One compares well with Mussolin, the other compares herself to Shakespeare - but who am I to refudiate either one of them. (Isn't that crazy, my spell checker insists refudiate isn't a word.  I've misunderestimated its comprehensibilitiness.)  Kate Gosselin, the 8, and Sarah Palin are going camping in Alaska and it will all be broadcast on Kate (Minus Jon) Plus 8.   No doubt the former Vice-Presidential candidate will show the brood the beautiful view of Russia from the Alaskan coast line, revel in Kate's obvious agreement with her sex education principles, and close the journey out by shooting some defenseless animals from an airplane.

Of course, all kidding aside, is the question of just how political this episode will get - if at all.  Wait, I thought of another question:  why is either one of these woman still relevant?  Kate has, if anything, become more boorish since Jon left the show, and Palin is, well, Palin.  The folksy fountain of misinformation is the exact opposite of what Lifetime seems to be going for here - which I'm too gutless to put in words.

What would really be interesting is a post-tabloid Jon Gosselin reality show, where the once oppressed dad rebuilds his image after a year of the pre-midlife crazies left him with a laughable and tarnished image.  Surely there is an image consultant out there up to the task.  Okay maybe not, but how about this:  a team of the best image consultants in the world combine their powers in a bid to turn Gosselin into the celebrity he always thought he was?

On the Palin side of things, you won't have to wait long at all for their family drama to hit the airwaves.  Seems Bristol and Levi are shopping around a reality show concept as I write this.  How in the world is Sarah Palin going to avoid popping up in the periphery?  The general perception is that she is very likely a generous yet highly controlling mother, it's unlikely any meddling in this young couples married life won't make it onscreen.

Kate Gosselin Going Camping With Sarah Palin

Kate Gosselin's return to television with the recent Dancing With the Stars was only the beginning.  If you've been missing Kate and dancing isn't what you had in mind, you are in luck - TLC is launching two Gosselin starring vehicles in the coming year.  (sigh.)  No word on whether or not Jon will be participating, but put your money on 'Not Likely.'  The prevailing wisdom is that he signed a sweet settlement deal with TLC that will compensate him for not interfering with future projects.  (Since he has filed for custody of his children as of this week, it looks like that settlement may already be at risk.)

The first project is called "Twist of Kate" and will feature Gosselin answering fan letters and spreading her domestic diva wisdom.  When she's not dispensing her learnings, she'll be on the road trying out real jobs that she knows nothing about.  It's not your imagination, these concepts really don't have anything to do with one another.

The next project is, you guessed it, Kate Plus 8.  Yes, the kids will be back - but with limits.  The new Kate Plus 8 will be a series of specials that look at Kate's new life as a single parent of 8 children.  On the odd chance that Jon wins custody, the show will probably be canceled.  Sorry.  Jon Plus 8 just doesn't have the same ring.

Source: TVGuide.Com

Had Enough Gosselin? TLC Launching Two New Kate Gosselin Shows

I really, really hate it for those kids. Their once-likeable dad has gone off the deep end in a very big way, and their never-likeable mom is getting paid to complain about it. At least, that's how I feel about it. In fact, the only likeable people left on TLC, besides Kat Von D and the Roloff family, are those eight little children, who are destined to never have a normal childhood because of their attention-starved parents.

But I digress.

TLC aired Kate: Her Story tonight. As you can tell from the title, it was all about Kate. Paula Morales simply goaded Kate on to gush out her innermost feelings to the camera about Jon, the show, and the paparazzi.

Kate did call Jon "disgusting" at least once, though she did state, through tears, that “I still think the phone will ring and it’ll be the old Jon."

That wasn't all that was said on this special, that aired Monday night, but it gives you a pretty good idea of the media-pandering emotion that went into the interview. It really makes you wonder why people care about the deep, inner emotions of people who have absolutely no talent other than the ability to spawn eight children. Audiences probably eat this up because it's a form of escapism, but who'd want to escape to that?

However, despite insulting Jon and praising the audience of the show, Kate did tell that she didn't think the show caused the breakup between herself and Jon. “Had we never done the show, it would have been me a nurse, him in I.T., and that would have gotten the better of us even sooner," she stated.

Toward the end, Kate told Morales that she'd love to go solo for a Kate Plus Eight now that Jon has been dropped by TLC. "I would love to do it," she stated, adding that the kids miss the camera crew around the house. “I would go back and do it again.”

Some people never learn, I tell you.

I really, really hate it for those kids.

