Image Credit: Adam Larkey/ABCTrue confession time: I have a pop-culture blind spot when it comes to Kate Gosselin. Other than watching her “Paparazzi” routine this past season on Dancing With the Stars — I tuned in just so I’d have a better understanding of my pal Annie Barrett’s episode recaps — I’ve managed to cocoon myself from experiencing this polarizing “celebrity.” Never tuned in to Jon & Kate Plus 8. Never watched her being interviewed by [insert favorite morning show/news magazine here]. Saw her mug expressing a variety of emotions (rage, sadness, ennui) on the covers of so many magazines, but can’t say it gave me any insight into what in the heck she was doing on said covers in the first place. And so, with Kate Plus 8 (AKA Nobody Wants to See That Jon Dood on the TV Anymore) premiering tonight, I’ve got to ask those of you who love her/love to hate her: What is the fascination with Kate Gosselin? Why, of all the women in the world who’ve had lots and lots of babies, is she a household name? And, given the sometimes short shelf-life of pre-fab celebs, how much longer am I going to have to keep ignoring her? I ask this in all seriousness. Let loose in the comments below.
Bonus question: How many of her eight children can you name? Go ahead, send me into the emotional fetal position.
Trust me…in this case ignorance is bliss.
I wish I didn’t know who Kate Gosselin is.
I was going to say the exact same thing. I used to watch the show occasionally, then, I admit it, became a more regular viewer when all the drama was going on. Now I’m just sick of everything.
Same. I’ve literally watched Jon and Kate Plus 8 once, and it was back when they were “normal”. I found it boring so I didn’t watch it again.
Thank you Slezak! I thought that I was the only one who hasn’t seen a moment of this psycho hose beast (and that includes DWTS.) But, you sir might still be the only gay dude who hasn’t seen her. At least I have the “excuse” of being straight.
Slezak I’m with you. I don’t see it, but here’s a theory: Anybody can be a celebrity. She’s the epitome of any person in American who can get their 30 hours of fame….and she’s got a good PR and manager.
Now if I could come up with a good reality show idea and hire the best PR and managers….I would be a 30 minute star too.
But trust me Slezak, she’ll never make it further than the reality shows….never make it in the movies.
It isn’t just this person, but people like her have redefined “celebrity” and she is a “celebrity”, not a “star”, of which there are few these days. Reality TV has created an entire group of “celebrities” with no talent whatsoever except they on on reality TV. It is a shame really. I think they should change the names of all of those shows to something like
Dancing with Celebrities, because they sure ar not “stars”. Celebrities like her and the Kardashians, and a long list of others are just annoying. And no, I don’t really know who she is either and have never seen her TV show.
Can you say Kardashian?
The Kardashians are managed by their mother who cooked up the scheme to make them celebrities and stars….I can’t believe Kim Kardashian is on every magazine cover…but that’s what a good manager and PR person can do for you….
I want to be a celebrity star too; can someone recommend a manager?
@Sally in Chicago, you’ll totally fit in with Kate and the reality skanks. They never shut up and everything they say is stupid. they are just like you!!
I, too!
Have you seen? HAVE YOU SEEN? She’s going to be on her own show this year. That’s right. This b@tch who had a litter (and that’s all she did)and didn’t know how to treat her husband is considered a celebrity. I fear for the intelligence of the American public.
I think they ought to put her on the Kardashian show. That way we can avoid all of them at one time.
She had a litter; they have big butts. That’s it!
Katherine Heigl can play her in the movie.
Perfect!
“This b@tch who had a litter”…been off your meds long, Mary? this is a truly spitefuly and wayyy over the top comment
me too. i wish she would disappear. Angelina Jolie? Celebrity! Kate Gosselin? NOT SO MUCH. she’s not a celebrity. she’s not a STAR. why the heck was she on that show to begin with. we will never get rid of her if people keep giving her attention. for the love of GOD and everything HOLY. ugh!
