Jon and Kate Plus 8. Official Thread!!

[madge]

What do you expect them to say? Every reasonably intelligent tv viewer knows that reality tv isn't real. I don't know anyone who thinks they're going "just like other families." It just doesn't work that way when you're known. Some celebs can get away with being "just like other families" by throwing on a cap and glasses, but not quite the case when you have eight children and a tv crew.

I'm not sure what I expect them to say about their life in the bigger context of the show. But, I really do think Jon & Kate want people to think they're like other parents and that the things that they do are like other people. And do people that just watch the show (without the internet side-show circus) realize that it's a TV show? I don't know. Maybe they do.

I agree with a PP who said this is one of the more civil threads about the show. I, too, am pretty new to following the show (and all the ridiculous drama and speculation surrounding it), and I glanced at some other boards/blogs and wouldn't DARE post on them! Glad we can all communicate like grown-ups (no name-calling, degrading the family, etc.) here, even when there are differing viewpoints. Nice job, DISers!!

Many message board threads about the show have been closed. I was just thinking today how impressive it is that this one hasn't been. LOL.

 

[Nancy]

They didn't wait in line - they looked to be behind the scenes when they met all 8 characters at once I could see floats in the background. Some little things like that bug me. They took all three strollers from the park through the parking lot to their van ?? Who gets to do that. Their own private room to eat in - no other people there. They just took a huge cooler into the park for drinks?? Can I do that. Kids had Sesame Street bathing suits (well at least the boys did) and towels - really who gave them to them.

The Crayola factory they had a special room for them to have lunch. And lunch looked to be a Wegman's hoagie tray. Who paid for that not J & K.

Well, A Wegmans sub tray is maybe a whole 30.00, maybe 35.00 depending on the size, so I don't think that would break the bank. (worked at Wegmans for almost 17 years I'm prety up on their prices) I'm guessing since this is a reality TV and the episodes are filmed for TV that the production/TLC picks up the tab...which is what they should do. I'm also betting that the places they go to are way too happy to hand out whatever to this tv show because of it's popularity. Product placement in shows and movies has been around for a very long time.

Well after tonite's episode we are definitely going to plan a trip to Sesame Place. DS1 squealed and laughed every time one of the characters was on the screen. Hopefully they still have the military free admission special going on.

I have read such reports on how dirty and nasty the place was but it looked fine to me.

When we used to go when my kids were little we always went mid week (I think we have been there 3 times). It was pretty clean but very hot, not a lot of shady spots around so major sunscreen is a must. It had a very cutr parade and we always had plenty of meet and greet time while there. My kids loved it and we adults also had fun.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

I'm not sure what I expect them to say about their life in the bigger context of the show. But, I really do think Jon & Kate want people to think they're like other parents and that the things that they do are like other people. And do people that just watch the show (without the internet side-show circus) realize that it's a TV show? I don't know. Maybe they do.



Many message board threads about the show have been closed. I was just thinking today how impressive it is that this one hasn't been. LOL.

I'd imagine a passing viewer would think it's just another reality tv show, which we all know isn't, well, reality. Maybe I overestimate people.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

all those clothes given to them by Gymboree - it would be nice to see them pass on the good fortune. JMO

I would love to know what consignment store they use!

 

[eh24fan]

I would love to know what consignment store they use!

I would imagine they do their stuff through a multiples group, although, I could be wrong. It HAS happened, but rarely.

 

[madge]

I would imagine they do their stuff through a multiples group, although, I could be wrong. It HAS happened, but rarely.

I've heard them say consignment store on the show, like the PP did. I've never gotten the impression that it was anything else. It certainly could be, though!

 

[McRed]

Pardon me if I Breath too loud!!!

 

[floridaminnie]

In last nights episode, everyone seemed to have fun...including Kate and the twins. It was nice to see them all having fun and enjoying just being a family.