Kate Gosselin tells 'Her Story', mostly complains

Well, the inevitable has happened.  Since TLC was forced to scrap one of its most lucrative shows, Kate Plus 8 (Formerly Jon & Kate Plus 8), somebody had to pay - and that someone is Jon Gosselin.  TLC opened fire on Gosselin legally today, suing the reality dad come professional d-bag for massive breach of contract.  Most amusingly, they are still holding him to the exclusivity terms of the agreement.  Add that to the fact that the court has ordered Jon to cough up $180,000 and you have one very bad week for America's oldest, and least favorite, teenager.

In a statement given to CNN, Jon's attorney Mark Heller said "Apparently, TLC has elected to initially litigate this case in the court of public opinion .... because neither Jon nor I have been served with legal pleadings or informed by TLC of the instant litigation."

That's an interesting story, Mr. Disbarred for ethics violation.  Jon so far hasn't said anything.  If he had said something, I'm sure we wouldn't be able to reproduce it without major censorship.  This must come as a big shock to Jon and his girlfriend Hailey Glassman, who recently had breast enhancement surgery in anticipation of her television debut on 'Divorced Dads Club',  the series Jon is developing - also in violation of his TLC contract.

The most explosive tidbit to come out of TLC's legal filings - despite what Mr. Heller says, the lawsuit is real - is that the network is claiming that Jon attempted to strong arm them into releasing him from the contract.  In the lawsuit TLC alleges that Jon threatened to end production, using the safety of the children as an excuse, if TLC did not release him from the agreement.  So, in other words, Jon would not be doing this for the 'good' of his family if he had been allowed to film a reality show with Hailey, Michael Lohan, and possibly K-Fed.  What would be more scarring for these children?

TLC Suing Jon Gosselin

I told Jon (co-owner of this site) that I was absolutely, positively not writing another article about the Gosselins, even if it did get us into a CNN story.  But then news broke today and Jon, who wields his power like a fascist dictator, all but ordered me to write this article.  *Sigh*    You know why?  Because YOU read these stories.  Our readers eat them up.  So whoever says "not another Gosselin story" can't blame me.  Blame yourselves (or your fellow readers).

Radar Onlineis reporting that TLC has pulled the plug on the Gosselin's show - including the proposed Kate Plus 8 - after Jon Gosselin demanded that they stop filming his children and on his property.  Oh, say what you will, Jon-defenders, but it was a totally short-sighted move, because the last time I checked Jon doesn't have any other job or income with which to provide for his eight children.  

TLC is stating that they won't get in the middle of the acrimonious divorce and is instead pulling the plug on the show:

TLC has not made an announcement but RadarOnline.com has confirmed with sources outside the network that there is just enough unused new footage to take them through about another month.

"They will eek out what they  can in terms of more shows," a source close to the situation told RadarOnline.com. "Obviously they are not shooting anymore so they are taking what they have and seeing how many episodes they can get out of it."

Jon Gosselin has told the network they no longer have his permission to film the children and TLC will not challenge that. If Jon changes, his mind, they will go into production on the new show, Kate Plus 8.

TLC has no plans to film unless the situation is resolved," the source told RadarOnline.com

Oh God, I hope this is true.   Because, if it is, I think that's the last we'll see of Jon (hopefully).  Kate may be a total shrew, but she's a smart lady and is a survivor.  She'll find a way to stay in the spotlight and keep making more money.  But Jon....he's going to have to resort to Michael Lohan tactics to get mentioned in the gossip rags.  Oh, to think of the day when I will most definitely never have to write another Gosselin article again......

Email me at clarissa @ tvovermind.com

Follow me at twitter.com/clarissa373

[Image from NY Daily News]

TLC Cancels Jon & Kate Plus 8 (for reals....hopefully)

Jon Gosselin Checks To Make Sure His Manhood Is Intact

A Judge has ordered Jon Gosselin to return over $180,000 to a bank account he shares with soon-to-be-ex-wife Kate Gosselin.  Predictable, of course, since both of them had been ordered to leave the money alone.

We, and everybody else, have poked fun at Kate for the crocodile tears though.  She's loaded, and there is no doubt that Jon's counter claims that the Katester has more than a dozen hidden accounts are true.  Since Kate named herself Gosselin family treasurer a while back, odds are she will come under more scrutiny than Jon in the long run.  Heck, in these modern times the fact that she has been out-earning him with her book sales may also work in his favor when it comes to splitting the marital assets.

