~ Kate Plus Eight ~

[descovy]

As I recall... the 4000+ sq ft house was a foreclosure. mom was excited because it was in their price range... and about the same size as current house... same size for less money.

But they found it had an offer on it.

The house they settled on was 3000+ sq ft. No, not tiny. But at 8 people that's about 250 sq ft/person. A lot of families live in more room that that (1000 sq ft for family of 4)

Plus, and this has always been a bone of contention as a suburban texas homeowner... the houses are large here. but NO basement (storage), small lots, and if it says 2 car garage... that is strictly 2 cars. not 2 cars + equipment.

My family of 5 lives in a 2700 sq ft house. It's a "just right" kinda size. None of the rooms are amazingly large, and we have to be smart about clutter... christmas decorations, lawn equipment.

Whoops! My math was off! I hit send... ran out the door to pick up a DD, and fretted all the way about my poor math...

Anyways 8 people in a 3200 sq ft house would be 400 sq ft/person. Certainly not as tiny as previously quoted 250 sq ft... but you get my point. And still, 400 sq ft per person isn't livin large either.

When I grew up in WA(family of 4) our house was less than 1600 sq ft. But we had a HUGE basement with a pool table, queen bed for guests, lots of storage for christmas decorations and such. The garage was at the end of a long gravel driveway with a shop in the back full of dad'd tools, air compressor, car parts. And still, we had a old shed in the back that held the mower and other "stuff"

The square footage may have been smaller than my 2700 sq ft house of today in suburban Houston. My garage can hold a car and a lawnmower but not much more. Certainly not a full fleged shop. My lot if 55 feet wide and 110 feet deep. No spare room... just different how houses are set up!

 

[mhsjax]

That's just how big the "tiny" house Kate last had to get out of was! How ironic. I think all the babies in one room makes sense while they are really little.
I like Ethan and Casey's show very much. I never thought they pretended to be poor; only downsizing. Alot. They said Ethan's salary had been cut by $75,000 last year! Wow. They are blessed for sure, and seem really sweet to one another. I hope they don't stay on TV! I think she said the $1000 included diapers/wipes and some were still on formula? It is still a lot. I like their Texas dialect too;very cute. They seem crazy about each other and their kids even with all the chaos. Oh, the screaming kids. She doesn't seem to have much help, and didn't seem stressed about packing them up to go to his MBA graduation out of town at 7:45am. I don't know, quite a contrast to Kate imo.

Ain't that the truth. Why is it ok for Kate to purchase a huge house with a ton of land AFTER she made a mint of off her kids and yet the Joneses are downsizing because of the kids. I know the Ethan and Casey are on TV just like Kate but kate bought that huge mansion, way bigger probably on the inside and most definately the outside after the kids were on TV. At least Ethan had an extremely well paying job, if the economy hadn't gone the way it did, then I bet they could still afford their house. Can't say the same about Jon and Kate.

 

[mhsjax]

The houses they were looking at were a ton bigger than K & J's old house. Did you see those houses? Those upstairs rooms weren't converted attics. They were big full size bedrooms. And the kitchen..it was a huge kitchen, not like J & K's. And they had a huge dining room, not just the eat in kitchen. And the front room was very very big with a huge hall you walked into, with a beautiful staircase. No comparison in my opinion to where K & J used to live. The houses they were looking at to downsize looked much more like K & J's new house. Maybe they mispoke when they gave the size, because you sure couldn't compare the ones they were looking at to K & J's old house.

I wouldn't consider diapers or wipes food. It said food, so I assumed they meant what you eat. It was an overlay on the TV, not what the mom was saying. $250 a week is a lot of groceries for 5 babies, one little girl and mom and dad..at least in my area. I thought they said the babies drank milk, not formula..are they the ones that drink a gallon a day? In our area that would be about $30 a week for milk. That would still leave a lot for food..of course it depends on what the food is. We have WIC in this area, so their milk could be free. They have had diaper drives also (and got a lot of donations before they took down their blog and changed it to mention giving to the less fortunate), at least twice, although if they use 50 diapers a day (man those kids must wet a lot) they would go through them fast. Just seems they are always mentioning money and their lack of it.

