Jon and Kate plus hate?
The same media monster that created this family's fame and fortune in the first place is now tearing it apart with a ferocity usually reserved for much bigger fare. As audiences eagerly lap up the sex, lies and three seasons of videotaped lives of the Gosselin's and their Octo-family, it seems like someone needs reminding that there are children in the room!
Blessed with eight ridiculously gorgeous children, twin girls and fraternal sextuplets, Jon and Kate Gosselin have been sharing their family with America since the sextuplets were born.
I've watched this show from the beginning. I grew up in a house with eight kids myself, so it was nice to see a Mom as frazzled as mine each week. In the beginning, Kate was just a suburban mom and Jon was her quiet, unappreciated husband. Under the stress of multiples, she would snap at him frequently for being too slow or too distracted, but the show always brought things back together at the end of an episode with Kate explaining why she nags and Jon sheepishly admitting he could do more.
Over the years though, Kate's irritation and impatience with Jon has increased to the point of discomfort. She scolds him more than the children and mocks his attempts to parent outside of her strict guidelines. I almost stopped watching a year ago, when each episode started to blur into one another; a stream of nitpicky fights over dishes and car seats that started to mimic my own life so strikingly, it began to feel less like entertainment and more like couples therapy!
When the headlines of there failing marriage began to appear, I wasn't necessarily surprised, but I was sad. In early episodes, Kate spoke about how much she loved her husband, how she fell in love with his handsome face, adored his patience and kindness. Last year they took the family to Hawaii to renew their wedding vows; surrounded by their pride of munchkins they spoke of their commitment to each other, their children and to God and renewed viewer's faith in the beauty of true love and the strength of this family.
It's just so strange now to hear people suddenly attacking Jon and Kate and accusing them of simply playing for the cameras and seeking fame and fortune. Umm, they're on a reality TV show, what do you think they've been doing for the last three years? They've been allowing cameras into their home, being paid a hefty salary, reaping the benefits of product placement and taking free vacations; I doubt it was ever out of the kindness of their hearts folks. I say; good for them! They don't owe a debt to America obligating them to showcase their babies for scrutiny; this is their job.
Who knows what has gone on behind closed doors in the last few months? Jon's been accused of cheating on Kate, a claim only supported by a single image of him in a car with a woman. Kate's brother has appeared on television criticizing his sister's marriage and parenting, accusing her of being power-hungry and seeking financial gain.
I'm sorry, but raise your hand if you're NOT seeking financial gain folks? In this economy, if you've managed to find a job that allows both parents to stay at home with the kids, work flexible hours, travel and buy a gorgeous home; then congratulations! That's the American dream, right?
For a reality family show on TLC, this show certainly has seen a surge in its exposure over the last few months. Previous season premieres drew ratings peaking at 1.7 million. The season premiere on May 26 drew 9.8 million viewers; I guess trouble in paradise can be too hard to pass up for unhappy, lazy viewers eager to push aside their own failing relationships and zero in on the Gosselin's sinking ship.
I hope this family is able to make it through the 39 episodes that they are still contractually obligated to film this season and then shut this monster down. Like many viewers, I've fallen in love with the cherub faces of Cara, Mady, Alexis, Hannah, Aaden, Collin, Leah and Joel and would be sad to not see them grow up into quirky adorable teens, but I think it's time to pack up the giant Dodge Sprinter and drive off into the sunset. Hopefully making a pit stop for marriage counseling along the dusty road.
Good Luck sweet Gosselins!
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
Blessed with eight ridiculously gorgeous children, twin girls and fraternal sextuplets, Jon and Kate Gosselin have been sharing their family with America since the sextuplets were born.
I've watched this show from the beginning. I grew up in a house with eight kids myself, so it was nice to see a Mom as frazzled as mine each week. In the beginning, Kate was just a suburban mom and Jon was her quiet, unappreciated husband. Under the stress of multiples, she would snap at him frequently for being too slow or too distracted, but the show always brought things back together at the end of an episode with Kate explaining why she nags and Jon sheepishly admitting he could do more.
Over the years though, Kate's irritation and impatience with Jon has increased to the point of discomfort. She scolds him more than the children and mocks his attempts to parent outside of her strict guidelines. I almost stopped watching a year ago, when each episode started to blur into one another; a stream of nitpicky fights over dishes and car seats that started to mimic my own life so strikingly, it began to feel less like entertainment and more like couples therapy!
When the headlines of there failing marriage began to appear, I wasn't necessarily surprised, but I was sad. In early episodes, Kate spoke about how much she loved her husband, how she fell in love with his handsome face, adored his patience and kindness. Last year they took the family to Hawaii to renew their wedding vows; surrounded by their pride of munchkins they spoke of their commitment to each other, their children and to God and renewed viewer's faith in the beauty of true love and the strength of this family.
It's just so strange now to hear people suddenly attacking Jon and Kate and accusing them of simply playing for the cameras and seeking fame and fortune. Umm, they're on a reality TV show, what do you think they've been doing for the last three years? They've been allowing cameras into their home, being paid a hefty salary, reaping the benefits of product placement and taking free vacations; I doubt it was ever out of the kindness of their hearts folks. I say; good for them! They don't owe a debt to America obligating them to showcase their babies for scrutiny; this is their job.
Who knows what has gone on behind closed doors in the last few months? Jon's been accused of cheating on Kate, a claim only supported by a single image of him in a car with a woman. Kate's brother has appeared on television criticizing his sister's marriage and parenting, accusing her of being power-hungry and seeking financial gain.
I'm sorry, but raise your hand if you're NOT seeking financial gain folks? In this economy, if you've managed to find a job that allows both parents to stay at home with the kids, work flexible hours, travel and buy a gorgeous home; then congratulations! That's the American dream, right?
For a reality family show on TLC, this show certainly has seen a surge in its exposure over the last few months. Previous season premieres drew ratings peaking at 1.7 million. The season premiere on May 26 drew 9.8 million viewers; I guess trouble in paradise can be too hard to pass up for unhappy, lazy viewers eager to push aside their own failing relationships and zero in on the Gosselin's sinking ship.
I hope this family is able to make it through the 39 episodes that they are still contractually obligated to film this season and then shut this monster down. Like many viewers, I've fallen in love with the cherub faces of Cara, Mady, Alexis, Hannah, Aaden, Collin, Leah and Joel and would be sad to not see them grow up into quirky adorable teens, but I think it's time to pack up the giant Dodge Sprinter and drive off into the sunset. Hopefully making a pit stop for marriage counseling along the dusty road.
Good Luck sweet Gosselins!
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