I agree and same can be said about Lindsey Lohan. She hasn’t made a movie in years and still the media is talking about her and her boozing and dating. It’s ridiculous. These people that follow these types of articles should get Facebook and find out about people meaningful, their friends.
all Kate is doing is exposing her kids to more criticism..Is she out of money already that she has to have her own show
i can name a coule of the tups. aaden, beeden, seeden, deeden, horny and scout. how did i do?
Never watched the TLC show, but I know all that I need to know thanks to funny man Joel McHale and THE SOUP! He rocks!
Oh for god’s sake, why does she generate such hatred in people?
I can tell you a lot worse than Kate:
Those VH1 reality shows (like Rock of Love, Flavor of Love or I Love New York)? The Duggars! They are worse than Kate because Momma Duggar is an opressed member of a hardcore Christian sect (the Quiverfulls) who is treated like a human rabbit. What about the Real Housewives shows? That doesn’t make you feel ashamed? What about TMZ? Does that make you feel ashamed? What about COPS, or Lockdown? Does THAT make you feel ashamed? What about Toddlers and Tiaras? That doesn’t make you feel ashamed?
Why does Kate alone generate such hate? There are hundreds of reality shows on the air.
Seriously, most people are ashamed to tell others they are watching this show nowadays, LOL since it makes you look lame with bad taste. I remember seeing the kids go to Disney world (last episode I watched). I don’t remember their names, how old they are and where Jon went. And I don’t care. TLC would get better ratings off this show if they hired a nanny, a Mrs.Doubtfire type, taking care of the kids and shoot THAT instead of bad mom of the decade Kate. She could then go launch her singing career or whatever other pipe dream she wants to go after. It literally surprises me that people are still watching this show. It’s unbelievable to me.
I used to watch when they were at home and doing family stuff.. then it turned into trips donated by everyone and Kate and her annoying whining and meltdowns…but its like watching a train wreck.. you don’t want to watch but you have to peek. Haven’t seen it or reruns since the last episode when they announced they split. The kids names are Cara, Mady, Aiden, Joel, Collin, Leah, Alexis, and Hannah – its embarassing that i know that..
I would say she’s more famous because America fell in love with her adorable kids! Otherwise, she’s rather detestable. Aaand let’s see, the only kid I care about is adorable little Aiden with his fascination with animals
there’s maddy and cara (?) and yeah that’s all I got.
i watch because her kids are SO ADORABLE. i would much rather watch 8 minus kate. and the kids are: mady, cara, alexis, leah, aaden, colin, hannah and joel.
I think at first the great bit about the show was how real it felt between the couple. She wasn’t trying to hide her shortcomings, and he was pretty much the same. They were very honest about what it’s like to be married, how much work it takes, and I always felt like that gave people hope, and a great couple to identify with. Then, of course, having their issues be public became too much for them, and it was all over. But that’s what always made me like Kate. She didn’t hide her crazyness, and you know what? That’s what life’s like. If you love someone, there’s always loads of crazyness that comes with having them around all the time.
Of course, not forgetting, the cuteness of the kids. Takes a little time to learn the names, and then to learn the faces… But they are adorable.
I’ve never her reality show, only her on DWTS and despised her that. BTW why can’t people name their kids normal names.
Wait, what? How are those names not normal?
Oh, no, you’re not one of those. Would you prefer the names of Debbie, Sue, Cindy, Scott, Steve and Bob? Are those normal, or are they from your age and socio-economic group?
chelsea: hang your head in shame!
I can’t stand Kate Gosslin, she’s a no-talent waste of space and the only way she’s gotten anywhere is because of the fact she has 8 kids whom she doesn’t take care of by herself, she’s got plenty of other people to raise her kids. It’s a shame really because if she wasn’t on tv she’d have to do it all herself. Like I said, I can’t stand her!
The only ep I’ve ever seen is the one where Aiden wanted to be called dragon. It was so cute I wanted to die.
you must be really bored
To Michael S. You are sooooo way late coming to that party. No one cares about her anymore.
Yeah, that’s why there are nearly 200 comments here and Kate’s latest show started last night. It’s because no one cares anymore. Uh, huh.
We came her to bash her or vent at her whatever you want to call it. You’re the lame one watching this show. You’re pretty pathetic actually.