His salary was cut a lot, I agree..so I guess they figured going public on TV with the kids will make up for it. So, if the salary was cut, and they get the minimum that K & J got for each of their shows, shouldn't that mean they are making what they did last year? Or is it only $20,000 a season? I can't imagine they would share all their private stuff for $20,000 for the whole season.

They are often shown with help. Maybe that's just when her husband goes to work. It's hard to keep all of these families straight, but doesn't a family member come in and do all her laundry? THey have mentioned their helpers quite a few times.

Where Jon and Kate USED to live. Check out their house now. Paid for by the kids. Why shouldn't the other people be able to live in a house just as big or maybe even a little smaller than Kate's house now. At least they got the original house on their own. Jon and Kate not the house on Elizabeth, the kids paid for most of that I bet. Probably when they got the payment from TLC because according to her book, they could barely feed themselves and pay their bills. And if the economy hadn't gone bad then the Joneses could have flipped it.. Also on the first episode Casey said she had to quit her job and she was making $40,000.00. Kate has never even mentioned working except for part time, even before they had the girls. You just can't compare the two of them at all.

Sure they are both making money on TV with the kids. But I can guarantee you that Jon and Kate would have NEVER made it financially on their own, where as Casey and Ethan probably would have if not for the economy. Also Ethen went on to complete his Master's , Jon NOTHING. Kate NOTHING.

 

[DMRick]

According to them, they weren't planning on keeping their house, it was an investment.

I don't understand what you are asking? I think it's fine for Kate to buy a bigger house (I have no idea if Kates house is bigger than the Joneses old house, but the J's old house sure was big), and it's fine for the Joneses to downsize. Perhaps the Joneses will make enough having the kids on TV to buy another big house. They are both using their kids as a way of being on TV. Both families seem to like to talk about the price of things and how are they going to afford this and that..and yet, they are both being paid to be on TV..that money isn't chicken feed.

The housing economy started to tank in 2006, right after it peaked, 4 years ago, before the quints were conceived. I wonder if they just thought it would be short term. Kate & J prob did well buying their house when they did (more value for the money). I'm also pretty sure that Kate can now afford that house. She earned a lot on DWTS, she must be being paid for her new show as well as the show with the kids. The Joneses may have waited a little too long to sell theirs. Maybe they were hoping the values would go back up, who knows. Don't know where I'm going with that..just thought I would mention it.

I sure do hope the newest couple to the fray (the Spanish couple) don't follow all the others who have come before them. They do seem very sweet and I think they really will make good use of any money they earn. But they all start out that way, don't they

Ain't that the truth. Why is it ok for Kate to purchase a huge house with a ton of land AFTER she made a mint of off her kids and yet the Joneses are downsizing because of the kids. I know the Ethan and Casey are on TV just like Kate but kate bought that huge mansion, way bigger probably on the inside and most definately the outside after the kids were on TV. At least Ethan had an extremely well paying job, if the economy hadn't gone the way it did, then I bet they could still afford their house. Can't say the same about Jon and Kate.

 

[DMRick]

Sure they are both making money on TV with the kids. But I can guarantee you that Jon and Kate would have NEVER made it financially on their own, where as Casey and Ethan probably would have if not for the economy. Also Ethen went on to complete his Master's , Jon NOTHING. Kate NOTHING.

A lot of people would be doing good if not for the economy. Didn't a college donate Ethens college bills for his masters, because he had so many kids? Or was that one of the other shows? I do hope he can step into a high paying job. Around here, even those with Master's are having a tough time earning enough to support the lifestyle they want.

