What I still do not understand is why TLC has spent an inordinate amount of money and time trying to keep this show relevant? Someone help me understand.

What will jon & kate do when they very soon lose it all? Maybe it's a good thing their old house didn't sell. Hopefully kate has kept up with her nurse license. jon can always work for a friends computer business.

It seems to me that TLC tries very hard to manufacture some type of "scandal" every week to try and get the ratings up. I think people are starting to see through it all.

Also, why does Kate keep saying stuff like "she" plans the trips that they take. You know darn well that TLC plans them. Why lie about it? Like she planned the trip to Florida, like the butterly house, and the balloon ride. You know that TLC planned it all and paid for it all. I just don't get the whole reason they keep trying to hide this fact.

Could care less if they lose it all. Kate still has her nurses license active, license number RN519708L.

I'd prefer to have a prostate biopsy without pain meds than have her taking care of me in a hospital setting.

Can you imagine her bedside manner? "SHUT UP, YOU'RE BREATHING TOO LOUD".

I'd say TLC has a new relevant tv show in the making - how the formerly rich survive divorce, lots of kids and no money. Should be a winner in these economic times.

Very good. Z

Thanks for keeping us informed about the ratings.

I am about all spent when it comes to Tlc & the Gosselins. I am sure Monday 10/26 with the drama in real life court & the Kate answers blah blah blah will be a heavy draw but beyond that there is no direction for TLC to go. (except to follow thru with suing the father & in essence you are really suing the kids)

The ladies of The View have went back to Children shouldn't be on reality shows...interesting I did not hear that when you know who was on. (See Hot Topics view website 10/20/2009)

So get out the organic kool aid and Monkey Munch for the rest of the story.

I will never understand how Jon and Kate, who have no particular talents or prospects, just threw away their only source of income. It makes you wonder why, even though they decided to split, they didn't do some planning as to how they were going to support all those children.

I could not agree more. Thanks. Z

I hear TLC is busy trying to get a show about "Balloon Boy" and his family to replace the failing "J & K + 8".

Hi, I think TLC passed a while ago on the pitch for a show by the crazy Balloon Boy family. At least, that is the TLC version of events. Thanks. Z

I do not think that comparing the Monday show to wrestling or NFL football is a correct apple to apple comparison, unless you what to feed your readers bias opinion. I would like to know how the show compares to “table for 12” or the “Duggar’s 18 kids and Counting”. Also to compare the show to unusual hype of June episode is also not scientific. What is the trend of last year at this time?

I compared it to Little People. Did you read the whole post? In last week's post I compared it to last year, and it is down by more than a third. Z

Off course there were less viewers this week....everyone was busy watching the "Heenes- the hoax family"!
It is pathetic to see the extent to which Americans are fooloed everyday by fakeness of reality TV...Riched Heene just wanted a slice of that!

Why would people be watching the "Heene" family at 9 p.m. on Monday -- the sheriff declared the balloon ride a hoax at 1 p.m. Sunday? And where would they be watching them -- on what channel since they don't have a show and were largely out of the breaking news cycle? Z

At the beginning, Kate said all the money they made was going to be for the kids....ok ..Jon took some money,, but lets add up how much Kate spent and still spends on spas and treats for herself as compared to what Jon has over the years. Taking her 8 year old to the spa?? Get real... how many kids do you know that can go to the spa??? And they should account for all that money... individually and post that.... !!!!! Put up or shut up......KATE!!!!!! And maybe working at McDonalds would humble her and make her more civil to everyone around her. Also...... they are NOT just her kids....they are Jon's too. He is a good dad, she has said so MANY times, and now.... well that is Kate... always the victim. I am sure McDonalds wouldn't want her either....she has no interpersonal skills what so ever!!! Go away Kate!!!!

What TLC and the Gosselins don't seem to understand is their fanbase was build on an idyllic American family, which has turned out to be a lie. That is why all the publicity (all of which has been bad) has continued to erode viewership.

TLC should have realized last season at the end of it that this was going no where and pulled the plug. I'd like to see the numbers across the board for them, I'm suspecting that Jon & Kate + 8 is also pulling down shows before and after them.

