Friday, March 20, 2009

Season Finale Turning into the Buzz of the Internet

Associated Content has an article written by Ryan Christopher DeVault discussing the hype on the internet about the Jon and Kate Plus 8 season finale. Following is an excerpt:

"The last episode of Jon and Kate Plus 8 saw the show pass 3 million viewers total, cementing it once again as one of the top watched shows on cable, and by far the most successful one that has graced TLC. Those ratings points are easily turned into dollar signs by people at the network, and it is easy to see that if you take a show that is garnering a large audience, and add a little extra flair for drama to the promotion of the show, you are going to end up with more people tuning in to see what might, or might not, happen on upcoming episodes."

What are your thoughts about this article?

47 comments:

MonicaW42 said...

I really think that TLC has hyped this episode and that nothing major will be revealed other than what has been out there. I think Jon will say he feels left out with Kate coming into her own and having a hard time handling things. I don't think they will divorce or even separate.

I do hope the show ends though and they can work on their marriage in private. They have 8 very important reasons to get through the tough times.

rain88 said...

Jon and Kate are securing their financial future and TLC is increasing their revenue. I hope their experiment is not as detrimental as I fear it might be for those kids.

I wonder how much input J&K had in this promo. Were they told "We're going to make it look like your marriage is in trouble in the promos so we get a wider audience"? I wonder if it bothers them at all.

Anonymous said...

I think it is typical TLC hype. Kate had a little smirk on her face and Jon just looked down. I think they were acting.

On the other hand, I really hope they have decided that enough is enough, stop the show immediately and try to regain their sense of family first and respect for each other because I think in the first couple of episodes when the babies were little Kate & Jon actually liked each other and were cute and funny together. At least that's what I saw. I don't see any of that now.

If they are splitting up, it should not be a TV event. I think that would probably be a good thing for them in the long run because maybe they've just grown in different directions (as happens to lots of people who marry too young).

To Rain 88: The picture of your dog is soooooo cute!

Guinevere said...

On the other hand, I really hope they have decided that enough is enough, stop the show immediately and try to regain their sense of family first and respect for each other because I think in the first couple of episodes when the babies were little Kate & Jon actually liked each other and were cute and funny together. At least that's what I saw. I don't see any of that now.

I guess I just don't understand having that level of investment. I can't say what is right or wrong for this family but what puzzles me about a certain segment of the viewing population is that they seem to care so much about what happens and seem so sure that they know what is right for J&K. Yet these are the same people who don't like the show and seem disappointed in it even being on TV. I think there are a lot of us who just don't get that because for us, not liking a show=not watching the show.

There aren't any shows on TV that I really wish would end, because if I don't like a show, I don't watch it. I understand having concerns about the effect of the show on the family, but I don't understand having such a certainty about what total strangers should be doing with their lives.

MrsRef said...

I think it is sad if TLC hyped this stuff up for ratings and sadder still if Jon & Kate were involved in it or allowed it. I suppose the little ones can be shielded from this but the older two must get comments from schoolmates about their pictures on tabloids. Funny, since all of coed stuff started, TLC seems to be showing more and more of the Gosselins. I would personally want to lay low and let it blow over.

Ann said...

MonicaW42,
Agreed. They do have 8 reasons to get through tough times. I hope they will.

I don't see it ending with the ratings so high, though. Also, I have no idea what the contract obligations are and whether they could end it if they wanted to (Perhaps with a price? Anybody know?)

I don't care for TLC hyping this by using the marital problem speculation. I's tacky, or worse, to me. I agree with you about what "will be revealed." I certainly hope it's not worse than that.

themrs said...

Guin- i think the difference is that this is not some other fictitious show with actors who go home every night. people are more invested and more emotionally involved because it is dealing with eight children and their real life. if i choose not to watch the show, it's not changing their circumstance. they will still be on tv. that reasoning doesn't hold up for this type of show.

Guinevere said...

Guin- i think the difference is that this is not some other fictitious show with actors who go home every night. people are more invested and more emotionally involved because it is dealing with eight children and their real life. if i choose not to watch the show, it's not changing their circumstance. they will still be on tv. that reasoning doesn't hold up for this type of show.

I do see the difference between a reality show and a sitcom or drama in that sense. But If you choose to watch the show, it's not changing their circumstances, either. So why watch something that makes you unhappy?

I do understand that some people have gotten invested in the Gosselins' lives and feel that they "know" them. But I still think being emphatically sure about what they should do is a sign of overinvestment.