 

[ajk912]

There's definitely something going up behind the scenes. I kind of understood when it was just J&K taking the kids out, they didn't need Beth or Jodi just to make cupcakes. But last night they took Jenny, the babysitter, instead of Beth or Jodi? Hmmm...makes you kind of think that the huge falling out you read on that blog is true, you know?

I was really shocked, with the germ phobe that Kate is, that she let the kids hug characters and ride ride wearing just bathing suits. All those germs and yuck on the rides, with only one thin layer between their girly parts/man bits and the germ area? I am not the least bit germphobic (ok, maybe a little, but not at a Kate level) and I would NEVER let this happen. I would throw a quick coverup dress over their outfits, though!

BTW, at Busch Gardens were we go all the time, you can't ride rides without proper coverage. They consider it a health violation, I guess. So it's not just me!

 

[troobabiee7]

There's definitely something going up behind the scenes. I kind of understood when it was just J&K taking the kids out, they didn't need Beth or Jodi just to make cupcakes. But last night they took Jenny, the babysitter, instead of Beth or Jodi? Hmmm...makes you kind of think that the huge falling out you read on that blog is true, you know?

I thought that too at first, but then you have to think that Beth and Jodi can't drop their own lives at a moments notice to cater to Jon and Kate all the time. They have their own kids and their own lives, so if they couldn't make it it makes sense for Kate to bring Jenny

I loved last night's episode! Aw, Sesame Place It brings back so many memories! My mom and dad, aunt and uncle would always bring my brother, cousins and I a few times each summer and we had a BLAST! It was before a lot of the water rides were added (it was the very early 90's) but we had so much fun. It's funny though, because on every video we're all moping around sweating like animals That park is HOT! Hot, hot, hot. I remember there not being a lot of places to cool down and the kind of flooring they had would allow the sun to just radiate all over everything. Whew. But I was glad to see the kids having fun... it was so cute how they reacted to the characters. I especially got a kick out of Collin laying on Elmo's foot And the roller coaster was cute! I was surprised they liked it to much since that was a pretty big coaster for 4-year-olds but my cousin was the same way. That was a good episode

 

[KAMLEM]

So what? It is free advertising for the place. Would you rather they hire a camera crew and actors for their advertising? Then buy a comercial spot during the show? They know that the viewers are very likely their target audience. Honestly I don't see any difference and all I can say is it sounds like those who are constantly complain about the "freebies" are jealous.

I think you hit the nail on the head. It's so obvious that many of these people are just envious of J&K. They are basically celebrities now and this is how celebrities are treated. I don't begrudge them anything because I wouldn't want all the negative aspects that also go along with fame.

 

[lil mermaid]

They didn't wait in line - they looked to be behind the scenes when they met all 8 characters at once I could see floats in the background. Some little things like that bug me. They took all three strollers from the park through the parking lot to their van ?? Who gets to do that. Their own private room to eat in - no other people there. They just took a huge cooler into the park for drinks?? Can I do that. Kids had Sesame Street bathing suits (well at least the boys did) and towels - really who gave them to them.

The Crayola factory they had a special room for them to have lunch. And lunch looked to be a Wegman's hoagie tray. Who paid for that not J & K.

I don't understand why you are so worked up about this. You don't have to pay for it in any way, shape or form, so why are you upset? It has to be that you are jealous.

Who cares about what kind of swimsuits and towels they have? Or if they get a private room to dine in? It is free advertising for Sesame Place. I have to admit that after watching last night's episode, I went and checked out the SP website because I think my kids would love it. If it wasn't so far away, I'd be taking them there. I can't be the only one who became interested in SP after seeing the program.

The think about the stroller - what? Who cares.

A free deli tray? They are filming a tv show. Surely the network paid for it, and shouldn't they? I mean, the crew has to eat too.

 

[Camster0307]

So what? It is free advertising for the place. Would you rather they hire a camera crew and actors for their advertising? Then buy a comercial spot during the show? They know that the viewers are very likely their target audience. Honestly I don't see any difference and all I can say is it sounds like those who are constantly complain about the "freebies" are jealous.

