Jon Gosselin – Kate – 8 = Beer Pong?
It seems that all is not well in Gosselinland. Jon Gosselin, dad of twins and sextuplets and long-suffering husband of shrewish Kate, apparently has been seen and photographed supposedly visiting a bar and, according to Star magazine, this isn’t an isolated incident:
On TV, he is a harried father of eight with a wife who is constantly on his case, so it’s not surprising that Jon Gosselin needs to blow off some steam.
And in recent weeks, the star of the TLC reality show Jon & Kate Plus 8 has been doing just that — slipping away from his new $1.3 million mansion to party the night away with a bevy of college cuties!
The father of twins and sextuplets has been living it up in Huntingdon, Pa., where his mom resides. He turned up uninvited at a Feb. 6 party thrown by Juniata College seniors Erin Albert and Mariel Little — and ended up playing the drinking game beer pong with members of the women’s volleyball team!
Of course, you can find out More! Juicy! Details! when you pick up the latest edition of the rag (and I emphasize that it is a tabloid). But here’s a sneak peek:
According to the Magazine, Jon–who along with Kate and the rest of his brood recently moved into a $1.3 million dollar mansion in Pennsylvania–recently crashed a party at Juniata College in nearby Huntington, PA and played beer pong with members of the women’s volleyball team.
The following night he apparently went to a nearby sports bar, again with members of the women’s volleyball team and allegedly made out with a number of them.
The Magazine quotes a witness at the bar as saying:
“He was dirty dancing with several of them, making out, kissing them on their necks and mouths. I thought it was rather surprising for a father with his wife and so many kids at home to be acting like this. He was all over one girl, a long-haired blonde who’s nearly 6 feet tall. He left with several of the girls, including her.”
Jon is also said to be frequenting other bars close to his home, even spending Valentine’s Day away from Kate. Supposedly, he’s even tried to pick up women while out with his mother.
The details may or may not be true. The story behind the photo?
According to a user on a Jon and Kate fan club thing on a baby site, Jon was at a bar in her town recently:
“So i live like 15 mins away from the town j and k used to live in. Well my friend was at the bar this weekend and saw jon at the bar. She said he was with some girl she didnt know, and he was buying all these girls drinks. I dont know how true this is, but if it is im gonna be really upset. I really hope he want cheating!”
Jon, for his part, has this to say about that:
In a statement issued through his rep, Jon says: “It is certainly hurtful for people to spread rumors and lies about us. It certainly makes me reluctant to live my life like the average person would. This has made it very clear that the simplest innocent gesture — such as taking a picture with a fan, can be taken out of context.
“As you can see on the show, I am not perfect, but I am a part of a loving family and couple.”
So while not specifically saying it is him in the photo, he doesn’t deny it either. (For those who don’t believe it is Jon.) So is Jon looking for love in all the wrong places? Well, it sure seems like he ain’t gettin’ no home cookin’. (Why yes, I did say that.) And even if, as it has been claimed by Gosselin apologists (link is kind of scary, you’ve been warned), that all he did was innocently pop in for a few drinks and sweetly pose for a harmless pic that the bartender requested, what was he doing in a bar? This family has built their fame on not only their children, but their faith…so why was he there to start with?
This whole thing makes me sad. Not because I’m a big fan of J&K+8…oh no. In fact, I’m far from it…I think it’s a horrible thing to do to children, making their lives the focus of a reality show. Children need to grow up, make mistakes, and have good days and bad days far from the prying eyes of a camera and, by extension, the world. How dare these parents put their children out for the world to gawp at like they are zoo animals. No, I’m not a fan of whoring out one’s children for the almighty dollar.
But it makes me sad because this sorry event and the resulting press, true or not, is one of the expected side-effects of an endeavor such as their reality show, both for the adults and children alike. Every move they make, every thought they think, every word out of their mouths, every right and wrong action, all are thrown out there for the salivating masses to fight over like hungry wolves, tearing and ripping to shreds any semblance of dignity with their razor-sharp fangs until there is nothing left but dry bones from which even the marrow has been sucked.
So, okay; let’s assume the above story is total hearsay and rumor and there’s not a word of truth in it. What really gets me is the quote by Jon: “It certainly makes me reluctant to live my life like the average person would.” Does he not see the hypocrisy inherent in that statement? If he, as a grown man who is free to make his own decisions and live his life any way he sees fit, feels that he can’t live a normal, average life (which apparently includes making mistakes), then how does he possibly expect his children to ever have any sort of normalcy? The cameras have already captured potty-training, constipation problems, children in bathtubs…what is next, following along when the girls get their first periods? When the boys are tempted to have a beer with their buddies? When they sit down to write their tell-all memoirs of their lives in front of the cameras? (Mark my words, they will do it.)
Think about it a moment…what will the younger children face when they go to school, after having their entire lives laid bare for the voyeuristic entertainment of others? What do their older sisters already face? How many of their classmates have already heard about this bar incident from adults? These children did not ask to be made stars; they really have no say in the matter. They have to work making their show because without them, there is no show. There are labor laws in California, for example, which protect children in these situations, but those don’t exist in Pennsylvania where the show is based. There are also questions as to how wise it is to let these kids grow up on camera (read the whole article, it’s great):
The criticism has spread beyond the ’Net. Kate’s battleax behavior has made her every husband’s nightmare and consequently the butt of pop culture jokes, too. On their syndicated radio show, the notorious Opie & Anthony called her “a capital C” and her marriage “loveless,” as men whose DVRs have been taken over by their wives’ and girlfriends’ obsession with the show lit up the phone lines. The Soup’s Joel McHale can’t seem to get over the way Kate regularly emasculates Jon, calling her “Katezilla” while highlighting a recent episode in which she berates Jon for forgetting to use a coupon, and hypothesizing about a spin-off: Jon Minus Nine. In October, Paul Petersen, a former child actor from The Donna Reed Show who advocates for child stars, delivered a blistering attack while on CNN, arguing that “children need secrets, they need silences.” In California, Jon & Kate Plus 8 as it exists today would be highly illegal, explains Petersen, because of the state’s extensive protections for all kids on camera, scripted or reality. But Pennsylvania doesn’t offer similar protections. TLC has installed studio lighting throughout the Elizabethtown house, illuminating it, a neighbor says, so that “you could see it from space.” And while Kate contends in one episode that the kids have been living with cameras since infancy, “so they don’t think anything of it,” a recent episode showed a close-up of a child-drawn sign reading “Stay owt with camras.”
