TVCH FORUMS HOME . JOIN . FAN CLUBS . DONATE . CONTACT . CHAT  
                  Quick Links   TOPICS . TREE-VIEW . SEARCH . HELP! . NEWS . PROFILE
Archive through November 13, 2008

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: Other Reality Shows ARCHIVES: Archives for 2009 - 1: Reality Shows Regarding Multiple Children: ARCHIVES: Archive through November 13, 2008 users admin

Author Message
Serate
Member

08-21-2001

Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 11:10 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Serate a private message Print Post    
As far as all the "extras" like help, trips, and stuff. Yeah it doesn't seem "fair" but life isn't fair. I kind of compare it to Extreme Home Makeover. Just think of how many people could be helped - or in Jon & Kate, get to do fun stuff that they normally wouldn't be able to do - if instead of one huge house with lots of extreme extras, they "shared the wealth" and gave more people realistic houses that they could afford to live in an keep clean. But then there wouldn't be a show.

I'll do some research because I did have the articles somewhere and that was a couple computers ago, but the one thing I really didn't like about Kate and what I saw as "entitlement" thought was her petitioning the PA courts that families with multiple births should get help no matter what their income should be.

Sherbabe
Member

07-28-2002

Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 6:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sherbabe a private message Print Post    
I never said I did not like the show or KON, but, for the record the gosselins without pity site is started by Aunt Jody's sister. Jon and Kate do not speak w/ Aunt Jody any longer or Beth. If you watch the show you know who Aunt Jody and Beth are. Kate tells everyone that they work out of their home and this show is their job. The Rohloff's don't do that nor do the Duggars.

Cricket
Member

08-05-2002

Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 7:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Cricket a private message Print Post    
Rissa, who is Jodi? Is she a former child star or is she a friend or relative of the family? Thanks.

I didn't read anything in her or Paul Peterson's blogs that made me change my mind about Kate or Jon for that matter. However, the person whose blog it is said they removed some posts.

I don't think these children are being harmed. This is one show that is really a family show and okay for children to watch. I see children who are loved very much. I do feel that Maddy is a mini Kate and am glad they've finally gotten the hint (perhaps from a child psychologist) that Maddy needs to be handled firmly, as they no longer let her do things with the family when she's on a downer and wanting to bring everyone else down.

I doubt the show will go on much longer once the sextuplets start school, which should be next year. I love watching the free-spiritedness of the young ones and watching them grow up.

I do agree that Cara is getting more sassy now; however, in today's generation she seems very normal to me. Kate is Kate and she's not going to change. I don't like how she acts at times, but I do think she loves her children and I don't feel they are being harmed.

Paul Peterson must have had a horrible life because he is completely against child stars, but maybe it was due to his parents as much as his acting. He can't decide what's right for everyone's children because of his own experiences. Parents are different today than they were in his generation. I'm not seeing Kate and Jon's parenting being affected that much by the cameras. It's as if the cameras don't exist, they are so used to them by now and I really don't see the children as 'workers.' They seem to run free most of the time.

Rissa
Member

03-20-2006

Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 7:54 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rissa a private message Print Post    
Jodi is Kate's sister-in-law and up until they had a falling out, the children spent multiple days every week at her home. Jodi also travelled often with the family as help. Several episodes showed her watching the 12 children (Jon and Kate's 8 plus her own 4) on her own. The show tried to offer Jodi money (since she was appearing in so many episodes) and Kate blew a fuse, said that if anyone beside her and Jon were paid then the show was off. One of the production staff told Kevin this last year (Kevin is Jodi's husband and Kate's brother) and he exploded. They haven't spoken since.

I have nothing more to add to what I said before, not trying to swing opinion so just observing but I will say... sour grapes? Come on, there are always two sides and different opinions and all that, but... Kate's parents, sour grapes? Her two sisters (or is it three?) their husbands and children.. sour grapes? Jon's mother, sour grapes? Kate's brother and family, sour grapes? Many of the volunteers who gave up their own time and lives to help, all sour grapes? (This includes Nana Janet and that woman they used to show doing Kate's laundry.. both banished). Not to mention best friend Beth and her daughter, also banished. Couple weeks ago David Letterman was interviewing Lauren Conrad who was talking about all these woman she has issues with (don't watch her show so not sure of details) and Letterman told her, 'seems to me that you are the common denominator, ever think that the problem is yours?' LOLOL That's the way I am coming to look at Kate, every single person in her life is wrong and she is right? Just doesn't seem rational for all of them to have sour grapes, especially since half of them were estranged before the show ever started.

