I, for one, watched faithfully and loved the show, even seeing Kate's rudeness and Jon's wimpiness... I read the covers of the tabs when I'm at the grocery store and I google every week to see what's going on... but I will not watch the show again. Done with it.

Just asking, Isn't this the reporter who said a month or two ago that he would no longer cover this trash. It's just like the bully, if you ignore him, he'll go away. Please give me one good reson to watch a show that takes place on every street in America. What goes on behind closed doors should stay closed. Stop opening the door. It's none of our business and most importantly , who cares?

Dave,
The sad part of your story is that there is too much of this type of reporting, which tells readers this lifestyle is normal and as such acceptable. It may be in your book, but not in God's, which is the operating manual for life written by the one who gave it.

I really wanted to see a happy household and yes now I am hurt, betrayed to find out it is all a lie. It seems a lie in order to get free trips etc. I can understand to make money for the family. Don't we all wish for that. Heck I am a widow living alone with no close family and just recovering from two broken legs. My dream is to fly to London to hear and meet Michael Ball. Can someone make that happen for me? I think not.
Bottom line,, I feel once again lied to and that is not a good feeling.
Ann

Z - I think one good thing is that people are more aware that "reality" TV isn't all real- it is scripted. I also hope it brings about more legal protection for children. Adults make a choice, children do not.

I agree completely. I've followed the show since season one and I have to say they did a great job of painting a portrait of the perfect family on TLC. It’s amazing to see the developments as they unfold on the tabloids and internet gossip sites. I'm not going to lie; I'm pretty addicted at this point.
I'm surprised that these two parents haven't realized what they're doing. I don't blame either for what happened between them because as we know- in the end we don't know how it came to be that they ran from each other but I do blame them for the actions that are taking place RIGHT NOW. Jon is embarrassing himself and needs to lay low for a while. No doubt he is dating Kate Major or Hailey Glassman; but the choices he is making are detrimental to his case about being a good loving father to the American people.
We also know Kate has moved to Maryland for her off week with the children. Why move so far from the children and so close to her security guard? I understand she can't be with her children in the home but there isn't a restraining order on her and she can stay within the local in Pennsylvania. She is adding to the chaos by allowing herself to be part of these rumors.
The damage has been obviously done and the ones that suffer the most are the children. I believe though at this point removing the cameras might only worsen the effects of this now broken family on the lives of those innocent children.
I'm going to keep watching as TLC continues to portray the parents as an amicable divorce' couple. The new episode will show Kate camping with the children; and from yesterday’s reports, Jon will be shown taking his children to the dentist and having scavenger hunts at there PA home; but I will also adamantly be reading up online on what is really going on behind the cameras.

Hi Michell, Yes, you are exatly the kind of long-time intelligent and thoughtful viewer I was thinking about in writing the post. New media did the job of telling us what "was going on behind the cameras." Thanks. Z

How can her brother and sis-in-law still be getting air time...go away...you are horrible to your own family. They are not your kids so shut up. Those kids are fine. If the only bad thing in their life is having a camera in their faces, then get them a shrink...they'll be fine. At least they have clothes, food, house, college, and weddings, paid for....good grief. I can't believe how ugly her brother and his psycho wife are being!

Z, So you are saying we should watch??? I had to read this twice! Do you have a fever today?? So in other words FreeTheGosseliin 8 and sources other than media have exposed this family as a lie and watching would be a good thing? I do think that Kate said on the show that their breakup might have happenened whether there were cameras around or not. I can only think of one positive in continuing maybe the kids will get to see played out on camera how a family deals with divorce. I think it will be too sad to watch, but now I am curious.

Interesting how we have all been duped into believing that J&K +8 was a 'real' family, dealing with the 'real' issues we all struggle with daily: finances, working parent(s), raising children (yes even a brood of them); paying bills; having enough $ at the end of the month; car-pooling kids here and there, etc, etc.
These are 'real' issues that everyday people deal with. NOT deciding what color carpet you want someone to purchase and install for you; or vacations you constantly want; freebies you consistently beg for!!! That is NOT reality!
There are many, many couples who have large families. What freebies, handouts and vay-cays do they get?? Nadda.

I'm sick of this show, I used to be a big fan. No more!!! I refuse to watch, simply based on the fact that they are airing a lie, while calling it the truth or reality!!

And I wonder if Kate has paid back all the churches she ripped off over the past few years, by charging them to fly her there, charging them for her photo, and for speaking. Then having the unmitigated gull to ask for a 'love offering' or money for her children's college fund? I doubt anyone will see a penny in return. I doubt she will be in a generous mood, donating money to these churches.