ITA!

all those clothes given to them by Gymboree - it would be nice to see them pass on the good fortune. JMO

You've mentioned quite a few times about these supposed "free" clothes from Gymboree; yet I've never seen Gymboroee listed in the credits and I don't think their clothes have obvious signs that they were from Gymboree. One would think that if they were getting FREE clothes, Gymboree would want to make it VERY OBVIOUS to the viewers for the free advertising. Again, just because someone on another message board mentioned that their sister's girlfriend's cousin's wife's best friend said she saw them get free clothes doesn't mean it's true.

I thought that too at first, but then you have to think that Beth and Jodi can't drop their own lives at a moments notice to cater to Jon and Kate all the time. They have their own kids and their own lives, so if they couldn't make it it makes sense for Kate to bring Jenny

I agree. I think it's normal now that the kids are older to have a young babysitter do these types of outings with them. And besides, with the exception of going to the Oprah show and the Utah trip, Jody never accompanied the family on these day outings; she would watch kids at her house.

Again, who knows for certain if there is a falling out between Kate and Jody and Beth; I'm sure we'll never really know the truth because there's two sides to everything. But now that the show is in it's third season, it seems perfectly natural to me that alot of what is being filmed are these special little outings. We've already seen the "home" stuff; we're going to see them out and about now. I think it makes much more sense to have a babysitter come along.

 

[kritter]

Did they have a falling out with Beth too??

 

[missypie]

I was sorry that they went to Sesame Place on such a hot day. I bet they would have cancelled and chosen a cooler day if they had been on their own (no TV crew). I bet they can't just call the crew that morning and say, "Hey we just listened to the weather forecast and it's supposed to be 113 so we aren't going."

 

[Camster0307]

Did they have a falling out with Beth too??

Who knows? Just one of the many rumors that have been posted out there because she hasn't been on the show in a while.

 

[sha_lyn]

Who knows? Just one of the many rumors that have been posted out there because she hasn't been on the show in a while.

That and didn't someone offer up the fact that Jon was also given credit for the book as "proof"....LOL

Also a couple of things I think were clarified last night

They are using the "real" toilet but a potty is kept out for "emergency pee" when all toilets are in use.
With all the talk about bathroom, the poop in the potty etc, neither the potty or the kids going to the bathroom was shown. Looks like they have cut that out.


Also all the outrage over showing the kids in the bathroom...where is the outrage over the videos on AFV? I realized during Sunday nights' episode that I probably see more bare tushies on one episode of AFV then in 5 episode of J&K+8

 

[MM27]

They didn't wait in line - they looked to be behind the scenes when they met all 8 characters at once I could see floats in the background. Some little things like that bug me. They took all three strollers from the park through the parking lot to their van ?? Who gets to do that. Their own private room to eat in - no other people there. They just took a huge cooler into the park for drinks?? Can I do that. Kids had Sesame Street bathing suits (well at least the boys did) and towels - really who gave them to them.

The Crayola factory they had a special room for them to have lunch. And lunch looked to be a Wegman's hoagie tray. Who paid for that not J & K.

Crayola has two places where you can eat lunch. One is McDonald's where they have tables in the actual restaurant and a cafeteria like setup if you buy the McDonald's for a larger group (class trips). The cafeteria that the family ate at is the one that is for people that bring their own lunch. It's not a private room. It is just a huge room with long tables and chairs. We eat in that one every time we go on a class trip there.

After watching last night's episode I was thinking to myself that there was really nothing that people could complain about. The kids looked happy and like they were having fun (even Mady said it was the best day of her life) and Kate participated (went in the water, rode the roller coaster).

I've been reading at a couple other sites where I keep wondering why people even watch the show. No matter what Kate does, she is criticized for it. I agree that some of the things she does/says are extreme, but criticizing the pants she wears or her hair, that's just petty.

I read that post about the person that was at SP when the family was there. She said the kids all looked miserable and were just being pushed around quickly for camera shots. TLC must do some good editing because those kids sure looked happy to me.

