently given $200,000 after the studio ruminated over several possible perfect gifts to give David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow. Initially, the studio planned to give them Range Rovers." Warners' generosity is seen as a move to counteract the bad feelings the cast felt after the studio had given Drew Carey a Porsche earlier this year and the $1 million bonus presented to each "ER" top-liner when NBC paid a record $13 million licensing fee to the studio. Jennifer, David, et. al., meanwhile, had been given only paperweights.


seems like there are a lot of perks to being on a tv show

These people are adult actors working on a scripted comedy show. Jon & Kate are doing neither, right?

 

[sha_lyn]

These people are adult actors working on a scripted comedy show. Jon & Kate are doing neither, right?

And your point is what?
It is still a TV show that makes money for the production company and network.
I've asked this before and I'll ask it again.....Would those who are upset with the amount of $$ (either cash or "freebies") that J&K receive be happier if the network and production company kept the money?
Doesn't it make more sense that the "stars" of the show be properly compensated then for the $$ go into the pockets of network and production company executives?