Both parents are now acting like spoiled rotten children. Not to mention the fact that their children are now following suit.

There's the REAL reality!!!

Z, A light just kind of went on, I think you are saying that maybe this will allow us to be more discerning and not totally rely on what it being portrayed to us by the media, we can allow ourselves to use other sources of reporting to help us see what is real and what is not. In that way I agree. I may be way off. I still don't know if watching would be a positive or it will just be sad to see the family in the aftermath? Are you going to watch???

don't beahater, have you noticed that no family member is speaking FOR Kate?
The Kreiders agree that she is terrible.

I doubt they have any money set aside for those children. They are blowing it all.

WHO CARES!!! Just follow the famous saying, "Build it and they will come", only do it in reverse. "Ignore it and it will go away". That is exactly what should happen with this show---GO AWAY!!!

David, I agree that: "It isn't so much wanting to see someone famous torn down, it's more about wanting to see a fake media-constructed ideal deconstructed."

Some of us have been commenting on the exploitation of these children long before the tabloids became interested in the Gosselins, and we were the minority. Fans insisted we were wrong, we were only jealous of the family's success. Before the tabloids began writing about them, the only publicity about the Gosselins were fluff pieces written in magazines like Good Housekeeping or Ladies Home Journal. As the tabloids forced everyone to see the unpublicized reality of this family, the mainstream media finally took notice and began doing stories about the effect of this show on the kids. The fiction created by TLC and the Gosselins has been exposed, with no thanks to the mainstream media.

I too am DONE with them. I cannot believe how big of LIES it all was! I want to see what they have "SAVED" for the KIDS THAT EARNED IT. They should have to answer to all those who they TOOK from. I think POORLY of TLC! I loved Aunt Jody - she really seemed to love those kids. I'm glad her cookbook (stolen receipes sorry) is not going to be published. I also am SO glad that healthtex is re-thinking the line while Kate's kids are in FREE Gymboree!~

To "dontbahater"
You said "Those kids are fine." "At least they have clothes, food, house, college and weddings paid for..."
They AREN'T fine! Cara and Maddy are in therapy, for cripes sake! How's that fine?!

It is awful that they can't or won't work on their marriage. As Christians that should be first and formost. the show used to be more about the kids now its about two people who screwed up their relatlionship. Kate treated Jon with verbal and sometimes physcial abuse and yet she acts to the public that she does not seem to get why he wanted out. She wants us to think she didn't cheat and that she is the victum in all of this. We aren't that stupid. If the show continues to be about them and their poor choices I will not watch anymore. I love the kids and really feel they need a better life not just one with big houses and spoiled parents.

I am inspired by Kate. Sure she changed after 8 kids...but she has a lot more responsibility & to be a good mother...she has to be organized & strict. Is she witchier than she used to be...she says 'yes'...she has 8 kids in diapers...6 kids on a bottle at the same time. Wouldn't YOU be witchier?

Jon...he probably thought he was getting 2 kids--what an eye-opener he had and at such a young age.

I honestly believe he hates the show & felt he was being forced into it. He said every episode he hated the show. These girlfriends he's videoed with--I'm sure that's his way of rebelling...& can anyone blame him?

Sue and Ann,

I have to agree with both of you. I said in another post that they should have tried marriage counselling. It helped my marriage. Now I am not sure if I will watch. I feel like maybe it is the wrong thing to do. Michelle had a good point if TLC can portray the amicable divorce part, we will see.

My mother had five children in 7 years, so she also had multiples in diapers at the same time. And back then she didn't have the convenient disposable diapers and baby bottle liners either. Yet through all of it, she NEVER treated my father as bad as Kate has treated Jon.

absolutely will be watching the show,,, too bad whinner jon didn't grow up ,, also too bed he has no sense of humor,, kate is a guttsy woman,, jon is a loser,, not getting enough attention for himself,, claiming he didn;t lke the attention , then goes sneeking out trying to get caught instead of stepping up and telling everyone he wanted to play around,,,
GO KATE KEEP THE SHOW GOING,,

