Right now, I'm watching the Hayes family of TLC's Table for 12 chat with Regis and Kelly. It's not the first time we've seen them lately; since the second season of their show premiered, they've been all over the talk landscape.
We're definitely seeing them a lot more than when the show's first season debuted; in fact, TLC seemed to premiere the story of the Hayeses, who have two sets of twins and a set of sextuplets, on the QT last March. The relatively soft launch was a bit of a mystery to me, given the network's love of multiples. I mean, these guys had Jon and Kate beat by a mile, right?
But now that I look back at it, there were two things keeping TLC from really pushing the Hayes family back then: 1) Betty and Eric Hayes actually liked each other (read: they're boringly happy) and 2) Jon and Kate were still a couple. Now that J&K have exploded into a toxic tabloid mess, TLC needed someone to promote, and the Hayes' relative happiness seemed to be the perfect antidote.
Who says that justice is a forgotten concept that only exists as a hope and no longer as an important facet of a fully functional society?
Jon Gosselin is about to have his day in court. Take that, evil!
TLC is suing for the former star of Jon & Kate Plus 8 for breach of contract, accusing accused him of violating an exclusivity and moral clause in his contract. I was shocked. Reality shows have morals? Of course it makes sense that the only morals involved in reality shows would have to be enforced by a contract.
I'll admit it: I watch Jon & Kate Plus Eight. In all of the episodes I've seen, I've never listened to Jon Gosselin speak and thought, "You sir, have missed your vocational calling in the Rocket Sciences," but I also didn't think he was a complete idiot. Recently, my view has changed.
Let's not even get into the wisdom of dating a 22-year-old, or partying on a yacht in France while your wife is back home in Pennsylvania caring for your eight children. The man simply does not know the meaning of the phrase, "quit while you're ahead." To wit: his ridiculous defense on Larry King of his decision to halt production on Jon & Kate as soon as it became Kate Plus Eight, and his Ed Hardy-wearing ass got fired.
Gosselin also thought it would be wise to go on The Insider and square off against caustic defender of "justice," Nancy Grace. In this appearance, he further defends his actions, and claims that all of the decisions he makes are for his kids. Spoiler alert: This does not go well for him.
So now Jon has had the realization that maybe putting his eight children on a reality show wasn't such a positive experience. More likely he saw that he was being cut out of the fame game and figured he'd hold his breath until TLC let him back into the show.
What a mess the whole Jon & Kate Plus 8 Minus 1 debacle is. Apparently, after learning that TLC was moving forward with a revamped show named Kate Plus 8, Jon demanded through his lawyers that the show cease production immediately or face criminal charges.
A letter from his attorney noted, "In the event that anyone enters the marital property, Jon Gosselin will notify the local authorities to effectuate police action against any trespassers." Keep in mind that Jon seemed fine with the kids being on the show last week, when he was still a big part of the show and was, in fact, filming an episode with the kids.
Things are getting a little heated for everyone's favorite dysfunctional family. No, not The Simpsons. I'm referring to Jon Gosselin, the former patriarch of Jon and Kate Plus Eight, who declared on Good Morning America that he "despises" his ex-wife and former co-star, Kate. And here I thought "TLC" also meant "tender loving care".
People, do you remember all those "reality" programs that so many of you adore so much? They're all fake. This is the sort of reason I can't stand reality television. While there is no formal "script", the people on those shows are as much characters as those on Battlestar Galactica, except the writing isn't as good.
As a note to anybody famous considering divorce: if you do decide to go through with it, practice some tact and don't make it the headline of every tabloid that points a microphone in your face. This entire situation is schadenfreude at its worst.
The Discovery networks are up right now and their panels are going at light speed, about ten minutes per. Before the TLC section, network president Eileen O'Neill made a statement about the upcoming episodes of Jon & Kate Plus 8.
First off... goodbye interview couch! Now the estranged couple will interview individually on single chairs. Whew... dodged that bullet. As far as how the rest of the show will go, here's what she said:
"Our approach is to cover the family with great care and thoughtfulness. We never said they were perfect. we will continue to capture family's journey in sincere and sensitive way.
"These are two parents that love their kids more than ever. We will show themseparately parenting. Kate puts tent up in backyard and gets advice from one of the children. Jon struggles in kitchen trying to make pizza."