In any case, the biggest comparison is both families are using the kids to make money (although I am happy that Kate has her own show, and I hope it wil be successful..the one without the kids). To me, that is the biggest comparison and the one that counts in this horse race. And there are more families behind them. It's just a really popular thing on TV right now. Have a bunch of kids, put them on TV. All of those families are earning the bulk of their money because they have a bunch of kids...not because they have jobs other than TV, at least right now. Maybe they started out different, but they are ending up the same.

 

[DMRick]

Latest on Bryan and Jennie

http://www.popeater.com/2010/09/21/...?icid=main|htmlws-main-n|dl2|sec1_lnk3|172036

 

[Buckalew11]

"totally brutal fights" and "when you're stuck with each other..." that sounds quite bad for a happy future. I wish them luck...I think they need more than that though!

 

[mhsjax]

According to them, they weren't planning on keeping their house, it was an investment.

I don't understand what you are asking? I think it's fine for Kate to buy a bigger house (I have no idea if Kates house is bigger than the Joneses old house, but the J's old house sure was big), and it's fine for the Joneses to downsize. Perhaps the Joneses will make enough having the kids on TV to buy another big house. They are both using their kids as a way of being on TV. Both families seem to like to talk about the price of things and how are they going to afford this and that..and yet, they are both being paid to be on TV..that money isn't chicken feed.

The housing economy started to tank in 2006, right after it peaked, 4 years ago, before the quints were conceived. I wonder if they just thought it would be short term. Kate & J prob did well buying their house when they did (more value for the money). I'm also pretty sure that Kate can now afford that house. She earned a lot on DWTS, she must be being paid for her new show as well as the show with the kids. The Joneses may have waited a little too long to sell theirs. Maybe they were hoping the values would go back up, who knows. Don't know where I'm going with that..just thought I would mention it.

I sure do hope the newest couple to the fray (the Spanish couple) don't follow all the others who have come before them. They do seem very sweet and I think they really will make good use of any money they earn. But they all start out that way, don't they

Not really asking anything, just responding to the general feel about how the Joneses are downsizing, and even with their downsizing, they were buying a house bigger than the one Kate had before this one. The point I was trying to make is that they had this house before their kids, Jan and kate have bought everything off the backs of their kids. Also, Kates new house was purchased long before DWTS so that had no bearing on the purchase of that house. The kids purchased that house. At least the Jonses had their "big house" before the kids and it wasn't purchased form the sale of their kids. Maybe the stuff now is being purchased that way, but not at first. That is the difference, that is why I responded, because someone was talking about the Jonses downsizing and they were downsizing to a house that was bigger than the one Jon and Kate had originally, yet at least they bought their with their own money. Jon and Kate, not so much. And now the Joness seen to be doing the same thing. Selling their kids, but at least for now, Casey is much nicer than Kate, so it makes her easier to watch.

As far as the new couple. They are so sweet. And for them I actually hope they do make some money, they could really use it, and they are just so darn cute together.

As far as Kate having her "own" show. Haven't heard much about the lately, wonder if it is still in the works. somehow I doubt it, but I don't know.

PS. If this doesn't make any sense, sorry. It is early and I haven't had a full cup of coffee yet.

 

[DMRick]

Yes, they did have their house before the kids. Kate and Jon also had a house before the kids, just much smaller. I mentioned DWTS, because I think that helps Kate with the expenses of the house. I know they bought it before the show. The most llikely did buy it with money the family earned on the show. The good part is, that the kids do seem to like the house and they get to enjoy it. It's not a house in France or wherever, just for the parents. I hope it proves to be a good investment of the kids money, versus some of the celebrities that just go through their money and have nothing to show for it.

The end result is the same of course. They are on TV because of the kids (which of course you also mentioned).

I guess the new famly is teaching even people with a lot of money a lesson. If you are in the type of business he is in, and making tons of money (and spending it), you need to be even more prepared than they were (if you hope to keep up that lifestyle or anything near it), and have even more in savings to get you through the down times. I guess I also wonder, what took them so long to downsize..this bad housing economy (which is what he was in) started a few years ago before the babies. Although they are probably asking themselves the same question.

