<p>I don’t think I would have stopped, although I don’t think I would have used the money in quite the same ways. I’m also not the type of personality to strut about town and call attention to myself.</p>
<p>The answer to the last few posts lies in this for me: even as life as they know it is falling apart for them each individually and together as a family, they are CHOOSING to continue to do the show. Why? There is likely enough money to invest/save properly now for the future. But a life on camera and full of exploitation for all of them is what they choose.</p>
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I wonder about that. They seem to spend a LOT of money, and it’s expensive to raise 8 kids, provide health insurance and so on.</p>
<p>Jodi and Kevin spoke again last night after the show. Since Jon and Kate are not going to stop the show, they asked viewers to “stop watching” to try and give the children the privacy they deserve.</p>
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the show pays for their “stuff”. the mortgage on their house, kids school and toys.</p>
<p>abasket - do you have a link to what Jodi and Kevin said. These two seem to be the only people truly concerned about the 8 kids.</p>
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So are Jody and Kevin planning to support the kids if the parents’ livelihood is gone?</p>
<p>Well, it seems that TLC may be pulling the plug for now. I’m glad.</p>
<p>Fans of Jon & Kate will have to wait a few months before they’re reunited with the broken brood. According to TLC, after a retrospective of the couple’s 10 years together airs on June 29, the show will be on hiatus until Aug. 3. “During this time the family will take some time off to regroup, and then a modified schedule will be in place to support the family’s transition,” the network tells EW, adding that it will continue cementing its close relationship with the family. “TLC continues to support the Gosselin family and will work closely with them to determine the best way to continue to tell their story as they navigate through this difficult time.”</p>
<p>Jodi and Kevin:
[url=<a href=“http://www.radaronline.com/]RadarOnline.com[/url”>http://www.radaronline.com/]RadarOnline.com[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Does TLC disclose what is paid for and what isn’t? Shouldn’t that be required? For example, were the Crooked Houses provided by the makers for promotional purposes, or were they paid for by the family, or by TLC? Is TLC paying the parents, or is TLC putting money directly into a trust fund for each kid? Did the parents buy the house or did TLC?</p>
<p>As “consumers,” don’t viewers have a right to know what’s real, what’s paid for, how/if the show is benefitting the kids, and what’s being done/provided for promotional consideration?</p>
<p>They need 5 mos off not 5 weeks.</p>
<p>And I am sure the contracts are a private matter. Not exactly public record.</p>
<p>I know that Kate said that the trip to Park City was an opportunity her family wouldn’t have had if it werent for the show. I’m sure everything they receive is free - why do you think the kids were wearing crooked houses shirts. Think of the millions of viewers for last nights show. This is another form of product placement - where certain name products are used in tv and movies and the company (coke, kraft, etc) pay a fee instead of placing an advertisement. In this case, the Gosselins are receiving millions in products and services in exchange for the company, resort, etc. getting a half or one hour infomercial. What I want to know is if these perks should be reported to the IRS as taxable income! I’m sure this is not happening. I’m sure she didn’t pay for all her plastic surgery either. She looks more well-endowed than before and I think she has had some work on her face. I think they also get a clothing allowance from Gymboree, but that she was taking such advantage that the company was forced to limit the amount she could have. How many of us could provide all this for our children???Not many.</p>
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<p>I know that TLC will do a show about just about anything but PLEASE don’t film how the kids are reacting to news of the divorce, acting out, acting up, pouting, etc etc etc. PLEASE let that be private, even if Jon and Kate are wiling to let their kids be filmed.</p>
<p>The Utah trips prior to John buying a condo were comped by the resort. I think any time you see product being discussed BY NAME, the trips/admission tickets/crooked houses are comped and the family does NOT pay for them. The OC bike, that probably was a purchase, but I suspect as a TLC/Discovery channel family, they did not pay top dollar. On the question and answer shows, they have frequently said that the trips were complementary, in return for the publicity and name placement.</p>
<p>The tummy tuck was comped by the plastic surgeon. They were still “needy” then, and his wife saw Kate lift up her shirt in one of the early episodes of the show when Kate showed what a belly looks like after carrying 6. The wife was horrified and talked her husband into doing it for free. But then he and his office was on the show, so he got plenty of publicity in return. </p>
<p>I’d venture to say anything showcased on the show was not paid for by the G’s.</p>
<p>I may quit watching TLC as a network all together if they exploit the divorce aspect and it’s effect on the children. Having gone through a divorce, I would have been horrified to have that time in my life and my very young children’s reactions on tape. There is a significant grieving process involved as well that will be inevitably delayed with cameras around. Kate seems grandiose enough to think she will be some kind of “model” coper that she probably will want the cameras to keep rolling. She has alot of saving face to do after her Dr. Phil interview a few short months ago when she was passing judgment on Nadya Suleman.</p>
<p>I just googled crooked houses. The houses “donated” to the Gosselins were $7,000 apiece. That’s $28,000 - just about what I spent on a playhouse for my boys. I’m not sure how to link an article, but this is the site</p>
<p>abcnews.com.go/business</p>
<p>zooser - I am not sure I am on board with your comment about being a “real man”. Jon doesn’t fit my definition of a “real man” - which I define as mentally very tough, hard working focused, self-reliant, and above else, a capacity to stand on one’s own two feet, not be wimpy, and look the world squarely in the eye. He doesn’t appear to meet my own definition, but then again, an increasing number of men don’t. And many would think my own definition reflective of some kind of oppressive patriarchy. In fact, many on this board would think just that. So I am not sure what you mean. If you mean he is a super type B personality with no sense of urgency and hardly a catch in the marriage game, well, I agree. But really, she should have known this when she married him. He was living with his mother - a surefire warning sign. </p>
<p>But we only know what we can see. And maybe its selective editing on the show, but Kate is nasty, hectoring, and has very little concept of what it takes to achieve or motivate (other than to give orders). This doesn’t make her a bad person, but it does make a very difficult marriage partner. Her conduct is actually a great warning for any number of young guys out there, many of whom approach marriage without thinking about the consequences. Her approach is all about insecurity and control, and does little to further their relationship or any relationship for that matter.</p>
<p>Hopefully this will work</p>
<p>abcnews.go.com/business</p>
<p>news of the divorce was on CNN last night. My h says…who are THEY and why should I care? LOL. I gave a brief description of the reality show (even though I’ve never seen it, I DO read the newspaper).
In any case, it got me thinking. I know friends and family who have gone through divorces. So painful. Awful stuff. I can’t imagine having this kind of publicity on such a private matter.
Yeah, they chose this life but I do believe it would have been very hard to support all those kids without a tv contract.
So, bottom line, I feel bad for these folks, ESPECIALLY the kids. From what I understand, both parents have serious issues. Fast forward and one of these kids probably will relocate to Montana as an adult, and live in a one-room cabin in the woods - hundreds of miles from civilization. I might be tempted to do this if I were in their place.
Pull the plug on the show and let this disaster fade from public view. If they didn’t save money…it’s too bad. You can all help by turning it off. Bad ratings will surely make it go away…</p>
<p>Help - how do I attach a file???</p>