Whenever I hear mom of fourteen Nadya Suleman referred to as “Octomom,” I immediately conjure up an image of Dr. Octopus from Spider-Man 2, but, instead of Alfred Molina inhabiting the wildly gesticulating, mechanical, tentacled apparatus, Ms. Suleman herself is there with one of her eight newborns clutched in each steely claw.
This woman, at first a curiosity, has taken a cephalopod-like hold on our pop culture. Her actions, not entirely undeservedly, have become a target for America’s anger in these difficult times: she’s being irresponsible in tough economic times; she’s being unfair to her other children; she’s burdening the system; she’s confusing “freak” with “celebrity.” It’s hard to believe, but through her own actions and the populace’s subsequent reactions, this unemployed mother of fourteen is dragging down the pop culture conversation to her own unbalanced level.
First, there was speculation that Ms. Suleman was hoping to get her own show on TLC, following the freaky big-family precedents of “Jon & Kate Plus 8″ and “17 Kids and Counting.” I could almost buy the “Duggars made me do it” defense: both shows follow and celebrate abnormally (by the standards of 21st century North America) large families, which enjoy legions of fascinated followers and the book deals and celebrity that have followed. At one point TLC was interested in Suleman’s story, but as of mid-February has lost interest.
Then came the curiosity of the Anne Curry interview. We learned that she was pursuing a psychology degree, though Ms. Suleman seemed more in need of counseling than qualified to provide it.
Soon stories of the unwitting sperm donor/father then surfaced, along with tales of Octomom needing government aid to support her children, but scoping out million dollar abodes. And have I mentioned recent reports that the local child protective services have investigated Ms. Suleman? And let’s not even start with the “Santa Angelina” theories, pointing out suspicious similarities between the new mother and Angelina Jolie and cosmetic surgery rumors.
It was only time before Ms. Suleman was offered big bucks to star in a porn film. Major adult entertainment distributor Vivid Entertainment stepped up to the plate with an offer. That offer was soon followed by a counter offer from competitor Pink Visual: If Suleman declined Vivid’s offer, Pink would supply her with a year’s worth of diapers and keep her from becoming “the subject of endless ridicule and scorn.” They may be too late on that point.
Some people were shocked at the offer from Vivid, but the company’s co-chairman told Ron Reagan on his talk show that the offer is a legitimate business proposal, just like the many other offers she’s considering. Yes, having a sex tape is kind of like this generation’s version of doing a Playboy cover to earn some cash, but it seemed like we had reached the nadir of the lack of accountability and discernment surrounding the entire situation.
Then came the news yesterday that someone is shopping around the tape of Ms. Suleman giving birth to her octuplets for seven figures. According to TMZ.com, “It’s unclear who’s working the camera, but we do know the tape was shot with Nadya’s consent.” It’s not clear who would pocket the money, it may not be Ms. Suleman flacking the tape, but the situation is completely sordid.
Are there really audiences out there for these DVDs? I expect the adult video industry to try to take advantage of the curiosity value associated with Ms. Suleman, but video of her c-section? What media outlet is going to pay seven figures for film of a procedure that Discovery Health shows all the time– especially with the negativity surrounding the mother? Is this a straight to DVD item? Who would buy it?
I’m sure there are many more shockers to come and that our papers, magazines, and websites will be full of Octomom news for months to come. And while eventually Ms. Suleman’s tentacles will retract, it seems that for now she has not only given birth to eight children but a series of new low points in pop culture consumption.
posted March 6, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Suleman has enough problems, but those might end up being minor as the children…the new 8 babies plus the 6 older ones are the ones who will ultimately suffer in all this. There is no physical way she can take care of all 14 children by herself, and if indeed there are volunteers who come (to a 3 bedroom house with 14 children!) to help when the babies are released from the hospital, that will slowly drop off. I wonder if indeed the law will let those babies go home to her current place?
posted March 6, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Can someone please explain to me the entertainment appeal of bizarrely fecund families? Why would anyone want to watch a program based on a family of 18 or 19 or whatever it is, regimented, undereducated fundamentalist cultists? Why would anyone, other than Child Protective Services, pay anything to learn more about “Octomom” and her 14 kids? Why is TLC coming out with yet another show about a big family? Who cares? What is the matter with people?
posted March 6, 2009 at 10:49 pm
I am so fed up with hearing about this whackjob and her rent-a-womb! It seems “popular culture” has disintegrated into incessant “coverage” of humanity’s seamier side. Every “entertainment” program has sunk to bombarding us with this tripe in the name of “news.” It disgusted me when Anna Nicole Smith died, and now this. I worry for these children and pray that their welfare be considered first and foremost; however, I resent having to hear any more about this abberant story! Enough is enough!
posted March 7, 2009 at 7:26 pm
DawnD, you called her a ‘whack job’ and though I might use another name, you hit the nail on the head. I wish everyone would go after the physician who impregnanted her, instead. She’s not right. All the attacks in the world won’t make her right. We need to be praying for this family. The really need it!
LutherChik, while some of these families are undereducated, not all are. I don’t consider the Duggers so, and though they may be more conservative than my family, I don’t consider them cult like. I only wish I had a 1/3 of the patience and graciousness that the Dugger mom has!
posted March 9, 2009 at 11:45 am
I guess,i have hit the hot botton of some government critics concerning the story of Ms.Suleman.In fairness to Ms.Suleman,TLC must not forget that she is her patient still undergoing theraphy,meaning she is not well yet,needs more CT scanning procedures and all testings necessary for DR.TLC’s satisfaction.As far as the interview of Ms.Suleman just recently,she said she is obeying her doctor TLC’s
advice and additionally,she commented that TLC is her precious doctor,ever!Guess what?There is a rumor that Ms.Suleman is testing
her doctor’s TLC for her.To TLC,i hope his overreaction to the news is just an after effect of her medicines!!
posted March 10, 2009 at 2:08 am
I have referred to this woman as octopus since day one, and considering the comments on previous movies, and possible subsequent movies and t.v shows, the name becomes more fitting by the minute. Studies show that people who major in phycology are trying to figure themselves out, but I wouldn’t exactly give her credit for that.
Where were child protection services? As usual, probably taking a child away from it’s mother because of an allegation from a ananimous tipster. A single mother having 3 or 4 children in the manner she did should have caused alarm, let alone 6. Did her doctor have an office alone? There weren’t any nurses, secetaries, or patients? (Nurses and doctors by the way, are mandated reporters.)Apparently, there was at least one concerned citizen that contacted cps who failed to do an investigation and provide services. probably too busy with more important cases.
Having babies in this fashion is not “normal” to begin with, and humans aren’t meant to have litters. We only come equipped with two breasts. Jon and Kate wouldn’t be able to finance all their eight either if it weren’t for the 24 hour surveilance of a tv show that’s turned them into celebrities? At least the Dugger’s are a man and wife who’s children are God made, but it doesn’t make it neccessarily applaudable or deserve more than a fleeting segment on the news. But then I can remember in the not so distant past that it wasn’t “normal” for interacial marriages, and same sex couples having children.