I like the Gosselins, I like the show, but if it ends or doesn't end, it's not any skin off of my nose. How Kate treats Jon doesn't affect me one way or another.

I certainly care enough to wish the best for the kids. Maybe if I saw the evidence that some people claim to see that indicates that they are desperately unhappy, I'd feel differently. But then I go back to the question of why one watches, if it upsets them. I mean, I liked watching the cute little meerkats on "Meerkat Manor", but I couldn't hack all of the death and baby meerkats in peril every week and that poor outcast meerkat - so I stopped watching.

I may not be articulating my position very clearly. I do know people who like the show, like the Gosselins, enjoy watching, but still feel that it should end at some point in the nearish future, to give the kids a more normal life. To me, that is different from thinking that you KNOW that the show has had a negative effect on the family and that they never should have done it and that it should end immediately. The latter strikes me as presumptuous and overreaching.

Ann said...

I do know people who like the show, like the Gosselins, enjoy watching, but still feel that it should end at some point in the nearish future, to give the kids a more normal life.

That's me.
I also think the "marital problems" angle is evidence of a negative impact on the family.

My opinion is that Jon & Kate would rather not have cameras in their home and on their children. They don't bring them to speaking engagements. IMO, they signed for a 5th season to keep her in the public eye and support her speaking career. I wish she'd take the chance, stop filming, and trust that her speaking career/endorsements in the near future will provide what they need.

Guinevere said...

That's me.

Heh. I was thinking of you, but I didn't want to call you out!

I also think the "marital problems" angle is evidence of a negative impact on the family.

I think this is a good point. I've found TLC's commercials kind of distasteful, but when I've thought about how J&K might feel about them, I've sort of been thinking in terms of, "well, that's TV, what do you expect?" But I can't say that playing up the drama of their marital difficulties isn't exploitive - it is. I think it might be difficult to know when a line is being crossed because perhaps in J&K's minds they are just being honest, and they have no control over how TLC chooses to market the show. But they do have control over whether they want to be associated with such sleazy marketing.

Just to be clear, I'm not talking about the Gosselins be open about marital difficulties - I think that falls into the category of "their choice". I'm just talking about how TLC is choosing to play it up for ratings. It's really unnecessary and ugly, IMO.

My opinion is that Jon & Kate would rather not have cameras in their home and on their children. They don't bring them to speaking engagements. IMO, they signed for a 5th season to keep her in the public eye and support her speaking career. I wish she'd take the chance, stop filming, and trust that her speaking career/endorsements in the near future will provide what they need.

I agree that they'd probably rather not have the cameras there (particularly Kate), and the decision to go forward with a fifth season was probably strategic. Without knowing what their financial plan looks like, I don't know how much of a chance it would be for them to give up the show. I do think that once the kids are in school full-time, it may be hard to come up with enough material for a weekly show.

merryway said...

My post would be repetitive so I just ditto St and Guin.
I don't profess to know what's best for them, but imo it would be best for them to stop. They keep doing what they want regardless of how I feel. :)

Samantha@IW said...

I know that they have to do whatever they think is best. But if they are having marital problems/strife as a result of Kate's career (I assume its the amount of travel) I cant imagine signing on for a 5th season to keep her "in demand". I say "if" bc at this point who knows how much is being played up for ratings... (which is disgusting to me) it may be "tv" but its their life. You would think by now their financial status would be secure enough that a 5th season wouldnt be necessary if they would rather not be doing this. Its been a long day, I think I'm rambling...

Anonymous said...

I think the whole thing is a horrible situation to take advantage of. Especially with the Gosselins' Christian views on marriage.

I don't think there will be one real comment on the Monday shows about their marriage. Maybe I'll be wrong, but I think they are just inflaming the gossip situation to benefit them and there won't be anything on the shows to do with the recent rumors.

I'll state it so I can hold myself to it. If they do that, I will not watch the show again. If they actually do talk, I'll figure it was just their viewpoint on the right way to handle the situation (whether I agree or not). But I won't watch if they are deliberately manipulating me. As Guinevere always points out, people can just turn it off if they don't like it.

That would be my turning point-being manipulated about a real family's lives. I just think there's a standard when children are involved.

merryway said...

I would say that TLC is getting just what it wanted. The buzz is going and people will be tuning in to see who's right, who's wrong and what the real deal is. I know I will be.

themrs said...

many want to blame TLC for the commercial, exploiting the rumors, etc. but Jon and kate can stop doing this anytime if they feel they are being manipulated. i think there is a portion that they are responsible for. it's naive to simply blame the big bad cable company and think that J&K have no responsibility in this. it's the same with how kate is portrayed on the show. people want to claim that she's unfairly edited, yet jon and kate are listed as producers of the show. so they DO have some control. they know what makes ratings and it's drama. they are choosing to allow themselves to be portrayed that way and IMO they are now suffering some repercussions.