The usual churn of the tabloids has produced all kinds of dirt on Jon and Kate lately, but hardly anyone cares anymore.  Jon showed up unbathed at his twin's birthday party with a cake that featured one of the twin's names ... mis-spelled.  There has been some confirmation that his show, Divorced Dad's Club, which he is developing in violation of his contract with TLC, is moving ahead.

The ever charming Gosselin was famously schooled by Nancy Grace a few weeks ago, but to prove he's a sucker for punishment he has given yet another tell-all interview to Entertainment Tonight, in which he imparted this bit of wisdom when it comes to how he has handled his separation with Kate so far "As a public figure, you have to be careful what you say and do."  Uh, Jon...

Jon Gosselin Ordered To Return The Money He Stole

Gosselin weary yet? Jon Gosselin has taken to the airwaves to plead his case concerning that supposed 'stolen' money. In a nutshell, the media darling claims that Kate is lying. Ouch. On that note, the accusation does raise a few eyebrows. As has been famously reported numerous times, the Gosselin's brought in around $75k per episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8. Does anybody else find it a bit weird that they would only have amassed $231k in cash?

Jon claims that Kate's histrionics over not being able to provide for her children - including a call into The View to say she might have to work at McDonalds - are just that. Histrionics in the purest definition of the word. "No. She’s hiding money. We have 11 bank accounts. That was just our joint account. She had a best-selling book. Where’s that million dollars?" Jon told The Insider.

According to Jon he did withdraw around $170k over the course of the year, $22k of which he withdrew last week.  Kate is claiming he withdrew the $230k between August 10th and September 29th.  See, I have a few issues with that - particularly since Kate and her people have been playing this as something that happened all of a sudden last week, in fact on the same day Jon was on Larry King Live.

Ah, that's it.  Isn't.  Did you just have one of those epiphanies that Gosselin was talking about last week?  A little moment of clarity?  The timing of Kate's claim that Jon has cleaned the family out leaving her and the kids penniless is very, well, strategic.  Jon has certainly limited the earning potential of the family, as far as exploiting the kids is concerned.  In reality, this may not be as bad a thing as it seems.  Both Jon and Kate have achieved a level of celebrity out of the whole thing that will no doubt continue to result in appearance fees, book advances, and at least a couple more reality shows.  If there is never a 'deal' hammered out that puts the Gosselin kids in front of the camera again, the kids win.  They need to experience real child-hood for a while, without the cameras.  In some twisted way, Jon asserting himself and stopping the production may wind up being his classiest move through the whole ordeal - once the dust settles, that is.

As for this money situation, the more minutes and hours that slip by the more bogus it seems.  Some cold hard facts make it more than a little hard to swallow:

• Kate's appearance on The View was certainly not done for charity.  How much was she paid?
• Didn't Kate just shoot a pilot?  Obviously a freebie, right?
• Is Kate - or Jon for that matter - appearing on shows like Today out of the goodness of her heart, purely to tell her side of the story?  Or is there an appearance fee behind that?
• Now that Jon has fired back with allegations of 'secret' accounts and a conflicting account of these contentious withdrawals, it is disclosure time.  They have both made claims that could be either galvanized or blown out of the water by the various paper trails.

If Kate and her crew have fired a strategic shot at Gosselin - simply designed to make him look bad in the public eye - solely for his maneuver last week that resulted in the kids being taken off the air, something a lot of people have been demanding for some time, the 'dirty bomb' could backfire.  Sure, middle-aged dads partying it up rock-star style with eight kids at home are contemptible - if not only for the fact that those of us resigned to more mundane aspects of fatherhood are just a tincy bit jealous; would Kate abusing public sentiment to score a gnarly win over Jon rest quite as well?  Something tells me we'll know the answer to that sooner than we think.

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Jon Gosselin Gives His Side of the Money Scandal - Common Sense Wins

Everybody's favorite douche, Jon Gosselin, has had a banner week! For those who didn't know, TLC finally took Jon up on his efforts to get booted from his contract; well, sort of.  What they did was announce plans to keep Jon muzzled by removing him from Jon & Kate Plus 8, but maintaining their exclusivity over his, er, talents.  Obviously this did not settle well with free-wheeling Jon.

First, he took action to drag out his divorce from Kate, which should have been finalized last month. Next, he sent TLC a cease and desist demanding that they stop filming the children on 'his' joint property - an obvious, and very petty, maneuver of revenge.  Now, Gosselin has apparently wiped out his joint accounts with Kate leaving his estranged wife a paltry thousand bucks to get by.

