Jon and Kate Plus Eight

[SWTXBelle]

I think the other issue is how does Jon think his actions won't be noted and publicized? If you are selling your reality show on the basis of its wholesome family values, you have to realize your actions in public are under scrutiny. Thus the Salon blog's emphasis on the fact that the children are not in a position to say yea or nay to having their lives documented, and it can (as we've seen with other child celebrities) have a negative impact on their later life. I've been uncomfortable with the show since the Aunt Jodie incident, and am also a little curious as to why the extended families are not in the picture - that's weird, imho. Who turns their back on family when they have a challenge (lots of children, illness, whatever)? Would both sets of grandparents (Yes, I know Jon's father is dead) really not be in the picture if something weren't . . . I don't know . . . not quite right? I'm not really watching the show anymore. Looking forward to checking out "Table for 12".

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Who turns their back on family when they have a challenge (lots of children, illness, whatever)? Would both sets of grandparents (Yes, I know Jon's father is dead) really not be in the picture if something weren't . . . I don't know . . . not quite right?

Since it is a show, maybe the show's contract does not cover the extended family. Maybe the producers feel people are more interested in seeing Kate play Superwoman and Jon play the more reluctant superhero.

Other than that, maybe Kate doesn't want family to help at all because she likes being Superwoman and putting her all into her kids. Or maybe the family doesn't like them. It isn't that uncommon for family to eventually decide not to come around when coming around proves more trouble than it is worth.

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Since it is a show, maybe the show's contract does not cover the extended family. Maybe the producers feel people are more interested in seeing Kate play Superwoman and Jon play the more reluctant superhero.

Other than that, maybe Kate doesn't want family to help at all because she likes being Superwoman and putting her all into her kids. Or maybe the family doesn't like them. It isn't that uncommon for family to eventually decide not to come around when coming around proves more trouble than it is worth.

Jon and Kate have explained it vaguely - that Kate's family "choses" not to be involved. TTBOMK, they never were around the 6. Church volunteers helped when the babies were itty bitty. And while I can see maybe having a personality conflict with some of your family, in light of the Aunt Jodie incident, I call shenanigans.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I think the other issue is how does Jon think his actions won't be noted and publicized? If you are selling your reality show on the basis of its wholesome family values, you have to realize your actions in public are under scrutiny. Thus the Salon blog's emphasis on the fact that the children are not in a position to say yea or nay to having their lives documented, and it can (as we've seen with other child celebrities) have a negative impact on their later life. I've been uncomfortable with the show since the Aunt Jodie incident, and am also a little curious as to why the extended families are not in the picture - that's weird, imho. Who turns their back on family when they have a challenge (lots of children, illness, whatever)? Would both sets of grandparents (Yes, I know Jon's father is dead) really not be in the picture if something weren't . . . I don't know . . . not quite right?

Honestly, who really cares what he does? If it isn't harming the children, I don't see the big deal. It's dumb for Jon to have to "watch" his actions because it might reflect badly on the show. The children ARE in a position to say yea or nay, it is in the contract that Kate & Jon have. If at any time a child shows that they don't want the cameras filming them, the camera won't.

There is waaay more to the Aunt Jodie/Beth incident than Jodie's sister is saying. Of course you are going to spin the story one way, and the whole idea of Kate practically beating Collin over the gum is just a little too farfetched for me to believe Jodie's sister.

Not everyone has a happy family, where they get along with the extended family (i.e. grandparents). I don't think it's fishy that Kate and her parents don't get along. I don't blame her for not wanting them near the kids. We don't know what the seperation was about, maybe her parents are racist and don't like that Jon is Asian. Who knows.

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by epchick

Honestly, who really cares what he does? If it isn't harming the children, I don't see the big deal. It's dumb for Jon to have to "watch" his actions because it might reflect badly on the show. The children ARE in a position to say yea or nay, it is in the contract that Kate & Jon have. If at any time a child shows that they don't want the cameras filming them, the camera won't.

There is waaay more to the Aunt Jodie/Beth incident than Jodie's sister is saying. Of course you are going to spin the story one way, and the whole idea of Kate practically beating Collin over the gum is just a little too farfetched for me to believe Jodie's sister.

Not everyone has a happy family, where they get along with the extended family (i.e. grandparents). I don't think it's fishy that Kate and her parents don't get along. I don't blame her for not wanting them near the kids. We don't know what the seperation was about, maybe her parents are racist and don't like that Jon is Asian. Who knows.

Um, you can't sign a legal contract until you are 18. It's unreasonable to think that preschoolers, or elementary school-aged children, are going to buck their parents - especially depending on how it is presented. Kate has shown herself to be very controlling - why would this issue be any different?

I'm just done with the whole thing. I think they are venturing into exploitation of their children, and I don't want to support it. Whatever their secrets regarding their family relations, if they didn't want to explain or be scrutinized they shouldn't have become reality tv stars. And if Jon wants to be able to play beer pong in peace he should ditch the tv gig. If not, I don't want to hear any whining about their privacy being breached. That's the deal, bucko - you become a media darling, you have no "privacy".