Jon and Kate Plus 8

Popular Culture: Jon and Kate Plus Eight

Jon and Kate Plus 8 is a reality TV program featuring parents Jon and Kate Gosselin and their eight children Cara, Madelyn, Alexis, Hannah, Aaden, Collin, Leah, and Joel (fraternal twins and sextuplets). The program follows the family’s daily lives and highlights the challenges of raising multiple children. Originally, the show aired on Discovery Health and then began to air on TLC for its seasons 3-5. Jon and Kate Plus 8 was one of TLC’s highest rated programs with the premiere of the fifth season bringing in about 9.8 million viewers. The most watched episode of the series was the announcement of Jon and Kate’s separation which brought in 10.6 million viewers.

In April 2009, speculations that Jon was having an affair began after he was spotted leaving a bar with a woman late one night. It was also reported that Kate had been having a personal relationship with one of her bodyguards. They have both denied any cheating allegations, but were both unsure about their relationship. After ten years of marriage, it was announced on December 18, 2009 that their divorce had been finalized.

Kate’s intentions of continuing the show had raised some criticism by many. Also, the children being exploited and being under emotions stress had also raised some concerns. Kate stated that “the children are happy and healthy and are not in any danger”. TLC released a statement stating that “the network fully complies with all applicable laws and regulation to produce the show”.
Kate took on more criticism when she became a contestant on the tenth season of “Dancing with the Stars”. Many people felt as though she was taking on the show, going to the gym regularly, getting manicures and pedicures. Where were the kids?

I personally, loved the show before all the drama began. I felt as though Jon and Kate were wonderful, patient parents who would do just about anything for their children. They had established daily routines and had exciting family outings. The children seemed to be very happy and loved their parents very much. Having two children myself, I was amazed how they could manage eight young children and stay sane. However, after the drama began with Jon and Kate’s personal lives I had enough of the show. I do not agree that the children were being exploited, but everything later became more about Jon and Kate then their children. I feel that after their marriage fell apart they should have stopped filming anything all together and concentrate on the well being of their children. Instead, Jon was out socializing with other women and Kate was busy trying to get more TV time and practicing for “Dancing with the Stars”. Soon after the divorce was finalized, both Jon and Kate were all about doing things for themselves. Divorce can be a very difficult experience for any child to go through. Do they really think what they are doing is in the best interest of their children?