And a letter written to the parents of the McCaughey septuplets back in 1997 by the surviving Dionne quintuplets strikes deep at the heart of just what makes shows like this so distasteful:
Dear Bobbi and Kenny,
If we emerge momentarily from the privacy we have sought all our adult lives, it is only to send a message to the McCaughey family. We three would like you to know we feel a natural affinity and tenderness for your children. We hope your children receive more respect than we did. Their fate should be no different from that of other children. Multiple births should not be confused with entertainment, nor should they be an opportunity to sell products.
Our lives have been ruined by the exploitation we suffered at the hands of the government of Ontario, our place of birth. We were displayed as a curiosity three times a day for millions of tourists. To this day we receive letters from all over the world. To all those who have expressed their support in light of the abuse we have endured, we say thank you. And to those who would seek to exploit the growing fame of these children, we say beware.
We sincerely hope a lesson will be learned from examining how our lives were forever altered by our childhood experience. If this letter changes the course of events for these newborns, then perhaps our lives will have served a higher purpose.
Sincerely, Annette, Cecile and Yvonne Dionne
Google the Dionne Quints; what they endured is nothing short of terrible. Bottom line, here’s the deal: Children are a treasure, a precious gift from God, not a commodity to be traded for monetary gain.
I’m not posting this to point fingers at Jon, because he’ll have to deal with the ramifications of whatever decisions he makes without my sticking my fork into him. I do think he made a mistake going into that bar…but the first mistake was to prostitute his children to the TV Johns to start with. No, my point is rather to illustrate the unique stresses “reality” television puts on a family, and what can happen when people who aren’t playing roles in a movie decide to let cameras in on their everyday lives. Even movie and television celebrities have privacy inside their own homes.
There are ripple effects that will undoubtedly have to be dealt with for years to come because of the decision to throw their pebbles into the reality show pond. We’ve all made mistakes and we’ve all done things that we would be mortified if someone knew…but the difference is that most of us do not actively seek out the reality show spotlight. Make no mistake, these aren’t accidental celebs; but, like most celebrities, they are learning that what you gain in money you lose in freedom. True, this might have happened whether they were television stars or not…but at least they would have been able to deal with it in private.
To anyone considering a reality show: You can’t have it both ways; you can’t with one hand court publicity and with the other push it away when it shows you in an unflattering light. There are no free rides in this world…everything has a price.
[my opinions only]
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This is seriously one of the best things I have ever read about this situation. You did a fantastic job of laying it all out on the line. These parents thought only of the money and what it could buy THEM and didn’t bother to think for one second what all of this would do to their children. These parents are pimps and nothing more. Kate has a new book coming out which is just a picture book of the kids…anything for a buck. What horrible parents. Get a job and let your kids have a life!
Comment by Jen — March 5, 2009 @ 12:09 pm
Jen~
Are you saying that if someone offered you bazillions of dollars to put your family on TV, you’d turn them down?
Comment by glp — March 5, 2009 @ 2:01 pm
K~
Great post… this is the first bit I’ve seen on this story. At first, I adored this family, and envied them in many ways. I still enjoy the show from time to time, and I do choose to believe that these are good people trying to raise a good family. That said, however, I have to say that I do believe the things you said about the effects of whoring out your family/your kids out on reality tv.
BUT, I can’t imagine being faced with supporting a family that size, and then someone approaching me about a tv show that is guaranteed to make us bazillionaires. Most of everything I do is centered around raising a healthy, happy, stable child, but I can’t HONESTLY say that if I were facing what the Gosselins were, and a network approached me, that I wouldn’t have done the same thing. I’d like to think that I would put my child’s needs absolutely first, but in doing that, I can see that the waters get muddied very easily, in thinking that money will improve our lives far more than a reality show would be to our detriment. I know, there are many, many other things more important than money, but money sure can help, if managed properly.
But as with anything, there is a time to say enough is enough. And with the money they’ve earned, and what they will continue to earn in residuals, it seems that perhaps that time is now.
Gosselins~ Cut your losses and go about your lives better from the experience (and the money), and without having done any real damage (hopefully).
MHO
Comment by glp — March 5, 2009 @ 3:57 pm
I never liked Kate: too controlling and an all-around bitch, if you ask me. I’m not completely surprised that he’s out ACTUALLY HAVING FUN, instead of putzing around under Kate’s heel.
Comment by Mizzy — March 5, 2009 @ 4:12 pm
ok, I don’t watch this annoying show, but I happen to catch a minute of it one night and it was the episode where she is telling the kids they are getting puppies for Christmas and Kate said “dont’ expect any other presnts under the christmas tree”
She was also talking about naming the puppies and the kids were coming up with names and she said ” NO! Stop! they are already named!” and one of the kids said they wanted to name the puppy ??? (I can’t remember, it was some sort of common name like Kevin or something) and Kate said “see thats why you are not going to name the puppies” or something like that. And one of the older girls started crying because she didn’t like the names Kate picked out. Kate didn’t comfort her at all.
I was just SHOCKED the way she talks to these kids and the way she talks to her husband.
This show should be TOTALLY cancelled.
It is a disgusting hot mess and Kate needs therapy.
Comment by Leave Before Its Too Late John! — March 5, 2009 @ 4:26 pm
Excellent summation and k you point out all the reasons why I don’t watch reality TV. Besides being stupid and cheapening the idea of what entertainment is supposed to be, we are making stars out of regular people who haven’t had the normal process of dealing with the trappings of fame.
Fame is a nasty beast I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy, let alone innocent children.
Stop watching these shows, America has enough problems.
Comment by D — March 5, 2009 @ 5:53 pm
Hi glp! Always good to talk to you.
