Anyone watching the new J&K+8 tonight?

[TravelingGal]

Date: 5/26/2009 2:02:02 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
I didn''t even put it together that their birthdays fell on mother''s day. Still...I don''t know. I AM a fan of mother''s day (though mine totally blew this year) but she is NOT a normal mom. She can leave and go tanning (which I also feel is kinda selfish for other reasons) whenever she wants. It wasn''t a treat for her. I have to beg, borrow and steal just to run to target for 15 mins. w/o my kid.

Amber & Mia, those stories are heartbreaking. The kids were lucky to have both of you in their lives.

Tacori, ha, and aren''t those 15 minutes the best?

No, she''s not a normal mom. You just can''t be with 8 kids, even though you have help. I just think the mental burden must be out of this world. Even with the help, I would imagine that I would just need to get away on a regular basis to feel human. Can you imagine the amount of "mommy! mommy!" she must get even though there is help in the house?

 

[DivaDiamond007]

Date: 5/26/2009 1:13:37 PM
Author: TravelingGal

Date: 5/26/2009 12:46:41 PM
Author: AmberWaves
I totally agree with Tacori here, but also see what Tgal is saying. I didn''t watch the episode, I''ve been boycotting the show for awhile now after all the falsehoods came to light (regarding the freebies and help that Kate claims not to have- personal chef yadda yadda that tacori mentioned), BUT, they currently make up to 70k per episode reportedly, in a 20 episode season, which is about 1.4 mil a year, not counting all the free stuff (Kate flies first class only, the free trips and the free food, sponsored gifts and things like that- including all home furnishings and house care) and they charge 20 bucks a pop per signed picture at all speaking gigs, not to mention the money they make per speaking gig and book signing and appearances. Now, if they had saved even ten percent of the money they had made over the past few years, that''d be a whole lot to keep if they move out of that Mc.Mansion the producers have moved them into. They wouldn''t need to be in such need for making more episodes if they just went back to living as a normal family, albeit with 8 kids. If you don''t have to pay out for ANYTHING in your home, including clothing your children, where does that money go? SAVE IT. Free your children! Put someone else first! Once they had that nest egg built up, they could quit the show and Jon could go back to work, since he stopped working (NOT because he was fired, which has been grossly reported) to do the show. Sure, one computer programmer''s income isn''t enough to support eight kids and a wife, but with the money they could have saved it would have helped.

Also, Kate has said that because of the way the six were created (medically assisted), society has a responsibility to help with the children, since modern medicine promotes the use of fertility drugs, which can lead to multiple births. That''s just asinine. I think she''s used to getting freebies and wants to continue to live her life that way, since she has said, she grew up with nothing and wants the most for the kids (and herself?). I don''t know, it''s unfair to the kids to have to spend their lives calling the babysitters Mommy.

ETA: Took me too long, Tacori summed my post of perfectly. Tacori''s right, she went tanning on the kid''s real birthdays, which was also Mother''s Day. Shows her priorities right there.

Oh come ON! It''s MOTHER''S DAY!!

If I had to deal with 8 children, you''d better believe I''d take an AFTERNOON on mother''s day to treat myself to something I wanted to do, even IF it was their birthdays. It''s mother''s day too! I have to make myself a priority for my sanity on MANY days because a happy mother is important to help make happy children.

Why do parents keep their kids up late, hauling their kids around so they can go out and have dinner at restaurants? Why do people get nannies or ask their parents to help raise their children? Why do moms go to the gym, leaving their tots in the gym''s chlidcare screaming their heads off (my friend kept attempting this for WEEKS before she finally gave up)?

Because mothers MUST be indulgent once in awhile. Doesn''t mean that in GENERAL our children are not our priority, but for a moment, we are putting ourselves first. IMHO, there is nothing wrong with that!

All the moms who currently have one kid know how tough it can be sometimes, even though we are fully competent. All the moms with one kid look at the moms with two kids (especially twins!) in awe. I can''t imagine what it does to you to have eight kids. Honestly, even with one child, some days I struggle to find my sense of self.

I''ve told TGuy that mother''s day is more important to me than my birthday. He thought I was kidding and said, ''Yeah right, bullsh*t.'' I looked him square in the eye and said, ''Buddy, I''ve EARNED this one.''

+1 to Amber and +1 to Tgal.

It is difficult to raise a family no matter how many children you have, and moms deserve a break sometimes.

I too often wonder where the Gosselin''s money goes since they seem to have so much of it and also so many freebies that us mere mortals don''t get. If I were them I''d be hording the money and setting up trusts for each of the kids!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

But TGal people DO have 8+ kids. Maybe not usually 6 at once and maybe it's not as common anymore but bigs families exist (survive and maybe even thrive) w/o a TV show. Of course we ALL deserve a break but Kate's life is not one of a full time mom like the show claims she is. I guess I don't like being "tricked."

ETA: yes those alone errands are great and give me sanity.