Hi John, You are right about the facade of an "idyllic" family being shredded. The sociology of that is what fascinates about this story. Thanks. Z

Please take the show off the air. Getting tired of watching them esp. the parents. Get a real job like all of us.

Wow, I wish I were a stuggling single mom like Kate... Life appears to be pretty good, trips, catered food, free clothes..Sign me up please

they've milked this cow (show) dry, time to put it out to pasture.

here's a pitch, i read today that rosie o'donnell and her partner are having difficulty...maybe next show on tlc could be kate+8, rosie+5, the saga of two women who love to hear themselves speak! highlights at 11.

Z,

Great blog.

The ratings comparison to "Little People Big World" is interesting. That show seems to portray a family that, while not perfect, genuinely seems to care deeply about one another. Contrast that to "John and Kate" which always seemed to have, even at its inception, an undercurrent of tension propelled by Kate's shrewness.

Wasn't this show's popularity sort of like NASCAR? Round and round in circles while the audience waits for the inevitable horrific wreck they deny wanting to see.

Misery and spite always garner more ratings love and respect.

Perhaps we are all complicit in this nightmare.

Who cares.. Hello another vacation and she is saying she is broke. Wish I could go on vacation with no money.. Get a real job and stop living off your kids.

Kate and Jon needs to be audited by the IRS and TLC can make as special taping on that drive up ratings.

I agree with all of the above. To comment on Marie's post: pathological liar comes to mind--someone who lies to improve their self-image or to impress people. Good riddance to the whole family, but best wishes to the kids.

FWIW - i love this show still. The human drama is more interesting than it was before when it was just about howo to manage kids.

Why has J&K+8 lost so many viewers? I suppose, like politicians, J&K have lost touch with "the people".

I have no interest in watching Jon. The lack of character and integrity that he has displayed is disturbing and there is a petty part of me that would love to see him get smacked down for it. Both he and Kate seem to have "entitlement issues". Having said that if my child and I were offered the same perks that the Gosselins are I'd jump at it too. I cannot fault the Gosselins for that. Any complaining on that issue sounds more like "sour grapes" than a real complaint.

Should TLC ever want to do a story about a single mom who is also a full time student (going back to school to provide for her child better rather than the misery and dreariness of a dead end call center job and below the poverty line existence) than sign me up. Just one episode would be enough. If I got paid what the Gosselin's get paid per episode just that one show would get me out of debt and give me a bit of a nest egg to get going on once I graduate. However, I know my story is not unique. There are many single moms out there struggling. While we may not have 8 children to raise we do know what it's like to struggle not just financially but in every other area as well. Speaking for myself, I've stopped watching because if I wanted a travelogue I'd watch the Travel Channel or buy an issue of Conde Nast rather than watch a woman try too hard to be witty and take what seems like weekly vacations and then cry she has no money.

Maybe Kate shouldn't have treated Jon like one of the kids Yelling at him telling him to "Get over here!" & who can forget the Toy store I was embearssed for Jon just watching it On t.v!!!The only reason I continued to watch is to see If Jon could get a backbone & stand up to Hitler!!

I think the ratings were so low because after watching Balloon Boy, people are just fed up with all the reality crap!!! Balloon Boy and family go on all the talk shows and you can just see through their attempt for a reality show. This is what Jon and Kate do. They have a news flash about their life and then go on the talk shows. I think without Balloon Boy Jon and Kate could milk the attention awhile longer but now they are being lumped with the Heenes (which is the kiss of death) and all are only looking for fame via their children. So there was a purpose for Balloon Boy!!!

Also THANK YOU Vanity Fair for showing the real Kate.

I really like Kate. Always have. First of all she is a good mother. Always has been. She has always been the strong one and continues, even if you see her choke up. Look what she has had to deal with. I've watched since the beginning and wondered what she saw in John, other than he makes great babies, although not alone. I am the mother of 3 that basically did it on my own, with help from my Mother in Law, who also had my kids best interest at heart. I would watch any show with Kate. She gives me inspiration.

Good riddance. I used to watch this show but stopped watching after they announced their divorce. Plus I got sick of Kate always saying she's doing this for the kids...puhleeeeezZzzzzz...I don't know that many kids that live in an estate. Maybe their kids have a chance at a real life now.