In one of the links I posted, the reporter interviewed Jon’s former boss (the one who “fired” Jon because of “insurance”). He stated that not only did he not fire Jon for that reason (it was for some unethical behavior regarding working on a private project on company billable time), but that Jon stated while Kate was still pregnant that now he was never going to have to work another day in his life because of the reality show deal he was setting up. That article is quite informative; while I knew it was bad, I didn’t realize it was that bad:
I know nobody asked me if I would accept or turn down a reality show, but I do have a thought on it.
If you notice, on this blog I do not post my real name, my address, the state I live in, my kids’ names, my husband’s name, or anything identifiable about us. That’s because, even though I’m just a lowly second writer on a celeb news blog, I want my kids to live their lives as anonymously as possible. I don’t want anything I do in my line of work to affect them in any way. And if someone were to approach me about using a reality show to chronicle my life as a celeb blogger, I’d have to say no…because my family didn’t choose this line of work, I did. I don’t want them having to deal with the fallout of anything I might do on here; that’s my crutch alone. They deserve every opportunity to grow up as anonymously and as normally as I can possibly make it, and if we have to do without some things…well, that’s just how it is.
I mean, look at the McCaughey family; look at the Chukwu family. Has there been reality shows featuring them? I have NO problem whatsoever with companies giving freebies to these families; obviously parents of multiples are in desperate need of more supplies and help than your average one-child birth. I don’t begrudge a free home makeover to a family who desperately needs it. They obviously needed a bigger vehicle, car seats, high chairs, etc. That isn’t the problem…the problem now is that they seem to feel ENTITLED to these things, and they are using their kids to get stuff. I mean, if the show were just Jon and Kate, would they have a million-dollar home to live in? Would Kate have had a tummy tuck and tooth veneers, would Jon have had free hair plugs? Their house isn’t a home, but a 24/7 television set complete with stage lighting. I can’t imagine growing up in a home where I knew everything I did would be broadcast to the unwashed masses. Even movie and television stars have privacy in their own homes.
Absolutely money can help. I’d like a little more of it myself, just to test the theory.
But surely there are ways to make money that don’t involve selling your childrens’ souls.
JMO.
I think we agree on most things, so I guess I’m just on my soapbox today! This whole kids-on-reality-shows is just a particular thorn with me.
Comment by k — March 5, 2009 @ 5:54 pm
I saw the end of the Puppy episode on YouTube (the things I do for research). What got me was the kids all chimed in and said something like, “Thank you mom and dad for getting us puppies!” Kind of staged, but cute nonetheless. Kate said, snarkily, “You’re not welcome.” And she said not to thank dad because he wasn’t there.
Whut???
I mean, I’ve been sarcastic with my kids; I’ve teased them a bit and said snarky things; but a: My kids are teenagers and able to tell when I am JOKING, and b: I was JOKING. She was serious because the whole stinkin’ episode she griped about the dogs. Then why get them? Oh wait…my bad.
Comment by k — March 5, 2009 @ 5:59 pm
The family vacationed this past summer to Outer Banks where I live and I had 2 friends that had personal experiences with them. One at which the children got their hair braided and the other when they were on a site seeing tour. Both friends were not familiar with the show and both commented to me that the wife was a total bitch and the children were all drama kings and queens. I’d expect growing up in front of the camera would make a child this way..more air time, more attention!
Comment by Boo — March 5, 2009 @ 6:27 pm
[...] Source: k [...]
Pingback by Celebrity Blog | Babelogs | Celebrity Gossip » Blog Archive » Jon Gosselin - Kate - 8 = Beer Pong? — March 5, 2009 @ 7:31 pm
Wow, Jon poses for photos with fans. If this is cheating on your wife, then I think just about every married couple must be cheating on each other. These rumors are false. Jon himself said so. It’s not right that all these gossip rags are going around spreading the story, but then again, what else do you expect of them? Regardless of what people think of Jon and Kate, talking about other people in any way that can be hurtful toward them or their family is wrong. Would you want someone doing that to you? I think this whole thing was just blown out of proportion. Afterall, all the witnesses and quotes come from partying college co-eds. I don’t care what anyone else’s opinion is, but I truly believe that Jon and Kate love each other and their children very much. People should stop being so hard on them and stop believing every single rumor they hear or read.
Comment by KK — March 5, 2009 @ 7:58 pm
Before I read the Star Magazine article on Jon Gosselin I always thought he was the most hen pecked man alive. I thought Kate was totally domineering. If the Star article is true, I feel very sorry for Kate. She should be praised for putting up with Jon. Jon is a total ass.
Comment by SE Ewing — March 6, 2009 @ 8:16 pm
Jon…go..be happy…you are free, Kate, lay off the Adderal, seriously sister, we are on to you. And your making your family miserable!
Comment by JJ — March 6, 2009 @ 10:58 pm
Kate treats Jon like crap. I grew up with three brothers and my old school mother never treated or talked to my dad the way Kate talks to her husband. This is a total reflection on the man-woman marital dynamic of this era we live in. If Jon spoke to Kate the way she does to him… Jon would be labeled an “abuser”. Kate has systematically beaten this man down and stripped him of his dignity, manhood. Kate is a serious church goer and can quote scripture all day long. She needs to read those sections of the bible that address how married couples should treat each other. There so much a person can take. So Jon he is now in a survival mode. Does he love his wife and kids…absolutely. And I dont want to hear about how much stress Kate is under with 8 kids. She was a willing participant in all this and there are loads of women in similar situations in this world who haven’t turned their kids into a cottage industry. The financial stress has been removed. She can afford to bring in “help”. But Kate is a typical 2009 wife…a serial “abuser” whose behavior towards her husband relects “no respect”. She talks to him like shes the show’s producer and Jon is some low level production assistant. The women who read my comments will be defensive..but hey ladies…I’d like to see what your like after working for Kate for a couple of months. Bet Jon would be the better/nicer/more respectful employer.
Comment by tyrone — March 7, 2009 @ 10:29 am
i used to love the show but am finding it difficult to watch kate constantly berate jon. i just saw the part where she berates him for interrupting her but all the witch does is interrupt him. ?? hypocrite! and the coupon episode….omg she needs xanax. i dont know how he deals with that. she is getting way too annoying. poor jon can do nothing right in her eyes and eventually he will have his breaking point.