Nina Bell said...

I was just wondering when Jon and Kate became producers of the show? I know Jon made this statement at his talk at PSU. When did it become effective?

Guinevere said...

I thought J&K were going to be producers for the upcoming season, but weren't yet. I could be wrong, though.

I'm not trying to be naive and say that they don't have some responsibility about how they are portrayed. Just that I think it's the choice of whoever produces the commercials to over-dramatize next week's episode, and I don't think it's necessary.

Sara Elizabeth said...

I think it is a mixture of TLC hype and what is really going to happen. With all the horrible things being dished about Kate, Jon cheating rumors all around, and magazines jumping on divorce stories, I think maybe they have made the decision to be honest with their viewers. We all know things aren't perfect in their marriage and we all know how horrible Kate is in many ways. Maybe they plan on just saying that they are having marriage problems, but are working on them. That way, we all know the rumors are true about their rocky relationship, but also the rumors of divorce go away since they state on their show that they are working on them.

Sara Elizabeth said...

Oh, and to those who think because Jon & Kate are producers they have editing rights . . . they don't. Producers put money into a project and that is it. They have no control of editing, only the directors do.

Anonymous said...

Just a thought. I would be really disgusted if Jon and Kate had input in this promo. If this is just a way to drum up ratings then they are two sick individuals. I DO NOT expect nonsense like that from two adults who are being used as Christian family role models. I hope this is not the case because this is a family show about THEIR family. What would motivate either of them to do something so low when it would have such a negative impact on their own family? Kate was smirking? They were acting? Then I guess everything from day one was an act and they sure fooled me. That would be the final straw for me and I would be done with them for good.

Anonymous said...

Just My Opinion,

Some pretty strong words there for could of, should of and would of. We haven't even seen the show yet or know what it is about. Are you trying to stir something up here? I think maybe you should be done with them for good anyway. Less stress in your life.

Ann said...

Cincymom said...I think the whole thing is a horrible situation to take advantage of.

That's how I feel. I am talking about this specific promo. For me, it doesn't really matter if they were talking about their marriage or not. Someone (and I think it's TLC) was taking advantage of the trouble and surrounding gossip, as Cincymom said. The promo had a high "ick" factor for me. I would hope J&K had the same reaction. I don't know how I would know who's to blame from watching the show though?

Ann said...

The buzz is going and people will be tuning in to see who's right, who's wrong and what the real deal is. I know I will be.

Me too. I've heard this show discussed for the first time among people I never would have thought would even know who Jon and Kate are. The "marital problems" have really increased the buzz around the family. The promo was tasteless. I am inclined to blame TLC. But a promo is not the whole show. I'll be watching.

Anonymous said...

Nicole, Stir something up? On this blog? Is that done here? What do you mean? Who here doesn't have strong feelings or use strong words? I am stating my opinion on the promo discussion for Monday and the hype as mentioned by other bloggers. Everyone here is commenting on the show and not one of us have seen it obviously, but my opinion is that if all of this is just a ruse by ALL the producers and involved ADULTS (even if it is just TLC) I would be really disgusted by the lack of character and the amount of disrespect shown to us, the viewers, some of whom have remained very faithful to both TLC and the Gosselin family. Sorry if your reading of my comment caused you so much stress. It's just a blog comment.

Anonymous said...

I haven't really been watching the show lately because after I got sick, I found out my son is having significant problems with reading in first grade, so we've pretty much cut out much of our family's TV watching. (Fortunately, my daughter hasn't had any other problems since she's been in the hospital so that's a good thing!) I catch some pieces here and there, mostly on the second airing of the show and occasionally I check in here to see what people are talking about.

I have seen this commercial though, and I don't understand how any responsible party - J&K, TLC or the production company - could think it was a good idea to promote it in the manner they are. Isn't it bad enough that the tabloids are gossiping about Jon and Kate's marriage, but does someone who is an ally need to reinforce the image of their marriage being in trouble?

Personally, I am of the mindset that Monday's episode is about Jon's feelings regarding being a stay at home dad. If I am right, I think the show's positioning of the episode as a look into their "marriage problems" is misleading and appalling. Didn't last week's show get high ratings even without the exploitive promotion??? Did they really need to do this for a bump in the ratings? Next will it be like The Bachelor where we will have to hear Chris Harrison stating every week, "The most shocking J&K episode YET!"?

