As I See It: Jon & Kate Plus 8
I have never seen such emotion pored out over a television family, as I’ve witnessed on many chat boards and blogs dedicated to the Gosslin family and their show. It is astounding, in my opinion, that so many people feel compelled to study, dissect and comment on the broadcast lives of this family. Yes, they are entertaining to watch. However, I have caught a few episodes and I still cannot figure out what all of the hubbub is about.
I have been on both sides of the fence. I have been both a television viewer and a reality show participant, so I am able to see the Gosslins situation from more than just a viewer’s angle. Instead of dissecting Jon, Kate and the kids, I’m just going to lay it all out as I see it. Take it or leave it. Love it or hate it. The following are thoughts on Jon and Kate Plus 8, from my perspective.
- They have their hands full as it is, without having to deal with so much negativity. They are braver than I would be, as they continue to film and ignore the negativity. It shows a great amount of strength to be able to filter out hatred and keep focusing on the positive.
- Television shows are edited, even reality shows. Yes, there is always some truth behind the show and material, but it can easily be manipulated to up ratings.
- Kate is probably a lot of the things that people assume about her. Then again, she is probably a lot of other things too. We only get to see what the show allows us to see. Tearing her to shreds, calling her names and hating her does not take away from the fact that she is still doing something that most of us would end up in a mental institution if we tried to take on.
- Jon and Kate are not a perfect couple. If any of you have a perfect marriage, please raise your hand…didn’t think so. They are committed to raising a family and have chosen to allow us to see their commitment in progress. The good, the bad and the ugly.
- I know how hard it is to raise a lot of young kids and try to give them all a happy, healthy childhood. We try our best to make each kid feel special, deal with each of their extremely different personalities and foster their individuality. It is exhausting work and sometimes, things fall through the cracks. We keep trying and that is all we can do. I imagine that Jon and Kate share the same mentality.
- People should really not concern themselves with this family so much. Take it for entertainment value and nothing more. Do not waste your time making psychological profiles on them, or spend countless hours defending/shredding them. There is so much else that you could be doing. Why waste it on a family that you will never personally know?
- People who do not care for Kate, some of the kids, or the show should move on and find another program. If you start reading a book that disgusts you, do you still read it? If the answer is yes, maybe some counseling is in order for underlying issues. Anyone who enjoys breeding anger and hate within themselves and spreading it without, obviously needs help.
- People who want to argue with my opinion, should really do a reality show episode, airing all of their edited worst moments and then present their arguments. I’m willing to bet that the experience will radically change your perspective on things. It sure changed the way I view television. If you aren’t willing or able to walk a mile in someone’s shoes, then don’t concern yourself with the path that they choose to take.
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POSTED IN: Entertainment
38 opinions for As I See It: Jon & Kate Plus 8
Kel
Jul 27, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Amen!
CATH
Jul 27, 2008 at 4:03 pm
I agree with everything you’ve said.
It always seems to me, when reading negative judgemental blogs and other comments, that these people do not want our Gosselins to leap to the celeb world of the known and popular.
I mean, a lot of individual seem to be making statements that they sell their children. I find this to be so unfare considering all the other child actors left out there on their own, in front of the camera, making a living for their families and their parent’s demand. We find them cute. Such as Olsen twins, Hilary Duff, etc..
Celebs like Angelina Jolie and others sell their baby’s pics to the media…HELLO? We still go see their movies?
I mean, let’s be fair people, if we are going to make judgements on people who are successful for no other reason than just being normal than stop feeding Nicole Ritchie’s popularity. I mean, she makes a lot of money by smiling to the camera and making reality shows with her bff.
Let’s be fair, and when we make a point let’s not be crual, ’cause all that those is expose other motives that are not very genuine on commenters part.
Brenna
Jul 28, 2008 at 2:48 pm
I totally agree. When I hear all the people talking about what a terrible person Kate is, I wish they could be put in her shoes for a day. They probably would rip out their hair trying to deal with that many children. I have so much respect for her and Jon both.