 

[luvthemstrawberries]

Date: 5/26/2009 12:31:27 PM
Author: TravelingGal
Correct me if I am wrong, but it wasn''t a series when it started, right? I can see a couple thinking it might be a fun thing to do a 1 hr (or however long it was) special on their family. They probably didn''t even think it would make them famous. After getting a nice paycheck and then being approached for another, it would be much easier to do it again. And then that snowball starts going downhill fast.

If it were me and I had 8 kids, I would have done that special, if only for the reason that they said they did it...it would be neat to have a professionally done video for prosperity. As the offers came in, we probably would have taken them thinking (naively) that our marriage was solid and severely underestimating what the cameras would do the children.

So, anyone ready for OCTO-MOM, the series???

Correct Tgal. They came and wanted to do an hour-long special on raising sextuplets. That spawned a second hour-long special. Then their series started after that. I probably would have fallen into the same trap. And the sad part is, they started it with most likely honest intentions. I would have had no idea the legal implications, with contracts and all that lock them into all this.

 

[luvthemstrawberries]

Date: 5/26/2009 1:23:29 PM
Author: loverocks
I have followed J&K on and off for the last few years. The show has changed a lot, and so have they through the years. I agree with some of the other posters who have noted that in the beginning it was much more about how a ''normal'' family was living with the tremendous responsibility of raising 8 kids. But - over the years so much support (nannies, cooks, etc.) has been given to them through the show, not to mention the money they make off of the show itself. What is interesting is that in the show - they don''t put any of this out there - in fact they often deny it. It is not just John and Kate, they have full time support in many areas of their life. So, it is not about a ''normal'' family anymore - what normal family has cooks, nannies, drivers, assistants, maids, etc.
Also, not sure if anyone has ever read ''Aunt Jodi''s'' blog. She may have her own agenda, or it may truly be out of concern for the children that she does this - but it is interesting in any case.


http://truthbreedshatred.blogspot.com/ -- Aunt Jodi''s blog

http://www.radaronline.com/videos#/23708269001 -- Interview with Aunt Jodi and husband regarding an alleged ''contract'' Kate asked Jon to sign that essentially allow him to ''do his thing'' as long as he keeps up appearances and tapes as needed for the show.

Just an FYI - that blog is not Aunt Jodi''s blog. It''s supposedly written by Jodi''s sister. One of the more recent posts has 3 links to Parts 1, 2, and 3 of the video posted above - not sure which part is the one posted above. It is an interesting read though if you have a little time - she states some very interesting facts, which would blow my mind if I found out it was all actually true.

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 5/26/2009 2:17:28 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
But TGal people DO have 8+ kids. Maybe not usually 6 at once and maybe it''s not as common anymore but bigs families exist (survive and maybe even thrive) w/o a TV show. Of course we ALL deserve a break but Kate''s life is not one of a full time mom like the show claims she is. I guess I don''t like being ''tricked.''

ETA: yes those alone errands are great and give me sanity.

It''s the 6 at once that would throw me over the edge. I could probably raise 3 kids OK. Not sure how I would do with even "only" three at once. For God''s sake, I cried in the bathroom for 30 minutes when I found out I was pregnant (with presumable one). I''d be a basket case if I found out I was having six. I''m weak, I admit it!

 

[luvthemstrawberries]

Date: 5/26/2009 1:47:01 PM
Author: diamondsrock
I actually watched the show last night, which was the first one in quite some time. I stopped watching a long time ago because Kate''s treatment of her husband made me uncomfortable and I would literally cringe when watching it. Anyways in regards to last nite''s episode, it was like a train wreck - I couldn''t look away. It seems to me that they are separated and will most likely divorce. I didn''t see a lot of hope for them working things out. To be honest, they are just two people who have gone in two different directions. Jon is sedate, go with the flow type of guy. Kate is controlling and harsh. She seems to enjoy fame and he doesn''t. I didn''t see how they were able to get along for as long as they did.
It''s obvious Jon has lost all sense of happiness. His wife belittles him on national tv, he has no way of earning a living because he must stay home with the kids (not saying that''s bad - some dads love it - just that for some men, earning a living equates with a sense of pride for taking care of their family), he is constantly being criticized by Kate, and is tired of the cameras. It seems that what Kate wants, Kate gets. Kate wanted more kids so Jon gave in. Kate wants the cameras around so Jon puts up with it. Enough is enough. I feel for the kids. There is no way they don''t know what is going on.
To me, Kate is not the same person she was in the beginning episodes. Sure, she was bossy and demanding, but she just seems like a completely different person. I mean, she even looks completely different. Gone are the casual days of sweatpants and a tshirt. Now it''s designer duds, high heels, highlighted coiffed hair, and bleached teeth. I''m not saying there is anything wrong with that at all, in fact it is good to take pride in one''s appearance. I just can''t shake this feeling every time I look at her that she is extremely arrogant. It''s just the aura that she gives off. Let''s just say she''s not someone I would hang out with.

