Jon & Kate - Will you continue to watch this show?

[C.Ann]

Yes, I will continue to watch..........and I'm wondering why you say you don't watch, you know, read, have an opinion and comment on 95% of everything that is going on regarding them, so what is the difference?

You are 100% correct.. I read about the show here - and nowhere else.. I don't click on the links however - with all of the photos, gossip, etc.. I don't care about who Jon is alleged to be cheating with - nor do I care what kind of bikini Kate wears..

So why do I read and comment? Because I think it's an important topic - in terms of the children.. I read and read and read - hoping that sooner or later someone will state that J&K have finally come to their senses and have decided to cancel the show.. When that day comes, I will have no interest in what goes on in their lives.. I'm concerned about the children - plain and simple.. Jon and Kate are adults - they can take care of themselves..

When I read about yet another stupid publicity stunt (like last nights episode), I follow it up with letter and emails to TLC and the sponsors of the show.. Why? Same answer - the kids.. The show needs to stop.. Once it does, I won't have any need to read or comment on Jon & Kate and their televised train wreck..

 

[blissventure]

I'm OK with you disagreeing with me - it's my opinion so I'll say what I think and you can do the same. I think it's far less damaging to continue the show and have the financial future assured, given the circumstances. We didn't see how the children were told or what resources are in place to help them. We are being shown a highly edited version of a small part of their lives and given what I have seen so far, I totally relate to Kate's decisions and would do the same in her shoes.

Try feeding,clothing and educating 8 children on a nurse's salary and see how far it gets you.

Some are going to agree with you, some (like me) will say that there is a tipping point that Kate is dangerously close to (or has already crossed.) "Sharing" her life, or exploiting the 8 kids...
She and Jon do have options. Selling the kid's childhood isn't the only path they could choose.
I'm hoping there won't be long term damage. I would hate to think the hot book about 15 years will be a tell all from the kids about what it was really like living through all the impatience, disrespect, nastiness, turmoil and parental anger.

 

[joviroxx]

I
Try feeding,clothing and educating 8 children on a nurse's salary and see how far it gets you.

Im sure it is hard. I guess I wonder why decide to have more kids and not just had the 2 beautiful ones they could afford, if you only make a nurse's salary..Im glad its worked out for them, thankfully, but I don't know that I would want to have kids if it depended on having to have them filmed and on TV for the majority of their lives.....

 

[DizBelle]

Yes, I'm totally a fan. I'm going to continue to watch and I don't see any reason why Kate shouldn't keep on filming the show. I'm very much "Team Kate."

I don't think it's exploitative or damaging to the children. If you've been in Kate's shoes and you have the opportunity to assure a financial future for your children you would be amazed at how quickly you could justify her actions.

The TV exposure of family life vs. a secure financial future without having to work second shift as a nurse would be totally worth it to me as a mom. I would never say it didn't have an impact on the children in some way to continue the show but it would be the far, far lesser of two evils for me if I were in her postion.

I'm not one of those mothers who says it's worth it to sacrifice everything material so you can be home with your children. I'm seeing a lot of those kinds of moms wishing they had made other choices now that they are unemployed and their children can't afford to stay in college.

Whether Kate has been a shrew all along is beside the point - Jon enabled that behavior consistently and he was the one who dropped the ball. If you are unhappy in your marriage you communicate with your spouse and you try everything to resolve the issues with counseling, etc. You don't start auditioning for a new girlfriend until you have done everything you can to save the marriage you promised to stay in forever. I think he's a total scumbag and she's better off doing it alone.

So, yes, I'll continue to watch!!!!

I never supported it by watching it before and won't start now. I you HAVE to have a tv show to support your lifestyle, perhaps that isn't the right lifestyle for you.

 

[DizBelle]

This show has been an absolute farce from the beginning. "Reality TV"? The phrase is an oxymoron. NOBODY with a camera crew in tow, has ever or will ever keep it real. I feel bad there are kids involved in this. Pathetic.

Let's leave these people alone, and ignore them. Poor Jon. His manhood has been stolen by Kate. However, I don't want to bag too much on Kate either. Yeah, she's mean, but come on people - SHE HAS EIGHT KIDS!!! You would be just a bit of a psycho if you had EIGHT KIDS. Don't get me wrong, I love kids. I have a few myself. But, I don't want 8 of them. I enjoy drinking a beer. If I drank eight of them every night though, I'd pass out and have a hangover the next day. Eight of anything - kids, alcoholic beverages, parakeets, or dogs that shed - BAD THING; and it's going to affect your mood. Put a TLC camera crew in the mix, and you have a circus.