For both families, although they would not be on TV without their children, I do think it's a lot of work for the adults as well to be on TV. Of course the adults do it by choice, but I just wanted to mention that. It's not like they all stay in bed and the kids pack their lunches and go to work. I would not want to be the parents and do all the coordinating of these shows.

Not really asking anything, just responding to the general feel about how the Joneses are downsizing, and even with their downsizing, they were buying a house bigger than the one Kate had before this one. The point I was trying to make is that they had this house before their kids, Jan and kate have bought everything off the backs of their kids. Also, Kates new house was purchased long before DWTS so that had no bearing on the purchase of that house. The kids purchased that house. At least the Jonses had their "big house" before the kids and it wasn't purchased form the sale of their kids. Maybe the stuff now is being purchased that way, but not at first. That is the difference, that is why I responded, because someone was talking about the Jonses downsizing and they were downsizing to a house that was bigger than the one Jon and Kate had originally, yet at least they bought their with their own money. Jon and Kate, not so much. And now the Joness seen to be doing the same thing. Selling their kids, but at least for now, Casey is much nicer than Kate, so it makes her easier to watch.

As far as the new couple. They are so sweet. And for them I actually hope they do make some money, they could really use it, and they are just so darn cute together.

As far as Kate having her "own" show. Haven't heard much about the lately, wonder if it is still in the works. somehow I doubt it, but I don't know.

PS. If this doesn't make any sense, sorry. It is early and I haven't had a full cup of coffee yet.

 

[Dee77]

I don't think comparing these two families is at all fair, it's not apples to apples. First, Jon and Kate made a lot of money with books and church speeches etc, plus they signed on for dozens of shows each TV season with TLC, I don't think the Jones' are signed up for the long term right now until the network sees the ratings, buzz etc.

They are completely opposite families in my opinion. It doesn't matter what business one is in these days, the economy is tough for everyone but at least Ethan plans to continue to work unlike Kate and Jon who basically turned their family into their jobs. He also is a contractor so I do not take anything away from him to have a super-sized house that is in direct relationship to his line of work.

 

[DMRick]

K & J also started slow..with a special, and Kate worked in the begining. Jon also planned on working when they started. I think that is how it works for all of them. They all start off the same. If the Jones get the offer, I'd be very surprised if they don't take it and so far we don't know if this will be successful eough for him not to work, if a book and speeches will then be in the future. Who knows if they get offered them, if they too will sign on for lots of shows.
I compare them, because IMO, they all start out the same (kids are what is getting them the shows..and both of them had websites asking for donations although the Jones one has changed the donation page, but it was up there with a list of needs while he was still working), and it is yet to be seen, if they end up the same in the end.

We'll have to agree (if you want lol) to disagree that they are not that much different. Right now, the only difference I see, is they have a much higher/more expensive lifestyle starting out. At one time most people thought K & J were sweet and had a good marriage, and right now, I think these guys are also seen that way.

But these are just my opinions. Of course we all have our own.

I don't think comparing these two families is at all fair, it's not apples to apples. First, Jon and Kate made a lot of money with books and church speeches etc, plus they signed on for dozens of shows each TV season with TLC, I don't think the Jones' are signed up for the long term right now until the network sees the ratings, buzz etc.

They are completely opposite families in my opinion. It doesn't matter what business one is in these days, the economy is tough for everyone but at least Ethan plans to continue to work unlike Kate and Jon who basically turned their family into their jobs. He also is a contractor so I do not take anything away from him to have a super-sized house that is in direct relationship to his line of work.

 

[Dee77]

K & J also started slow..with a special, and Kate worked in the begining. Jon also planned on working when they started. I think that is how it works for all of them. They all start off the same. If the Jones get the offer, I'd be very surprised if they don't take it and so far we don't know if this will be successful eough for him not to work, if a book and speeches will then be in the future. Who knows if they get offered them, if they too will sign on for lots of shows.
I compare them, because IMO, they all start out the same (kids are what is getting them the shows..and both of them had websites asking for donations although the Jones one has changed the donation page, but it was up there with a list of needs while he was still working), and it is yet to be seen, if they end up the same in the end.