AnonymousTeen
Jul 28, 2008 at 10:09 pm
OK, this is going to sound really awful, but belief is if you willing put yourself on TV for millions of people to see, you’re gonna get judged. That’s all there is to it. And, as cruel as it seems, some people take pleasure poking fun at or otherwise talking smack about reality show contestants. I reserve the right to not like Kate or the show, just like you have the right to like it (free speech). That’s all I’m going to say.
Asteris
Jul 31, 2008 at 5:22 am
I agree with “anonymousTeen.”
Besides that they take that risk by doing a show, they even comment on their day. Yes, this can be editted as well, but if it were so far off the mark, they wouldn’t be doing the show still. They could comment on their website about “I’m not usually like this” or “you’re only seeing my most frustrating moments” but they haven’t.
Obviously they have no problem with what’s shown about their lives through editting.
Lauren
Jul 31, 2008 at 9:12 am
I agree that people don’t know what it’s like to be Kate and that we only see 23 minutes of a given day, but people still do have a right to think what they want. As much as it drives me crazy when people become obsessed with hating them, you can’t open up your home to the public and expect everybody to like you.
Kasey HArtdegen
Aug 1, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Completely ridiclous! Do any of these people blogging have 8 children? Do any of them know the work that it requires? I do. I am the 5th child of 8. My parents NEVER had help, granted there are not multiples but six of us are a year apart (adoption.) Jodi’s sister is obviously jealous about something, and why would jodi care if she got paid or not if loves the children and enjoys spending time with them. I haven’t seen anything that Jodi has personally said, just her sister complaining. And of course Jodi dosen’t care about doing projects with the children because she wasn’t the one who bought the clothing for the childrena dnshe dosen’t have to clean them. I back Kate up one hundred percent and I feel no one has the right to critize her! I am an avid viewer of the show and will comtinue to be.
Michelle
Aug 2, 2008 at 12:36 am
Well said Kadi!
debbie herrman
Aug 4, 2008 at 12:18 pm
I have one gripe maybe it just isnt shown on
the show . That is potty training.
It shows used potty chairs all over the house
Who wipes the children when do they wash their
hands.
there was even a episode were the boys pooped
in their chairs sitting in the driveway . Did you
see the dog come to check out the chair . Gross
Lauren
Aug 7, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I also thought the potty thing was gross. Obviously, they musn’t have enough bathrom space, but they could at least put the potties right outside the bathroom, where there’s access to soap and water, never mind toilet paper. From the looks of it (on the show at least), this is the start to terrible bathroom habits for these kids. I find it more important to have a clean bottom that clean hands 24/7.
shadow
Aug 8, 2008 at 12:41 pm
I think we are forgetting the fact that they chose to be on tv. I completely understand the stress but thats not my argument i think the way Kate does thing as a mother and wife are very lets say questionable. The way that she belittles and down right treats Jon as her husband is a joke. Just look at the Toys R Us moment, that is no way to talk to the one you care about and should respect. Please do not get me wrong i am not trying to say that Kate is a bad mother but its just the way that she handles certain everyday situations is unhealthy for her and for her children the stress level is as high as you make it. i watched one episode where she was trying to cook and the children wanted to help and she just said to go and thats it. Whats wrong with letting them help and teach them. She is on the way to becoming very sick because she alows so much stress and she wont let her husband do his job and i fear that the children are going to feed off of this stress and what do you think they are going to be like when they turn thirteen its very sad i think Kate really needs to get some help to save her marriage and her mentality
Lauren
Aug 9, 2008 at 7:54 am
Obviously the stress level in that house can never be low, but I think you’re right shadow that she certainly doesn’t help the cause.
Gail
Aug 14, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Kate is a nurse…she is more concerned w/ a clean house ( no shoe rule) clean clothes but not clean hands! Kate has ISSUES…The Duggars have # 18
on the way and seem much happier and more
family friendly!!!!