I agree with that last post by "Kate Gosselin"? The IRS needs to be all over these two for collecting cash offerings at churches while earning millions off that awful show. Remember Jon's quote: " Be sure to give cash only; why should we pay taxes?" Maybe he agrees with Leona Helmsley.

How about this? The press should stop giving them a platform to cry and complain, then we wouldn't have to hear about it. Kate's fake crying on the Today Show every chance she gets, then Jon of course responds and on and on it goes. Give me a break. Everything about them is a farce, paid for by TLC and those beautiful kids deserve a normal life. I find it hard to believe they are "sobbing" themselves to sleep over the show ending.... it is probably Kate sobbing that her cash cow has been milked dry. Just get the divorce, shut up and raise the kids the best way possible.

The Learning Channel? What exactuly should be learning?

What were their viewers are too busy making blog posts about the show to watch it anymore. On the whole... that is probably a net gain to society.

KYT.

TLC might regret dragging this stupid show out way past its prime. I think in the long run keeping it on the air will do more damage than good to their network. They've overexploited this family to the point of diminishing returns. It's pretty obvious going by the ratings and the slew of anti-Gosselin blogs/remarks on the internet, that people are tuning it out and putting their attention elsewhere. You can only go into the tent to see the bearded lady so many times before the novelty wears off - especially after you find out her whiskers are fake.

The show just isn't interesting anymore. How many times can we see Kate go on vacation or Jon fool around outside at the house?

Kate is so full of herself and Jon is such a dope that they are nearly impossible to watch.

I think the downfall of J&K +8 was not only their marital troubles, but also how they seemed to go from average American family to wealthy family right when the rest of the country was cutting back. They were totally out-of-touch with the rest of America. We don't travel to Florida to see butterflies when we have a perfectly good butterfly house in our own home state.

Of course, the tabloid-filled divorce didn't help either.

Sadly, I fear that the Gosselins will be a footnote about everything that was wrong about this reality-television era. One can only hope that at least some of the Gosselin kids end up all right.

Thanks so much for the update on the ratings every week. You are a voice of reason in the TLC fueled PR of this show.

I guess this kust proves there are still 1.96 million homebound and bored people in the world who will continue to support this travesty. I'd say 1.96 million idiots, but I'm trying to be polite

Actually your headline is GREAT news if all those dumbos STOP watching the program so the Gosselins can get back to their own lives and into marriage counseling.

J&K+8 is done and TLC is not giving a premier date for Kate+8. I wonder if the TLC execs are questioning their decision to give Kate a new project in 2010.

If TLC doesn't hook Kate up with a TV gig in 2010 there is going to be a major falling out. I predict the next chapter in the Gosselin saga is going to be Kate suing TLC for taking advantage of a "single mother" and her 8 defenseless children. Narcissists never take responsibility for their own decisions. I wouldn't be surprised if Kate wants to stick it to TLC when they decide to give her the ax.

It will be interesting to see how things turn out.

I loved the show in the show at first, back when they were in their small house trying to figure out how they were going to make it......like the rest of us. Then OMG, they moved and seemed to become very financially comfortable overnight. That is when I noticed a change, bodyguards, vacations, Emeril, blah, blah, blah. The reality got blurred. It was not reality to me or any average trying to make it in this economy American!

The comparison is on target as both are a wrestling match seeing who can slam the other harder to get a high or low blow in , both have referees ,both trying to draw the largest crowd,both want to take in lots of money, both want largest audience, both want publicity,both make things happen even to stretch the truth to keep in the limelight, both a waste of time.both get us nowhere fast.