Who is raising the children now? Nanny's, oh Kate wants to discuss Jon's anger. Well, he tried and she just wants to go on with the show no matter who all it is bad for. If it means money, Kate will always neglect the needs, yes needs of her family so she can have more and more money. Jon wanted to be rid of the show. Kate wants the show reguardless of how it hurts her family. Kate buys people to raise her children, she does things with them IMO only when she may get some publicity for it. She loves the paps it seems. They just mean money to her. If not she would protect her family and do the right thing and get them out of the public tv eye and public period in this bad way. But she says, I am going to do things I have never done before, yep, get ready for more lies, TLC will make it look as she does it all on her own. I don't think that will be the case, just another way to trick the viewers or feed them full of lies. Yes, Kate took the kids to the beach, she did not want to stay home because the kitchen was being re done. She had nanny's, body guards and etc. with her. She IMO did not have to lift a finger. Just boss everyone around. That is what she wants and more power to her for selecting that not her husband or childrens best interest, she is a cruel person for doing this to her own family. But I do think Kate would have lost everything without the tv show, she is just a Bitch point blank period. It was all self inflicted. Jon is not a puppet on a string, he final proved that by leaving the wicked, selfish witch. He is better off without her. Seems Kate has no family support, Jon does-that tells me she is wrong. Do I think she cries because Jon left her, yes-but only for reasons that have $ behind it. Yes, she will stay close, she likes to control everything and that will not change IMO. Besides, her little children are her way to make most of her money, I guess she would stay close with her whip and mean ways. Hope the state takes the children away from her, she is a terrible person and a no good mom that uses her children for child labor. Dig a hole Kate and crawl in it. Some man may be with you one day for the ole mighty dollar. That will be pay back. Karma Kate, your day is coming. Go Jon, get a real woman not a control freak that uses everything she can for money. Continue to love and take care of your children in their house. Don't let Kate ever treat you bad again. She seems to always get a word or many words in to try to cut you down. She wanted this, she wanted the lime light, let her have it. She says it is to provide for the kids, well, she has enough to do that and so do you. Just kick her to the curb and love your children and be there for him. Your love life is yours just as hers is hers. No one should blame you for this, you did what you needed to do. I am sure you will be a better man for it. She used you Jon, it's over now. Peace be with you and your children. Kate IMO will continue to exploit the children, you need to put a stop to it. She made your family sad, I could care less about her and never again will as many of my friends and family feel the same way. I will not watch the show but I will try to keep up and hope she does not continue to use the children for her lifestyle wants. Everything she says now is just so fake. No Kate you can't go back, you have inflicted to much pain on so many people. I feel so bad for your parents, they must be so ashamed to have a daughter like you. Which planet do you live on Kate to think it is ok to exploit your children-it is wrong. You carried them crying not wanting to go through the publilcity during the last photo shoot. You MADE them be there and do that-complete scum is what you are IMO, you could care less about your family's/own children emotions-what a monster you are. Just a punk, bully!

I think some commentators are blowing the events surrounding this divorce out of proportion, by "forgetting" to keep it in the context of a divorcing society. The reaction is giving me some insight into the taboo that is divorce's particular brand of norm violation. It's as if we are saying: "While Jon and Kate are on display, our own divorce is shut away," in order to pin our shame on something external.

This is a scandal in the same sense as the Crucifixion: a concentration of anger and disgust at the symbol of something that is paining the entire society. If the public truly wants to pull Jon and Kate down, I can see why.

How are so many people SO SURE that J&K have not saved any money for the kids college funds?

I watched the show tonight and was struck by something Kate said that makes soooo much sense....that there are so many families facing the same emotional turmoil & troubles that the Gosselins are facing that maybe the show will help others who are going thru it too. I am impressed by their focus on doing what's right for the kids and setting aside their differences when they need to (special occasions, holidays, etc.) although I do realize its early in the game. However, I think Kate & Jon will give us great examples of how to behave or how not to behave depending on the day, in this type of situation. I truly hope they will remember to keep their children's higher good in mind in all their interactions and decisions, just like we all should.

what is the good example Jon and Kate are giving us great examples of how to behave or not? He's flitting from one female to another being photographed drunk and she's going from show to show (away from her kids) playing her 'poor me' role. Neither of them is thinking of what the kids need, stability and a normal life - NOT THEIR NORMAL which is all messed up - BUT REAL NORMAL, school and family and peace at HOME not running from one trip to another. Kate won't/can't give up her (fake) 'celebrity image' long enough to help her kids. Jon at least does 'regular' things with his kids (fishing, making pizza and Kate takes them some where spectacular where there are lots of people around to ogle her. Hopefully with ratings and viewers tanking it will end soon. IT CAN'T BE SOON ENOUGH!

Yes, to your comments on the "real normal." Z

by the way, David, I love this blog, you get some great input here and your comments are right on target!

Hi barbee, Thanks. Z