OT - Anyone think TLC needs to be the bigger "man"?

[mom2faith]

This has been bugging me all day!! But, I have to say that I am really disgusted with TLC and the Jon and Kate fiasco.

Rumors are rumors and neither Jon, Kate or TLC should be held accountable for them, but this is no longer a rumor - they are seperating and TLC is going to broadcast it?!?!? And follow those kids around during one of the worst parts of their life?!?!? This has gone beyond reality TV!! Someone needs to step in and be an advocate for those children. No child should have to go through their parents's seperation on National TV - and they do not even have a choice about it!!

IMHO - TLC should pay out the Gosselins for the remaining time on their contract and walk away. They could easily cite that this is not appropriate for their family oriented television (I am NOT saying the seperation is not appropriate - just the televising of this dramatic time for the kids). Those kids need some privacy right now.

If TLC chooses to proceed then they are no better than Fox.

I really have lost a lot of respect for TLC throughout all of this!!

 

[cuppycake]

This has been bugging me all day!! But, I have to say that I am really disgusted with TLC and the Jon and Kate fiasco.

Rumors are rumors and neither Jon, Kate or TLC should be held accountable for them, but this is no longer a rumor - they are seperating and TLC is going to broadcast it?!?!? And follow those kids around during one of the worst parts of their life?!?!? This has gone beyond reality TV!! Someone needs to step in and be an advocate for those children. No child should have to go through their parents's seperation on National TV - and they do not even have a choice about it!!

IMHO - TLC should pay out the Gosselins for the remaining time on their contract and walk away. They could easily cite that this is not appropriate for their family oriented television (I am NOT saying the seperation is not appropriate - just the televising of this dramatic time for the kids). Those kids need some privacy right now.

If TLC chooses to proceed then they are no better than Fox.

I really have lost a lot of respect for TLC throughout all of this!!

Well said. I have to say that I do not follow this show (had watched it a couple of times over the last couple of years), but you can't help but hear about what is happening.

All I keep thinking is, THOSE POOR KIDS!!!

 

[Disney1976]

The reality is that TLC probably has them under a contract, and therefore, even if they don't feel like doing the show, they have to fulfill their obligations under said contract. Sure, TLC could just release them from it, but I'm thinking that given all that would be involved, including their costs for production and the possible loss of sponsorship dollars, they are more inclined to hold Jon and Kate's feet to the fire.

 

[mommyofboys]

They are now on hiatus...

TLC has temporarily halted production on ‘Jon & Kate Plus 8

According to the LA Times:

“Because of all the turmoil in the Gosselin’s marriage, TLC does not have enough footage to put together new episodes right now as its production schedule had become very last minute. Episodes this season were often completed as late as the day of airing.”

Granted they are not putting the show on hiatus for the right reasons...

 

[mom2faith]

They are now on hiatus...

TLC has temporarily halted production on ‘Jon & Kate Plus 8

According to the LA Times:

“Because of all the turmoil in the Gosselin’s marriage, TLC does not have enough footage to put together new episodes right now as its production schedule had become very last minute. Episodes this season were often completed as late as the day of airing.”

Granted they are not putting the show on hiatus for the right reasons...

Right reasons or not - I am glad to hear that!! Thank you for posting!!

Where is Aunt Jodi or someone else to step in and speak for the kids. Poor kids have lost a lot over the last few year when it comes to people close to them and now they are losing thier "family environment" too.

I feel for them.....

 

[NotUrsula]

They are now on hiatus...

TLC has temporarily halted production on ‘Jon & Kate Plus 8

According to the LA Times:

“Because of all the turmoil in the Gosselin’s marriage, TLC does not have enough footage to put together new episodes right now as its production schedule had become very last minute. Episodes this season were often completed as late as the day of airing.”

Granted they are not putting the show on hiatus for the right reasons...

And now you know why Kate was looking so frightened and lost in the past couple of episodes. She was worried sick that this would happen, and it has. Her income has now gone "poof!" right after taking on a huge new mortgage debt. All those freebies will evaporate, too -- no on-air free advertising means no donations.