What does Gosselin want?  Is it plain old revenge, as it seems to be?  Is he hoping to be let out of his contract so he can pursue the much publicized 'Divorced Dads Club' reality show?  Could it even be possible that he really did have an epiphany, which now apparently includes wanting his kids to know that he robbed their mother blind in addition to screwing their chances for a prosperous future.

Seriously Jon, is all of this meanness necessary?  Do you really want nine guaranteed haters later on in life?

Poor Hailey Glassman, who is recovering from breast augmentation surgery, had a near melt-down on twitter last week sending signals that her and Jon were on the verge of becoming 'just friends.'  His people later poo-pooed the meltdown, but Hailey has since locked her twitter updates.  Apparently she wants to kvetch about how much of a buffoon Jon is making of them in private.

At the same time he was telling a national TV audience that he wanted to put the brakes on his divorce and establish a better relationship with his wife, Jon Gosselin was secretly emptying their bank account, RadarOnline.com has learned exclusively.

Jon violated an arbitrator's rules and pulled hundreds of thousands of dollars out of his joint account with Kate, leaving her with only $1,000, a RadarOnline.com investigation uncovered.

Source: Radaronline

Jon Gosselin Wipes Out Bank Account, Seeks To Destroy Kate Plus 8

I'm so sick of writing about the Gosselins (yes, even despite the fact that it got us a mention on CNN).   So why am I writing about the latest development?  Well, it's a slow news day and I'm really, really bored.  Also, because I love being right.  And if you also labelled Jon Gosselin as a petty, immature fame-wh*re then you were right too.  Good for us!

So Jon Gosselin basically got his walking papers from TLC, who told him they were cutting him out of the show (save a few appearances) and focusing on Kate.  Naturally, what does the man-child do?  Well, he throws a tantrum.  But unlike children, adults get to use fun things called "lawyers" to get all pissy on their behalf.

Jon's lawyer has sent TLC a letter immediately demanding that they cease filming the children (because they're HIS children, you see, and not just money-making machines) or filming on his propery.  God, it's so good that he's finally trying to take an interest in his kids' welfare and not put them in the public spotlight.  Although, considering how many seasons of the show have aired, I'd call too late.

According to Radar:

After TLC removed his name from the title of the reality show, Jon & Kate Plus 8 Tuesday, the 32-year-old reality TV dad, via his attorney Mark J. Heller, sent the cable network a pair of letters stating all filming and production crews are heretofore banned from his family's Wernersville, Pennsylvania home.

"Effective immediately, no production crews are to enter Jon's family home for any reason. In the event that anyone enters the marital property, Jon Gosselin will notify the local authorities to effectuate police action against any trespassers," his lawyer Mark J. Heller wrote to TLC.

Jon states that both he and Kate both own the property where the show is being shot, that he has join custody of the kids and that he is able to make decisions about their welfare. The story was first reported by The Insider.

The letters from Jon's attorney to TLC were dated Tuesday, the same day the network announced it was minimizing his role on the show and changing the name to Kate Plus 8.

Jon now says he believes it is not in the best interest of the children's welfare to continue with production of the show.

Oh please.  PLEASE.  Give me a break.  Despite the fact that I don't agree with the kids being filmed and put in the spotlight, exactly what will you do to provide for your family, Jon?  Because, from what I hear, you don't have a job.  Perhaps you'll be designing a clothing line for kids as we've heard you might do?  You know, one that your kids could model, which would certainly be less exploitative than a TV show.

TLC fired back:

"We are aware of Jon Gosselin's recent statements, and remain deeply disappointed at his continued erratic behavior. He and the family were shooting as recently as last Friday, without incident, and his latest comments are grossly inaccurate, without merit and are clearly opportunistic.

"Despite Jon Gosselin's repeated self destructive and unprofessional actions, he remains under an exclusive contract with TLC.  Direct filming of the children has been currently suspended, pending further conversations between both parents."

So here's what I think is going to happen: TLC (and probably Kate) will band together, get their own lawyers and get Kate declared the primary guardian over the children.  Like when Kate went to court to gain control over the family's finances because Jon was spending money like it was going out of style.

Seriously, these poor kids have some pretty messed up parents (yes, both of them).  And while Kate is probably a diva-like harpy, Jon still takes the cake for being the most immature, petty jerk that I've read about in a long, long time.  Well, right behind Kanye West.

Email me at clarissa @ tvovermind.com

Jon Gosselin (Now With More Petty Revenge!) Tells TLC to Take a Hike

Remember how Jon Gosselin is a douchebag and started traveling the world with his young girlfriend who he may/may not have had an affair with and all those other girls coming out of the woodwork to say they've slept with Jon (gross) since he broke up with Kate?  (Exhibits A, B, C and D).  No?  Well, TLC remembers.  They remember it really well.