Don't watch this show. If you do, you are supporting the downfall of civilization.

You know, those kids weren't created with a magic wand. They were purposely and deliberately created (as are all children). They knew EXACTLY what they were doing and therefore decided they were prepared for it. If having 8 kids is such a bad thing, don't have them. Period.

 

[blissventure]

You are 100% correct.. I read about the show here - and nowhere else.. I don't click on the links however - with all of the photos, gossip, etc.. I don't care about who Jon is alleged to be cheating with - nor do I care what kind of bikini Kate wears..

So why do I read and comment? Because I think it's an important topic - in terms of the children.. I read and read and read - hoping that sooner or later someone will state that J&K have finally come to their senses and have decided to cancel the show.. When that day comes, I will have no interest in what goes on in their lives.. I'm concerned about the children - plain and simple.. Jon and Kate are adults - they can take care of themselves..

When I read about yet another stupid publicity stunt (like last nights episode), I follow it up with letter and emails to TLC and the sponsors of the show.. Why? Same answer - the kids.. The show needs to stop.. Once it does, I won't have any need to read or comment on Jon & Kate and their televised train wreck..

I'll join you in the I care about the kids club. I've always had a policy with family/friend and divorce. I'm never "pro" on either side adults, I'm always on the kid's side.
This is likely the only childhood a kid will have. Mom and Dad can have all the "issues" they want, but the kids...they are innocent bystanders who are left to watch and hurt.

 

[MaMa3Princess]

I have watched the show since it has been on TLC and it is hard to see it slide down that slippery slope. It is hard for us to find things to watch on tv as a family. My kids like to watch the Gosselin children and we have enjoyed the shows when they went to Disney, Lego Land,Sesame Street Place... Even last night they enjoyed watching the kids get the Crooked Houses. It was really sad at the end when Kate was near tears and Jon had this look of relief. It is hard to say I have old episodes recorded..

 

[BobBayse]

lfontaine - You are right. They brought this on themselves. My point is, what do you expect these people to act like, even if they brought it on themselves?

Ignore them. Hopefully they'll do the right thing out of the spotlight, instead of what the pollings show what their next trick should be.

 

[Maggi May]

I'm OK with you disagreeing with me - it's my opinion so I'll say what I think and you can do the same. I think it's far less damaging to continue the show and have the financial future assured, given the circumstances. We didn't see how the children were told or what resources are in place to help them. We are being shown a highly edited version of a small part of their lives and given what I have seen so far, I totally relate to Kate's decisions and would do the same in her shoes.

Try feeding,clothing and educating 8 children on a nurse's salary and see how far it gets you.

"Financial future" over privacy vs. not having your family's disintegration played out in prime time. I'll take "B" every time. And, given how much money Jon and Kate have already milked from their family, they should already have some financial security.

I just cannot fathom having my parents divorce featured on a television show. Shame on The Learning Channel for continuting to show this train wreck. If the parents can't step back from the spotlight to protect their kids, someone else should. Perhaps the court will appoint guardians ad litem for the children, now that they've filed for divorce.

 

[Laura]

Yes, I'm totally a fan. I'm going to continue to watch and I don't see any reason why Kate shouldn't keep on filming the show. I'm very much "Team Kate."

I don't think it's exploitative or damaging to the children. If you've been in Kate's shoes and you have the opportunity to assure a financial future for your children you would be amazed at how quickly you could justify her actions.

The TV exposure of family life vs. a secure financial future without having to work second shift as a nurse would be totally worth it to me as a mom. I would never say it didn't have an impact on the children in some way to continue the show but it would be the far, far lesser of two evils for me if I were in her postion.

I'm not one of those mothers who says it's worth it to sacrifice everything material so you can be home with your children. I'm seeing a lot of those kinds of moms wishing they had made other choices now that they are unemployed and their children can't afford to stay in college.

Whether Kate has been a shrew all along is beside the point - Jon enabled that behavior consistently and he was the one who dropped the ball. If you are unhappy in your marriage you communicate with your spouse and you try everything to resolve the issues with counseling, etc. You don't start auditioning for a new girlfriend until you have done everything you can to save the marriage you promised to stay in forever. I think he's a total scumbag and she's better off doing it alone.