In the beginning, what attracted me to the show was a look into the family's "real life", which is why when I would catch them with inconsistencies that doesn't jive with the "real life" they are presenting, it would annoy me. I think that Kate has stopped saying that the show reflects their real life, but if the show is creating drama that is not there, at what point does Jon and Kate become characters playing themselves?

Eileen said...

Just My Opinion - you are right to say that this is all conjecture as no one has seen the show yet. Your opinion/guess/should of/could of/will continue to watch if/will stop watching if should be just as valuable as anyone else here. In my opinion, there's need to defend yourself.
I see many people invested in the show. I see many people know exactly who each child is, what their personalities are, what their likes and dislikes are. Even when I watched the show, I couldn't keep them straight, I see nothing wrong in having strong opinions about the show, I guess I just never got all that invested.
I don't watch the show anymore, so I'll refrain from weighing in with an opinion about the hype of the upcoming episode.
But, themrs - I was blaming TLC for a lot of the negativity that I was reading about the show and about Jon & Kate, and I was blaming TLC for all the Kate-hate, but I see your point. If I'm reading you right, there comes a time when we all have to take personal responsibility, and that I can't argue with.

Guinevere said...

We all know things aren't perfect in their marriage and we all know how horrible Kate is in many ways.

No, we don't all know that. Stating an opinion as fact doesn't make it one. I think Kate is a flawed human being (as we all are), but I would never agree that she's "horrible in many ways".

I see many people invested in the show. I see many people know exactly who each child is, what their personalities are, what their likes and dislikes are. Even when I watched the show, I couldn't keep them straight, I see nothing wrong in having strong opinions about the show, I guess I just never got all that invested.

I don't see being able to keep the kids straight and knowing their personalities a bit as evidence of overinvestment. I mean, I watch each episode, generally once (I may save an episode and watch cute bits with the kids again later). I got the kids confused at first but I have no trouble telling them apart now. I "know" their likes and dislikes because they've been talked about on the show. It's not that different to me than any reality show - for the first few episodes of "Survivor", I can't keep anyone straight, but eventually I figure it out.

It actually bugs me more when some of the more vociferous "child advocates" continually get the kids mixed up. How can you care so much about them if you can't tell one from another?

But generally, I don't see it as a big deal, either way. Some people are better than others at remembering names and faces, etc.

Lizzy said...

Wow I missed a lot here! I agree with most of you both in that TLC is hyping this episode as more than it really is as well as that it is in very bad taste to show the marriage as on the rocks even if that is the case.

I said on an earlier thread that maybe they decided- since they are producers now- that the 5th season would be structured differently to leave less filming time and more time just as a family between Kate's trips. I agree with Guin about how if the show ended then I would be relieved for the family and not really lose anything in my life. We've talked in previous threads about this and how having off topic threads where those of us who post here can get to know each other has led to some great friendships and really wonderful memories shared with each other.

I think that a few of us here have the same idea we just have semantics getting in the way of how we feel. I won't pretend to know what Jon and Kate should do for their family, since I am not in their shoes or living their life. At the same time from my view the show is becoming detrimental to their real lives, and since they have always been open about all that is going on and welcomed the cameras in even on the really bad days I think it would be best to step away and focus more on their marriage (if there are issues there) and their family.

Anonymous said...

Horror of Horrors! My kids behaved badly on a field trip on Wednesday and we took away one day of TV, computer and Nintendo DS for every minute they weren't stopping their behavior. (wow, bad behavior at 6 and 7 and some fault little Hannah at 4 over there : ).

Anyway, it ended with 5 day of none of it for my son and 10 days for my daughter.

Well, on Friday my 2nd grader was picking up books voluntarily to read and working on his latchhook. Both kids were doing artwork at the dining room table.

I think I really should at least get rid of satellite, but then think of all the shows I would miss!!! The torture.

marci said...

This isn't the first time TLC promoted a show where they inferred some dramatic outcome from a married couple having arguments.

If anyone here also watches the Roloffs, in their last season Matt and Amy had a fight where Amy said something to the effect of, "Well, we should just get a divorce then. (para.)" TLC showed her saying this in their promo for the next show with some melodramatic narration. As one might expect, the issue was shown resolved on the next show, despite how dramatic the fight was being portrayed in the promos.