I was pretty sure that if they announced a divorce, TLC would pull the plug. When they were a middle-class nuclear family they were interesting and relatable to an audience that sponsors found attractive, but now it will be a case of "single mom struggling to raise 8 kids" -- and if you will forgive me the obvious, you can find that scenario in any inner city. The people who will most relate to that challenge are not considered a desirable demographic by sponsors.

(And before someone asks, Nadya Suleman is a different case -- she's obviously delusional, and that will make for very interesting TV.)

PS: I do feel for the children, but anyone with sense should have seen that this was inevitable; divorce or no divorce. The kids were getting older and losing their cute factor, and that tends to reduce ratings. That's part of why the focus had been shifting to the parents; the kids were no longer cute little babies. The Duggars can manage to keep ratings up with older kids because their lifestyle amd religious beliefs are so far out of the mainstream, so people stay curious about whether the kids will rebel as they get older. That isn't really a factor for the Gosselins.

PPS: TLC is currently saying that they will pick up filming again in August, but personally I wouldn't bet on it. Hope is lost now that papers have been filed, so there is no dramatic tension. If the sponsors pull out, as they are likely to do at this point, the hiatus will become indefinite, which is as good as saying the show is dead.

 

[Schmeck]

I read somewhere online that they were going to start filming again in August? I'll try to find it and link.

 

[Steph9072]

I just read that TLC has suspended production 6 episodes into a 40 episode season.
http://www.fancast.com/blogs/tv-news/jon-kate-plus-8-goes-on-unscheduled-hiatus/?cmpid=FCST_beta

That being said both parents need a good ol' fashion butt whooping for bring 8 kids into this world and putting them through this. When a couple decide to become parents their wants and sometimes their needs are not as important as that of their kids. Jon & Kate did the big deal in Hawaii last year to show their kids they would always be together. Instead of that they should have said good bye to the cameras and took care of those kids. When one of them no longer wanted to do the show it should have stopped. Had that happened they probably would have avoided a divorce. I will be praying for peace for those kids who have to be going through hell right now.

 

[taragarza1]

I can not start to understand what they are going through. With that said, I don't agree to them still cont. with the show. I am sorry but my kids loved that show. I no longer allow them to watch it. I wish they would have spent more time working on their marriage then the show. We need to get back to the basics and protect marriages and families.

 

[Steph9072]

I can not start to understand what they are going through. With that said, I don't agree to them still cont. with the show. I am sorry but my kids loved that show. I no longer allow them to watch it. I wish they would have spent more time working on their marriage then the show. We need to get back to the basics and protect marriages and families.

I so agree my dd loves this show however she is not allowed to watch it anymore.

 

[TheDizMom]

My DH kept saying last night it looked like the final episode of the show the way they were running it. I agree that for the kids sake it needs to go bye bye. I used to be a devoted watcher even though I didn't like the way Kate treated Jon as if he was the same age as the sextuplets, and incapable of doing anything without her direction and supervision. I am sorry for what they are going through, but you will never convince me that she didn't bring this on in large part by doing so, it wasn't a marriage it was a dictatorship. I would have finally lost it too after a certain point, show or not. I think he was ok with letting her run the show for a long time, as he himself put it, since he could go off to work and feel he was providing for his kids and playing a part in the family. When he had to quit, so she could go on book tours and make appearances, I think he lost his sense of worth in that family, and that was the beginning of the end. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with being a stay at home parent and it's not work ( I did it for many years, often feeling like a single parent because of my DH's hours, and trust me going to an office is way easier!), but when there is one spouse controlling everything instead of 2 spouses working as a team, for a guy that is just more then his ego can take. I don't think he has handled it very well, as we can all see from some of his recent actions, but I totally get why he said enough is enough. I think Kate didn't like that he wasn't willing to let her be the Queen Bee anymore and let her have her way 24/7. She lost control and as we all know Kate does not like that one little bit.