As far as what role the "new people and places" in the couple's lives -- code for "new girlfriends/boyfriends and Upper West Side apartments" -- will take in the show, she said that "we'll be taking it on a case by case basis."
This is pretty funny: Funny or Die has created a Match.com video for Jon & Kate Plus 8 star Jon Gosselin. Now that he's going to be free from Kate, he's looking for a date. Didn't mean for that to rhyme.
The funniest part is the screen name they give Jon.
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?
After the separation of Jon and Kate Gosselin, one is left wondering: what will happen to the children? Jon and Kate Plus Eight isn't the first reality show to feature children, but many including Jon and Kate, place their children in questionable situations.
What makes exploiting children the same as a twenty-something who wants to win Big Brother? Family reality shows have done everything as well, including swapping mothers, adventure races, fixing houses, and general livingwith life. There's got to be a point where the legal guardian has to say enough is enough. Aren't child labor laws in effect with the 24/7 families?
Jon and Kate Gosselin have finally filed for divorce papers, but shouldn't the two of them go through a few steps before getting there? I'm no doctor, but even I could see that getting upset at one moment and then having silence for several months is not a good basis for divorce.
Yes, there are a lot of outlying factors that TLC has not decided to show America. The portrayal of the couple in the whole fifth season shows that the two didn't communicate anymore, unless it's for the children. Shouldn't one fix the communication barrier before cutting the cord completely?
A few days ago, we mentioned that TLC was heavily promoting tonight's episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8, pushing the fact that the couple will make a "special announcement" about their crumbling relationship. My colleague Mike Pascua speculated on what was going to happen, but the good folks at Radar Online (who I wrote for occasionally in their pre-Enquirer-owned days) have already latched on to what the announcement is likely going to be.
And, to be honest, it's about the least surprising news you could think of. More after the jump.
I've wasted many hours of my life watching Jon & Kate plus Eight. We're given yet another promo about a big announcement on the show. Since it's not until Monday, we get the weekend to make speculations.
With a reality show like Jon and Kate plus Eight, one doesn't expect millions of plot twists like Lost so I doubt that we're going to flash forward five years or wake up and realize that it was all a dream. Here is a list of sane and insane announcement ideas that Jon and Kate should announce.
I tried, I really did, to watch the new season on TLC, but a few weeks into the new season and I'm bailing. Unlike Maureen Ryan, I was a fan of Jon & Kate before their faces were splashed across US Weekly and People. Now, episodes devoted to the kids birthday parties are painfully awkward to watch.
There was a brief mention in the season opener where Jon & Kate acknowledged that they were going through "some problems", but while the show can go on pretending they're one big happy family that lives for elaborate birthday parties and trips to the zoo, the rest of us can't. Now, I'm wondering, are once loyal fans also jumping ship on this show?
Everyone knows that there is drama between Jon and Kate and the episode following the well-gawked-at season premiere totally blankets over the whole situation. Instead of having Jon and Kate face their demons, the show decided to pretend like nothing happened. The situation between Jon and Kate reminds me of the strain between Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. TLC decided to go the way of the ailing sitcom and implant celebrity guests. No more paparazzi shots and stress about the relationship; instead we'll get visits from outside forces. Yay for whitewashing.
Right now, I'm watching the Hayes family of TLC's Table for 12 chat with Regis and Kelly. It's not the first time we've seen them lately; since the second season of their show premiered, they've been all over the talk landscape.
Who says that justice is a forgotten concept that only exists as a hope and no longer as an important facet of a fully functional society? 
As 
Things are getting a little heated for everyone's favorite dysfunctional family. No, not The Simpsons. I'm referring to Jon Gosselin, the former patriarch of Jon and Kate Plus Eight, who 
The Discovery networks are up right now and their panels are going at light speed, about ten minutes per. Before the TLC section, network president Eileen O'Neill made a statement about the upcoming episodes of Jon & Kate Plus 8.
After the separation of 
I tried, I really did, to watch the new season on TLC, but a few weeks into the new season and I'm bailing. Unlike 
Mike Henry and Daryl Hall on a Cleveland Show Thanksgiving
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Let's talk about spoilers ...