It is not without immense shame that I admit I know the names of all eight Gosselin children: Mady, Cara, Aiden, Joel, Hannah, Alexis, Colin and Leah.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go read a textbook or something.
But Alison, can you name them in birth order?
Haha! XD
as for how long you’ll have to put up with her: i’d say not much longer. she’s famous because her kids are cute, and there are a lot of them. but as the sextuplets get older, their cuteness is kind of fading. no offense to them, but it’s more adorable to watch a three year old than a six year old. (much the same way we like to watch puppies, not dogs.)
you are exactly right and that’s got to be one more thing that’s going to scar these kids for life..”the cameras won’t be coming to our house anymore because you kids aren’t cute anymore”
slezak, you’ve been lucky to avoid this gross woman for so long, don’t give in now!
The kids are no longer cute. They are obnoxious, ill behaved and lacking in readiness for school. I feel really sorry for those who pay good money for tickets to go on vacation and find the G-6 on their plane. They all deserve a refund for putting up with the brats. I think the twins are more reserved as they don’t wish to be filmed. This show will flop, I HOPE!
K’s popularity is tanking. She was not well liked on DWTS. Her last book only sold 11,000 out of 400,000 copies printed. Less than 40 showed up for her book signing. That says it all.
I don’t peoople like her as much as media outlets LOVE her. I watched an ep of Jon&Kate when the show first came come and it was cute but not something to hold onto and keep watching. But with the drama that happened to her marriage and the obviousness that the Gosselins can’t support their large family without the media $$ it just got crazy. So in short, ppl don’t care, Kate needs to support her family and the media outlets dont’ know how to gauge when we are annoyed/hate reality ppl and when it makes for good tv.
And another thing: WHY are network obsessed with huge families???
Fail to understand why People Magz love her.
They’ll love her as long as the numbers increase when she’s on the cover. The day her picture or one of those big cut-outs of her in the corner, don’t cause the the magazines to fly off the supermarket shelves, The mag will no longer love her.
Because People is a rag?!
People actually read that sh!t? Buwahhahahahaha. That’s too funny.
Of all the multiple mothers she’s famous because she’s a bad mother. Its boring to watch someone being nice and fair to their children, so we like to watch the crazy. And other women who are also over bearing become devoted to her becuse she reaffirms their bad parenting.
I don’t know why I love it so much but I just tuned in to the show one time and loved it. I guess since I’ve watched almost, if not every episode, now that I’ve seen all the history I can’t help but remain interested as the story goes on. As for the bonus question: the two oldest ones are twins Madeline and Cara, and the sextuplets in birth order are Alexis Faith, Hannah Joy, Collin Thomas, Aaden (I forget his middle name), Leah Hope, and Joel Kevin. And no, i did not look up a single one of those.
And Maddy is the B@TCH!!
YES, she is!!!
Shame on you for saying that about a 10 year old child!
I wish I was like you Michael, blind to it. I was drawn into this show because I thought it would be so cute and interesting to see how their day to day life is. I don’t think I speak for just myself when I say that I saw the end of the marriage way before the tabloids. Episodes were less kids, more Kate wanting it perfect, Jon going with the flow, Kate and Jon fussing, kids fussing. I tuned the show out but by then they were tabloid favorites. I’m more disappointed in TLC that they would continue the train wreck with Kate plus 8. I know divorce happens, but to subject those 8 kids to it under the camera. Those kids are pretty much damaged and will become the fame wanting teens and then adults that their mom is now.
I have to admit I’ve never watched the show. I knew about thee Gosslins though. I did read all the tabloids around the drama before the filing for divorce. So can someone tell me how, if Jon demanded that TLC stop filming his children and his stance that they were never to be filmed again. How did Kate plus 8 even come about? Did TLC pay Jon off?
Yes.
The fact that you don’t know her/pay attention to her is marvelous. She is awful and doesn’t need any more attention.
Not only can I name all of her kids, at one time I could name their birth order. But I didn’t watch the last season of the show, so thankfully I have forgotten for the most part.