Comment by lainie — March 7, 2009 @ 11:09 am
I showed my husband the clip of the end of the Home show. He was speechless.
Let’s put it this way…when we were at a point in our marriage when we talked to each other like that, it was the step before divorce court time. Married people do joke around with one another or sometimes pretend to be angry or ticked with each other, but it’s obvious that this isn’t that.
Comment by k — March 7, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
I do not believe that photo is of Jon. and really do you think Jon would be so stipid as to be seen in public with another woman. I think the look alike is just trying to make Jon look bad. If I talked to my husband like Kate talks to Jon I would expect him to cheat. I do not however think Jon would do that. He comes from a good family.
Kate makes the show! that is why most people watch to see how bad she will be.
I have had enough of the Jon & Kate show and hope the rumor I heard that it was cancelled is true!!!
Comment by Weenie — March 7, 2009 @ 5:49 pm
1. THAT does not even look like Jon…I am not saying it’s not him but it really doesn’t LOOK like him. That pic looks like some girls said “hey he LOOKS like Jon, let’s get our pic with him”.
2. In this day and age and with EVERYONE having picture phones it would seem to me that there would be more incriminating evidence. Here there is only the one pic of someone that may or may not be Jon Gosselin.
3. Regardless of all the other things…if it is or isn’t him…if that was him partying or not…who cares…the poor man is married to Kate…wouldn’t you want to run away every now and then???
Comment by Babsie — March 7, 2009 @ 7:26 pm
As much as I like gossip, I highly doubt this story. No offense, whomever took that picture of “Jon,” is bad. Yes, I’m a devoted Jon & Kate, Plus 8 fan. Though, I can see through the b.s. of the show. I don’t think they exploited their family, but they did what any parent in their shoes would have done. At least they can say their children have their school paid for.
Aside from that rant, the picture above looks horrible. Whomever the guy is, has too much hair to be Jon & his lower face is a little screwed up. Plus, how in the world would HE find time to do this?
Comment by Alex — March 7, 2009 @ 8:09 pm
I guess I forgot that STAR magazine has historically been a beacon for ethics in journalism. Don’t they pay nameless ‘witnesses’ to tell their stories??? But I could be wrong since I don’t have little time to read the paper when I’m in the 10 items or less.
It’s funny how we can get a picture of an Olympic gold medalist holding a bong at a dorm party but, there seems to be no photos of a Reality TV dad playing beer-pong or jacking-up volleyball players.
When I was in college, pictures were taken regularly of people’s drunken escapades. Nowadays, everyone has camera phones and digital cameras so, where is the incriminating photo evidence???
Now, back to the the picure above. These two girls obviously work at this bar. They have similar black tanks (one girl is covering up a logo which implies its a mandated uniform style) and both of them have their hair pulled back (it stays out of your face when you’re working). Just a hunch, but I doubt college-aged females go to bars with little-to-no makeup, matching black tanks in March, wearing ponytails, hoping to have fun. And, look closely in the background. All of the bar stools are put up, which means its AFTER closing time. Now why would the bar manager (who is probably not a 19 year old student) allow one of his or her patrons who had been seen groping, harassing, and buying drinks for young coeds stay after the doors are locked???
There’s always two sides to every story folks, don’t conclude until ALL facts are out there!!!
Comment by DJ — March 7, 2009 @ 9:46 pm
That witch makes me want to vomit. Don’t cheat, Jon, but set the azz straight
Comment by chris — March 8, 2009 @ 7:29 am
Seriously, I never comment on these type of sites but I was reading the other comments and I needed to say something. First of all, I don’t think that picture is of Jon. BUT either way, some of the comments above are ridiculous. If you guys are so disgusted with Kate and the show I have a sure-fire way to solve your problem…DON’T WATCH. It drives me crazy to listen to people go on and on about how much they hate the show and that is should be taken off the air. There are a lot of shows that I don’t like on TV, so I don’t watch them. Just because you don’t like a show doesn’t mean it should be taken off the air. Get over yourselves.
Comment by Jen — March 8, 2009 @ 7:29 pm
It’s interesting to me that most people are too busy flipping out about about whether it is Jon in the photo (he basically admitted that it was so I don’t see where the argument is coming from) to address the larger issues at hand.
Comment by k — March 8, 2009 @ 10:07 pm
GLP asked me if I would seriously turn down what they were offered. Um, YEAH! Of course! My kids and their privacy aren’t for sale. I guess being the mature adult that I am, believing that parents work so that kids don’t have to is an oddity? These people are pimping out their kids and it’s all about the money and only the money. Karma is a bitch and it’s coming for the Gosselins. Now they are getting a taste of their own medicine. Privacy? If the kids don’t deserve it, neither do the parents.
Comment by Jen — March 9, 2009 @ 12:26 am
Really…. All Asians do not look a-like. How rude.
This is not Jon. A good copy but no cigar!
Comment by Mimi — March 9, 2009 @ 11:24 am
Kate constantly berates and brow beats Jon on national television. She is a psycho. How can she behvave that way in front of her kids??? No wonder their daughter Maddy is a little bitch to everyone. I feel bad for all those kids. The show should end. No one cares anymore. They have money now and things have changed. Now they have 2 GERMAN SHEPARDS!!!! Are they nuts??? She thought she had alot poop before??? She hasn’t seen nothing yet!!! I am not surprised Jon is out partying…..I thought he would have left Kate by now and gone off with the trainer.
Comment by Lisa — March 10, 2009 @ 10:02 am
If you watch the show regularly, you know that Kate is trying to show life as it really is and not sugar-coat things. I honestly don’t see anything on that show that doesn’t seem completely normal. Every husband and wife have their own way of communicating and unless we know them personally or there is some kind of abuse, no one should judge them. Also important to note is that although the children are very young, they have been involved in the decision to continue the show. They were told that they could continue the “family job” or Mom would go back to nursing and they could start day care. They voted unanimously to continue the “family job”. Jon and Kate have always said that they do this for the kids; it enables Kate to stay home with them every day, allows for family vacations that would otherwise be impossible because of the sheer cost, as well as allowing them to purchase a new home where the kids are free to roam the house and yard without being on top of each other. These children do live in the spotlight, but because of that they are not living in poverty and want for nothing.