Serate
Member

08-21-2001

Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 7:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Serate a private message Print Post    
There is a video of "Aunt Jodi" what is posted on her sister's website, http://truthbreedshatred.blogspot.com/ is true. The video was originally on her sister's website but has been removed.

"A popular point of discussion over there is a blog called Truth Breeds Hatred, which is supposedly written by the sister of Aunt Jodi, who is married to Kate Gosselin’s brother. If you watch the show, you know that Aunt Jodi was very involved in the first seasons of the show, basically bending over backwards to accommodate Kate’s every babysitting need — sometimes watching all eight of the Gosselin kids, overnight, in addition to her own four children. For free! And then when she didn’t show up in the most recent season, people started suggesting that Kate was bitter because Jodi’s patient and kind mothering skills were making Kate look awful in comparison, and also noting that the producers offered to pay Jodi for appearing on the current season — she had been doing all of this shit for free up until then — but that Kate put her foot down, said “no one gets paid for this show except our family” and booted Aunt Jodi out of the kids’ lives.

The Truth Breeds Hatred blog discusses all this from an insider’s perspective — confirming the rumors and basically painting Kate as the most horrid, despicable, selfish person on the planet. But was the blog really written by Jodi’s sister? Were the things she said about Kate actually true?

Today, Truth Breeds Hatred ran a video clip of Jodi, who seems genuinely crushed by how Kate betrayed her, and confirming that her sister does write the blog, and that it’s the truth.

I kind of hate how fascinated I am to watch all this play out, but I really do love it."


WARNING: There is bad language in the blog posts so I posted above the actual "article" about Aunt Jody. The video is at the top of the page.

http://evilbeetgossip.film.com/2008/08/23/jon-and-kate-plus-eight-gets-nasty-aunt-jodi-tells-her-side/

My mom always told me their was always at least 2 sides to every story, and the truth was somewhere in the middle. Might be closer to one side or the other, but still everybody sees thinks with their own perception. I'd like to hear Kate's, and even Jon's and Uncle Kevin's [thanks Rissa!] sides too.

I still like the show.

Serate
Member

08-21-2001

Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 8:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Serate a private message Print Post    
Great post Rissa! Reminds me of my husband's oldest brother's wife, tho I guess since we are not part of the family anymore he's not my husband's brother? Anyway, 6 kids, when I met hubby 2 were no longer part of the family, then the 3rd one, then the 4th one, now my hubby - no longer part of the family. But of course it's not his oldest brother's fault. Nope not one bit.

I still like the show.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 8:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
HOLY COW Serate!! That really is Jodi, isn't it!!!??? WOW!!! I really thought all that negative talk was made up or at least exaggerated. How very sad that it appears to be true. I always wondered why they have no grammas or granmpas. I knew they were close to Kate's bro and sis in law. How sad...

Oh yeah, I still like the show too!! And please take the time to look at that clip of when they first met, it really is cute/touching...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU-R0R9PZR8&eurl=http://truthbreedshatred.blogspot.com/2008/10/cnn-clip.html


Serate
Member

08-21-2001

Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 8:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Serate a private message Print Post    
Yes it really is Jodi. After watching the video my gut says there is more true than not.

I still like the show.

Tess
Member

04-13-2001

Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 8:26 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Tess a private message Print Post    
Thank, OG.

Julie, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the question of who is more Caucasian came up at some point. My daughter didn't recognize that she might from a different race than her friends until she was in school full time and it wasn't because anyone said anything to her. When she was younger, she thought that she and Daddy were twins because they both had that deep brown, nearly black hair.

When she was 6 or 7 she didn't like that she got so tan in the summers and she did turned very dark. On the other hand, she has friends of all races and of mixed races and has never given that a second thought.

The days of her not wanting to tan are long gone. The days of her having friends of a ethnicities are not gone and I don't think they ever will be. She currently has a crush on a boy in her class and he on her. He's black with Caribbean ancestry. A little cutie pie and a bundle of attitude and he has a fabulous mother.

I don't see it as a problem if a child questions his or her ethnicity, color, traditions, etc. I think there comes a point where we can overdo the political correctness and stifle natural instinct and curiosities thereby also missing an opportunity for great life lessons.