They just did it again for this week's new LPBW episode because Matt and Amy had an argument (not filmed) while they were on vacation, which, again, was obviously resolved without much hullabaloo, and Matt and Amy briefly (and nicely) discussed their differing opinions on the matter in the later-filmed interviews.

By the way, the Roloffs have been shown having MANY arguements on their show. And, IMO, Amy as been pretty nasty and demeaning to Matt on several occasions...and SOMEHOW she's not painted as the harpy Kate Gosselin is viewed as by some.

I've caught the J&K promo several times since it first aired Monday night. There are two endings. In one Jon says, "It's been really hard." (para.) and in the other he goes on to say, "on me."

Some of the promos have obviously cut out the "on me" comment, which would (the comment), IMO, show he's recognized the issues he may be having were something he needed to address and resolve....that he understands why Kate is working so hard and how important it is to their family's future, but he was addressing how difficult it's been on his end. (This is TOTALLY my conjecture at this point.)

My point is, these promos are nothing new for TLC and/or the parties being filmed. They've certainly promoted happier moments with more emphasis (Jon's "surprise" - "How can I help you, Kate?" AND does anyone remember October's month-long wedding promotions?).

Of course, it's completely cheesy for TLC to do. But I can also see that the Roloffs and the Gosselins might see it as a natural part of showing their "reality", especially if a resolution is discussed.

I guess I just don't get people being so offended by it...like TLC is trying to "fool" them or "manipulate" them. THAT to me is wording that shows maybe a little too much investment. I mean, you can't be fooled or manipulated unless you have some investment in what the outcome is going to be, right???? Sorry if this opinion offends anyone, but I really am not "upset" by this promo, so I don't understand that reaction.

I, personally, think it's an obvious tactic by TLC to increase viewership and ratings. As usual in showbiz, "bad publicity is good publicity." TLC, and probably the Gosselins, have taken the overblown media hype and what is probably gross exaggeration about their marriage "problems" and done what TV networks, PR people, movie execs have done for decades....run with it. It's Media Promotion 101.

I think there would be speculation (and there has been) about the Gosselin's marriage whether they spoke out on their show or not about their marriage. And, my personal view is, if there were "serious" problems, the public would probably hear less, not more.

I guess I just roll my eyes at this kind of blatant "cliffhanger" stunt.

Somehow I doubt it's going to be all that dramatic, but we'll see.

I like the show and I'll continue to watch....well, until I decide not to. I'm no more affected by this promo than any other promo where a network takes a comment (usually out of context) and tries to drum up viewers with speculation and melodrama.

merryway said...

Hi AAP, It's good to know about your daughter, so glad there weren't anymore problems.

Nina Bell said...

AAP, Glad to see you around and hope you are doing well. I understand what you are saying about the involved parties promoting the season finale and it seems as if this has become the "norm" for most TV shows. I know, ER is not a reality show, but can you get anymore dramatic than they have been in their final season?

Cincymom,

Wow, you are brave. 10 days. Good luck to you.

Eileen said...

It was not my intention to convey that all people who were invested in Jon & Kate Plus 8 were in any way over-invested.
I just meant that I could see how people would have strong opinions about the show where I did not.
And even the people that may be over-invested, well, I guess that would all just be a matter of opinion too. What someone considers a nice past time might constitute stalking to another. I hear extremes (extreme by my standards) on both sides.
I am accused of being 'addicted' to this blog, where I find it to be nothing more than a nice way to pass any free time I might have during the day. Obviously, my daughter and I have two extremely different opinions on the exact same subject.
We can all look at any given situation and come away with many shades of gray, along with those that will only see black and white.

Nina Bell said...

Eileen,

The accusation of addiction, is that a case of the pot calling the kettle black?

Eileen said...

Exactly, Nina!
Thank you! It's always nice to have validation!

Guinevere said...

Eileen, I wasn't trying to argue with you - just pointing out that I don't personally think knowing all the kids is necessarily evidence of overinvestment.

There are a lot of behaviors that I've heard of that I consider inappropriate/stalking, but the main criteria for me would be trying to effect the Gosselins' real lives.

Anonymous said...

Agreeing 100%, Guinevere!
I just wanted to clarify, to make sure I wasn't insulting you (or anyone else for that matter, as that was not my intention).

On a side note, I'm having some trouble posting. 'Hope this goes through.

Nicole said...

I think that Jon and Kate are going to talk about how Jon is not going to be doing any speaking engagements with Kate. I don't think that they are going to talk about any marriage problems on national television. JMO.

EveryoneLovesErin said...