So well, in fact, that they've basically kicked him off his own show.  A while ago Jon was all "yeah, I want off the show because I think I can pursue opportunities elsewhere".  Normally I would say that Jon really has NO opportunities elsewhere, but in a world where people like Heidi, Spencer and Paris Hilton still somehow have a semblance of a career maybe I'm overstating that assumption. 

But that's all besides the point, because TLC got wise to the fact that it's a family-friendly channel and Jon and his particular brand of douchebaggery is not conducive to the image they want to project:

TLC has taken Jon Gosselin out of the “Jon & Kate Plus Eight” equation.

Battling falling ratings and the very public divorce between the Gosselins, TLC will relaunch the show on Nov. 2 as “Kate Plus Eight.”

According to the channel, the show will now focus on Kate Gosselin's journey as a now-single mother of eight kids.

Jon Gosselin will continue to appear on the show, “but on a less regular basis,” the channel said. TLC's “exclusive” relationship with Jon Gosselin continues, the cabler added.

Jon Gosselin's decreased role comes following media reports that suggested his off-camera antics had violated the “morals clause” in his contract, and that the channel was looking to boot him off the show.

“Given the recent changes in the family dynamics, it only makes sense for us to refresh and recalibrate the program to keep pace with the family,” said TLC topper Eileen O'Neill. “The family has evolved and we are attempting to evolve with it; we feel that Kate’s journey really resonates with our viewers. Additionally the network is in development on a Kate project for 2010.”

The show, originally about a young couple raising 5 year-old sextuplets and 8 year-old twins, was a ratings smash for TLC. Earlier this year, news of the Gosselins' breakup made them tabloid stars, and briefly made the show an even bigger smash. But since then, the show has seen its viewership rapidly erode.

Separately, Kate Gosselin has taped a talk show pilot with TV chef Paula Deen, while Jon Gosselin is said to also be shopping other TV projects.

Oh, TLC, how I love you.... you make it sound like you're doing this for creative reasons, but we all know you're as grossed out by Jon as the rest of us.  Word on the street is that Jon is also trying to shop around a show about divorced fathers, which might co-star Michael Lohan, the other nominee for Father of the Year.  If, God forbid, anyone decides to take him up on that, I hope TLC will pull out the "exclusive" card and put the kibosh on it.

So be warned, kiddies, sometimes there is justice in the world and acting like a douche won't always make you famous.  Or, at the very least, it'll result in your a** getting kicked.   Oh, happy day!

Source: Variety

A Cautionary Tale - or, How Jon Gosselin Got Kicked off His Show

Either the famous Ed Hardy designer is beginning to back-peddle, or Jon Gosselin is much more of a loser than anyone could have imagined.  E!Online, who scored the interview with Gosselin's girlfriend Hailey Glassman where she badmouthed everyone from TLC to the Jon and Kate Plus 8 viewers, sat down with Christian Audigier and put him on the hot-set over alleged plans to use Bad-Boy Gosselin and his plus 8 to market a line of children's duds.  They made him talk.

"I never said I was going to do a line with Jon Gosselin. I don't want to do a line with Jon Gosselin." Audigier told E!Online, going on to say that he never did and still does not  "want to use their kids to wear my clothes.

Audigier's interest in Gosselin seemed to stem from Jon's difficulty finding a job in the early episodes of the series. "He was wearing a lot of Christian Audigier every day, so I said, I want to meet this guy.  I just invite him because I see him on the Jon & Kate show asking for job. So I was curious to see what he was asking people for which kind of job."

Perhaps the most telling part of Audigier's Gosselin reality-check is the way sneaky Jon scored a ticket for gal-pal Hailey Glassman. "He told me he was coming with his stylist. It appeared his stylist was Hailey. A week after, I discovered those two guys were together. I didn't even know that Jon and Kate were not together."

Oops.  Looks like Audigeir doesn't frequent supermarkets.

Source: E!Online

Breaking: Jon Gosselin Bamboozled Christian Audigier?

Jon Gosselin’s behavior has been sort of an enigma lately, one might say it is the defacto enacting of that great aphorism “biting the hand that feeds you.”  Well, as it turns out that may be truer than anyone would have thought – Jon has every reason in the world to get fired off Jon & Kate Plus 8.  As a matter of fact, I think you should all start getting a feel for the new title: Kate Plus 8.  It does have a ring to it?  Doesn’t it.

