Recently while perusing on-line newspapers I came across this article and instantly felt the need to rant. I decided to broach the subject with my partner in crime, figuring she had a better pulse on reality TV and TLC programming in general, and I was proven right. Below are our different perspectives on the saga that has become the Gosselin’s life. It should be noted that we are unanimous in that not another minute should be wasted watching this garbage.
JLM – Has never seen one minute of an episode of J&K+8
Not being much of a reality television watcher (AI ended over a week ago!!), I was a bit oblivious as to who the hell Jon and Kate were and why I would possibly care that their marriage is in serious trouble. Adding to it, I am not a huge fan of children so any allure watching a couple held would quickly dissipate when eight, YES 8, kids were thrown into the equation. From what I can decipher, the program’s premise banked on the viewing public’s desire to watch a show about raising 8 kids. From the show’s ratings, it seemed that people were indeed NOT interesting in watching a couple raise 8 kids. That was until Jon’s apparent marital indiscretion. For now they are decidedly interested in watching a couple’s marriage fall apart; raising 8 kids in the process an added bonus. Correct me if I am wrong but divorce is not an anomaly in America; the divorce currently sitting at 50%. Would it not be more entertaining to invite several couples over to your house for dinner, weighing the odds and hoping for one couple to come to blows over the main course?? What I am eluding to is this: If you are sadistic enough to ENJOY other people’s misfortune and pain, why not get a live, front row seat to the sh*t show? Perhaps a better question is who’s behaviour is more abhorrent; TLC for continuing to film and promote the misfortunes of the Gosselin’s or the viewers who cannot take their eyes off the train wreck?
From what I have read, and given the hours of Dr Phil training I have had, I think it is safe to assume that their problems date back to high school. How much do you want to bet that Jon was the stud in high school; the gifted athlete who had the coolest friends and any girl he wanted? By contrast Kate was likely a complete dork, not book-worm, smart dork but just plain dork. Moving on to adulthood, Jon cannot figure out why he doesn’t get his way all the time, yet to the viewer it is obvious. He married the high school dork who has now turned into a controlling, my way or the highway monster. In short, Jon comes off as a cry baby who dreams of years gone by and Kate is a complete and utter bivitch!!!
ED – Regular viewer of J&K+8
Admittedly, I watched the season premiere of Jon & Kate plus 8. I mostly felt sad when it was all over. The series is about the raising of eight children, specifically sextuplets, and the kids played such a nominal part in the episode that I almost forgot we were watching their fifth birthday party. I tuned in Monday because of the hype, the same reason non-sports fans pile around a big screen to watch the superbowl but now that it’s over I’m officially tuned out!! I don’t need to watch the forty episode season that is going to result in the divorce we all know is coming. All the viewers would end up doing is taking sides and whose side do you really want to be on? Kate’s side: cold-hearted, controlling, mother of eight that was pained by the fact that some of her kids mistakenly called her by a caregivers name but still she chooses to spend more time away from home than not? The woman who is clearly bitter about the demise of her marriage, likely more so because it hinders her pocketbook then because she loves and respects the gutless infidel she, for now, calls husband. Or should we camp on side Jon? The man who appears to be void of responsibility and personality? Who likely fell for Kate initially because she agreed to run his pathetic show? The guy whose ambitions, at the time, seem to be more about banging a twenty-year old friend then planning or being present at his own kids’ party?
Who cares? Who needs to choose sides? Either way the results are the same. I think we should all boycott the series until it folds. Then we can resume watching in five or ten years when the series is picked up once again; however, aptly renamed: Jon & Kate minus Eight – The Emancipation Years.
Lastly, let’s take a poll: Whose head would you shave first?
a) Donald Trump
b) Kate Gosselin