Comment by kate — March 10, 2009 @ 10:07 pm
Well said Kate!
Comment by Alex — March 11, 2009 @ 2:14 pm
Have we all forgotten that last season they renewed there vows. That is upsetting to me. Yes and they are supposed to be a Godly family.
Comment by Wende — March 12, 2009 @ 3:49 am
Couple things…
1) I agree that the picture does not bear a striking resemblance to Jon, but he does seem to admit that it is him… And, I agree that there is probably way too much speculation about a probably innocent fan pic. If something untoward was really going on, there would have been many more pics floating around out there to document it.
2) K & Jen, I respect your unfailing dedication to preserving your children and family’s rights to privacy and anonymity. I mean that sincerely and I agree wholeheartedly, at least in theory, with your position.
3) Jen – Being the mature adult that I am, I do work to support my son and require nothing in return from him, so no, that is not an oddity, at least not to me. I do my absolute best to provide him with a loving, stable environment in which he can grow and flourish, and I try my best to protect him from the many things in this world that could hurt him. That said, being the flawed human that I am, I can just see how the waters could be muddied when actually confronted with a real-life propsoition to have financial worries become a thing of the past for my family. I am just saying that I don’t think it would be as simple a decision for me as it seems it would be for you. That is just me being honest. Hope that doesn’t make me a bad parent.
4) I think the show has lost it’s appeal as a show about a kind-of-unusual but interesting and wholesome family… but it is gaining appeal for those who view Kate as an overbearing, control-freak, and Jon as her over-criticized, under-appreciated emplo, uh, husband. I think that’s an unfortunate, but probably natural progression of the show. We liked them at first, but now we see the money rolling in, and the continued use of the children to solicit more money, and we are either jealous of their newly acquire riches, or we just don’t like what we see anymore. So now, we are deciding to watch the spectacle, instead of enjoying this family. Thus, I go back to my original comment, I believe it is in the family’s best interest at this time to say enough is enough.
5) To kate, who said that the children made the decision to continue to do the “family job”, I will only say that certainly you realize that young children are not equipped to evaluate the long term consequences of their choices and weigh those against the benefits gained from the choice they make today. That is why we, as the parents – make those decisions. And as adults, with God’s help, we do our best to evaluate the long term consequences of our choices. And sometimes – lots of times – those aren’t easy choices. One of the things I pray to God every day is that He will give me the strength to make the hard but necessary choices that are in the best interest of my son. the righ answer is not always clear, it’s not always easy, but we do our best to ensure the welfare of our children. That said, however, I am a big proponent of not sending kids to daycare if there are ANY other viable options. I am very fortunate in that my mother insists on and thoroughly enjoys watching my son while I work. She is wonderful with him and for him – and in general as a person – and I certainly know not everyone has that option. So I understand very well the desire to stay at home with one’s children, at least until they are school-age. It is undoubtedly a quandary and I understand wanting to take the children’s feelings into consideration in making your decisions, but I think there are just some things that we have to decide for them because they aren’t equipped to see the long-term effects of their choices at this age. MHO.
5) K ~ Last, but not least, ‘kate’ isn’t actually “the Kate”, is it???
Comment by glp — March 12, 2009 @ 10:38 am
********* K ~ It’s me again ~ glp *********
I just typed a seven page dissertation on this post, and I think it went into the spam folder. I have to learn to copy my darned posts before I hit the enter button! Sorry to be a pest – I just can’t type all that again!!!
[found it, restored it, apologize for it! ~k]
Comment by glp — March 12, 2009 @ 10:41 am
One last thing – (not sure why I am fixated on this subject) – about the dynamic between Kate and Jon… Please remember folks, that we see what the producers want us to see. I am sure we see a reasonable enough sampling of the day-to-day exchanges between parents and from parent-to-children to have some idea of the way this family communicates. But imagine for a moment, however unappealing it is to you, that your every move, your every word, was captured on video. Imagine the picture that could be painted of you if someone were to pick and choose which of your exchanges would be aired. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my son, and value above all, his person. I do my best (and I am not perfect by any stretch) to raise a happy, stable boy… but he has his moments, and I have mine. Now, I usually regret mine as soon as they happen, but they happen. I’m human. I rant and rave once in a while. Sometimes I yell and immediately hate myself for doing it. Sometimes, I get upset, and maybe I am particularly tired that day, and I am just not as kind as I would hope to be to my son. And dare I say it, sometimes on a really bad day, I am even sarcastic, even though my 3 year old probably isn’t savvy enough yet to get it. You get the picture. If we all had to look at ourselves on camera, anyone who says that their portrait would be a pretty one all the time is pure and simple – LYING.
I don’t think that either Kate or Jon are bad people. In fact, I’ll go on record as saying that I think they are good people. Whether they decided to cash in on their multiple births and sought out the show, or whether people came to them, I do believe they are doing what they believe is good for their family. However misguided some of us may feel they are, I choose to believe that if they believe their children are being hurt by this show, they will stop. Call me naive… I hope they don’t prove me wrong.
Comment by glp — March 12, 2009 @ 11:04 am
Thanks K!!
Just in case you missed it in my too-long post, I wondered if the poster ‘kate’ here is “the Kate”…
Any thoughts?
Hmmm…
Comment by glp — March 12, 2009 @ 11:37 am
I thought it too, but then I thought that would be too obvious. In other words…I sure hope not!!!
But then again, maybe it would do her some good…
Comment by k — March 12, 2009 @ 3:33 pm
Yes, I think it would do her some good… and I’d like to chat with her…
And yes, it would be obvious, but maybe that was the point. It was composed in such a way that she may have written it… OR some prankster just wanted to peak the curiosity of gullibles like me… lol OR, it is some innocent, anonymous person happened to be named ‘Kate’… so many possibilities… I’m still curious… lol
Kate G., if that’s you, send me a note and we can chat. I’m not a hater, so we’re cool. lol
Comment by glp — March 12, 2009 @ 4:01 pm
Here’s the pivotal clue about the situation. Neither sets of grandparents are involved in the show. Why not? My guess is that they probably had the sense to know the parents were exploiting their grandchildren and that it would turn out badly.