I think TLC is the biggest culprit in this whole drawn out saga. Even though Jon has certainly done a lot of things I don't approve of; I think he is telling the truth about TLC.....controlling their "product - the jon and kate name" It is utterly ridiculous for a "reality" star to be under a behavior contract. I think Jon and Kate lacked the knowledge and know how and the contract trapped them... like they sold their souls to the devil. Who would want to give up their dignity and respect and be told what to do, how to act. IT is fiction and TLC creates the spin.( Think of wagging the Dog) I found it interesting that last season they had so many crossover shows, which essentially were promoting their other shows... and that the motorcycle that was "supposedly" built and created for Jon was being held hostage as a reward for him "if he behaved". The show should have ended a long time ago. The court needs to appoint someone to protect the children- and Kate, well she needs some serious help. I would hate to be her all alone at night. To me, I can see the pain she is in, the fact she has no idea how to be honest, deal with integrity. She says the same things over and over, and interestingly she says stupid things, but no one corrects her english. God Bless those babies, they need an intervention.

please all...remember what all started
this jon&kate mess. jon&kate. Everyone seemed to take the view of poor jon, that shrew of a woman, up until the "split" then ..oh how we flip-flopped. Remember this duo has and will always remain money hungry. Neither one of them EVER seemed to consider the children first. And speaking of children first, we do know it is possible to be "on the air" and rear children beautifully. Take the Duggar family for instance. Although I dont agree with 18-19-20 children...These folks are doing it, doing it well educationally, emotionally and spiritually. It takes intregrity to raise a family correctly and on a television show . The Duggars have and The Gosselins definately do not.....

There is either great deal of anger from those who wrote on this blog.

Kate was doing the best possible. Jon was whining from day one. He signed the contracts with TLC, no one held a gun to his head. You didn't have to watch those beautiful kids growing up, but you did, and you loved it and so did they. I think the kids are very lonesome without the camera crew around all the positive energy. They had fun.

Obviously Jon is a professional liar, " I am only doing it for my kids?! " Oh, sure. This is the same man who spends quality time is with his girlfriends not his family. The 2 or 3 hours a week with them gives him insight to determine what is best. Oh, thats right. I guess Kate who is at home with the kids, who talks to them, plays, and most importantly, listern to them, is not intouch with their feelings. Kate is the person you are pointing the finger at why? If you don't like them, don't watch and stop with all you're negative comments.

Also, why does Kate act like she takes the children every place alone. The whole crew is there helping her.

Even when Jon and Kate took the kids on the rides, they left the two older girls standing at the side. The crew was there to watch out for them.

They were not alone.

Everyone looks at a car accident...no matter how gory.That is all this is.Casualties this time are, unfortunately, the children..

Angela said it best!!! I like the show when it a family struggling to raise 8 gorgeous kids although I NEVER liked the way Kate treated Jon. I chalked it up to wives getting controlling because US MOTHERS can be overly protective of our kids. The show should be cancelled because the parents are at war in the press. Not good for the kids. "Purse full of bills I can't pay (on Today show)" was out of line!!!!Jon is correct his behavior reflected poorly on his children as well.

What about how Kate humiated Jon on tv so many times by smacking him even after he told her to stop...i mean who the heck want to be smacked around expecially on tv and the ambarrasment in the toy store shopping for the girls for x-mas dolls...she treated him like one of her 5 year old kids and all the times Kate went out with one of their eldest twins while Jon stayed home looking after the kids...really come on doesnt he deserve something for all the hell Kate put him through?...i think he was having a breakdown due to having so many kids all of a sudden and went out to drink as any man would but got too drunk and got carried away...im not saying that he was in the right...im just saying lets put ourselves in his shoes for a minute and understand what he is going through...i worry about those kids...they r the ones suffering not Jon and Kate...i watched my own step children go through hell not having their mom and dad together anymore...

I don't watch the show, but I love reading this message board. Some of you people really need to get a life. You talk about this like it is real and you are involved; as opposed to understanding whether it is TLC, or Jon, or Kate, they are all scumbags that are capitalizing on your lack of a life! Some of the emotions espoused on this message board border on comical, yet you folks are really serious. Come on now, especially Clare Bradley, who posted above

clare w bradley has got to be shilling for TLC.

I am of the opinion that both Jon and Kate simply need to "grow up". They need to realize that their lives and the lives of their children hang in the balance. The idea of the affairs, the petty fights, etc being all they and their family is about now is nauseating. Be adults, patch up your differences, learn to forgive each other, and learn to grow to meet each other's needs. Do that, and your family life will fall back into place, and you can be happy.... with a show or without a show.