So, yes, I'll continue to watch!!!!

I don't think the money they get from the show is worth the ramifications their children will experience (and frankly, have already experienced). I think the show can be done in such a way that it documents more public aspects of their life or special occasions (trip to WDW and the kids' special days and so forth). But they pry far too much into their lives. I'm sorry I watched it while I was on maternity leave. I've already stopped watching and didn't watch last night's episode.

I think it's disgusting that they announced their divorce on the show. It's a horrendous ratings ploy. Ridiculous and disgusting. I'm not going to rag on Kate or Jon's actions within their relationship (remember, they're both accused of cheating, not just Jon), I don't think we really know what's going on there. They would have to mention a divorce on the show at some point, but to have it so that the first word comes from their TV show to get "big ratings" is inexcusable.

I can understand why they were happy to do the show in the beginning, but clearly, it's taken over their lives. I grew up knowing several large families (larger than Jon and Kate's); none of them needed TV shows to support themselves.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I don't think the money they get from the show is worth the ramifications their children will experience. I think the show can be done in such a way that it documents more public aspects of their life or special occasions (trip to WDW and the kids' special days and so forth). But they pry far too much into their lives. I'm sorry I watched it while I was on maternity leave. I've already stopped watching and didn't watch last night's episode.

I think it's disgusting that they announced their divorce on the show. It's a horrendous ratings ploy. Ridiculous and disgusting. I'm not going to rag on Kate or Jon's actions within their relationship (remember, they're both accused of cheating, not just Jon), I don't think we really know what's going on there. They would have to mention a divorce on the show at some point, but to have it so that the first word comes from their TV show to get "big ratings" is inexcusable.

I can understand why they were happy to do the show in the beginning, but clearly, it's taken over their lives. I grew up knowing several large families (larger than Jon and Kate's); none of them needed TV shows to support themselves.

You took the words right out of my mouth. I agree 100%. Except, I stopped watching last season because I couldn't take Kate's behavior toward Jon any more.

Shame on both of them for selling their children like this. How can you actually hype your divorce for ratings! Disgusting!

 

[MosMom]

I'll keep watching because I love train wreck drama. Wheeee!!!

I can't wait to watch The Real Housewives of New Jersey reunion tonight. I hope they pull each others hair out. I like to watch trash sometimes and there are a few shows that fit the bill. They are like soap operas without aliens and demon possesions.

I don't have enough moral character to turn my nose up to shows like this.

How much you wanna bet Jon gets a spin-off show? "Jon's New Life" He can talk about how his hair plugs are falling out and how one of his girlfriends gave him VD. Oh life isn't always exciting for a 32 year old in the Big Apple!

 

[M5ward]

I don't watch the show to begin with, but if I did, last night (from what I hear and read) would have been my last time. Some day these children are going to realize that their parents aired their dirty laundry in tabloids and on national tv for all to see. At what point in time do these kids start to wonder if their parents would have stayed together if it hadn't been for their multiple birth and ensuing reality show? From all I've read, do these kids look back at episodes of the show and think their mom is an absolute witch who emasculated their dad on tv? Do they think their dad was a spineless, whipped man with no backbone? What a legacy!
Our voyeuristic society would be better off living our own lives rather than finding entertainment in someone else's pain

 

[tuckerkeys]

Well, according to the LA Times, it has officially gone on a " production hiatus".......


http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/06/jon-kate-plus-8-goes-on-production-hiatus.html

good for them

 

[Angelhalo]

Well I would have to respectfully disagree with you on this. You don't think having your parents announce, on NATIONAL TV, that they are divorcing is damaging?

I've only ever watched snippets of the show here and there, and really cannot stomach how she treats her husband. Yes, he's scum for cheating, and a doormat for allowing her to treat him that way, but she absolutely shares 50% of the blame in this one. I am definitely not a member of "Team Kate"

And even without the public decree of divorce, what about the cameras being in their faces 24/7, the paparazzi following them around, endandering their lives?

These children have no idea what it means to have a normal life. Everything they do or say is scrutinized and put out there for people to laugh at, cry over, argue about etc. It's just voyeurism and anyone who thinks that it isn't harming or exploiting them....well I just don't understand that train of thought at all.