Diamondsrock - I actually went to a book signing of hers when she came to a local women''s show here. I hate to judge anyone, but what you said above is exactly how I felt when I left. She did a Q&A session with the audience before coming around to the signing line, and even when answering questions, she was not very lively and seemed sort of uninterested. And when we were literally shuffled through the line, I stood in front of her for maybe 5-6 seconds while she signed my book. I''m not sure if she ever even looked at me. I know it probably gets to be a routine with signing book after book, but I felt very disregarded as a "fan" that had shown up to see her in person. Her hair guards her face as she looks down, and we were instructed beforehand not to take pictures of her when she came over, because the "flashes hurt her eyes."

Anyway, looking back now, that was only a month or two ago, so she probably was going through a lot of their personal problems by then too, so there''s no telling what was on her mind. But I just wanted to chime in - the aura you mentioned is there in real life too. It''s sort of off-putting (is that a word?

).

 

[Tacori E-ring]

TGal, two different times at the pedi office I have seen a set of triplets (different ones). I am not sure I have the sanity for twins let alone 3+ at once. My point is only people do (they aren''t the only ones surely with septuplets) w/o TLC paying their way. I do not blame them for cashing in. I am sure many of us would. But with the good always come the bad. No one has an easy life.

 

[diamondsrock]

Date: 5/26/2009 2:27:09 PM
Author: luvthemstrawberries

Date: 5/26/2009 1:47:01 PM
Author: diamondsrock
I actually watched the show last night, which was the first one in quite some time. I stopped watching a long time ago because Kate''s treatment of her husband made me uncomfortable and I would literally cringe when watching it. Anyways in regards to last nite''s episode, it was like a train wreck - I couldn''t look away. It seems to me that they are separated and will most likely divorce. I didn''t see a lot of hope for them working things out. To be honest, they are just two people who have gone in two different directions. Jon is sedate, go with the flow type of guy. Kate is controlling and harsh. She seems to enjoy fame and he doesn''t. I didn''t see how they were able to get along for as long as they did.
It''s obvious Jon has lost all sense of happiness. His wife belittles him on national tv, he has no way of earning a living because he must stay home with the kids (not saying that''s bad - some dads love it - just that for some men, earning a living equates with a sense of pride for taking care of their family), he is constantly being criticized by Kate, and is tired of the cameras. It seems that what Kate wants, Kate gets. Kate wanted more kids so Jon gave in. Kate wants the cameras around so Jon puts up with it. Enough is enough. I feel for the kids. There is no way they don''t know what is going on.
To me, Kate is not the same person she was in the beginning episodes. Sure, she was bossy and demanding, but she just seems like a completely different person. I mean, she even looks completely different. Gone are the casual days of sweatpants and a tshirt. Now it''s designer duds, high heels, highlighted coiffed hair, and bleached teeth. I''m not saying there is anything wrong with that at all, in fact it is good to take pride in one''s appearance. I just can''t shake this feeling every time I look at her that she is extremely arrogant. It''s just the aura that she gives off. Let''s just say she''s not someone I would hang out with.

Diamondsrock - I actually went to a book signing of hers when she came to a local women''s show here. I hate to judge anyone, but what you said above is exactly how I felt when I left. She did a Q&A session with the audience before coming around to the signing line, and even when answering questions, she was not very lively and seemed sort of uninterested. And when we were literally shuffled through the line, I stood in front of her for maybe 5-6 seconds while she signed my book. I''m not sure if she ever even looked at me. I know it probably gets to be a routine with signing book after book, but I felt very disregarded as a ''fan'' that had shown up to see her in person. Her hair guards her face as she looks down, and we were instructed beforehand not to take pictures of her when she came over, because the ''flashes hurt her eyes.''

Anyway, looking back now, that was only a month or two ago, so she probably was going through a lot of their personal problems by then too, so there''s no telling what was on her mind. But I just wanted to chime in - the aura you mentioned is there in real life too. It''s sort of off-putting (is that a word?

).

yeah, I definately don''t mean or want to judge her by her appearance. I mean, people look at me sometimes and think I''m sad or tired, but it''s just my natural expression unfortunately! Genetics!
I guess it''s just the way she is putting so much effort into her appearance (sort of over the top), and the way when she walks around it seems like - hello little people, I''m here, move out of the way....I guess that''s a silly way to put it but that''s the image I get from her. Like she is a Queen!