As for the blog, the websites out there, etc, I'm not so naive as to think that there is only one side to a story. Of course some people will see issues one way and other's will be 180 degrees in the other direction. Reality almost always lies somewhere in the 180 degrees between what we see on camera and what people behind the scenes or friends and relatives might say.

I do agree that Maddy and Cara are seeming more sassy than before and they definitely are the age for it. If my daughter even looks as if she's going to have a sassy thought she gets the look that says "think about how you want to say that" but she doesn't have 7 brothers and sisters. She gets all of our attention all of the time, not just because she's the only child but because she has ADHD along with physical issues. Yes, we could have applied for benefits for her for adoption being from the "Special Needs" program, but we didn't. No reason. We just didn't. If all of the sudden I had six children when I thought we'd be getting one or two more, I'd be looking for help, too. I cannot fault anyone for that because I do not live their life or walk in their shoes.

Cricket, Jodi is a sister-in-law.

And I've had way too many opinions in the past two weeks. There must be something in the water here. Someday I'll learn to be concise. Or not.

Tess
Member

04-13-2001

Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 1:29 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Tess a private message Print Post    
Just one more thing and then I promise to be quiet for awhile.

A couple of weeks or months ago I read some negativity about the "gum" episode where Maddy has her special day (ears pierced/lunch out) and the rest of the kids are at Aunt Jodi's. Aunt Jodi asked the 3 yr olds if they are allowed gum at home and of course they said yes. They got gum. Were sent home with gum on Joel's? special bear (DD has that bear) and some socks, etc. Kate freaked at home and then called Jodi with what I thought was a nice tone.

Why did I not get upset like a lot of people did? Well, I would have had a fit if DD's "Bo-Ted" had gum all over him, too, but I have a better example.

When DD arrived here she was slowly dying. She also had a severe respiratory infection, digestive problems and some congenital birth defects. Long story and red tap had her arriving just 10 days before baptism. Relatives from across country invited themselves and expected to stay with us and for us to entertain them. DD was on a 2 hour schedule -- 2 awake, 2 asleep round the clock as she adjusted to the time change, food change, everything change.

I specifically told my sister-in-law and her 14 year old daughter NOT to feed my child anything while I was just outside saying goodbye to people leaving for home. (They opted to come early and stay over from across the country.) I get back in the house fewer than 5 minutes later and DD has been sick all over. I had a fit!!! Kate's got nothing on me. Trust me. They fed her and she was immediately vomiting, not just a little spit up. My sister-in-law's only response was "that's why we brought extra clothes".

A few months later DD and I were out to lunch with her godmother, my best friend, and she new the cardinal rule that DD could have NO dairy of any kind. ZERO. The minute I went to the bathroom, she gave DD whipped cream from a sundae. Her response was "she loved it!!" Ask how much I loved it when my DD vomited explosively all over in the mall carpet, her blankie, Bo-Ted, her stroller, herself....

Sorry for the graphic language, but my overall point I believe is pretty clear. There is so much of the "oh a little bit can't hurt" and "your mom won't mind" or "does your mom let you do this?" etc, etc, etc. How about common sense and respect? I never gave my 3 year old gum let alone 6 three-year-olds. In my brain that's just a big fat duh! If Jodi had a question about the gum, couldn't she have called? asked Cara? erred on the side of prudence and caution? I would have.

Aw heck. Now I'm all worked up. This time I promise to have no more opinions until the next show.

Sugar
Member

08-15-2000

Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 3:00 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sugar a private message Print Post    
No one under the age of 30 should have gum IMO. I'm sick to death of it being spit on the ground and stepping on it. (Don't get me started on spittin'!) I can understand Kate being annoyed about the gum but she was cruel to the little boy who's bear was gummed.

I've now seen a few of these episodes and have noticed that Kate seems detached. She barely hugs any of them and seems to be more concerned with controlling than enjoying.

I cannot image having 8 kids in any combination and would have many human and not so sweet moments. However, I do know I would have a lot more hugs and kisses for my kids. I certainly did for all my nieces and nephews. In fact, there a pictures of the kids were people ask what's wrong or what's that to the red marks on the babies faces? Answer: Aunt Kisses. Yep, those babies got lipstick marks all over their cheeks and foreheads.

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 3:15 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
LOL, Tess!