I am a sucker for reality shows with cute kids, e.g. 18/19/20 Kids and Counting, Toddlers and Tiaras. I hold no shame.
In birth order:
Cara
Maddy
Alexis
Hannah
Aiden
Collin
Leah
Joel
And she’s a mother. Honestly. I don’t understand why people hate her so much. She has 8 children. Everything she does is to ensure that they have a nice life. Because of the show and her TV appearances, they get to live the upper middle class (although now its more upper class) that they would’ve lived if Kate and Jon had had 3 kids with their previous jobs. And isn’t it better for her to whore herself out than her kids?
I mean Aaden, excuse the typo.
Oh brother. She is a self obsessed narcisistic nut case who IS whoring out her kids. The people who find this horror show entertaining have severe issues. And clearly enjoy seeing children exploited.
I couldn’t agree more!
thank you, in total agreement! FAMEWHORE PIMPING GRIFTING HAS BEEN!
Put her on the same list with Billy Ray Cyrus, The Lohans, The Spears, The Simpsons [not the cartoon] Bret Michaels and Denise Richards.
Mia speaks the truth!
People hate her because she is a media whore.She always puts on this act like she just wants to be left alone,but the truth is that she loves being in the media spotlight.
Not to mention that story about her getting hair extentions that cost like $7,000.I’m sure that money could have been put to better use on her children.
Exactly. I didn’t watch her DWTS run, but my understanding is that she spent a lot of it complaining about fame and the paparazzi. But she’s still turning up on TV all the time! She clearly actually loves the attention.
As for the “fascination” with her, I have no idea. I’ve never watched her shows and try to avoid media coverage of her, but I’m still really tired of her and want her to go away.
SHE CHOSE to have 8 children, and then she couldn’t afford them….so they did a reality show.
She was only pregnant twice, to be far. While I don’t have any problem with reduction, she did. You can’t fault someone for that, about half the country is.
Yes she had a problem with reduction…supposedly becuase of her religion…yet she had not problem with invitro fertilization…and with implainting 8 eggs when the reccommended amount is two. She spent her whole life looking for a way out of her trailer park life…and when she got attention because of twins, she suddenly realized she could get a whole lot more attention if she had a giant set of multiples.
She did accidently have all those kids…she went to great lengths to have all those kids…and now she usues them to get what she wants. Out of the trailer park…but really…she’s still just trailer trash!
The kids were cute..so I watched…but they were grossly mistreated by her…and they are now very damaged by it. They are going to have severe issues in life. But hey..as long as the have a lot of SWAG…who cares about damaged psyches?
I will not watch the new show. I finally got respect for john when he said “NO MORE” to his kids being on TV. Come to find out…he was just negotiating for more money.
They all make me sick.
T
Mommahurley – she didn’t have invitro, and she didn’t get implanted with 8 eggs. She had Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI), which stimulates egg growth through medications like Clomid & Ovidrel. The man provides a sample, which is then put through a wash to eliminate any damaged sperm, and then that is inserted through a catheter into the uterus. There is less than a 15% chance of success with this procedure, but it does increase the possibility of multiples. So the Gosselin children were not created in a petri dish and then implanted. Sperm met egg in the uterus, and created children. She actually had 7, but one embryo didn’t make it through the early stages of pregnancy. And she had 6 at one time, not 8.
I’m not commenting on Kate as a person, or the show, etc, just clarifying your medical assumptions of what she did to have these children.
You would have to have common sense to understand. Insanity always confuses things.
She is whoring her kids! Her 8 little money makers are bringing in the money and fame for her! The reason that they were ever given a show was because of the kids, NOT because Kate or because she has any special talents.
I think people are fascinated by her “awful-ness”.
Amen Sister. She is the most self-absorbed, poor me, famous for doing nothing…..bleck. I’ve spent too much energy responding.
I agree with Phoebe. I think it is the same concept as when we slow down and stare at car accidents. That too has negative effects, but we still do it. That’s what I do, watch the car accident that is Kate. She’s so horrid that I can’t look away. It is often shockingly bad.