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 5/26/2009 2:27:09 PM
Author: luvthemstrawberries

Date: 5/26/2009 1:47:01 PM
Author: diamondsrock
I actually watched the show last night, which was the first one in quite some time. I stopped watching a long time ago because Kate''s treatment of her husband made me uncomfortable and I would literally cringe when watching it. Anyways in regards to last nite''s episode, it was like a train wreck - I couldn''t look away. It seems to me that they are separated and will most likely divorce. I didn''t see a lot of hope for them working things out. To be honest, they are just two people who have gone in two different directions. Jon is sedate, go with the flow type of guy. Kate is controlling and harsh. She seems to enjoy fame and he doesn''t. I didn''t see how they were able to get along for as long as they did.
It''s obvious Jon has lost all sense of happiness. His wife belittles him on national tv, he has no way of earning a living because he must stay home with the kids (not saying that''s bad - some dads love it - just that for some men, earning a living equates with a sense of pride for taking care of their family), he is constantly being criticized by Kate, and is tired of the cameras. It seems that what Kate wants, Kate gets. Kate wanted more kids so Jon gave in. Kate wants the cameras around so Jon puts up with it. Enough is enough. I feel for the kids. There is no way they don''t know what is going on.
To me, Kate is not the same person she was in the beginning episodes. Sure, she was bossy and demanding, but she just seems like a completely different person. I mean, she even looks completely different. Gone are the casual days of sweatpants and a tshirt. Now it''s designer duds, high heels, highlighted coiffed hair, and bleached teeth. I''m not saying there is anything wrong with that at all, in fact it is good to take pride in one''s appearance. I just can''t shake this feeling every time I look at her that she is extremely arrogant. It''s just the aura that she gives off. Let''s just say she''s not someone I would hang out with.

Diamondsrock - I actually went to a book signing of hers when she came to a local women''s show here. I hate to judge anyone, but what you said above is exactly how I felt when I left. She did a Q&A session with the audience before coming around to the signing line, and even when answering questions, she was not very lively and seemed sort of uninterested. And when we were literally shuffled through the line, I stood in front of her for maybe 5-6 seconds while she signed my book. I''m not sure if she ever even looked at me. I know it probably gets to be a routine with signing book after book, but I felt very disregarded as a ''fan'' that had shown up to see her in person. Her hair guards her face as she looks down, and we were instructed beforehand not to take pictures of her when she came over, because the ''flashes hurt her eyes.''

Anyway, looking back now, that was only a month or two ago, so she probably was going through a lot of their personal problems by then too, so there''s no telling what was on her mind. But I just wanted to chime in - the aura you mentioned is there in real life too. It''s sort of off-putting (is that a word?

).

That''s what I am thinking...plus she doesn''t seem to be a really sweet and charming person on her best days. I do know that if she had found out something during the time she was that tour, for the mere mortal unless you are an superb actress (or at the very least a good salesperson), it is very hard to put on a happy face when something like that is going through your mind.

Tacori, yeah, I am sure there are. Good definitely comes with bad in this case, I agree. At this point she can (if the contract permits) bow out of the show with whatever money they''ve already made and hope they''ll manage as families often do, or keep milking at the expense of documenting how her marriage is crumbling for her kids to see when they grow up.

Either way, I don''t envy them.

 

[diamondsrock]

Date: 5/26/2009 2:30:32 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
TGal, two different times at the pedi office I have seen a set of triplets (different ones). I am not sure I have the sanity for twins let alone 3+ at once. My point is only people do (they aren''t the only ones surely with septuplets) w/o TLC paying their way. I do not blame them for cashing in. I am sure many of us would. But with the good always come the bad. No one has an easy life.

TGal, I agree with you. There are a lot of large families who struggle and don''t get any of the attention or money that this family does. Then again, there are even small families with single mothers and one child who struggle as well. They are just as important as large famiiles. I''m sure when she signed up for this she would have known all of the good and bad that would go along with it. It''s hard to hear her talk last night about how she has to plan the party alone, do this alone, do that alone, like hello, many moms do stuff alone all the time. They don''t get any help from anyone.

 

[AmberWaves]

Date: 5/26/2009 2:25:02 PM
Author: TravelingGal

Date: 5/26/2009 2:17:28 PM

Author: Tacori E-ring

But TGal people DO have 8+ kids. Maybe not usually 6 at once and maybe it's not as common anymore but bigs families exist (survive and maybe even thrive) w/o a TV show. Of course we ALL deserve a break but Kate's life is not one of a full time mom like the show claims she is. I guess I don't like being 'tricked.'


ETA: yes those alone errands are great and give me sanity.

It's the 6 at once that would throw me over the edge. I could probably raise 3 kids OK. Not sure how I would do with even 'only' three at once. For God's sake, I cried in the bathroom for 30 minutes when I found out I was pregnant (with presumable one). I'd be a basket case if I found out I was having six. I'm weak, I admit it!

My cousin has twin two year olds and four more kids this year- each twins (one set ID, the others frat), born mere months apart by surrogates. I think she wants a show on TLC!

ETA: Diamondsrock- Kate says she has to plan this party by herself, well, plan a smaller party! You don't need all the crap for the kids EVERY YEAR! She says she likes to do it up big because it's a "celebration of making it another year", well, when you're spending thousands on a 6th (or is it 5th?) birthday party for six, it's going to be high-stress, won't it? Plan a smaller party without trying to cater to the media, those indulgent parties (which the twins do not get

) make the viewers relate even less to her! Oh it's so hard planning a party with a petting zoo and a clown and a magician as well as a snow cone machine and all that? Boo hoo! Jeez, my birthdays were at home, with my parents and my brother, with a Cabbage Patch Kid cake my mom made.