Well I can see that there are many opinions on those boards set up to slam Jon/Kate and here as well, but the bottom line to me is that Jon and Kate are the parents and they get to make the decisions. Those kids are clearly thriving and even if both Jon and Kate were really out of town half the time as has been claimed they probably still spend WAY more time with them than many working parents do with their kids since they seem to often be there during the kids' waking hours. They know each child very well, the kids seem to love them and vice versa and they love each other. I don't hear anything ungrateful about all the goodies coming their way and don't get the clear slant on one of those boards as if the poster knows ALL about Gosselins, Roloffs, etc... (they stated that the Roloffs don't travel hardly at all and it seemed that in past seasons Matt has been gone a LOT of the time. Of course their kids are different ages and I think they also are very hands-on parents in general.

As for this scarring the little ones.. they sure don't seem scarred to me and unlike Jeff Peterson, they aren't off working on some set, being tutored, but living at home, going to church and school, doctor, dentist, lessons, etc.. They have two loving parents who aren't drinking or doing drugs.. way ahead of many kids.

Also when I compare to the Duggers, well, the Gosselins come out ahead.. they do have a large family, but that happened from two pregnancies, not 15 or so.

The Gosselin kids, the Roloff kids, do not seem at all scareed... and I've only watched smippets of the Duggars but they sure don't seem traumatized either.

I enjoy J&K+8 very much and LPBW as well.

And yeah, even as a teenage babysitter with NO expeirence of little kids I wouldn't have handed out gum without a perent okaying it, to a half dozen little kids, and especailly not if I knew the parents were discplined in their approach, not lackadasical..

Tess, I can just imagine. Heck I was incensed when I boarded my cat one time and told them what she ate and brought the food with her. Stated that she did not eat canned wet food. When I returned I was told that they "got" her to eat canned food. Uh.. what part of my instructions gave them permission to change her diet?

Rissa
Member

03-20-2006

Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 5:14 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rissa a private message Print Post    
Tess, LOL about the opinions.. keep them coming. Just one thing about the gum, Jodi's sister explained (and Kate herself admitted on a different show) that the children HAD been allowed gum OFTEN since they were two and it is was one of Kate's ways to keep the kids calm during travel. Personally I did not let my kids have gum at all until they were about 5 so *IF* it had happened the way kate said I would have been mad too.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 6:35 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
I can't imagine having 8 kids under the age of 4 like they did. i know when i feel like i have 'lost control' of a situation, i start making lists and organzing closets. it gives me a sense that 'i am in control'. i can only imagine how regimated i might become if i had 8 kids under the age of 4.
i also know how overwhelmed i felt when just my 2 kids were little. and how i relaxed as i became more confident 'hey, i can do this after all!'. and they are 4.5 years apart and only two of them!!
i think we have seen that with Kate. I think she has always been a person who needs structure, organization in her life. and them BAM 8 kids under the age of 4. i am sure she thought many times 'how am i going to do this??' so the only way she knew how to get through it was to focus on the organization and structure of running a family with 8 kids under the age of 4. as she gained more confidence in parenting 8 kids, she has relaxed. she will probably always tend to be a little wound up, but heck..if i had 8 kids i would be wound tighter than a top!! and you better damn well believe if i had 8 kids and people offered to help me or wanted to send my family on a trip, i would take them up on it in a flash!! and i defy anyone to say they would turn it down!! LOL

Rissa
Member

03-20-2006

Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 7:23 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rissa a private message Print Post    
I agree with that Tex, I don't have any issues with the way J&K are handling their newfound fame/fortune. Don't think they are handling it... well, but I don't have a problem with it. I would probably react the same in the same situation, takes time to get over reacting and get back to your own balance. We hear stories of that in relation to big lottery winners all the time.

Naja
Member

06-28-2003

Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 7:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Naja a private message Print Post    
I am so glad Aunt Jodi finally came forward and confirmed those blogs to be real and truthful. I find it fascinating how Kate has slowly cut everyone out of her life. No wonder she wants to move the family to another state.

I still enjoy the show, but have always considered Kate to be an unpleasant person.

Twinkie
Member

09-24-2002

Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 8:29 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Twinkie a private message Print Post    
Sometimes distance is a good thing with some family members. I'm so relieved to be living 1400 miles apart from my sister. Oh, and we would have nothing good to say about each other, either. You can pick your friends but you can't pick your family.