I enjoyed this show when they were actually a good family. I was very shocked to see that they went bad. What was the reasoning for having a television show in the first place? I understand it is amazing that all six kids were born healthy, but is that really an excuse to constantly have them on camera? Kate went from good mother to gold digger over the years. What they are doing to their children is horrible. It will be interesting to see how they grow up.

I still like the show. I like the kids, and I couldn't watch last week not because I'm an idiot but because I was busy. It doesn't mean I stopped watching because some people multiple post hate messages about the family.

The show has always been about three things:cute kids, a real family, and the desire to cringe at the friction between Jon and Kate.

The kids are not as cute as they once were and while lovely, are no longer appealing. Jon and Kate have been exposed as phonies. And we get a full dose of cringetastic behavior in the tabloids. The actual show is so sanitized and fake it is of no interest. This not not reality and TLC has lost our trust. A show with just K or K+8, or even a continuation of JK+8 would suffer the same audience deterioration.

No matter what TLC does this show is doomed. J+K's last chance at a payday is a tell all book or movie. Then alas it is over.

I am embarassed I pay attention only to see them further embarass themselves and take pleasure in their ultimate failure. I am not proud.

The show keeps going down with KATE as the main focus. Would that not suggest that she is the reason for the falling numbers? People do not relate to her. Her viewers are struggling for necessities and she has so much excess the old house that didn't sell is sitting there with two basically new washers and dryers and the bedrooms have new carpeting installed right after they bought new beds and then they moved. And they had just finished remodelling the attic for the twins. The ask for more and more and then just discard it. Their sense of entitlement is so far out of line it is disgusting. Say Bye, Gosselins!

No body knows what happens behind closed doors...looks are deseaving...

Unlike BACON (above) I am no embarrassed that I watch the show and I AM proud, especially since my life and character are nothing like these 2 bumpkins.

I seriously do not take pleasure in other people's misery. In my life, if I see someone in trouble, I try to help. I think that is called being.... human.

But, in this instance, I have stated in other posts that I DO enjoy watching these 2 selfish morons. They have only themselves to blame for the mess they are in. Even the almighty TLC can only accept a small portion of the blame. It is the GOSSELIN parents who did this to their own family.

The only and I mean ONLY aspect of this mess that I find heartbreaking is the dilemma of the 8 children. Unfortunately for them, they have been "blessed" with juvenile, self-absorbed parents. If there was something I could actually DO for these children, I would be there. But, being that is not the case, I can only hope the filming of the kids is definitely over and somehow (I dont' know HOW) they are afforded a peaceful place in their lives to get over the break up of their family.

Children are the blessing. Kate even used that word in her book's title (or should I say Beth's book?). She called the offerings from the churches "blessings". How sad that she is such a hypocrite and has turned against her children. And, YES, to all you "kate followers", I said she has turned. I dare any mother with a brain to tell me how this woman can be regarded as a GOOD mother.

If anyone can give me a valid reason for her to be admired for anything, please do.

Bacon says he/she is "embarrassed" to pay attention. I think the ones who should be embarrassed are these 2 nitwits. As long as they are not embarrassed, then why should you be?

I can see why the ratings are down. Kate taking the girls to Fl. was a farce. It wasn't about the kids. It was another way for Kate to show off her saggy boobs,mini skirt and heels on a balloon ride. Her annoying shreeks and fake laugh and trying to be so cute are more then I can stand.If it is all about the kids, why are they always in the background.
Kate is a free loader and bottom feeder in the name of her kids. And she calls herself a selfless mother.What a joke. Jon is a far better father and person then Kate will ever be. By the way, where are the grandparents,cousins, aunts and uncles Kate. They can't stand you either. So why should any of us care about you and your fake facade.

Wrestling and football are getting higher ratings than Jon and Kate. I am glad the numbers are still falling. It must mean that the show is coming closer and closer to the end.

We are adding to the football ratings since we are watching more. I slept through the last Jon and Kate episdode "Butterfies and Water Rockets". According to Z did not miss anything there.

It's not like Kate is raising the kids, it was always nannies doing the raising. The problem I have with this show is that is MILLIONAIRE parents, not an average middle class family.

