According to the New York Daily News, Jon and Kate Gosselin have decided to go in media blackout mode as they figure out their divorce. On the show's page on the TLC web site, the couple released a statement that mentions why they've stopped talking to the media:"During this very difficult time we will be working to focus solely on the needs of our family. This includes no longer commenting publicly or reacting to media stories and speculation. Our goal is to do the very best for our children and that will be done as privately as possible."
They've even gone so far as to file their divorce in a court that will keep their records sealed. Unfortunately, it all feels like a bunch of "too little too late" moves. If they're trying to protect the children, why did Kate and Jon spend the last four months talking to magazines like People for months on end? Why did they announce their split in front of 10.6 million gawkers (including me)? Why in the hell did they even start their show to begin with?
The most interesting piece of information that's leaked out from the pair's divorce proceedings is Kate's claim that the couple has lived apart for two years (UPDATE: This has been corrected by the original source. See below), with Jon living over the garage. So that means that for two years -- through the move to their million dollar McMansion, through the various free trips they've been on, even through the renewal of their vows in Hawaii -- they've pretended to be an intact, loving couple to keep people watching their show.
Wow. If that's not blatant opportunism at its worst (or best, depending on your point of view), then I don't know what is. Luckily, I'm already a cynical bastard; my innocence was broken a long time ago. But it's a harsh lesson for the kids who have watched the show religiously to learn, don't you think?
You've got to wonder, at this point, what the show's going to look like when it comes back in August. I'm sure TLC can't wait to see the ratings -- er, I mean results.
(UPDATE 7/1/09: There was some discussion in the comments about whether the "two years apart" news was more of a legal definition than the actual truth. Well, the AP, who originally reported that factoid, issued a correction stating that the couple had only been apart a day or two. The Baltimore Sun has the details. The two-year clock starts the day the papers were filed. TLC has asked that we set the record straight, and I do so gladly. I'm happy know that Jon and Kate were indeed together during the last two years and not trying to perpetrate some scam on the viewers.)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-30-2009 @ 1:27PM
RobynS8971 said...
I wonder if the 2 year 'separation' has to do with PA divorce laws, need to be separated for so long before filing for divorce. Is anyone here a paralegal, can you look this up for me?
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6-30-2009 @ 1:32PM
Joel Keller said...
The People.com article about the divorce details alludes to that. So maybe they're claiming to be "separated" for legal reasons. There was never any video evidence that they actually lived in the same house (nothing of them sleeping in the same room, etc.), so you can't really use the show as evidence.
6-30-2009 @ 3:11PM
bc said...
I believe that a 2-yr separation is only required for one party to obtain a no-fault divorce without the consent of the other. By mutual consent or the filing party citing cause is different rules.
I haven't followed this closely, but it didn't seem like either of them was contesting the prospect of divorce, although there are plenty of property and custody details to work out.
7-01-2009 @ 7:23AM
Kristinbrianne said...
Apart for 2 yrs or not, and I think they were and their entire joke of a marriage was simply a business deal, I don't think enough viewers will stick around beyond that initial "what happened" show to give TLC the ratings they think they are going to get. Now, if decent people were involved the show wouldn't come back. Big joke! Either way I don't think the show will go on another 6 months. Too many people feel like they were fooled, and that they're beyond the sweet, faithful people we all thought they were. I know I"m not going to stick around to watch them exploit their kids anymore.
http://www.makingcentsoutoflife.blogspot.com
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6-30-2009 @ 8:27PM
shaun said...
who cares. If someone wants to know every move jon and kate makes then theyre wierdos who need to get life.
I have a question though, who in the HELL uses their divorce as a ratings stunt? Don't tell me it wasn't for ratings because if it wasn't they wouldn't have made such a big huge deal out their little "special announcement" they shouldve shut the fuck up and kept it between each other and family members not 10 million viewers. So congrats jon and kate on winning the douchebags of the year award your fifteen minutes are over, now GO.
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7-06-2009 @ 12:18AM
Rick Garner said...
What a difference a year makes. Just a year ago, Jon & Kate were enjoying family time at the beach with fireworks. After a year of media fireworks, what can you do for them today? http://tinyurl.com/q7vur5
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7-09-2009 @ 11:18PM
Don Ewing said...
I feel this whole show has been a BIG SCAM!! Now for the kids, thats a different story, so it seems. No One, I Mean No One is really thinking about the welfare let alone their future of these 8 beutiful kids. Kate, you are a greedy no good leach and bitch and to think some people feel sorry for you. Jon on the other hand, what you did messing around, its was wrong, but Myself and everyone else has seen you have been there for the kids and not the money like Kate. She has been dragging you around by your johnson for the past several years. If you didn't do as the witch commanded, she threw the kids in front of you and put you over the garage. She went to Calif. to set up another TV show with out you because everyone has cought up with her bull shit and her greediness. Hou Raw for landing a 23 year old. Just be sure she is not in it for your money, if the witch hasn't taken all from you. Kate may be hiding what you guys should really be getting. Look betwwen the mattrass for it, or under the sheets. Who knows who has been under there. Like the security gaurd>................
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