 

[trillionaire]

Jon seems totally resigned.

Kate seems hurt and abandoned. She is harsh and critical, and her husband is passive. It's not a great combo, and they should have been in counseling years ago, if only because parents of multiples have such a high divorce rate.

I agree with posters that they need/needed to make their marriage a priority. It doesn't make sense to say you put your kids first when you think your kids deserve both parents involved in their lives.

i also agree that families raise 8 kids all the time without the fame and fortune. My aunt had 7 kids. My SO's mom was one of 7 or 9 kids, I can't remember. Lots of families do it on normal salaries. It's hard, but you make your bed, you lay in it. Jon QUIT his job to stay home with the kids AND enable Kate to travel and do book tours. Neither of them get a gold star for doing what every other family has to do, which is make tough choices for your family. Fortunately, the kids just turned 5, and will be going to school in the fall. Perfect. Jon can get a job and the kids will be at school, if not now, then when they are 6 in school all day. I know for a fact that I could never be a SAHP, I would go crazy and be miserable, and there is nothing wrong with that. Kate has an outlet right now, and Jon didn't so he started making bad decisions. He needs balance. Every parent does. From what we see on TV, they both are really caring and involved parents. I think they could make it work IF THEY WANTED TO, with the help of counseling. It doesn't seem like they are really interested though. I did hear that Kate wants 2 more seasons form TLC, but they won't give them to her unless she agrees to marital counseling, which she has previously refused. (TLC wants their cameras in there, too)

It's a sad situation. Maddy already acts like Kate, which is sad. I hope her kids don't grow up to have similarly dysfuntional relationships to their parents...

 

[allycat0303]

I don''t watch this show. I never have. But I did read all of the articles about the *affair* and Kate''s bad behavior.

I don''t have any children, but honestly, I think that people are really hard on Kate. She is cashing in. But honestly, anyone with half a brain, 8 children, and a husband who doesn''t have a job, would be SMART to get as much as they can out of it. Yes, it''s a lot of money, but the 15 minutes are not going to last forever, and she needs money so that all those kids have a secure future.

And I REALLY don''t see what is wrong with John being the primary care giver. He isn''t working right now, so why SHOULDN''T he be home with the kids? This sounds like a double standard to me.

I think the main problem with Kate is that she''s not a *likable* character, therefore people tend to give her actions a hard time.

 

[luvthemstrawberries]

Date: 5/26/2009 2:33:50 PM
Author: diamondsrock
yeah, I definately don''t mean or want to judge her by her appearance. I mean, people look at me sometimes and think I''m sad or tired, but it''s just my natural expression unfortunately! Genetics!
I guess it''s just the way she is putting so much effort into her appearance (sort of over the top), and the way when she walks around it seems like - hello little people, I''m here, move out of the way....I guess that''s a silly way to put it but that''s the image I get from her. Like she is a Queen!

Aw, haha, that''s how people think I look too! People ask me sometimes if I''m mad - haha apparently my relaxed face is just a frown!

Oh well.

She does seem a little over the top. I figure that feeds into the claim people make that she''s addicted to the fame and all now. I guess it''s a fine line to tread. I''d probably like it too if I had tanning, all the designer clothes I wanted, a hairstylist, and a makeup artist at hand whenever I wanted. And I''d probably get used to it too!!

Something else to remember though, is that she may not be dressing herself for all of that. She probably has stylists out the wazoo by now dressing her from head to toe and making those decisions for her. Who knows.

 

[luvthemstrawberries]

Date: 5/26/2009 3:46:16 PM
Author: allycat0303

I think the main problem with Kate is that she''s not a *likable* character, therefore people tend to give her actions a hard time.

+1. She''s very independent and controlling, and it''s easy to criticize.

On a slightly funny note, something else that people have begun to critique is her hair... I won''t judge, b/c I won''t even make a darn appointment for months to get mine done. But this is pretty funny here... some didn''t turn out too well, but some actually don''t look that bad - Stars with Kate''s Hair.

 

[Ara Ann]

I for one have a hard time hearing the ''providing for my kids future'' all the time...what exactly does that mean? Paying for each kid''s college education? Buying them each a car on their 16th b-days? Designer clothes? What''s wrong with making the KIDS EARN their way through college, by working and getting good grades and scholarships? Applying for student loans that the KIDS will repay? Why do they feel they HAVE to provide everything for each kid? Yes, it is nice if you can do that, but if you are tearing their family apart to ''provide for their future'' - is it worth it in the long run?