Serate
Member

08-21-2001

Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 8:49 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Serate a private message Print Post    
Dang Tess I'd be pissed too!

In the gum episode, from the sounds of it Kate had never told Aunt Jodi NOT to give the kids gum. Maybe she assumed that Aunt Jodi would't give 3 year olds gum but you know what happens when you assume.

I personally think gum should be outlawed no matter what the chewer's age. I hate gum. I hate the smell of it. I hate the sound of it being chewed. I hate the look of it being chewed. I hate the look of gum after it's been chewed. And don't even get me started on stepping on it or finding it in my house stuck somewhere. Did I mention I hate gum?

No wonder she wants to move the family to another state.

Family had no play in why they are moving to another state. They wanted a bigger house, Figure8 Films said ok but it has to be closer to us. They are located in North Carolina. Somewhere I read - trying to find what Kate said about being entitled to help - that Aunt Jodi, or maybe her sister, stated that the move to NC was being planned way before the fallout. So no, it doesn't sound like family is a factor. Tho I'm sure Kate will use it to her advantage.

IF what I have read is true, it's to be 8,000 sq ft with a separate kitchen and other rooms for the crew. The kids will be home schooled - so easier to film around their schedule. But I've only read this on blogs, no actual article to link to.

My big complaint is the way Aunt Jodi was treated. I'd like to hear Kate's version, but I doubt we ever will. Aunt Jodi is trying to get over it and asked that the video and some posts be removed from her sister's website.

I still like the show.

Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 9:05 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
Jodi asked the kids on that episode if their mom let them have gum and they said yes. Kids will say yes to anything they want.

I'm sorry that Kate may be controlling and people in her life get hurt.

I'm am very sorry that there is a blog that tears apart every little thing they do on the show. Everyone needs to get on with their own lives if they are that unhappy with her.

I will continue to watch the show and enjoy the family. I'm so tired of this world we live in that people just can't seem to watch something, enjoy it and not pick everything apart. It is such a cynical world out there.

Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 2:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ophiliasgrandma a private message Print Post    
Right on, Mamie!!!

Naja
Member

06-28-2003

Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 2:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Naja a private message Print Post    
I agree those blogs sometimes go overboard, but I really don't see anything wrong with us discussing what we find out from behind the scenes, and expressing our opinions about it. Half the fun of almost every reality show I watch is finding out the real dirt they won't show us.

It's apparent the Gosselins know what they in for by now, and they are paid wonderfully for it. I bet Kate got more for pimping K-mart on the The Bonnie Hunt Show last week than most of us earn in a year.

Serate
Member

08-21-2001

Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 3:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Serate a private message Print Post    
The whole point of a message board is to discuss one's opinion, the good and the bad. Reality shows thrive on drama so they show more drama than mundane day to day stuff. Everybody has the right to their own opinion and should be able to express it.

There are so many boards out there talking about Jon & Kate + 8. Most are extremely for trashing those that are against or extremely against trashing those that are for. This board is neither. No trashing gets done. Just discussion.

Naja is right. After 4 seasons the Gosselin adults know what they are in for. You can see it in Kate how she's trying to be better with the kids, whether it be an actual trying all the time, or just while the cameras are on. I'm thinking it's an actual trying all the time. Of course it could only be when people around. I could be wrong. But it doesn't matter.

I still like the show.

Rissa
Member

03-20-2006

Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 3:11 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rissa a private message Print Post    
RFLMAO at Serate ending every post with "I still like the show."

Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 3:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
I agree that everyone has the right to their opinions and should be free to discuss it but I still stand at my view of our cynical world.

I will tell you that last time I posted something about the blog against the Gosselins and posted my opinion, the person who runs it, emailed me and it wasn't a happy, sweet email.

Serate
Member

08-21-2001

Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 3:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Serate a private message Print Post    
Your view of how cynical the world is is right on.

I don't believe everything that is posted on any of the blogs.

I don't believe everything that is posted on TVCH.

I do believe that Aunt Jodi's sister started out "protecting" her sister, and it blew up in her face and got alot bigger than she ever dreamed.

I do believe there is more to the Aunt Jodi story, especially since I saw her video. I do believe she is trying to move on with her life and "heal" hence her asking her sister to remove the video and some of her sister's posts.

I still want to hear Kate's side of the story, but am resigned to never hearing it.

*winks at Rissa*

I still like the show.