We'll have to agree (if you want lol) to disagree that they are not that much different. Right now, the only difference I see, is they have a much higher/more expensive lifestyle starting out. At one time most people thought K & J were sweet and had a good marriage, and right now, I think these guys are also seen that way.

But these are just my opinions. Of course we all have our own.

Who else besides Jon and Kate are part of the "they all start out the same way" that you are referring to? I just don't know where else anyone can derive a comparison from other than Jon and Kate and, to me, the Jones' are a completely different family altogether. The differences in them goes way beyond the lifestyles they started out with.

 

[auntie]

I remember watching Jon and Kate early on when the kids were really little interested in the logistics of caring for that many multiples. (now..I personally don't see the draw to the show currently...other than the celebrity status that Kate has achieved..but that's just me..I digress)...
I never remember thinking that she and Jon were a "sweet" couple with a good marriage. She always appeared rather bossy and complained (again..not that she didn't have good cause with that many children). It was really about her even then. John did what he was told. He just didn't do it with a smile towards the end.

 

[mhsjax]

Who else besides Jon and Kate are part of the "they all start out the same way" that you are referring to? I just don't know where else anyone can derive a comparison from other than Jon and Kate and, to me, the Jones' are a completely different family altogether. The differences in them goes way beyond the lifestyles they started out with.

I agree, those two families are as different as night and day, at least when they started out. We will have to see about Ethan and Casey, I think she is so cute. she just sees the good in everything.

And yes builders always have the biggest houses, at least he paid for it on his own.

I never really though Jon and Kate were that sweet. Maybe for the first 3 shows, then it got ugly. Well she got ugly anyway.

 

[DMRick]

Who else besides Jon and Kate are part of the "they all start out the same way" that you are referring to? I just don't know where else anyone can derive a comparison from other than Jon and Kate and, to me, the Jones' are a completely different family altogether. The differences in them goes way beyond the lifestyles they started out with.

Bryan and Jennie. They started out with a special, and they planned on continuing to work and stay as they were. They too have the Christian background. They started out sweet as can be. They appear to have marriage problems.

Big and little people. They started out as sweet as can be, and in the begining the mom planed on staying home until the last child was graduated. She's off traveling a lot now, and they certainly seem to have marriage problems.

The new Spanish family, just starting out. They are starting out as sweet as can be, thankful for everything. We'll see where they go from here.

All of them used their children to get where they are now.

This is about the only family with large multiples that has been on TV (but not a reality show) but stayed true to themselves (I'm not counting 19 and counting, because I consider them a true class of their own, if I agree to all the kids they have or not. I especially liked their last show, where they seemed to go backwards to when they begin).

http://www.shierquints.com/pg_story.html

You see a big difference in the G's and the J's. I don't because of the kids. Yes, the Jones started out with a big house they paid for. The G's also had a house (ok, so not so big but I don't see what that has to do with anything..it was what they both could afford). People liked the G's and the J's when they started. Both dad's had jobs when the kids were born. Both will benefit for showing the kids on TV. This is just the begining for the Jones. Maybe someday I'll be able to eat my words, and their marriage will survive, and they'll support themselves and the money earned by the kids will be in trust for them. We'll see.

 

[Buckalew11]

I lump them all together---J&K, the Duggers, Bryan & Jennie, the Spanish couple, the Jones', Little People, even the couples shows who do reality TV (that girl from 90210, the singer who was a virgin when she married and now dates football players... Oh, yeah! Jessica Simpson). All of them, the same to me, putting private moments on TV for all the world to see. I wouldnt turn around for the difference for any of them.

I do not care if they came from not having a pot to pee in or American "royalty" (LOL) (Paris Hilton), they all get lumped.