Jon’s bad boy behavior, womanizing, and general douchebaggery has puzzled folks.  Why is a guy who became famous as a sort of super-dad suddenly acting like a two bit rockstar in a foot-race to contract herpes?  Well, for starters, life isn’t as rosy for Jon as we may think.  Turns out he quickly blew his share of the show money last season, and this season was cut out of financial control by a court order after he was found to be ‘irresponsible.’  Ouch.

Lately, Jon’s fame-seeking girlfriend Hailey Glassmen has been finishing the job he started, calling TLC “The Lying Channel,” and insinuating that Jon & Kate Plus 8 viewers were morons for not moving on and getting over the breakup.  She also indirectly dissed the plus 8 by saying their happiest times were when it was just the two of them.  Cripes lady.

Jon seems to be working overtime lately when it comes to pissing off TLC by dressing up tip to toe in designer duds, prompting the network to blur 90% of his body.  Now word comes from TMZ that Jon has been negotiating to appear on another reality show – the negotiations themselves are probably a violation of his TLC contract – called “Divorced Dad’s Club.”

At first blush, that may seem like a solid plan for Jon, but what would the legal ramifications be for Jon if he were to willfully break his contract with TLC to the detriment of their show.  I’m no lawyer, but if Jon Diva’d out because he was scheming to pad his bank account wouldn’t TLC have legal recourse?

source: TMZ

Jon Gosselin Wants TLC to Fire Him?!

Okay, so technically he may be right. Jon Gosselin, AKA the world's oldest teenager, scoffed at the notion that his behavior is due to a mid-life crisis - he's only 32 after all.  Of course, some may consider 64 a ripe old age for a cig-chomping meat-eater who engages in promiscuous sex - but the accepted  definition of 'mid life' is actually between 40 and 65, somehow I doubt Gosselin will see 130. [Ed's note: Yes I realize I am playing loose with the literalism here - don't be such a prude.]

Gosselin seems to be in a sort of melt down right now.  His own kids had a minor freak-out at their fathers new 'hip' image.  TLC spared no expense in blurring out the Ed Hardy shirt he wore this week - must have pissed off his new friends in France - and Jon himself responded to his critics with what I like to call a "sickening display of male-diva incredulity."

"I've always loved motorcycles, and cars, and, uh, fast things, and I have four tattoos. That's the way I've always been expressing myself. Things are just coming out a lot more now. This is who I am, and this is who I'm going to be."

In other words, Jon's sixteen-year-old-boy fantasies of living like a rock star and having women swoon over his ink and bitchin' rides was never tamed by the demands of his monster-sized family.  La-who-ser.  Somehow listening to his almost pathetic grasp to his 'individuality' makes his sneer of "I'm only 32" seem deluded.  First of all, Jon, 32 isn't an age you are 'only,' it is well passed the milestone of absolute adulthood - where your devotion to fads (ed hardy t-shirts and earrings) should be giving way to the reality of your commitments as a husband and a parent.  Only someone sadly clinging to their rapidly passing youth says they are "only" 32.

Jon Gosselin Meltdown - "I'm not middle-aged!"

I have always been a staunch defender of the Gosselins and a huge fan of their show. Earlier this year, when the initial rumors of Jon’s infidelity started to leak out, I was in complete denial, made excuses for him, and defended the whole family.

I have to admit, though, I was only half excited for last night’s two new Jon and Kate Plus 8 episodes. The other half of me was absolutely dreading having to watch them. What I once described to my mom as “a genuinely happy show that will just make you feel good” is now quite the opposite. It’s downright sad to see this family torn apart and to think about what those kids are going through. I will admit, I might have more of an irrational sense of attachment to this family than I should, but I think most people would agree that it’s hard to even watch the early episodes of this show, when they were happy, now.

While the split was a major discussion in the interview portions, it was never really addressed in the main parts of the show. In fact, Jon was barely even in the first episode, and completely absent from the second. Of course, anyone who even remotely pays attention to celebrity news could have expected that. Jon’s behavior in the past few months has made it clear that his new found “youth” is more fun than his kids, despite his repeated statement that “[his] family comes first.”

Episode 8, Renovation & Vacations, jumped eight months into the past, when the couple was merely separated, for an awkward meeting with the people renovating the Gosselin’s kitchen. [Side note: They do know all of America has seen their kitchen, right? And that 99% of America was already jealous of the space, Viking appliances, and gorgeous counter tops and cabinets? So… why exactly did they need it re-done? Moving on.]