Thanks for posting the ratings! What I can't figure out... I understand that the cost for advertising/product placement is based on viewership, but doesn't it also matter that Jon & Kate has lost much of its original fan base and many of the viewers are just watching for a final meltdown? I mean, at this point, if Kate is holding Juicy Juice you can bet I'm buying Motts!

Hi Suzy, I think TLC is probably telling advertisers this is a loyal, core audience. I think the advertisers will figure out soon enough whether or not J&K advertising is driving any sales. I agree with you: I think many of the people still watching do not like kate and would never buy anything advertised on the show -- they just want to see how the misery ends. Thanks. Z

I don't watch TLC at all since this all blew up because I do believe the kids were being exploided by the parents and the network. They are probably trying to see if anyone would watch a show with just kate on it. I highly doubt it. Now her latest is she is digger deeper to see why her kids are acting out. HELLO!!!! She needs counseling and so do the kids. They dont have extended family anymore to have other input besides Kates whatever she claims to be. Its so pathetic.

I am continuously shocked by those who claim Kate is a "strong woman" and "great mother."

First of all, Kate is not home with her children very much. If you factor in her speaking engagements/t.v. appearances and now Jon's days, she has been home only a week or two every month for the past year. But other mothers travel for their jobs, so I won't say that alone makes her a bad mother.

The children all seem to have developmental and/or emotional problems. Poor Mady and Cara are constantly having meltdowns, which is inappropriate behavior for healthy nine year olds. The five-and-a-half old sextuplets are constantly crying, hitting, screaming and still sit in a highchair, drink from sippy cups, don't brush their own teeth and have such poor articulation TLC still needs subtitles. But hey, that is only what we see on camera so I'll even hope that is being negatively portrayed (although how you could draw from that the children are doing fine I do not know...).

BUT, if you have seen the "discipline" episode and still think Kate is "inspirational" and a "great mother" I suggest you take a good, long look at yourself in the mirror and an objective look at your parenting skills. At the time, the children were very young, and Kate is shown threatening them with some sort of cardboard/wood stick at one point, repeatedly grabbing their arms/dragging them and at one point even says "do you want me to get the wooden spoon?" to a cowering child. The "wooden spoon" is shown in a later episode in her car passenger door and reports are that she keeps it there to "discipline" in the car.

Kate seems to confuse being a "strong" woman with being aggressive, controlling and without social grace. If you take a look at the women who have actually made notable contributions to society, they are graceful under pressure, empathetic and compassionate to others and conduct themselves in a dignified manner even when under pressure.

Kate is just an overwhelmed mother taking her frustrations out on those who can't fight back. It's pathetic.

hey! I LOVE YOUR Show!!!!!!!!!!i'm 9 years old. my b-day is may 11.how are the kids doing! how is mady and care? hope they be nice to their little sisters and borthers!! when are you going to have a b-day on sceener? if your b-day is up soon happy b-day to you!!can you answer this? what is the first show about? i had not seen it! i'm really sad?hope YOU ANSWER BACK! YOUR NEW FRIEND DANA-MAIRE CHRISTINA VERNEUIL

Kate is just looking for the limelight, the way she treated Jon, I can see where he enough. I feel sorry for the kids they are caught in the middle of all this mess

Suzi J. and Z,

Maybe in the final episode of Jon and Kate the advertisers can advertise party supplies. Since all of the viewers will be running out to buy these to celebrate the end of the show. It might be their final chance to get some of the ratings driven $$.

I watched in the beginning admiring both for being so playful with the kids. I didn't know of all the lattes and nannies that came around so soon. Kate is a liar saying she will stick to her contract with TLC because she means it when she signs something. Hello !! What about the marriage papers you signed?

This show has really lost steam. BORING!! Kate does not make a show. She thinks we are all so desperate to see her, pleezzzz!! TLC has real family shows for us to watch, thank goodness! Fans are losing interest in the Kate show.

Hello and good evening - stumbled onto your blog a few days ago and its certainly refreshing to see someone finally have a handle on reality regarding this show. I am not a fan and have not watched the show until recently, but have a friend who tunes in for "a good laugh". I hope jon and kate get what they deserve....

By the way you mentioned that you had heard from both TLC and kate's lawyer - can yo u share what was said?