Although the show said that divorce proceedings started yesterday, I hope they can find a way to solve their issues for everyone's sake, especially those kids. If they can learn to communicate with each other, and meet each other half way and begin to work as a married team, there is hope. As for the money thing. I have heard they have made millions through this, if they can't find a way to provide for their family with that, then there is something seriously wrong there!!! I don't doubt for a minute that we have heard the last of this.

 

[kaleighmariesmom]

The whole situation makes me sick. I am a child of divorce. It was hard enough dealing with it just with my family, never mind the millions of people watching you, knowing everything that is going on and the rumors!! I feel so sad for those kids.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

My DH kept saying last night it looked like the final episode of the show the way they were running it. I agree that for the kids sake it needs to go bye bye. I used to be a devoted watcher even though I didn't like the way Kate treated Jon as if he was the same age as the sextuplets, and incapable of doing anything without her direction and supervision. I am sorry for what they are going through, but you will never convince me that she didn't bring this on in large part by doing so, it wasn't a marriage it was a dictatorship. I would have finally lost it too after a certain point, show or not. I think he was ok with letting her run the show for a long time, as he himself put it, since he could go off to work and feel he was providing for his kids and playing a part in the family. When he had to quit, so she could go on book tours and make appearances, I think he lost his sense of worth in that family, and that was the beginning of the end. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with being a stay at home parent and it's not work ( I did it for many years, often feeling like a single parent because of my DH's hours, and trust me going to an office is way easier!), but when there is one spouse controlling everything instead of 2 spouses working as a team, for a guy that is just more then his ego can take. I don't think he has handled it very well, as we can all see from some of his recent actions, but I totally get why he said enough is enough. I think Kate didn't like that he wasn't willing to let her be the Queen Bee anymore and let her have her way 24/7. She lost control and as we all know Kate does not like that one little bit.

Although the show said that divorce proceedings started yesterday, I hope they can find a way to solve their issues for everyone's sake, especially those kids. If they can learn to communicate with each other, and meet each other half way and begin to work as a married team, there is hope. As for the money thing. I have heard they have made millions through this, if they can't find a way to provide for their family with that, then there is something seriously wrong there!!! I don't doubt for a minute that we have heard the last of this.

I too felt so bad for the children watching this. How horrible to go thru something like that and have reruns to watch when you get older.

I don't believe however that it was time for Jon to put his foot down. That is just disgusting..he's putting himself and his needs over his children. The man is a child. He was basically her 9th child. She had to prepare all the meals when she wasn't there..she had to tell him what to do and when to do it. It made me sick when he said "I'm only 32" and "he's excited about this new chapter in his life" My god man...you AND your wife made a decision to bring 8 children into this world. Its not about what you are missing out of life.. Just pathetic. Communication is right! He should of started being "a partner" a long time ago instead of letting her take care of him.

End of rant.

TLC should cancel this show

 

[Sam'sMom0126]

I agree that TLC should be the bigger "man" and cancel the show. It is unfair to those kids to have this already traumatic time in their lives broadcast to the world. They are only on hiatus until August 4th or something like that.

 

[TheDizMom]

I too felt so bad for the children watching this. How horrible to go thru something like that and have reruns to watch when you get older.

I don't believe however that it was time for Jon to put his foot down. That is just disgusting..he's putting himself and his needs over his children. The man is a child. He was basically her 9th child. She had to prepare all the meals when she wasn't there..she had to tell him what to do and when to do it. It made me sick when he said "I'm only 32" and "he's excited about this new chapter in his life" My god man...you AND your wife made a decision to bring 8 children into this world. Its not about what you are missing out of life.. Just pathetic. Communication is right! He should of started being "a partner" a long time ago instead of letting her take care of him.

End of rant.