The person also couldn't believe that 4 year olds were in strollers I've seen 7 and 8 year olds in Disney in strollers. It was hot, there is a lot of walking and even with help, strollers are a good way to keep tabs on the kids. Mady and Cara were even sitting in the front of the strollers at one point. As far as them being able to bring them to their van, if they had guides all day, the guides probably went with them to the van so that they could return the strollers. Regular park patrons get to their car and what leave the stroller in the parking lot.

After Kate's lack of interest at the bakery, I was so happy to see her having fun with the kids. Even though parents weren't allowed on that one slide, it was nice to see Kate in there. And no I don't think she broke the rules intentionally. She even said to the guy, "Oh, parents aren't allowed" and then yelled down to Jon that they weren't supposed to be on it.

They are going on many of these trips and outings for a couple of reasons. One, it makes for better footage than watching the kids at home day after day. Two, the places are getting promotional air time. I'm sure we will see the hotel sign in Hawaii every time they leave the hotel. And three, someone is offering a large family a chance to do things that they would not have been able to do on their own. I don't know what SP tickets cost, but multiply that by 10 and you have a very expensive day. Then add in food for 10, souveniers, etc. If I were in Kate's position, I wouldn't pass up those opportunities either.

And we finally have an answer about the little potties. The kids do in fact use the regular toilets. The potties are just for those times when you have 3 or 4 kids having to pee and not enough toilets available.

 

[madge]

ITA!
You've mentioned quite a few times about these supposed "free" clothes from Gymboree; yet I've never seen Gymboroee listed in the credits and I don't think their clothes have obvious signs that they were from Gymboree. One would think that if they were getting FREE clothes, Gymboree would want to make it VERY OBVIOUS to the viewers for the free advertising. Again, just because someone on another message board mentioned that their sister's girlfriend's cousin's wife's best friend said she saw them get free clothes doesn't mean it's true.

I'm a member of a Gymboree forum. Jon & Kate are big news over there, because the children wear Gymboree clothes in nearly every episode. (The orange outfits in last night's episode are from a line that came out earlier this summer.)

There has been more than one post from Gymboree employees that have been working when Jon & Kate come into the store - according those employee accounts (which, I freely admit, could be completely fabricated and full of BS) Jon & Kate come in, choose what they like, and sign for it. They don't pay.

It has also been mentioned on one of the blogs (again, not sure about the credibility ... but it certainly seems reasonable) that Gymboree sends Jon & Kate shipments of entire lines, including shoes and accessories. The large Gymboree boxes have been seen by these posters in the garage.

There's a lot of information and MISinformation out there about Jon & Kate - one of the things I have read repeatedly is the free Gymboree clothes. I think it's just a given, because the children wear Gymboree so often. (the girls were wearing Cupcake Cutie in the Crayola episode ... I LOVE that line. LOL) It is also one of the rarely disputed/snarked about topics on those other blogs.... one of those things that it is what it is, KWIM?

The bottom line (to me) is that the Gosselins receive a lot of donations/product placements/endorsements (whatever you want to call it) from stores, companies, and viewers. I would LOVE to see in print or on TV where they give back to the community in some way. And not just Jon & Kate ... I'm a equal opportunity kind of gal. I love seeing anyone give back - my family, the Gosselin kids, George Clooney, whoever. There are plenty of people in the world with excess and even more who have not much.

 

[GeorgiaPeach8]

With the mark up on clothes as high as it is Gymboree is getting the better end of the deal...free advertising for a few clothes! The only thing is I would like to see J&K donate the free stuff not consignment or yard sale it--kind of a pay it forward thing.

My DD loves to see some of her clothes on the twins. She has spent all day playing Crayola Factory with her baby dolls.


Also, our local zoo lets groups of 10 more (if you call ahead) have all sorts of perks. Like you can reserve the pavillon for lunch, get animal "demonstrations", timed train tickets...stuff I wouldnt think about unless I was planning a field trip for my class. But J&K are a field trip all by themselves.