Hi Julie, Here is a link to the post with the lawyer's comments in it. Thanks.
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/zontv/2009/10/jon_kate_lying_liars_who_lie_o.html

Despite the opinions of other viewers, I believe this show still has merit. We only watch it because the kids are so cute! It's been fun to follow their growth and see how they react to new situations. And while I would never put my family in the spotlight like the Gosselins have, the actual taping of the show isn't any different than a parent following their kids around with a video camera (like we all do).

However, the train wreck this show has become was caused mostly by TLC and the production company, Figure 8 Films. They are the ones responsible for filming and editing the show. Did they need to include every incidence of Kate going off on Jon? Did they NOT think that by broadcasting the tension in their marriage, it would eventually explode?

Yes Kate and Jon have become monsters, yes they sold themselves and their family out. But I wonder if Jon and Kate themselves had any say in how they were being portrayed? Was TLC considering what was best for them and their family?

From Jon's antics over the past year, I'm guessing they didn't. His behavior displays an obvious disapproval of the network's control and I think Kate is just trying to keep the whole ship from sinking.

However this fiasco ends, I think the series will be a lasting testament to the control that corporate America has over all our lives. And it will show how an American family, like all of us, create the products and the corporations reap all the profits without any concern for the damage they have created.

The paradox in this entire scenario is how TLC set out to document a family...and they ended up destroying it!

this tv show is stupid

Here's a hint. Tivo the new show, Alaska State Troopers. So much more exciting than watching J&K plus 8. It's not scripted, it's real and it's edge of the seat television.

I see plenty of self absorbed passengers on my flights to and from BWI on a daily basis. I make it a point to greet everyone disembarking and thank them. Kate was one of those passengers and she said not a word in response.

I knew who she was immediately and she must have thought I was nothing but a glorified taxi driver. She carried nothing off the aircraft yet she had her Jackie O sunglasses on and had an attitude of importance. Funny thing...... it was raining and she went from the jet to the jetway. Not too much sun between the two.

The paradox in this entire scenario is how TLC set out to document a family...and they ended up destroying it!
********
I beg to differ with you. TLC didn't come looking for the Gosselins. The Gosselins went looking for TLC. They sent their home movies to every outlet they could find. Jon lost his job because he spent so much time marketing the kids.

I mean, at this point, if Kate is holding Juicy Juice you can bet I'm buying Motts!
***********
FYI. Nestle' (Juicy Juice) has pulled the plug on any further endorsements. I received an email from them a month or so ago.

Remember the (free) piano they brought into the house for Mady's one and only piano lesson? Did you know they didn't even take it with them when they moved? It's still sitting in the house in E-town waiting to be sold with the house.

Man.. I'd give just about anything to have a piano and they just left it behind. Everything is so utterly disposable to them, just like the dogs.

FreeTheGosselin8 -

That is interesting that they are pulling endorsements. It must be like Z predicted they are on their way out.

Have a nice day Z. I'll be back, I get to work today, super excited.

I really enjoyed seeing your responses to the posts, I hadnt noticed that much before. My comment is about the lawsuits flying back and forth with TLC and Jon Gosselin. I do have to agree with the pulling the plug on the Kids being filmed, regardless of Jons motives. Even though he did not want to go forward with the 5th season, TLC claims he only stopped filming when he was cut out, then once his suit was filed, they are suing him for breach of contract. Sounds like the na na na boo boo effect to me. Supposedly he has been doing it all year and now the file a suit because he did. Our courts are giong to be filled with this garbage. The divorce is turning into a war and probably will go on for months. Its seems ridiculous to me and also shows the ignorance of both TLC and the Gosselins

Do not be fooled that Little People Big World does not have their share of family struggles.

They just started another season but last season toward the end on a Riverboat Episode there was signs of trouble in paradise.

Reality shows really need to take a step back and review what the real goals are? what are the real limits? should children be on them in the 1st place?

I kinda liken it to winning the lottery. With new found money comes the responsibility of handling that money. The Gosselins it looks like externally have more debt than they do true savings. (could be wrong, only Kate and Jon really know the answer to that) The Roloff's disagree on how much risk is worth taking...

I wonder when you make it big NFL, Hollywood, baseball, lottery how much of that wealth you really have 5 or 10 years after it all stops?