TLC should cancel this show

Hey Kate is no angel in this situation. She is a controlling spoiled brat, darn right it was time for him to put his foot down and say this isn't all about you!!!! You are right they both made the decision to have those kids and that means they are both missing out and behaving pathetically. Kate does a great job on the "poor me" attitude, but she is 100% as much to blame as he is. Perhaps if she hadn't treated him like he was her 9th child, he wouldn't have acted like one!

 

[AuroraBeauty]

I think TLC has to step back and wait for the divorce to run its course. The court may decide to grant one parent legal custody and order visitation rights. There is also the issue of spousal and child support -- and without the show neither really has a job. Also, you have to take in to account how nasty this is going to become if extended family get involved.

The court has a record of how the parents act. You know that it can and will be used to paint the other in the most unflattering light. It will be a big case of he said/she said -- with plenty of footage to support either side. And, even though they only air 44 minutes per episode there are hours and hours of footage that the public never sees which will likely be used to whatever advantage that can be used.

It's not going to be a quickie divorce, although if J&K can parlay this into a stint on Divorce Court for even more money they might! And, I'm sure that some family member will ask that the court appoint a guardian for the children to protect their interest b/c both parents have proven that they will put their interests before their children -- regardless of what they say in their confessional or press statements.

Anyone recall the drama that unfolded in the media with the Paul McCartney divorce, or Christie Brinkley? It will likely get ug-leeee!

Facts are though, that they filed in the neighboring county. They can do that only if both parties agree -- so it wasn't that big of a surprise to Jon. There is no custody count filed as of yet, so it appears they might try to work something out behind the scene. Kate's attorney has filed with the court, so the media knows who she is and will likely hound her to no end. So far Jon's attorney has not filed with the court so who knows. In the county they filed, the divorce is sealed and not made public. I can imagine there will be plenty of legal wrangling to come.

I wish them the best and hope that the court truly does protect the most innocent ones, the children.

 

[kristinw3girls]

I just read that there will be no new shows untill August after a behind the scenes show next week. They all need a breather!

 

[chrisw127]

I too felt so bad for the children watching this. How horrible to go thru something like that and have reruns to watch when you get older.

I don't believe however that it was time for Jon to put his foot down. That is just disgusting..he's putting himself and his needs over his children. The man is a child. He was basically her 9th child. She had to prepare all the meals when she wasn't there..she had to tell him what to do and when to do it. It made me sick when he said "I'm only 32" and "he's excited about this new chapter in his life" My god man...you AND your wife made a decision to bring 8 children into this world. Its not about what you are missing out of life.. Just pathetic. Communication is right! He should of started being "a partner" a long time ago instead of letting her take care of him.

End of rant.

TLC should cancel this show

I agree. He's acting like a kid. When you become a parent, it's time to grow up. He looked like a complete tool sitting there with his earrings and his hair plugs. Alright, buddy. We get it. You didn't have enough fun in your 20s. Get over your midlife crisis and deal with it.

 

[micheleq]

I hope TLC cancels the show. I actually sent TLC an e-mail stating I would not watch their network until this show was off the air. Once they start losing ratings (which they did before last night's episode), then they will hopefully drop the show. I feel horrible for those kids.

Aunt Jodi and Uncle Kevin apparently made a statement on tv yesterday or today saying they thought it was inappropriate that Jon and Kate announced their separation on the show -- and that TLC used it as a teaser in to draw in more viewers for last night's episode. Shame on TLC and Jon and Kate for turning this into a media circus and trying to boost the ratings with their pending divorce.

 

[BigEeyore]

I agree. He's acting like a kid. When you become a parent, it's time to grow up. He looked like a complete tool sitting there with his earrings and his hair plugs. Alright, buddy. We get it. You didn't have enough fun in your 20s. Get over your midlife crisis and deal with it.

Amen to that!
I am just so sad about their situation - those poor poor kids. If TLC tries to continue this show it will sink to a new low - it is no longer a charming, family friendly reality show about an everyday couple struggling to raise multiples. The show is now about two celebrities whose marriage is self-destructing. No thanks.
And get someone in there to protect those kids!