AAP..long time no see.

but if the show is creating drama that is not there, at what point does Jon and Kate become characters playing themselves?

I think this is a very interesting question and one worth asking.

Marci,
I also agree that the promos are a ratings ploy for TLC. It's working. I haven't seen them because the only time I watch TLC is on Monday nights when my DVR records J&K. Interested to see what Monday's episode will turn out to be.

Anonymous said...

Personally, I don't think whether or not they are using the rumors to gain viewership is that big of a deal. As long as they are happy, what does it matter what other people think? Really, for some they can never do anything right anyway, so why not find a way to turn that negativity into something useful?

J. Heather Leigh said...

I really appreciate this site and the fact that you allow comments of all natures to appear.

Personally I feel that Jon and Kate need to spend some time away from the cameras and get back to where it all began. They clearly loved each other in the early episodes and now there seems to be a strain. While watching the episodes in the new house it occured to me that they are missing that close family feel the used to have. It's almost as if they are lonely now.

Ann said...

I guess I just don't get people being so offended by it...like TLC is trying to "fool" them or "manipulate" them.

Marci,
For me, it's not about "fooling" or "manipulating" at all. It's about how insensitive TLC is to use marital problems just to increase ratings. Lots of people have marital problems that affect their happiness and their children's happiness. I think it's insensitive and disrespectful to use something serious and hurtful like that for a show promotion. Even if what "will be revealed" is nothing to do with their marriage, the promo had everything to do with the public perception of trouble. They were capitalizing on the rumors as if a marriage in trouble is not serious or hurtful to families.

marci said...

Saint,

I don't necessarily disgree with your persective on the promos being insensitive, or even tasteless or tacky.

My point was, I guess, that I'm not giving it (the promo) that much importance because it's just so obvious.

Would I be correct in thinking your problem with the whole situation is more of a distaste for the Gosselins "airing dirty laundry"? And not only airing it, but, perhaps, exploiting it, which, in turn, would only increase the perceived damage?

If so, I absolutely understand your view.

Still, I've seen how many times a small situation on reality tv has been exaggerated to promote future shows...plus, I don't think the Gosslins' marriage is as bad as it's being portrayed...so I think, personally, it's not taking a harmful situation (a marriage on the rocks) and potentially making it worse.

Like I said before, I think if the Gosselins' problems were "serious" the public would be privy to less, not more.

Here's my take...

Sickening-sweet promos of Hawaiian wedding shows = tacky.

Clips of "it's all been building to this" and melodramatic narration alluding to marital strife = tacky.

Theresa said...

Saint said...
Cincymom said...I think the whole thing is a horrible situation to take advantage of.

That's how I feel. I am talking about this specific promo. For me, it doesn't really matter if they were talking about their marriage or not. Someone (and I think it's TLC) was taking advantage of the trouble and surrounding gossip, as Cincymom said. The promo had a high "ick" factor for me. I would hope J&K had the same reaction. I don't know how I would know who's to blame from watching the show though?

March 20, 2009 7:02 PM

___________________

AAP said...
Personally, I am of the mindset that Monday's episode is about Jon's feelings regarding being a stay at home dad. If I am right, I think the show's positioning of the episode as a look into their "marriage problems" is misleading and appalling. Didn't last week's show get high ratings even without the exploitive promotion??? Did they really need to do this for a bump in the ratings? Next will it be like The Bachelor where we will have to hear Chris Harrison stating every week, "The most shocking J&K episode YET!"?


**********************************

As CincyMom and Saint said, I agree....the promo is exploiting the recent gossip of the marriage being rocky. It's the editors who put that promo together, so as producers, J&K most likely didn't have an input on it and may not have seen it until we all saw it. I think it's just another ring on the bad TLC editing job ladder. They've done it all throughout the series with Kate's bossiness, this just took it to the next level. TLC is only in it for ratings and someone feels that's the way to do it. It's sensationalism in high gear.

And, like AAP, I think this episode is going to foucs on Jon's feelings about being a stay at home dad. I think the promo is actually talking about that and how Kate's traveling a lot.

We'll see on Monday night.

Ann said...

Good points, Marci. I appreciate your perspective. This is the only reality show I watch, unless I luck out and find The Amazing Race. Your point that this isn't unusual for raelity TV is a good one. I hadn't realized it.

Nicole said...

I have been trying to get on the Gosselins website with no luck. Does anyone know if they have changed their web address? Thanks.

Nina Bell said...

Bunny,

It appears to be a problem on their end. According to the message error, their server is not able to handle all of the traffic they are receiving.