Gail
Aug 14, 2008 at 6:49 pm
You feel bad for these people they are making a bundle off of these kids. Look at all the perks so far. Her and Jon have gotten trips, plastic surgery
It is amazing the cash flow coming in. She is stressed. Look at the average mom balancing a home kids job…Kate does not look stressed or shabby. Hair done, great clothes, new body…They are not the first six kids!!!! Their cash flow is great!!! I know eight kids….but there are people folding clothes washing clothes cleaning up cooking Remember people she and Jon are not alone on this Journey…their are tons of people helping and giving freebies. My question is why is she breaking all ties w/ all family members? Why move so far away now when all the really hard dirty work is done.
debbie
Aug 14, 2008 at 8:31 pm
did you watch the begining shows with the 6
being feed at a round table out of the same
bowl and with the same spoon.
If I did that when I ran my daycare I would have
been shut down. And Kate tries to act like a
germ freak/
Jade
Aug 18, 2008 at 8:20 pm
The thing about the kids eating out of the same spoon, it’s her kids. Not someone ELSES kids. Who cares if they eat from the same spoon?
And for not cleaning the kids when they use the toilet. Because we don’t see it, it doesn’t meant that it does not happen. If you don’t clean your bottom after you use the bathroom you would have a rash. It think, with as much as the poor editing tends to show all of the “bad” moments, they would LOVE to see the kids complaining about their hiney hurting 24/7.
Freebies, hey, why not? If people with lots of kids had a chance to get freebies, a lot of them would JUMP at the chance.
Someone mentioned the Duggars. I am SO NOT a fan of them. INothing agaisnt the family, but really do not like the “religious” aspect of the times when they have come out on TV.
About Aunt Jodi, yes her sister has a whole blog about certain incidents, etc. I would love to hear from Jodi herself, not a third party.
I do enjoy watching Jon, Kate and the kids. They area real family with real problems and a real marriage. That she treats Jon rough at times, yes. But, they are both at different ends of the spectrum and have even stated that. She’s very controlling and he’s very easy going. At least, they are together and look like they genuinely love eacother.
For one thing, the kids are adorable and it’s nice to see all of the problems with kids - Mady’s tantrums, Hannah helping mommy, etc. It shows each kids personalities. Kate and Jon KNOW that the kids aren’t perfect and don’t bother covering it up, not tht they could anyway.
Kristoffer
Aug 18, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Some of you people are nit picky and need to get a life. The woman above talking about her day care - ummmmm… this is a family and if they want to eat out of the same bowl with the same spoon so be it. Big Deal. A daycare with a bunch of different kids doing it - and this family doing are different.
And the other person - how do you know someone is doing their laundry and helping? Are you there daily to see? As far as breaking ties with family I wont even go there — because again you people can’t know anything personally going on with this family. Look at yourself. Look at your own family - Worry about your own family and stop criticizing some family on tv that you will NEVER know.
debbie
Aug 20, 2008 at 1:10 pm
well on one episode it shows Kate getting
the laundry washed and dried and a older lady
coming in to fold and put away. I think that is
great the older lady needs someone to help and
she picked a good cause;
Robin
Aug 25, 2008 at 5:13 pm
agree with the poster, don’t judge and be the jury until you’ve been judged, for being human!
gail
Aug 26, 2008 at 1:38 am
I see Kate wash off her kids hands with Peral when they go potty. She is a bit silly about messes but she loves the kids. That you can see. She picks them all up says cute, sweet things to them. When she and Jon are out alone they go right back to being a cute couple in love. They are a team raising eight kids. Give me a break. I think her only real problem is she is too uptight about messes, and letting the kids get messy. I am afraid she will make the boys wimps. Let them be boys and get dirty. I think it is great that she get’s a free tummy tuck, and Jon get’s free hair transplants. I would take free stuff too if I had it offered. I had twins. You kind of sleep walk throught the first year. Six, I can not even imagine. I don’t know what is up with Jodi. I feel sad if they are not speaking. But am a huge fan and love watching the shows, over and over. She is so cute, love her hair and what a cute figure on a woman with eight kids. We should not judge her too harshley. There but for the grace of God go I.