Speaking of that, as cruel as reality TV has been to marriages/families, dating couples (think The Bachelor) down to the friendship that Paris Hilton and Nichole Richey had, you'd think people would learn--it just isn't healthy to put yourselves out there like that. Not for marriages, not for friendships.

 

[DMRick]

I guess that's what I don't get the most. Do these people who often say, yeah but it will be different for us, really think it will be? When they start to go sour, why doesn't a bell go off in their heads?

I'm guilty of watching the train wrecks, but they are guily of putting their family out there...much worse IMO.

Speaking of that, as cruel as reality TV has been to marriages/families, dating couples (think The Bachelor) down to the friendship that Paris Hilton and Nichole Richey had, you'd think people would learn--it just isn't healthy to put yourselves out there like that. Not for marriages, not for friendships.

 

[walden]

Is this still the Gosselin thread? Or the Masche thread (oh, boy, that is a really sad situation)? Or is it just the sextuplets on reality TV and DWTS anonymous thread?

I've not been watching the Kate Plus shows. I have dropped in here to read and am glad I have not watched. The shows are not getting raving positive reviews.

What the heck, in PA today there was a hearing about child labor laws. Much overdue, IMO. If the new legislation passes it will, perhaps, affect Kate Plus Eight in the future because Rep. Murt is attempting to close some of the loop-holes that TLC and the Gosselins shamelessly exploited.

IMO.

I'm not bothering to post the link (unless someone asks) because those of you who share my interest in the legal stuff have probably already found it! Love you guys who share my concerns!





Oh, and I think rumours of Kate Plus 8 being canceled are greatly exaggerated. More is the pity.

 

[OhMari]

Is this still the Gosselin thread? Or the Masche thread (oh, boy, that is a really sad situation)? Or is it just the sextuplets on reality TV and DWTS anonymous thread?

I've not been watching the Kate Plus shows. I have dropped in here to read and am glad I have not watched. The shows are not getting raving positive reviews.

What the heck, in PA today there was a hearing about child labor laws. Much overdue, IMO. If the new legislation passes it will, perhaps, affect Kate Plus Eight in the future because Rep. Murt is attempting to close some of the loop-holes that TLC and the Gosselins shamelessly exploited.

IMO.

I'm not bothering to post the link (unless someone asks) because those of you who share my interest in the legal stuff have probably already found it! Love you guys who share my concerns!





Oh, and I think rumours of Kate Plus 8 being canceled are greatly exaggerated. More is the pity.

I'm interested.

 

[walden]

I'm interested.

Oh good!

The bipartisan hearing was livestreamed here yesterday: http://pcntv.com/pcnplus/

I only watched about 50 minutes, but 2 bills were presented and discussed in detail (#19, Democratic and #2515, Republican) both proposing revisions to the PA Child Labor Laws. Various people testified, including the reps from A Minor Consideration (Paul Peterson, Alison Arngrim, and the person who played Timmy on Lassie), but also many others. A representative from the DOLI, a producer of TV commercials, a rep from the Farmers coalition, and so on.

Heads up to C.Ann -- there was also testimony and discussion of how the proposed revisions would or perhaps "might" affect the Amish!

Contrary to popular belief, this new legislation is not just about the Gosselins. The point was made that revisions to the Child Labor Laws were very necessary and not just to protect children working in Reality TV. The existing Law is antiquated and inadequate.

The DOLI testimony transcript is here: www.dli.state.pa.us
I'm sure more transcripts of the testimony will be available soon but I am still looking for them. There should be some other news coverage too, but I haven't had a chance to look today.

The hearing got very technical at times, and it demonstrated how hard it actually is to draft legislation, and how long the process takes! The hearing ended with a general statement that both proposed bills needed further tweaking (or even better combining the strengths of each into a new bill, in the opinion of the DOLI) and that the issue would be revisited in January when the next Legislative session begins.

All this is standard procedure and why Hearings are held. The goal is to ask for input from stakeholders - anyone can testify, you do not have to be invited - and redraft the proposed bill(s) with the additional information.

The wheels of government grind incredibly slowly.