I am the youngest of seven children. My mom had 5 kids in 5 years...her 6th was born with down syndrome...then I came along 5 years later. My mom and dad raised their 5 young kids in a TWO bedroom home...my dad worked overtime to pay the bills, but they lived according to their means. When I came along, they were better off financially and I grew up in a large new home in the suburbs....but my parents EARNED it...and we had to work for what we got too, we didn''t have our college tuition paid for by our parents, but they did provide a loving, stable family life and were a great example that has seen all of us through. That''s what matters most in the long run...not ''tanning and manicures'' - my mom would LOL in Kate''s face because she feels entitled to being pampered in that way...she needs to get over herself, get into counseling, get off TV and save her family now.

 

[february2003bride]

Date: 5/26/2009 12:46:41 PM
Author: AmberWaves
I totally agree with Tacori here, but also see what Tgal is saying. I didn''t watch the episode, I''ve been boycotting the show for awhile now after all the falsehoods came to light (regarding the freebies and help that Kate claims not to have- personal chef yadda yadda that tacori mentioned), BUT, they currently make up to 70k per episode reportedly, in a 20 episode season, which is about 1.4 mil a year, not counting all the free stuff (Kate flies first class only, the free trips and the free food, sponsored gifts and things like that- including all home furnishings and house care) and they charge 20 bucks a pop per signed picture at all speaking gigs, not to mention the money they make per speaking gig and book signing and appearances. Now, if they had saved even ten percent of the money they had made over the past few years, that''d be a whole lot to keep if they move out of that Mc.Mansion the producers have moved them into. They wouldn''t need to be in such need for making more episodes if they just went back to living as a normal family, albeit with 8 kids. If you don''t have to pay out for ANYTHING in your home, including clothing your children, where does that money go? SAVE IT. Free your children! Put someone else first! Once they had that nest egg built up, they could quit the show and Jon could go back to work, since he stopped working (NOT because he was fired, which has been grossly reported) to do the show. Sure, one computer programmer''s income isn''t enough to support eight kids and a wife, but with the money they could have saved it would have helped.

Also, Kate has said that because of the way the six were created (medically assisted), society has a responsibility to help with the children, since modern medicine promotes the use of fertility drugs, which can lead to multiple births. That''s just asinine. I think she''s used to getting freebies and wants to continue to live her life that way, since she has said, she grew up with nothing and wants the most for the kids (and herself?). I don''t know, it''s unfair to the kids to have to spend their lives calling the babysitters Mommy.

ETA: Took me too long, Tacori summed my post of perfectly. Tacori''s right, she went tanning on the kid''s real birthdays, which was also Mother''s Day. Shows her priorities right there.

amber- Season 5 is a 50 episode season, at I believe they get $65K per epi. Kate''s PR firm books her at $25K speaking engagements (all travel expenses paid), and then $20 per signed photo.

 

[tlh]

Date: 5/26/2009 4:55:00 PM
Author: february2003bride

amber- Season 5 is a 50 episode season, at I believe they get $65K per epi. Kate''s PR firm books her at $25K speaking engagements (all travel expenses paid), and then $20 per signed photo.

WHAT!?!

 

[february2003bride]

Date: 5/26/2009 5:09:51 PM
Author: tlh

Date: 5/26/2009 4:55:00 PM
Author: february2003bride

amber- Season 5 is a 50 episode season, at I believe they get $65K per epi. Kate''s PR firm books her at $25K speaking engagements (all travel expenses paid), and then $20 per signed photo.

WHAT!?!

No joke. Pre-PR firm (bascially from season 1 through half of season 3) they were booking themselves at local churches and making about $3k per speaking. Anti- J&K people (not towards the kids) would go to the appearances and ask questions about why J&K didn''t have privacy boundaries (something I agree with. There was no reason to know that Alexis slept alone in the basement that had an outside access door. There are crazies who watch the show!), why didn''t Jon work, why show the kids naked, etc. More and more anti-J&K sites started cropping up and really questioning their parenting, no family members having visitation to the kids, the way Kate treated Jon, why Jon had no spine towards Kate, and so on.

So around that time they removed their speaking schedule from their website, hired a PR who cancelled any church booking that wouldn''t pay the $25K (but had already agreed to the $3k fee). The PR firm got Kate some paid endorsements (KMart, Brown bag lunch campaign, etc), $25K speaking engagements, paid magazine covers, etc. I read one site that they are pulled over $3M last season!

 

[swingirl]

I think we can stop saying, "Poor Gosselins, 8 kids and an unemployed husband. They''ll starve without the cameras rolling."

 

[AmberWaves]

Thanks Feb, for reiterating what I was reading about it. Yeah, I feel the same way about Alexis!

 

[tlh]

Date: 5/26/2009 5:26:24 PM
Author: february2003bride

Date: 5/26/2009 5:09:51 PM
Author: tlh

Date: 5/26/2009 4:55:00 PM
Author: february2003bride

amber- Season 5 is a 50 episode season, at I believe they get $65K per epi. Kate''s PR firm books her at $25K speaking engagements (all travel expenses paid), and then $20 per signed photo.

