Yikes, I guess it’s been a while. We’ve had a few very busy weeks, and most of my free time has been spent hanging out with my husband or digital scrapping.
I want to discuss the TLC show Jon & Kate + 8. I used to have this show set to record on my DVR every Monday. The kiddos are so precious (well, with the exception of Mady) and it was really fun to watch them grow up. But Kate’s nagging, rudeness and refusal to let these children have a normal childhood finally drove me over the edge. Check out Gosselins Without Pity and Truth Breeds Hatred (Aunt Jodi, who has essentially been kicked off the show by Kate, has a sister, who runs this blog). Jon and Kate are lying to people, and have been since the sextuplets were born. Oh, also check out this entry, particularly the part about their fertility treatments. Sketchy…
They are demanding $25,000, plus first-class airfare and all expenses paid PER GIG. These gigs consist of speaking at churches, reportedly about how they struggle, their children have no college funds (supposedly a lie), etc. They take up a “love collection” (never heard that term before, but I digress) after this whole sob story, and sell autographed pictures (who wants a Gosselin autograph, anyway?) for $20. On the base fee alone, they are making more for two gigs than the median household income was in 2006. They have also cancelled these speaking engagements with churches who can’t afford to pay these hefty fees.
They are considering a move to North Carolina, where there are no child labor laws.
Kate has run off all of their loyal friends (and family!) with her rudeness and refusal to let them be paid for their work. When friends would accompany them on trips to help with the kiddos, Kate insisted that the friends pay for everything (she wouldn’t let TLC pick up the tab). Why? What is it hurting, Kate? Your friends are coming along to help you and you show not one ounce of gratefulness. It is also well-known that Aunt Jodi would keep the kids quite often (plus her own four children), with no pay, because she loved spending time with them. When TLC offered to pay her for her time, Kate flipped out. Jodi said she didn’t need to be paid, but the damage was already done, I guess. All of the “helpers” that Kate had (to do her laundry, rearrange the cupboards, watch the kiddos) are off the show and out of their lives. What a shame that she’s turning away people who truly love her children.
And let’s not forget how little of a childhood these children are allowed – they can’t get dirty, they are punished for random things (like getting in the wrong car), and OH YEAH, they have cameras following them around all day for 3-4 days a week (I’m surprised it’s not more, honestly).
It is also important to note that TLC/Figure 8 Films (the production co.) must be monitoring sites like Gosselins Without Pity, and editing out ill-received sections, like GumGate and the whole cupcake ordeal. So they know that Kate is out-of-control. What can be done? I’ve taken the show off my DVR. It kind of hurts because those kids are too adorable, but I can’t support that show anymore. It’s a cash cow in the worst way. I think I may also write letters to TLC and perhaps even the advertisers that have slots on J&K+8. These children deserve a normal childhood.
Although I’m sure it wouldn’t be much different if the cameras weren’t running, at least Kate’s cash flow would be cut off. They don’t work at all (Jon is reportedly unmotivated and doesn’t want a job – how’s that for responsible parenting?); everything is paid for (clothes, vacations, personal organic chef, maids, nannies, personal assistants) by TLC. They need to get back to the basics of life, and let their kids be kids.
* Stepping off my soapbox *
