Sunday, May 31, 2009

Reality TV--Jon and Kate Plus Eight

Admittedly, Hank and I have only ever really watched reality TV shows like Dancing with the Stars and American Idol. I did have a brief love affair with Big Brother about four years ago and more recently Gene Simmons Family Jewels.

I have never watched Jon and Kate Plus Eight. Last weekend there was nothing on that interested me but there WAS a J and KPE marathon so I tuned in, having seen some tabloid reports of unhappy things going on. THAT led me to watch the first episode of the new season last week. I was curious.

I surely hope that I don't offend any fans of the show...BUT...If those two parents don't put a HALT to the taping of the show right now, well, I just don't know what to say about their abilities to determine what is appropriate parenting. It would seem to me that the last thing those poor children need right now are television cameras and photographers in their faces, not ONLY at home but everywhere else they go...Target, for example, to buy birthday party decorations, while Kate complains the entire time about "having to do all of this by myself...but I will...because I love my kids." And Jon sits around like a bump on a log talking about how much HE loves HIS kids. Who the heck are they trying to convince...I certainly HOPE they love their kids. As a matter of fact, it never occurred to me that they wouldn't...why in the world did they have to keep saying it over and over and over. It just hit me ALL wrong.

Face it...few of us lead perfect lives or have perfect families (does ANYBODY??), but this seems to have gotten out of control...in my opinion, that is. I'm sure the show DID start as a way to chronicle the goings and doings of an unusual family dynamic, but a good idea today is not necessarily a good idea tomorrow.

So who agrees with me? Who DOESN'T agree...I want to hear from everybody.

20 comments:

  1. We are refusing to watch that show at my house from now on because not only is is depressing, but I don't think children should be viewed as a cash cow.

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  2. I agree full heartedly! I think they are competing to see which one loves the children most--sad. From some of the things I've read online Jon wants to quit taping, but Kate doesn't want to stop the gravy train.

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  3. I agree. We've become such a culture of narcissism. So many people want to be famous, but not for any reason. I have only watched this show a couple of times, but even early on, you could tell it was a train wreck. I never got the feeling Jon and Kate even liked each other. I only got the feeling they were impressed with themselves.

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  4. I used to watch the show long before all the media hoopla. I stopped because it didn't seem real to me anymore. I also stopped because, after I put my own screaming children to bed, I don't want to listen to someone else's screaming kids.
    I agree that they should pull the plug on the show. It isn't good for their family anymore. But, I think, what is obvious to me and you may not be so obvious to them.

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  5. I agree - this whole thing is so sad. I've watched the show off & on since it began. Kate always seemed somewhat cold & a control freak. She was always slapping Jon in the face & I've never liked that. Guess she thought it was funny. I didn't understand why Jon put up with her but with 8 kids, guess you hang in there.

    What a mess they've both made of their lives.

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  6. I completely agree! I have watched the show for awhile and admit to being hooked. It has definitely gotten way out of control. They need to pull the cameras and put the family first. Of course I think they (she) has gotten used to the "celebrity" lifestyle and money. It will be interesting to see what the network does.

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  7. I completely agree! I watched the show a couple times during the year because one of my housemates is ADDICTED and I watched the first episode because I was curious but it is so depressing that I don't think I can watch anymore. I also think that it is somewhat irresponsible of both Jon and Kate as well as TLC to allow filming when it is clear to everyone that their marriage is falling apart.

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  8. I totally agree, they need to shut off the cameras! I loved watching the show, but now it feels like a train wreck waiting to happen. I hope TLC is responsible enough to let them out of there contract

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  9. I have always been a fan of the show, but yeah, its taken an awful turn...

    I do think the kids dont think a thing of the camera being there - they've ALWAYS been there - but to hear the parents thoughts to the cameras cant be healthy..

    Like I can think "I need help, my husband is a jerk" - but saying it in front of the kids for the camera's sake... harmful!!!!

    Its just all so sad...

    give me dancing shows anyday!

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  10. I have never watched more than two minutes of it, too much happening and I have enough parenting opportunities in my own home! hehe
    I say that just to say, what little I know of it, I agree with your thoughts completely. Turn off the cameras.

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  11. I'm like you...I don't watch much reality TV except Dancing with the stars, Idol, and So you think you can dance (my favorite) I've only seen a few clips from John & Kate...but dang she seems like a miserable nasty woman. And I don't know why he puts up with all her snarky, belittling comments. I can't imagine either one of them being good parents if they behave like that in front of their kids. It makes me sad.

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  12. Thank heaven for sanity like yours Miss Belle, we're with you on this. To be fair, we have never watched a frame of video, but honestly, this is pathetic... especially for those kids.

    Good on you!
    tp

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  13. I stopped watching at the beginning of last season because of the way Kate treats her husband and now I'm thinking what goes around comes around as far as she is concerned. I've been very vocal on my blog about her. I agree with you wholeheartedly that they should stop filming. Great for them, and great for all of us, too, so we can stop hearing about them.

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  14. I absolutely agree. I've only seen the show a couple of times, and it just really bothered me. It never seemed as though the parents even liked each other, much less loved each other. I don't know, the whole voyeuristic reality show thing has always made me uncomfortable - some dirty laundry should just stay in the laundry room! Kathy

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  15. I totally agree!

    I liked watching the show in it's early days but just can't stomach it anymore. Kate was a dialysis nurse like me and I always felt like she was "normal." Now she's another person entirely...and I don't like seeing the change.

    I definately think they will divorce...the question is just when.

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  16. I completely agree with you. I've never really watched the show because every time I turned it on, it seemed like there was a child screaming and/or Kate was harping on Jon about something. However, I watched part of the show on Monday and it just made me sad. This family needs to go into seclusion and see if they can work these problems out away from all of the people and cameras. Those poor children!

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  17. I used to watch but haven't in awhile because I don't want to contribute to Kate and Jon's greed.

    Totally agree with you. It is sick, that is what it is. Sick.

    And my family is totally perfect, thank you very much. Didn't you know?

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  18. I have watched the show in the past. Always Loved the kids but now it is just depressing to watch.

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  19. I have been a fan of the show and it's gotten...pathetic.

    I completely agree. Turn off the cameras, focus on yourselves, heal your marriage, be a family.

    Sad.

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