If there are two things we learned from the series finale of “Jon and Kate Plus Eight” they are that Kate feels the whole experience has ended too soon, and that Jon just can’t help coming off as a total d-bag. (Laudable statements followed immediately by laughable statements? Where is your PR guy?)
Kate is absolutely correct that the TLC show has afforded her family of eight children with opportunities–exotic trips, interviews with Oprah, robust college funds–they never would have had had they lead a completely normal existence, but Jon’s post-firing cease-and-desist order halting any production on “Kate Plus 8,” may have been a blessing in disguise. Sure, there’s lots of chatter about how the kids will grow up in a healthier, albeit not wealthier, household, but the real blessing may be for the viewers.
To me, the show was never about the children; the real meat of the matter was the relationship between Jon and Kate and how they dealt with such an extreme situation. And last night’s finale proved that to me once again. Look here, screaming kids at a fire station with Dad, and look over here, screaming kids at an organic dairy farm with Mom fighting over a terrified kitten. Perhaps the charm of the scenarios escaped me, but so did the blood dripping from my shattered eardrums.
Since the sextuplets became verbal creatures, most episodes devolve into the six little ones vocally jostling for position with twins Cara and/or Mady whining in concert, but by tag-teaming the brood, Jon and Kate managed some merry moments. Obviously, kids will be kids and they will scream and be distracted and they are bound to act out with the difficulties of the divorce, as Cara and Mady did in last night’s episode. But in the end, this is supposed to be entertainment and there is nothing entertaining about the experience, unless you count the Kate and Jon drama. And we probably shouldn’t even find that entertaining.
So, yes, Kate, I agree with you that the children won’t have the same amazing opportunities (until legal is worked out and you can start work on the next show), but maybe a little downtime is a good thing for your family and the TLC viewers.
Watch exclusive video from the Rabbi Shmuley Boteach interview with Jon Gosselin on Beliefnet
posted November 25, 2009 at 7:56 am
You are one hundred percent correct. Well said. I think Kate “gets” that you are never relly truly divorced and someday Jon will wake up and realize that he should have worked harder to save his family. These parents just dont realize that forever and ever and ever, their kids parents will not be together. Its so hard on kids=just ask mine.
posted November 25, 2009 at 9:24 am
The sad part about all of this is..it will be their divorce that will influence and impact those children, more than the show ever could. When they were going the show, they were happy, you could see it. To see Kate now,you can see the gleam has left her eyes. She has lost her love, and I’m sure although she will give it her best, her spirit for doing it, has been shattered. To see Jon confessions on every turn, is to see a boy whose more interested in his new found freedom, than his family. His complaints about being tied down so early in his life, is supposed to make us feel for him? Its all a matter of attitude and commitment. Kate handled it with grace. Jon is still looking for whats good for Jon.
posted November 25, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Think the total viewing I did of this show was 2, and that was 1 to many. I’m glad the show has gone off the air. The children are the ones who will ultimately suffer from all this….their whole lives they have had cameras watching their every move. Let’s hope with the show off the air that they can lead a normal (as normal as 8 siblings can have) life now. Let’s hope Jon & Kate banked some of those bucks they have been making by putting their kids (and themselves) in the wide world! I do not admire or care for either Jon or Kate.