LH
Aug 27, 2008 at 4:00 pm
If you haven’t seen it yet, there is now a video from Jodi on her sister’s blog. Apparently everything the sister wrote on the blog about the Jodi situation is true. I also wondered why she would move so far away from family and friends who were helping her so much, but maybe she has alienated everyone that used to help her. It also helps to explain the reason why you never see or hear about her 3 sisters or her parents. Perhaps she treated them the same way that she has Jodi.
Sheri Jamerson
Aug 29, 2008 at 9:53 am
” In my opinion” ( god forbid I don’t make it clear that this is my opinion ), there must be some truth to the claim that aunt Jody was taken off the show b/c Kate didn’t want anyone but her family to be paid. I WAS a diehard fan since the beginning of the show. But no more!!!! For those of you who claim to watch the show, don’t you see it very clear she is a control freak and thinks she is better than those whom have helped her with house chores, babysiting and by donating thousands of dollars of goods and services!! Now I can tell you that I don’t believe this rumor was started by people that are jealous. Anyone can see that aunt Jody is a kind and loving person who did all that she did out of the kindness of her heart. In her sisters blog it says something to the effect that she was doing this b/c of the children, b/c she limited the amount of time the film crew could actualy tape when the kids were at her house. She wanted them to have a break from all that and be able to be kids. Also if they were such good people wouldn’t they give all the childrens old clothes to good will or some other charity?? No she goes and sells them to a consignment shop.( reason #1 why she freaks if they get something on their clothes, b/c she wants to get top dollar for the clothes ). Also maybe they should donate their $25000.00 speaking engagement checks to those whom can’t afford to feed their children, much less take a vacation every other week. The state of Pennsylvania has been more than generous to them and it has been said that moving to NC may be because they have exhausted all the free help and stuff they can get from Pennsylvainia. I am just a mother of 4 young girls, but I do it all by myself. I am lucky enough to have a husband who wants to work to provide for his family. Not take all the handouts that he can get. And before anyone says that I am a jealous person, I can asure you that I live in a very nice house and can afford whatever I want and need. So that is not the reason for my opinion!!!!!
debi
Sep 1, 2008 at 8:58 pm
I have always wodered does Jon work or has he ever? What type of work does he do? Do they own their home ,buying? Everything is so expensive. Hw do they do it. I do enjoy watching the show. debi
Lauren
Sep 3, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I believe Jon doesn’t work anymore, and yes they do own their house (I believe they rented until Mady and Cara were babies). He used to be an IT analyst before and during the first part of the show, then worked from home/for family friend Bob (not completely sure what the deal with that was). I guess he figures that now since they’re briging in the rumored 65k an episode he shouldn’t even bother continuing to work hard to earn a 40K salary, which I really don’t blame them for.
Lauren
Sep 3, 2008 at 1:57 pm
*bringing
AnonymousTeen
Sep 3, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Kadi,
Have you checked out the first J&K+8 thread. There are over 300 comments now! The posting is getting pretty intense over there. The show really stirs up people’s emotions. The J&K+8 thread at my favorite got so extreme its been shut down over ten times. They just had to shut it down for good, warning people not to start a new one.
JC
Sep 3, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Nice thoughts but what about the children being filmed all the time? I think it is a strange choice the parents are making. I am a little concerned for the children. They are growing up sort of like Truman on the Truman show…in a big fishbowl with cameras all around them…even on the potty. Remember Truman, the guy from that 90’s movie who grew up with everyone watching him on reality tv? I see too many similiarities. I remember thinking that would never happen…we are getting closer to that with this show…..I say enforce child labor laws here…….ensure the children are protected and their portion of the assets earned are secured. I think this is an important issue when discussing Jon and Kate…the most important issue.