WHAT!?!

No joke. Pre-PR firm (bascially from season 1 through half of season 3) they were booking themselves at local churches and making about $3k per speaking. Anti- J&K people (not towards the kids) would go to the appearances and ask questions about why J&K didn''t have privacy boundaries (something I agree with. There was no reason to know that Alexis slept alone in the basement that had an outside access door. There are crazies who watch the show!), why didn''t Jon work, why show the kids naked, etc. More and more anti-J&K sites started cropping up and really questioning their parenting, no family members having visitation to the kids, the way Kate treated Jon, why Jon had no spine towards Kate, and so on.

So around that time they removed their speaking schedule from their website, hired a PR who cancelled any church booking that wouldn''t pay the $25K (but had already agreed to the $3k fee). The PR firm got Kate some paid endorsements (KMart, Brown bag lunch campaign, etc), $25K speaking engagements, paid magazine covers, etc. I read one site that they are pulled over $3M last season!

wow. That is crazy... I had no idea it was that kinda money on top of all the freebies.... literally, NO IDEA!

 

[lucyandroger]

I haven''t been a "religious" viewer but I caught several episodes this weekend during the marathon at various points during the seasons.

I thought it was quite obvious that Kate loves the attention, fame, and wealth that comes with being a reality star and she doesn''t care who it hurts to continue to live the life that she loves. Jon just looked so defeated.

I was also really annoyed by Kate playing the martyr the whole episode. Now that she has a ton of help and money, she has moved on to complaining about fans gawking and the paperazzi. I couldn''t believe she made such a big deal about a couple guys with cameras. I mean she purposely has more people follow her around in her own home! And doesn''t she realize that it''s that attention that is selling her books and allowing her to go on her 6 month book tour.

Kate''s whole attitude got under my skin. Plus, the new hair, designer clothes, and high heels were just too much for me. She''s not that everyday hard-working mom that once attracted people.

I know what Jon did was 100% wrong but I can understand why he did it.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Date: 5/26/2009 5:34:40 PM
Author: swingirl
I think we can stop saying, ''Poor Gosselins, 8 kids and an unemployed husband. They''ll starve without the cameras rolling.''

Thank you. Also am I the ONLY one who heard about Kate''s affair with her bodyguard? Not that two rights make a wrong but sounds like they have a *secret* OPEN marriage. John is NOT unemployed IMHO. He is a SAHD and part of the Gosselin empire. Also he did work for some of the time the show has been on so it wasn''t like they were desperate for money so that''s why they did the show. I think he quit after TLC was paying them pretty well so spend more time with the family and why wouldn''t he?

 

[february2003bride]

Date: 5/26/2009 6:56:43 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring

Date: 5/26/2009 5:34:40 PM
Author: swingirl
I think we can stop saying, 'Poor Gosselins, 8 kids and an unemployed husband. They'll starve without the cameras rolling.'

Thank you. Also am I the ONLY one who heard about Kate's affair with her bodyguard? Not that two rights make a wrong but sounds like they have a *secret* OPEN marriage. John is NOT unemployed IMHO. He is a SAHD and part of the Gosselin empire. Also he did work for some of the time the show has been on so it wasn't like they were desperate for money so that's why they did the show. I think he quit after TLC was paying them pretty well so spend more time with the family and why wouldn't he?

Everyone's heard about the bodyguard rumor but it's just that- a rumor. Whereas Jon was actually caught in his affair.

I don't like that Jon was caught in his affair but the mags have turned it around to what a witch Kate is. Honestly, everything they are now reporting has been talked about already on the J&K hate sites for the last 2 years, just the magazines are just jumping on it now. For the record, Star Magazine was the first to do a negative Jon and Kate article back in October/November. US Magazine was giving them the love just a few months ago with a spread about their wedding. Now US Magazine is on their 3rd week (maybe more?) straight anti-Kate cover.

ETA: About Jon working- I totally agree with you Tacori. He is part of the Gosselin empire but rather he's a work at home dad, not a stay at home dad. They film almost everyday of the week. He's part of the filming so he's working just the like the kids and Kate are. My problem is, he should have been honest about it. For months after they signed on their season 4, 40 episodes at $65K an epi they continued to go speak and do their "we have to budget to live, we pray to God everyday that each dollar is stretched" blah blah blah BS so the people who attended the conference would give a "love offering" that Jon & Kate got to keep 100% off ontop of their speaking fee and $20 each signed photo. They have been well off for 2 years now. Only last year did they finally stop including in their speechs how hard their life is financially and the "love offerings" are no longer asked for.

 

[princesss]

Date: 5/26/2009 7:09:14 PM
Author: february2003bride

Date: 5/26/2009 6:56:43 PM

Author: Tacori E-ring

Date: 5/26/2009 5:34:40 PM

Author: swingirl

I think we can stop saying, ''Poor Gosselins, 8 kids and an unemployed husband. They''ll starve without the cameras rolling.''