Again to Riley...

Like, you, I started watching the show to see the kids as they grew. But, you say you still like to watch to see them in "situations".

The past seasons have taken those "situations" from making valentine cards for daddy while sitting around the kitchen table to luxury vacations and fake "fun" by making 3 little kids go up in an air balloon as they all say "this isn't fun". All so the stupid mother can be the STAR.

Do you all remember the first UTAH trip? Kate said she was so "sick" and could not (would not?) help get the kids get iob all their skiing clothing. (remember that product placement?) So, Jon and babysitter got them all dressed and out the door. Which any parent knows getting snowsuits and boots/gloves, etc on ONE kid is an undertaking, imagine 8? Within seconds of them leaving, Kate is telling the camera she is going to the spa for massage and pampering, even if she is sick. And, out the door she goes! The list is endless.

TLC is not to blame, Kate is to blame for getting too big for who she is.. a young mother of 8 kids who never put them first in any "situation".

That is watching the normal growth of children?

I don't think so.

Hey Z...

how about we have a poll on this blog about what the ratings will be for Monday's "special"?

I doubt ratings will be as high as the "big announcement" of this season, but I bet they are pretty high.

My guess is ratings will be between 5 - 6 million.

Hope I'm wrong!

You got it. I am posting the poll right now. Z

Kelly...

When was Kate in the BWI and was she alone?

Curious minds want to know.. ha.

marie ~ it was September 26th and Steve was with her.

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b146596_kate_gosselin_on_ice_true_diva_show.html

.... In another news report Kate Gosselin is reportedly determined to go forward with her TLC show Kate Plus 8 despite her estranged husband’s efforts to stop it. Sources say Kate has enlisted TLC’s help in finding her a new home for filming.
“Kate wants a new house for a fresh start. She doesn’t want to get dragged into court every other month because Jon keeps claiming he has ownership of the house,” says an insider.

-------------

Can Kate film the kids without Jon's consent if she films in a different location? Is Kate going to be making another announcement soon with respect to her personal life?

Edited for possible libel. Z

I have not heard that rumor.

I really only see TLC continuing Kate Plus 8 if the contract allows for it. Kate stated on national tv the contract did state if either she or Jon thought filming of children...so I just do not see TLC taking a chance with advertisers and the public.

I do not know. Things I never thought have happened with this bunch and they sure sound like they are living high on the hog...so I guess anything is possible.

If everyone boycotted the sponsors of the show they would go away, permently.

There always seemed to be marital tension. Look at the body language of J &K when they did the couch parts of the episode. She was always turned away from him and very defensive.

The show was mildly interesting when it was about the kids, but then it became about their extravagant lifestyle and all their trips and vacations, while the rest of America is suffering thru this recession. It got to be nauseating for me, and now with their marital woes on the internet for all to see, it's really shown me what a sham this really was.

I feel bad for the children, and I sure hope we DON"T see a Hollywood True Story about them in 10 years, as someone else mentioned.

4 SEASONS-- Kate where is the $$$$$$... You should have put some away for a rainy day. Then you could mail the bills in your purse.
Wait 10 years. One of the children will do a tell all!!!!

I like this show because it shows how marriages break apart and how vicious people become. It should help people -- with a bit of luck -- think twice before they jump into the marriage trap.

I can't stand Kate. I get so sick of hearing how she is doing it for the children...blah, blah , blah! She says Jon is telling everyone crap, I do believe it is her. She has been on every talk show I can think of. Run of the mouth! And while she is on all of these talk shows, and book signingsw, who is home watching those children she cares about so much. The babysitter and Jon. I would have left her too Jon, she is a control freak, mouthy, and everything is about Kate!!!! She didn't want any family moembers on their show cause they would have to pay them, That is so sad to do to your own family. Well maybe they will tell you where to go, when you have nothing!I Will never watch the show Kate plus 8 if there is one. Not interested at all. She did treat Jon like crap on TV in front of millions, she needs to go far away. I think Jon would make a great show, he has a personality, he is funny and think it would be great!

Oh Kate wants a new house to start over????? Well I'm sure there are millions of people who lost their homes. I'm sure they would like one too!!Kate!