Comment by Kammie — March 13, 2009 @ 6:36 am
I have often wondered about the grandparents as well… I actually wondered if the grandparents are still alive, since no one even really talks about them on the show, except in the episode where the family travels to Hawaii, where they mention Jon’s parents. Kate’s parents have completely gone unmentioned, at least in the episodes I’ve seen. In one of the question/answer shows, they kind of address that question, however cryptically. They basically say that the families choose not to be a part of the show, which supports Kammie’s assertion. But I’ve wondered if it is more than that, because you never even hear the kids mention any grandparents at all, as if they may not be in their lives, not just the show… I can’t help but be curious about that, and Kate and Jon apparently don’t want to go into any detail about it.
Comment by glp — March 13, 2009 @ 8:07 am
glp: From what I understand (and I could be wrong), Kate’s parents (I think her father is a pastor) tried to help in the beginning by arranging donations of clothes, cribs, baby furniture, car seats, etc. They were shot down by Kate who was upset that the stuff didn’t match, and I believe everything was eventually donated elsewhere. She was also rude to the church volunteers who tried to help remodel their house at the time (which eventually ended up being done by a TV show, and Kate hated that too). Apparently she is estranged from them. It seems Jon’s dad is deceased. I don’t know about his mother.
Here’s an article I found…that whole site is a great wealth of info. And here is another.
Comment by k — March 13, 2009 @ 10:24 am
WOW – that is a lot of information… enlightening, to say the least… thanks!
Comment by glp — March 13, 2009 @ 11:11 am
Good article. When they made the decision to use their unique family situation as a means to advance their income and lifestyle, they should have expected the cameras to go beyond TLC filming. What started out as an entertaining show has become Kate’s means to wealth the the dreamhome they now inhabit. She is clearly a troubled woman whose obsessions and critical nature (this isn’t limited to just Jon-watch her belittle anyone or anything that gets in her way)should not be rewarded with s “show” that shamefully uses her children and product promotion in the same way-to make money.
Comment by Dixie — March 14, 2009 @ 9:07 am
One is going to be a little overbearing when running the show for 9 people. Its the way only to keep things in order and trying to not to lose your mind! In my opinion, If Jon took more control and stepped up to the plate a bit more maybe Kate could relax and be more at ease.
Comment by Rita — March 14, 2009 @ 10:45 pm
Interesting. So the so-called “adults” in this situation are taking advice from toddlers, who’s only real concern doesn’t stretch much beyond what they are going to have for a snack that day, because they simply don’t have the cognitive functions nor the life experience to comprehend such a thing. It always amazes me when adults seriously ask toddlers their opinions on such important matters…what do they think the kids are gonna say? These kids don’t know any other way of life. They don’t know that there is any other way to be.
And if you put it to them like, “Do you want mommy to go back to work and you’ll never see her again and all the money will go away and we’ll have to move into a van down by the river [frowny face], or do you want to keep things just like they are with our big nice house and lots of money and super-cool vacations and toys and stuff [smiley face],” what do you think the answer from a toddler will be?
IF the children were ever consulted, I would bet dollars to donuts the question was phrased like that.
People often know what to say and what buttons to push to get the response they want. Just like Kate getting the girls to move quicker with her threat of “I can always send the dogs back!” She knows what she’s doing and the response she’ll get, and just what words to say and the tone to use to manipulate them into doing what she wants.
Comment by k — March 14, 2009 @ 11:11 pm
Has anyone thought of the fact that if Kate went back to work as a nurse, she would basically be paying for the privilege to work (and then some)? Daycare for 8 children is not cheap! Especially when none of the kids were in school…
Comment by mar — March 15, 2009 @ 12:49 am
I read through most of the comments but not all so if this has been said already, I apologize.
The show is NOT filmed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Not even close. Jon and Kate have both said the cameras are only there about 5 days a month. (
Sometimes there are months without a camera — I just watched an episode in the new house that was captioned: “Three Months have Gone By”. As a parent of many children as well, I can see the benefits of monetarily providing for my children outweighing any harm that 5 days a month of filming can cause.
Comment by cdix — March 17, 2009 @ 12:11 am
As a parent I find that I constantly feel like I have no clue what I am doing. I know sometimes I have made decisions that I have come to regret. But at the time I thought it was the best possible decision for my children and my family. The only thing to do at that point is to make changes. I can bet this will happen with the Gosselins as well. There is no doubt that these parents live every moment for their children. They make sacrifices on a daily basis to ensure their happiness, safety and well-being. BUT NONE OF US ARE PERFECT! We’re not perfect parents and we’re not perfect people. If there’s anything the postings on this blog have shown it’s that there’s some bad or imperfection in all of us (I think the nastier comments on this site were probably made by people who don’t even have children and couldn’t possibly understand the dillemas parents face. I myself was the perfect parent before I had kids!) We are absolute hipocrites and condemning ourselves to attack this family for being imperfect.
And as for the assertion that they are any less “Christian” for their mistakes and shortcomings is misinformation. The bible says in Romans 3:23, 24 that “everyone has sinned. We all fall short of his glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness declares that we are righteous.” A true Christian does not think that they are infallable. On the contrary, they see how broken they are and that they are not capable of being without flaw. That has been the whole premise of the show, yet we forget that in times like that. Hmmm…..
Comment by Lacy — March 17, 2009 @ 9:16 pm
I believe you have confused the situation entirely.
Comment by k — March 17, 2009 @ 10:03 pm
[...] privacy. In a world of blogs and 24/7 worldwide news and parents whoring out their children on reality shows for fame and fortune, you’d think she would have thought of that before [...]
