Jon & Kate Plus 8 premieres its fifth season tonight (TLC, 9 p.m.) after the kind of tabloid-publicity onslaught that has made even my non-TV-geek, non-tabloid-reading friends ask me who these people are and why they should care. (In case you missed it somehow, cheating insinuations have been circling both sides of the couple, though each one has denied his or her respective accusations.) Translation: Ratings for the quiet little TLC hit could go way up. It’s Memorial Day, there’s a marathon of reruns leading up to the premiere that could tripwire a bunch of unsuspecting folks into watching, and plenty of viewers will flock just to see what the fuss is about. (Whether they’ll admit it tomorrow is another story.) But I also have to agree that the clips TLC has released to promote the new season do look a little…uncomfortable. The funny thing about gossip coverage and reality TV is the way they seem to survive by eating each other until there’s nothing left: The press feeds the show, and the people selling their personal lives on TV fuel the gossip because their "real lives" are just continuations of their televised lives’ story lines. Then, suddenly, the gossip either hits saturation point and makes us sick of these "characters" and ready for new fodder (The Hills) or the real stuff gets a little too real for our viewing pleasure — and the latter is happening here. It feels to me like watching the tail end of Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica: It just makes me sad. What used to be a fun romp (which included, ha ha ha, wacky personality differences and the funny little irritations of married life) now feels fraught with real tension. Add in the fact that Jon and Kate have these eight adorable children, and that makes it even worse.
But maybe I’m reading too much into things. What do you think, PopWatchers? Has the Jon and Kate publicity piqued your interest in the new season? Or just freed up your Memorial Day evening for TV-free barbecuing?
No way. This couple clearly does not the have best interests of their children as their main priority. Yuck.
No I won’t watch. But the ratings will be through the roof.
http://tvdonewright.com/2009/05/25/tv-tonight-monday-may-25th-2009/
No, because to me they are not real anymore, I used to love to watch them but now that I know they will be faking their marriage and their lives to me it will just be another soap opra. So I guess I will stick to the Duggers.
Yep. It’s on my DVR list. Those kids are too cute- it’s their little snippets and laughter that I love to watch!
No f’ing way. Kate Greedlin can fool those stupid, helmet-headed Christian S-A-H-M’s who think she is the greatest thing Sarah Palin. She makes me puke and will never be part of my reality.
I always feel bad for those kids. I mean this show is basically the modern day equivalent of showing your kids off in a circus side show, and having the kids popularity support them.
The worst part is when I hear the parents complain (like in a recent EW issue) about the negative aspects of being famous. Well at least the parents had a choice in the matter, its not like the kids are old enough to make an informed choice.
yes i will definitely watch. i know how she feels, overwhelmed, i was a neat freak raising my children, scrubbed floors, walls, windows, if it didn’t move it was scrubed practically every day with bleach or lysol. now that i am 69 years old i realise kids will grow up healthy on strong without all the ocd. but i loved them dearly and they gave me much joy. her husband does put up with a lot, but he is not there all the time, and let’s face it she is there all, all of the time. she needs
a kind word and love for all she gives. please don’t judge her so much.
Yah I’ll watch I love the show but am so broken hearted over the way there lives have gottin so out of hand I know there young and thay have a lot on there plates but they let the three main rules to liveing life the way I used to see them live it get away from them thay were… 1. God First 2. Family second 3. Career last and let the rest will fall in to place I feel like the Lord had and has blessed them so…. Much that thy took there sights off of him the one who was there provider who could and STILL WILL if they will come to him and get there lives back on track and admit there faults to each other. My belife is that not just there kid’s but all kid’s is that they didnt say hay bring me in to this world and in some cases use me up and forget about me or just don’t care about me at all. our children are all Gods gift to us so Jon & Kate go back to the one source that made you ONE in the first place when you took your vowes for better or for worse dont let this world tare you down
I AM BEYOND TIRED OF JON AND KATE. BOTH OF THESE PEOPLE AND TLC SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES. I HAVE BEEN A LONG TIME VIEWER OF TLC “REALITY” SHOWS, BUT NOOOO MOOORRREEE!!! NO LONGER “THE LEARNING CHANNEL,” BUT NOW “THE LYING CHANNEL.” The NETWORK NEEDS TO SHUTDOWN.
All of the The Lying Channel’s families are portrayed as average mothers and fathers raising many children on average incomes. However, the Roloffs, the Duggars, and Jon and Kate,and the Hayes all have received either home remodeling or a mansion, 5 star vacations, spa treatments, exclusive admissions to themeparks, not to mention $100,000 per episode ($1,500,000) not including what sponsor pay.
I think Jon and Kate are a real couple dealing with real issues. Married couples go through problems and it think its good that they are showing this to america…hopefully they can overcome it and show people that divorce is not always they best option. I will say this though Kate has changed and if she wants her husband and kids to be happy she needs to go to therapy and drop the controlling ocd. constantly immasculating your husband is wrong and hopefully she will change for herself, her kids, and her husband
I will definitely watch this season, it may be easier on Jon and Kate now the kids are going to school.
I would never watch a show that promotes the overpopulation of the planet.
i am still debating if i will watch or not tonight…last yr i found that Kate’s nagging at jon all the time was getting out of control..in a way i don’t blame the guy for wanting out of the show…Kate unfortunately is a control freak and will drive everyone around her crazy and away too!!!
All of this is to be expected. Two things have happened. First, all of this is true and has happened due to money going to their heads. I mean, did they really need a 1.2 million home? Second, if it’s not true, they have had so many stories done about them that ratings will go through the roof. Either way, you can’t deny the fact that Kate is a control-freak and downright mean. I would cheat on her too if she treated me like she does Jon. As usual, the kids will be the one’s who will be hurt. Well that and can you imagine having to pay child support on 8 kids? OUCH!!!