The tension is definitely palpable in the one scene featuring both Jon and Kate, when Jon suggests the apparently atrocious idea of an under-the-counter refrigerator, to which Kate replies: “No! What planet are you on?” and Jon simply shrugs. After a few days, Kate decides she can’t handle the stress of living with Jon—er, I mean, the construction, so she takes the kids to the beach while Jon stays behind to get away from her—er, to “supervise” the renovation. The kids play and swim and have fun, while Kate puts a damper on the trip, saying she was constantly thinking about Jon not being there.  Back in Pennsylvania at the house, Jon watched the construction crew work, and a drill fell on someone’s head.

Episode 9, Camping Out, brings us back to the present for a Jon-less backyard camping trip. Again, the kids had fun and played, while Kate struggled to “do things she never thought she’d be able to do”  like setting up the tents, starting a campfire, and even (gasp!) replacing a window screen. This episode was a little lighter on the sadness, (with the exception of a couple kid comments: “Daddy knows how to set up a tent.”) and more focused on Kate rebuilding her life without Jon.

Next week, we’ll head back into the time machine for the big kitchen reveal, but will anyone be watching? I’ll stick around for a few more episodes, but I don’t know how much more I can take.

Jon & Kate Plus 8: Is It Still Worth It? Episodes 5.8 & 5.9 Review

Re: Douche-baggery and greed

[Author’s Note: The idea for this series of articles stemmed from a question I wanted to ask James Cameron, which stemmed from a debate I was having with a co-worker.  Then I remembered that I had the power of the internet at my fingertips and decided to put this out there.  The purpose of these articles is to write about questions I’d like to ask actors, directors, famous people, reality stars, characters in movies/television shows or, in some cases, to rant about any of these people.  The question for Cameron will be asked…one day.  Until then, here’s my first one-sided conversation with Jon and Kate Gosselin].

Kate, Jon, how nice that we could get the two of you in the same room together.  And how nice that neither of you are reaching for sharp weapons.  Kate, let’s start with you, shall we?  I have to admit, I don’t watch your show.  Frankly, reality TV bores me.  And it makes celebrities out of people who really shouldn’t be famous, but that’s all beside the point.  The real point is that you always came off as a bit of a b*tch.  Sure, caring and providing for 8 children isn’t easy and I’m sure it costs a lot of money, but do you really have to expose your children to cameras and being followed around on a daily basis in order to make a buck?  Your personality seemed abrasive and harsh.  You always appeared to be criticizing your husband or endlessly pursuing fame and riches.  Then rumours surfaced of your feelings of entitlement, Kate, and diva-like actions.  Pretty shameful and really not all that justified.

Then news broke that you and your husband were separating and you made some statement that “the show must go on”.  Wow.  That’s pretty selfish and callous, isn’t it?  You want to subject your kids to the public humiliation of watching their parents’ marriage  dissolve on television and then putting them in the middle of it?  Do you ever stop to think what might happen 10 years from now when your kids google your name and read the kind of nonsense that’s being spread around the internet?  I hope all that money your family has made will be enough to pay for the massive therapy bills you’re sure to have.

Somewhere along the way, however, I started having my doubts about the depth of your greed.  Or, at the very least, I started abhorring you a little bit less.  You know why?  Because of your husband.  So, Jon, let’s move onto you.

Dude, seriously, you’re a douche-bag.  And I make this statement even after being friends with a couple of douche-bags.  But you really take top prize.  So there was the rumour that both you and your wife were cheating on each other.  I honestly don’t know if Kate was sleeping with the bodyguard, but you sure seemed to have moved on rather quickly.  This Hailey girl you’re seeing is being whined and dined along the French Riviera and being splashed across the pages of every tabloid magazine in North America.  It’s sick, man.  What the hell’s the matter with you?

Yeah, having 8 kids is a hell of a responsibility and it didn’t seem like your wife was a big ball of fun to live with, but that doesn’t give you carte blanche to now walk in and out of your kids’ lives when it suits you and to parade your mistress (or new girlfriend or whatever) in front of the national media.  You’re a father.  You have responsibilities.  Just because you’re getting a divorce doesn’t mean you can act like a totally selfish jerk.  Why don’t you step up and be a man?

Also, hanging out with Michael Lohan was probably the worst idea you’ve ever had (and that’s saying something).  He’s a celebrity-seeking fame-wh*re.  Are these really the type of people you want to be associated with?