carlene
Sep 5, 2008 at 10:42 am
all i can say to this show is , very phoney, i have 5 grandkids, 4 kids of my own, and not a day goes by that i don’t talk to them, i live in vegas, they live all back east, but the phone calls always keep us in touch and my kids know gramma very well, range in age from 5 to 11 my son has 2 my daughter has 3 and all call me to chat, where is that closeness in this family, sems very questionalbe to me is all i can say, can’t imagine not having my grandkids in my life, as well as the rest of my family, kate it is not all about you! think of those kids and what they are missing
jessica
Sep 10, 2008 at 8:24 am
Iam not real sure what to think anymore. On the one hand i hear what everyone is saying about kates controlling nature and the “where is their whole family” question but none of us KNOW their whole personal life-as we shouldn’t. I dont think Aunt Jodi should make any money just as i dont think anyone else outside that home should. We dont know that they really might be putting money back for their childrens future. They also dont seem to film every single day in that home. A lot of us would jump at the chance to have both parents stay at home! we should just settle down and remember why most of us like that show! Ian still a big fan.
Chrissy
Sep 13, 2008 at 10:53 pm
About time some puts something out there worth reading. It’s very sad all the hate in this world. I find the Gosselin’s to a good American family. I wish there were more like them! I like the points you posted way to go!
lyn
Sep 17, 2008 at 11:11 pm
i used to love the show no more. i think the gosselins are self absorbing people and money grubbers. and maddy is a spoiled brat who need a good spanking. thier situation is not unique or special they decided to have fertility help knowing they could have several kids they should have the money to support them not rely on a tv show for viewer sympathy and monatary help eg. trips dental work ski cloths presents etc etc
lyn
Sep 17, 2008 at 11:16 pm
and why are they secreative about thier own family(KATES PARENTS) rarely mentioned i think also (again i would love to gine maddie a good smack she is a mean manipulative child . they get way to much
Lauren
Sep 19, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Mady isn’t a brat, I think there’s a lot to explain her behavior. Just my thoughts though.
lyn
Sep 22, 2008 at 11:11 pm
sonner or later the show will end and they will hav to support themselfs and i loved aunt jodi kate is so selfish for not wanting her to get paid is jodi johns sister
lyn
Sep 22, 2008 at 11:22 pm
befor you start telling people if u dont like the show or kate, then dont watch it DONT U FORGET WITHOUT VIEWERS JON AND KATE WILL LOOSE THIER FREE HANDOUTS AND THIERTV SHOW. THEY ARE NOT HELPING ANYONE BUT THEMSELFS they chose to have fertility help knowing they could have a lot of kids they should have been prepared to take care of them finacily and every other way needed sorry no sympathy here we all have crosses to bare and everthing life throws at you we dont all have a tv show about it theres more reasons than kate stated as to why her parents are not involved she danced around that question
princess
Oct 28, 2008 at 7:58 pm
all i know is if i were jon and kate i would sleep with one eye open at night when maddy turns 16. that girl has some anger issues and will probley do them both in……p.s. jon is lazy and i love aunt jodi
freeman
Nov 11, 2008 at 9:23 pm
I think they are great parents to be courageous enough for 8 kids. I don’t see anything wrong with them getting free stuff and money because they should be compensated BUT there’s a bigger problem than the show and that is fans’ obsessions about wanting to be like them or how much they adore them, wanting 8 kids, blah, blah..
I know they do it for their kids in spite of the hate comments.
It’s just my personal opinion so fans don’t take it personal.
Jon & Kate should not be something that “belongs” to someone or a family to be modeled on. There is no perfect family but the worse thing than having a non perfect family is to have someone wanting to start a family modeled after one that they think is perfect and cute.
Take it for entertainment value instead of turning into a fanatic.
Watch the show. Don’t make up illusions of having 8 kids as well.
freeman
Nov 11, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Oh forgot about this…
Maybe one day they can do a show like this with some poor family from Africa. I think I rather seem them go to Disneyland…
Just a thought.
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