Pingback by GlossLip » Two Octuplets Go Home: Press Goes Totally Insane — March 18, 2009 @ 10:22 am
I really enjoy watching Jon & Kate plus 8. I don’t think that they are doing something wrong by having there lives video taped. I can’t imagine having a set of twins and then 6 more to add on to that. Just think about the struggles they would go through trying to support the family without the show. I dont blame them at all for taking advantage of every opportunity that they can get. For those of you that think the show is a bad thing then you are probably just jealous of the fact that they have a show and you dont. I personally would hate to see the show end because I enjoy watching the kids grow up. TLC you can come and video tape my life any time!!!
Comment by Ashley — March 20, 2009 @ 12:19 am
If people would stop watching this show, then the Kate the witch and Jon the pimp would not be able to take all the trips they take out of town, could not afford the 1.3 million dollar home, they live off their children how sad this is.I wonder what Kate would have done if she had not had that many children perhaps get a job would be a start. She is a smart ass and can not handle the public so she has to act like an idiot in front of the cameras and treat Jon like a dog.
Comment by Thressa Woods — March 20, 2009 @ 2:06 pm
I dont even know what to say. I am a huge fan of the show and to learn that this might have happened is shocking. But I think that when you are married so long and have children the everyday stresses to tend to get to people. They are a normal family in my opinion, I do think Kate can be alittle over the top sometimes, but until you have walked in her shoes than I feel no one can really judge her. I only have two children and although I dont treat my husband exactaly like she does, I am let my frustrations out on him from time to time. Its beeter than letting it out on the children. Every marriage has its struggles, things change over time, but its what you do with it that defines who you are. Marriage, Children is nothing but hard work and you are bound to get frustrated and over react. Just depends on your personaility type. Im praying for them, they and every marriage needs prayer.
Comment by ashley — March 20, 2009 @ 10:53 pm
If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck then it must be a duck. Kate needs to learn how to show respect to her mate and to quit shutting him down every chance she gets to do so on national tv.
Put the shoe on the other foot and how long would she sit still and let him down play her all the time, I guarantee you that instead of being petted like a dog, he would be wacked upside the head, and let the editing begin.
Comment by Thressa — March 22, 2009 @ 3:26 pm
I have been watching the Gosselins for awhile and I loved the episode in Hawaii. I actually saw the love they have for each other.(Unless we have walked in their shoes, we do not know what we would do.) Things seemed to be better on the show after Hawaii, but the new house has brought more verbal abuse and Kate seems to be more out of control and maipulating than ever. Both Jon and Kate say and do cruel things to their children and they are left crying, mostly due to Jon and Kate’s immaturity. When Kate carried on because Jon didn’t use a coupon, I had turn it off. Kate says a line, “I could lose my mind today,” that day I would say she did lose her mind and has been consistently getting worse by verbally abusing everyone. She is crazy, crazy to take on those dogs. Jon,wake up and be a man. Kate,wake up and be kinder to everyone, yourself included, you are not that charming. The best part of Jon and Kate is the EIGHT BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN. Grow up,you two. I am praying for you.
Comment by Marsha McKelvey — March 25, 2009 @ 2:19 pm
Will there be a Season 5? Read this!: On March 11, Emeril flew to PA to shoot 100th episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8. He made chili mac and cheese, baked salmon w/lentils and brought organic brownies. I guess they answered their own question to do Season 5 before Season 4 finale even aired.
Comment by twitter.com/mccaw |||||| mccaw@rogers.com — March 25, 2009 @ 4:03 pm
I have many mixed feelings about this. I have read the entire article, and all of the comments. There are a few things that I would like to say, although I don’t usually comment on things like this, I feel that there are some things that are pressing on my mind that I need to get off.
1.) In their defense, from what I have heard, and understood from the television shows, they don’t pay for any of the vacations that they go on. They have been invited to go to all of these places, and bring the children, I suppose it goes back to the ‘whoring’ of their children, because they are in a way advertising for the places they have visited.
2.) I am not prepared to say that I would turn down an opportunity such as the one they had with a television show. But I would however do serious soul searching. I don’t believe it would be right for me to do something like that without weighing the pro’s and con’s, and talking with not only my spouse (whos’ opinion I value greatly), but also my family members. Because although I would have money from the media, I wouldn’t be able to make such a drastic change in not only my life, but the lives around me, without the whole hearted support of my loved ones.
3.) I can understand both sides of the argument. In saying that they are ‘whoring’ their children, it makes sense to me. But I would also like to be allowed the simplistic right to be naive in this situation, and certainly hope that they were/are doing it for the well being of their family.
4.) I don’t believe that they went into fertility treatments with this in mind. Being that my husband and myself are currently going through the same thing, I would never in a million years let the thought of something like this cross my mind, not even for a split second. Because the thought of having six children at once, scares the living bejesus out of me. I do think that when the realized what was happening though, they scrambled to find a way to support themselves, and when you see a light at the end of the tunnel, it can sometimes be a train.
I hope that it isn’t a large proverbial locomotive of reality television that runs this family into the ground, but I do see through the parent interviews during the shows, that they don’t appear to be nearly as happy with their stardom than they had probably imagined they would be.
Just an opinion from someone that doesn’t have children, maybe I have it all wrong.
Comment by Jenna — March 28, 2009 @ 1:27 am
Well put
Comment by Thressa — March 31, 2009 @ 2:00 am
To me Jon seems very unhappy!!! could never imagine why!
Comment by Thressa — March 31, 2009 @ 2:02 am
I think most people believe Jon cheated on his wife because of the way she has treated him and expect that he will act out against her eventually. On the other hand, I work at a university and I assure you if he were there and cheating, dirty dancing and kissing girls there would be plenty of pictures to prove it, not a candid shot of him standing there with 2 random people. ALL the kids have cell phones that take pictures and many have cameras as well. I do hope the series is cancelled and those kids have a chance for therapy before it’s too late.