There are better ways to support your family, even if it means that you are dirt poor than having every waking moment of your life splashed in front of the world for public scrutiny. They are simply a meal ticket for a couple of fame hungry parents who seem to have no scruples or family values at all.

I don't see how anyone could be on team anything other than team "kids" and if you're on their team, it seems like you would want a normal caring life for them where their parents are more interested in them than their book deals, massive paychecks, designer clothes, and fame instead of the pathetic hand they have been dealt. Sure they have money, but money isn't everything.

 

[sms]

Yes, I'm totally a fan. I'm going to continue to watch and I don't see any reason why Kate shouldn't keep on filming the show. I'm very much "Team Kate."

I don't think it's exploitative or damaging to the children. If you've been in Kate's shoes and you have the opportunity to assure a financial future for your children you would be amazed at how quickly you could justify her actions.

The TV exposure of family life vs. a secure financial future without having to work second shift as a nurse would be totally worth it to me as a mom. I would never say it didn't have an impact on the children in some way to continue the show but it would be the far, far lesser of two evils for me if I were in her postion.

I'm not one of those mothers who says it's worth it to sacrifice everything material so you can be home with your children. I'm seeing a lot of those kinds of moms wishing they had made other choices now that they are unemployed and their children can't afford to stay in college.

Whether Kate has been a shrew all along is beside the point - Jon enabled that behavior consistently and he was the one who dropped the ball. If you are unhappy in your marriage you communicate with your spouse and you try everything to resolve the issues with counseling, etc. You don't start auditioning for a new girlfriend until you have done everything you can to save the marriage you promised to stay in forever. I think he's a total scumbag and she's better off doing it alone.

So, yes, I'll continue to watch!!!!

I agree!! Well said!

 

[Starbrite]

Yes, I have watched from the beginning & will continue to watch til the very end.

 

[kjs1976]

No. I'm really disappointed. I started watching in Nov. of 2007 when I was on bedrest due to a pulled muscle with my daughter. It made me laugh and think if they can do it with 8, I could with 1. I wouldn't want to continue watching the kids just frolic around and she and him be happy as a big front when those kids have got to be going through stuff. I wish they would've said that they were quitting the show to work on things and keep their lives more private for the kids sake. But I guess $75,000 and episode is more important than their kids emotional stability.

 

[luvmy3]

I've watched it a few times so I can't call myself a regular watcher. I have yet to see any of the new shows. What really bothered me about their announcement is that they did the promos for the show saying they made a life changing decision, and then they filed the papers on the day the show was to air, most likely so the (more) viewers would trun in to find out what the announcement really was. Its totally about ratings and the show to them Shame on TLC for not letting these people deal with their divorce personally/privately and instead use them to gain ratings and viewers too

 

[AlleyKat]

Yes, I'm totally a fan. I'm going to continue to watch and I don't see any reason why Kate shouldn't keep on filming the show. I'm very much "Team Kate."

I don't think it's exploitative or damaging to the children. If you've been in Kate's shoes and you have the opportunity to assure a financial future for your children you would be amazed at how quickly you could justify her actions.

The TV exposure of family life vs. a secure financial future without having to work second shift as a nurse would be totally worth it to me as a mom. I would never say it didn't have an impact on the children in some way to continue the show but it would be the far, far lesser of two evils for me if I were in her postion.

I'm not one of those mothers who says it's worth it to sacrifice everything material so you can be home with your children. I'm seeing a lot of those kinds of moms wishing they had made other choices now that they are unemployed and their children can't afford to stay in college.

Whether Kate has been a shrew all along is beside the point - Jon enabled that behavior consistently and he was the one who dropped the ball. If you are unhappy in your marriage you communicate with your spouse and you try everything to resolve the issues with counseling, etc. You don't start auditioning for a new girlfriend until you have done everything you can to save the marriage you promised to stay in forever. I think he's a total scumbag and she's better off doing it alone.

So, yes, I'll continue to watch!!!!

I agree with your assessment!!

I will watch the show as long as it's on!

Folks keep harping on the fact that "the big announcement" was divorce, it was NOT!

The announcement was their separation. Supposedly, Kate filed for divorce yesterday, AFTER the show had been filmed, hence the "inserted" divorce notice near the end of the show.
If what I read is true, Jon's behavior this past weekend was the straw that broke the camels back!

No matter what happens with/in this family, they are human beings with feelings and souls. The viewing public may not agree with what is/has happened but that IS reality television!