Thank you. Also am I the ONLY one who heard about Kate''s affair with her bodyguard? Not that two rights make a wrong but sounds like they have a *secret* OPEN marriage. John is NOT unemployed IMHO. He is a SAHD and part of the Gosselin empire. Also he did work for some of the time the show has been on so it wasn''t like they were desperate for money so that''s why they did the show. I think he quit after TLC was paying them pretty well so spend more time with the family and why wouldn''t he?

Everyone''s heard about the bodyguard rumor but it''s just that- a rumor. Whereas Jon was actually caught in his affair.


I don''t like that Jon was caught in his affair but the mags have turned it around to what a witch Kate is. Honestly, everything they are now reporting has been talked about already on the J&K hate sites for the last 2 years, just the magazines are just jumping on it now. For the record, Star Magazine was the first to do a negative Jon and Kate article back in October/November. US Magazine was giving them the love just a few months ago with a spread about their wedding. Now US Magazine is on their 3rd week (maybe more?) straight anti-Kate cover.

Honestly, even the Jon thing is just a rumour. He was caught leaving the house. Until he admits it or photos emerge of him shtupping the other woman, that''s technically just a rumour.

And T, I''d read that, too. I just tend to not put a whole lot of faith in what those magazines say (doesn''t mean I don''t read them, though, lol).

 

[february2003bride]

Date: 5/26/2009 7:11:47 PM
Author: princesss

Date: 5/26/2009 7:09:14 PM
Author: february2003bride

Date: 5/26/2009 6:56:43 PM

Author: Tacori E-ring

Date: 5/26/2009 5:34:40 PM

Author: swingirl

I think we can stop saying, ''Poor Gosselins, 8 kids and an unemployed husband. They''ll starve without the cameras rolling.''

Thank you. Also am I the ONLY one who heard about Kate''s affair with her bodyguard? Not that two rights make a wrong but sounds like they have a *secret* OPEN marriage. John is NOT unemployed IMHO. He is a SAHD and part of the Gosselin empire. Also he did work for some of the time the show has been on so it wasn''t like they were desperate for money so that''s why they did the show. I think he quit after TLC was paying them pretty well so spend more time with the family and why wouldn''t he?

Everyone''s heard about the bodyguard rumor but it''s just that- a rumor. Whereas Jon was actually caught in his affair.


I don''t like that Jon was caught in his affair but the mags have turned it around to what a witch Kate is. Honestly, everything they are now reporting has been talked about already on the J&K hate sites for the last 2 years, just the magazines are just jumping on it now. For the record, Star Magazine was the first to do a negative Jon and Kate article back in October/November. US Magazine was giving them the love just a few months ago with a spread about their wedding. Now US Magazine is on their 3rd week (maybe more?) straight anti-Kate cover.

Honestly, even the Jon thing is just a rumour. He was caught leaving the house. Until he admits it or photos emerge of him shtupping the other woman, that''s technically just a rumour.

And T, I''d read that, too. I just tend to not put a whole lot of faith in what those magazines say (doesn''t mean I don''t read them, though, lol).

Show me a married man leaving a woman''s house at 7:30 in the morning and tell me he''s not cheating

Of course he''s going to deny it!

 

[princesss]

That''s still just an assumption. We can''t take inferences and assumptions as fact.

 

[fisherofmengirly]

I used to *love* to watch this show. It seemed like both parents were so happy with their children, and the kids were thriving as a result. My husband has always made comments about how Kate talks to Jon, but I really kind of blew it off, because well it''s not scripted (that I know of) and well, I''m sure if a camera were following us around, people would think I sometimes snap at my husband, too. Anyway, a couple of seasons back, things seemed to shift from the mommy/daddy role to the diva role for Kate, and that''s sad and was hard for me to watch. Everything stopped being about day trips and ice cream and crafts and more about where Mommy had to be for her facial and blah blah blah. And Kate got a lot meaner, and Jon started to kind of tune out to her. Completely (at least when the cameras were around, anyway).

I don''t think anyone deserves to have their family''s demise (or near demise) filmed and plastered on magazines. It''s got to be rough on the kids, because we all know that kids know these things between their parents, and worse, so do their friends (especially for the older girls, Maddie and Cara). I think the show has gone from their intentions to make some money for the family and have a way to "document" the kids'' growing up to something that''s bigger than they can handle, and I think the core of what the family was composed of to begin with was lost along the way. It''s awful.

I hope they can work it out, and I hope TLC is cutting and pasting commentaries to make it look like they''re worse off than they are, but I kind of don''t think that''s the case.

The opening scenes tell a lot... from "we started out just the two of us, then we had our beautiful twins, Cara and Maddie... then we decided to try for just one more, blah blah..." to "this is is our crazy life, but it''s our life." Sad!!

I bet they''d both give up all the money, free things, nannies, and everything to go back to what they had to begin with... a happy, connected family.