Comment by Roz — March 31, 2009 @ 9:25 pm
Clearly this picture is being blown out of context. Is Jon not allowed to go to a bar to have a drink? I am pretty sure he is a grown man and can do whatever he pleases to do. There is no way Jon would cheat on Kate with college students! I am a college student and if I saw Jon Gosselin at a bar I would totally try to get a picture with him and get him to hang out with me and a bunch of my friends, he seems like a cool guy, but that wouldn’t mean he was cheating on Kate. I think all the people who put the show Jon and Kate plus 8 down clearly don’t watch the show. They are doing the best they can for this family and they now live in a 1.3 million dollar home, which they never would have been able to do without the show. Who could dream that a show about a random family who has two sets of multiples on TLC would be such a hit, you have to take advantage of that success!!! I believe the minute one of those kids says they don’t want to be on camera anymore, they would stop the show. The kids love the crew and have grown up with them so I just don’t understand all the hate going out to this family when all they are trying to do is make a great life for these kids! If you don’t like the show and have tons of negative feelings towards the family then don’t watch it!
Comment by Kate — April 8, 2009 @ 3:06 pm
i never watched the show until tonight and it must be a series and as soon as they said theyre not involved with the kids grandparents that was a red flag…kate is a very controlling person and always trying to get her point of view as being the “right way” to handle “everything” shes a control freak plain and simple her husband knows “nothing about anything” thats how i see it anyhow..i know their life cant be easy but she’s going to self destruct one of these days..jon is easy going and thats the only kind of person who could tolerate her.
she has a very controlling personality and whether jon sees it or not,he is being verbally and emotionally abused…and their oldest daughter is going to be (sadly) just like mommy…you can see the traits already…and mommy was probably treated the same ways as a child, thus not wanting anything to do with her parents…im just sayin…the signs are there…
Comment by gina — April 21, 2009 @ 10:58 pm
weenie, Jon admitted it was him. There are many other pictures with different woman.
It was Jon and I think the fools that think it isn’t him are delusional.
Comment by JunebugTherapy — April 22, 2009 @ 6:29 pm
http://thegirlfromtheghetto.wordpress.com/2009/03/11/when-will-jon-gosselin-divorce-kate-gosselin/
Comment by More Pictures — April 22, 2009 @ 6:33 pm
If we stop watching do the kids stop being exploited??
Comment by 8XploitedFaces — April 22, 2009 @ 6:36 pm
Kate — You are an idiot. Mrs. Gosselin is gone most of the time and only comes home to pay bills and shop until she leaves again for another book tour.
Comment by 8XploitedFaces — April 22, 2009 @ 6:40 pm
cdix, they have admitted that they film 3-5 days per week for 10-12 hours each day. They’ve had 80 episodes and there is NO DOWN TIME at all. Just because they say “3 months have passed” doesn’t mean that no filming was done.
Comment by ILaughAtSheeple — April 22, 2009 @ 6:46 pm
of course she talks to him like that.
he gets to go off and have a real job and she is left at home with a bunch of 4 year olds.
how is she supposed to talk to an appathetic husband who never helps her?
and now he’s out with ugly burnettes acting like he doesnt have SIX children and an unappreciated wife.
Comment by ern — May 3, 2009 @ 7:20 pm
Poor Jon… I don’t blame him at all if it were true.
Comment by Casey — May 9, 2009 @ 2:36 pm
Hello Jon and Kate…I love your show. Its the only show I watch and I even get my fiance to watch it sometimes too. I like to watch it with him because we learn so much from you both. (we don’t have any kids yet but we want some soon). I think you guys work really well together, granted you have your moments but who doesn’t and I think if people want to judge you because of it they need to take a step back and look in the mirror because no one and no relationship is perfect. We still look to you both, for strength and encouragement that we too can balance a family and relationship someday and if you can do it with 8 we should be able to do it with two. Thank you for letting us into your lives, it has helped us a lot.
Lindsay Le Strat
Comment by Lindsay — May 10, 2009 @ 5:30 pm
I think it is terrible what these parents have done to their children can you imagine how later in life people are going to remember how they saw these kids on tv taking baths and have potty problems they will get made fun of and thats now way for a child to live their life having the cameras moniter every single moment of their lives. i swear they will have some kind of social disorders after all the stress this show will have put them through in their earlier years just wait till its jon and kate + 8 watching the girls go to prom first date first period first sexual encounter its wrong and i would never do that to my child
Comment by Heather — May 11, 2009 @ 10:27 am
[...] began with the pictures of Jon out at a local bar playing beer pong with co-eds. Then it was pics of Jon out with a mysterious 20-something “friend,” which escalated [...]
Pingback by GlossLip » Jon and Kate Gosselin Getting What They Deserve, But What About The Children? — May 13, 2009 @ 4:50 pm
[...] began with the pictures of Jon out at a local bar playing beer pong with co-eds. Then it was pics of Jon out with a mysterious 20-something “friend,” which escalated [...]
Pingback by Celebrity Blog | Babelogs | Celebrity Gossip » Blog Archive » Jon and Kate Gosselin Getting What They Deserve, But What About The Children? — May 14, 2009 @ 2:20 am
I hope Jon Gosselin is prepared to pay child support for eight children and their college educations. He has had it easy up until now but he is cutting off his nose to spite his face! Keep running the roads Jon and you will end up in the ditch where you belong. You are not all that and your children and your wife are. Wake up and smell the roses!
Comment by Joanne K. Izzo — October 6, 2009 @ 12:19 am
I hope Jon get what he deserves he’s a jerk and he needs to start acting like a dad and stop all his teen age acting he’s acting like and dog in heat..he has had it made till now… and he needs to get nothing Kate and the kids sould get it ALL…. my money is on Kate …
Comment by Susan — November 2, 2009 @ 7:15 pm
Think a bit. The show was proposed to them when they couldn’t pay bills and even food was an issue. Working with one or two kids (I did) is doable and can work out well for everyone but with this many kids the logistics kick in and it becomes undoable. I look at these kids (who can refuse filming and have done so on any given day) and they are well behaved, loving, not fearful and take real joy in life. This is a fabulous accomplishment and I give Kate credit because Jon is very apathetic and she’s organized, loving and enthusiastic despite her bad points. She is a savant at mothering and terrible at other relationships
She treats Jon badly and has seen the consequences of this. My hope is that she will watch herself and how she treats others (not just Jon) and get help and learn how to extend her love beyond the kids for her own sake when the kids grow and go on their own.
How will they fare in the long run – we have to wait and see. I wish them well, whether on TV or not.
Comment by Mary Malloy — November 14, 2009 @ 11:16 am