'Jon & Kate Plus 8': Gosselin family fan backlash picks up steam

By Zap2it

June 12, 2009 6:39 PM

At this point the only people worth feeling sorry for out of the whole "Jon & Kate Plus 8" affair is the children. Despite a crash course in how the media can turn on you, neither Jon nor Kate Gosselin has done anything to present themselves in a better light. The show's fans are taking notice and aren't liking what they see.

The ratings: The show started its fifth season over the Memorial Day weekend with a record-breaking 9.8 million people tuning in to watch how the family-friendly show handled the crumbling marriage. A week later only 5.7 million people watched.

Some say this proves that people have lost interest in the Gosselin Circus, but 5.7 million is still more than the 4.6 that showed up for the finale aired way back in March before the tabloid tide came rushing in.

The greed: With "Jon & Kate' suddenly put under the microscope, things that viewers once let slide have now suddenly blown up into huge pink elephants in the middle of the room.

It's been obvious for years that the trips and clothes and plastic surgeries weren't being funded out of the Gosselin cookie jar, but at least they pretended to budget and scrimp and save and look at the goodies showered their way as occasional treats rather than a never-ending gravy train.

But no one can ignore the cavernous farmhouse they've moved into even though the so-called family providers haven't brought home anything resembling a traditional paycheck in years. And now there seems to be a crossover nearly every week, whether it's with "Ace of Cakes," "American Chopper" or celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse stopping by. Because in the world of reality TV, everyone is famous and they are all neighbors willing to dole cupcakes and motorcycles in exchange for 30 to 60 more minutes of camera time.

The competition: Come to think of it, the world of reality TV has been getting pretty crowded as of late. The novelty of the large family is no longer so novel. Viewers have choices.

While the Duggar family, the overtly religious stars of TLC's other large family show "17 and Counting" -- now, "18 Kids and Counting" -- haven't been embraced to the extend of the Gosselins, there's a new group of multiples in town: the tow-headed Masche children.

The stars of WEtv's "Raising Sextuplets" give viewers all the cuteness with none of the marital discord ... Yet.

The Gosselins themselves: Still, probably the most damning piece of media in the past couple weeks is not photographs of Jon traveling to Utah with his allegedly mistress on Kate's birthday (although they didn't help). Instead, it's the video clip circulating of Kate denying the most dramatic of the children, Mady, a drink of water right before an interview.

As anyone who has babysat a child -- or, for that matter, was a child -- knows: begging for water is the oldest trick in the book for everything from putting off going to bed to wanting attention.

But as the video clip clearly shows, Kate gets the production crew to give her a bottle of water, takes a drink and then continues to deny it to her daughter who is sitting less than two feet away from her. Hardly child abuse, but not exactly something that's going to put Kate up for any Mother of the Year awards.

We can just see the "Growing Up Gosselin" books coming our way in a couple decades. Eight different versions of the same sad story.

118 Comments

If it is true, Kate's ego has gone wild. She was not like that when the kids were 1 years or 3 years old. Money sure had changed her behavior. She should explain why she did that! It is not a loving mother's behavior and I am shocked if it is true. TLC has to make sure that their children had enough college funds for all the five years that they had been working for "Jon and Kate Plus 8". This is ridiculus!

Shame on Kate!

Maria Loi | June 12, 2009 10:30 PM

If it is true, that her bodyguard is her lover, her children should be protected with proper share of all the money they made through the seasons of "Jon and Kate Plus 8". This will ensure a fair share of the money about the 10 of them!

Shame on Kate!

Maria Loi | June 12, 2009 10:32 PM

Okay, I agree that it's obvious that the money has changed her but this is grasping at straws for SOMETHING to keep the story going. If Mady were the only child present, it would have been very mean and selfish to not let her have a quick drink. BUT anyone who has ever been in charge of a large group of children knows that what you give one will result in the others all asking for their turn. I'm sure Kate has learned how to avoid those situations in 5 years of dealing with 8 children.

Robyn | June 12, 2009 10:44 PM

Yes, Kate has a strong and sometimes abrasive personality. She has from the beginning. As a mother, nurse, and just someone who has worked with children for 30yrs, you can not give one child a drink without giving to all 8. In addition, Mady is already indulged way too much. Maybe Kate shouldn't have taken that drink, but she is the adult doing the interview, needing to talk. If you've been in that place, you know Kate NEEDED that sip of water, unlike the always overly dramatic child. How long was the interview anyway-hours? On the whole, I think she is doing a great job, and all this is ridiculous!

Amy | June 13, 2009 5:58 AM

Kate is out of control just as much as Jon is. She could have let Mady get a quick sip, but I have a feeling that she's such a germaphobe that she didn't want to give Mady HER bottle. And I know the producers were talking to her off camera getting her ready to start the clip. But then SHE should have waited, too. I like the old Kate much better.

Tammy | June 13, 2009 8:11 AM

Kate has been *****y since the show started. Always coming across as a bit better than the rest of us, and her treatment of Jon always made me wonder why he stayed with her. She be-littles people. A friend of mine ran into them at the corn maze (earlier season) and the arguing between them was there then. Kate's mouth was abusive to Jon and the kids and now it's all about her and how she looks. I've stopped watching the show.

Linda | June 13, 2009 8:38 AM

now, i'm just waiting for her to come out of the closet!

the fanz | June 13, 2009 9:41 AM

I agree with Amy.............she did not deny Mady to be mean. Get a clue guys. I think ya'll are just looking for a reason to judge her. Yes, she can be abrasive, but at the end of the day she is their mother and she has done and is doing a good job with her kids. Step in their shoes and walk a mile with the kids and everything else they deal with. then come here and judge her. I am thinking you won't have the same nincompoop ***umptions then. I for one admire them for doing what they are doing and how well they have succeeded. My daughter has twin girls and let me tell you.it is hard having multiples, regardless if it is two or six. So take a time out and look deeper into what is going on before you jump to whatever conclusions.

Toni | June 13, 2009 10:11 AM

You are wrong about the Duggars and Little people not catching on. That is reality TV, real down to earth families. Loved Jon and Kate in the beginning, but its no longer real life. It seems to me its like a big advertising scheme, not even about the kids anymore...

Diane Dominessy | June 13, 2009 12:42 PM

I find it hard to fathom anybody watching this show to begin with. Boring, Boring, Boring. But to each his own.

Barbara | June 13, 2009 1:00 PM