And on top of all this, Jon, you’re actually making me feel pity for your wife because, unlike you, she actually seems to be fulfilling her responsibility as a parent.  I have no idea whether she’s still doing all this for fame and money, but at least she’s taking care of the kids while you’re prancing around yachts and dropping cash like it’s going out of style.

To sum up, I think Jon needs to stop having his little mid-life crisis and start being a father again and the both of you need to step out of the limelight and deal with your marriage and your family in a private manner that doesn’t expose your children to ridicule and pity.  So, I’m glad we had this little talk.  Don’t worry, I’ll see myself out.

[AN: Do you have a question you’d like to ask a real person or character on television?  Or something to rant about?  If you do, email me at clarissa @ tvovermind.com.  If I agree, and can turn it into 500 words or more, I’ll profile it on this site]

A One-Sided Conversation with....the Gosselins

The world's oldest teenager, Jon Gosselin, is wasting no time trying to cement a permanent ten-year age reduction.  The media-embattled co-star of Jon & Kate Plus Eight has sent signals that he wants his mid-life crisis (64 is kind of young to die, Jon) to go on forever. It's all rumors now, of course, but the story goes like this:  Jon has apparently bought Hailey Glassman, who was 19 when they first met, a $180,000 engagement ring.  Must be a nice ring, right?  Err, not so.  Actually, the pricey engagement ring is said to feature a gold skull surrounded by black diamonds.  That's right. WTF.

There is a chance it isn't true.  An un-named source has told US magazine that the engagement rumor is 100% false.  However, Jon's people are giving the nefariously telling "No Comment."  To be fair, that could mean "duh, I have no idea what you are talking about..." in publicist speak.  Really, though, does it even matter?  It's not like Jon can behave more badly, he's already drawn the scorn of honorable men everywhere and he still doesn't seem to get it.  Look at the apartment he moved into:  2 bed rooms.  Think he  intends on having his kids over?

To be fair, there is a lot we don't know about Jon - but not much.  He's on the cusp of middle age, was tethered to a huge and noisy family, and had a somewhat belligerent wife.  In short, he was in the triathlon of  "man-up" events.  Jon is a symbol of how bad men can have it.  Let's face it, his was not a normal set of circumstances - lesser men certainly would have cut and run.  Don't worry though, I'm not letting Jon off the hook.  I can't have him giving Jon's of the world a bad name.  The fact is, not only was he a lesser man by cutting and running on his responsibilities as a husband and a father - which, again, I admit were gargantuan - but he did it with the swagger of a rock star who expected his adoring public to swoon over his every move and not find fault with him. We're not supposed to think he's a mean deadbeat dad when he sends signals like "two bedrooms, hundreds of miles away" to his kids?  Being a father has now become work for Jon, he'll fly down to PA to shoot his few days for the episode then hop on first class and jet back to his skull encrusted youth-nymph.

Jon Gosselin Proposes To Hailey With Creepy Ring? Probably Not

Wow.  I don't even watch this show, I'm holding out for the octomom spinoff, but Jon and Kate have some really effective sordid marketing going on.  As anybody who shops for groceries knows, Jon and Kate have been on the verge of a split for some time; blame it on her violent off camera temper, or various boyfriends; no wait, maybe it's his numerous affairs, and recent bought with STDs.  Hold on a second, none of this is true, is it?  Regardless of whether it is, or isn't, TLC definitely knows that America is enraptured by the off-screen Jon and Kate Plus 8 Drama, because they are at least alluding to it in the marketing.

The various tabloid rumors got a big boost when Kate's Brother and sister-in-law gave an interview claiming that Kate had made Jon sign a contract stating that he could date, but he must show up for filming.  The theory being that Kate wanted to maintain the illusion of togetherness to keep the show running so they could support the kids.  And how much "support" did Kate's Brother and Spouse get for spinning this yarn, who knows.  On the TLC side of things, excs have been kind of terse giving the equivalent of "get your stuipid question out of my face" dismissive responses.

It's probably all bogus, right? Perhaps the funniest aspect of it is that in TLC's marketing for the Jon and Kate Plus 8 season premiere, Jon is on the couch, solo, talking about the challenges he and Kate have had.  TLC, you don't get to profit from the controversy and call it stupid at the same time.

Prediction: after sucking in all of the tabloid glances who are convinced that the stories must be true by TLC's solo-Jon presentation, the premiere ends with Jon and Kate together pledging their never ending love for one another.  "How could either of us have an affair?" Kate will say.  "We have eight kids, there's not enough time for affairs."  Jon will finish for her.  Or maybe not.  Maybe we should tune in, just in case.

Jon and Kate Plus 8 = Hate?