Many of us don’t like Kate Gosselin because of the way she treated her children on the show Jon and Kate Plus 8. The nastiness she threw at Jon was embarrassing. However, she belittled, demeaned, made fun of, exploited and humiliated 8 innocent children over and over again. Any sign of love and genuine affection was rare. It is never okay to treat children the way Kate treated her children on that show. Having 8 kids is no excuse for making children seem small and powerless.
The fans who claim to love Kate are questionable. Do they think it is okay to treat their children the same way? And people who idolize and/or are fascinated by individual Gosselin children are simply scary.
Lots of people who weigh in on the Kate controversy seem to know her only from the press surrounding the divorce or her stint on DWTS. If you want to know the horror of Kate Gosselin check the clips over on youtube.com.
Seriously. This woman is horrid. She was borderline abusive towards her husband, and neglectful and withholding with her children. She’s a narcissist who uses her brood and their show to become the star she was always meant to be. Think Norma Desmond if she had multiples. Seriously. This woman is scary.
totally agree with you Elizabeth concerning how this WITCH with a capital B treated Jon and the kids. She has no use for anyone even her kids unless she gets something out of it. She has shown that everything wrong is everyone elses fault and that everything should be about her. GET RID OF THIS SHOW – Let the kids try to get a somewhat normal life – however, they are scared already and with a mother like Kate it will unfortunately only get worse especially when their value to her “fame” is no longer there. She could not sustain any fame on her own merit. She is empty/blank.
Completely agree. I only watched a few episodes of the show and I couldn’t stand her, and I have also tried to avoid everything about her ever since. She treated John and the kids horribly. She always came off as incredibly cold when it comes to her children. I just hope her kids get through all of this alright.
Thank you Elizabeth i can’t claim to have watched her show i am just tried of seeing her on magazine covers and internet sites and all she seems to have done is have eight kids. While it is pretty amazing to give birth like a creature instead of the way our bodies were meant too, she needs to go away and disappear from sight
STOP WRITING ABOUT HER AND SHE WILL HOPEFULLY TAKE CARE OF HER CHILDREN (LIKE THE REST OF US) AND DISAPPEAR…….
She even went so far to take a popular song and dance to it like it’s a reflection of her life and she doesn’t like it, when the reality is she loves being tabloid pet cage liner. She will never disappear. I bet she even reads these posts instead of taking care of the kids.
Hang on there a minute – there’s no way you can call what Kate did a dance! Oh my goodness, she was the worst dancer on this season – even Buzz Aldrin was better than her!
WIN.
Yeah.
She can go back and raise her children on her nurses salary. People won’t bitch about her being absent from her children when she does her twelve hour shifts at the hospital. Better yet, she can go back to school and become a teacher. The hours are better, but the pay is not.
Better yet-become a teacher in New Jersey. We have a great govenor. Have you heard of him? Then Kate can take a part time job. After all, food is needed.
Be real. She isn’t perfect, but did you ever try living with an unmotivated slug like her ex, Jon? Well I did and let’s just say, I am very thankful I wasn’t on tape on television!!
I may be one of the few who has wached this whole thing “evolve” from the very beginning of Jon & Kate plus 8. It was great to see how “real people” actually dealt with multiples. There were problems, arguments between Jon & Kate, then mix in the sextuplets and the twins, it was pure chaos, but I always thought things were “real” with how this stress affected them all. I felt for Jon & Kate when the marriage was falling apart, but then Jon lost his freakin’ mind and believed the hype and his priority was not the family anymore. Kate, from the very beginning, was always a b**ch, but always put the familys best interest first. I can’t image the financial burden it must be with 9 children, so you do what you have to do. What you saw was what you got with Kate. Jon on the other hand, was clueless most of the time. I can’t wait to tune in tonight to see the children again. I will admit, I have missed them.
Ingie, one does not have to live in a million dollar house. She could very easily downsize their lifestyle and have enough money to stay home and raise her children .
Who are you arguing with?!! No one said a peep about Jon. So you like Kate and hate Jon so what? Add something relevant to the conversation next time, most people her don’t watch this stupid show.