The Gosselin family is going green this year with the help of Planet Green's Renovation Nation host, Steve Thomas. From solar panels to eco-friendly light bulbs, the family is transforming their new house into an eco-savvy home. Sunday, April 19 @ 9/8c
74 comments:
I think this will be a good show, whether or not they are simply doing it for TV its still one more family living green and IMO thats great.
I agree, Jacelynn.
It can only be a good thing to promote reducing our "imprint" on the environment and how do go about doing so.
I also think it's a boost for the new industries that have sprung up around "going green" that are promoted on the TLC shows...geothermal heating on LPBW and the solar panels, etc., on J&K+8. Good for our environment and good for the economy.
I'd love to live in a 'green' house, but not too many builders are green yet, and the houses we've looked at are so very expensive. It really is expensive to live green.
So we just do little things, like getting a more efficient furnace, and new windows, and little things like recycling.
I noticed where I live they are talking about charging for grocery bags now! That's a burden to put on big families, groceries are expensive enough, and then to expect people to bring their own bags when they are buying two, three, or more cartfuls is a lot to expect I think. It's different if you only have a bag or two.
I know the outlet grocery stores by us like Cosco are like that with the 'no bags' policy, but those are more bargain stores. I don't understand why the grocery stores don't just go back to paper bags that can be recycled.
It doesn't hurt to be more aware of our environment and do what we can to better it.
OK-- just some things that I thought were worth noting about this episode.
I noticed that the set for the interviews is similar- not sure whether that is a new chair (I don't think I paid much attention to the chair before...). It was good to see Jon and Kate sitting closer together again though. I am sure having a bit of a break and just time together was positive. I can't remember when the last shows of Season 4 were filmed though so maybe the timeline is mixed up.
They have the dogs still as of when this was filmed. Just sayin'. They said one of the days they did this was Valentines day, and I believe some had said the dogs were taken away in January. Also I seem to remember people talking about Jon being gone over Valentines Day and that he was out carousing or whatever... well that was wrong- he was home filming this special.
Steve was really good with the kids- I loved watching him 'demonstrate' how protons and neutrons and electrons work. It was also hilarious when he was explaining it to Kate--she made fun of him then gave him full permission to make fun of her :).
I have to agree with Kate when she talks about how projects mean people in and out and the chaos. It was really revealing that Kate admitted when she was growing up her father always had projects going that were never completed. That actually made sense to me-- she was so used to seeing things get started then left without finishing that she still has issues with the concept of having stuff go on like this.
Kate did baking which she brought out for the workers-- she was joking around with them, but brought out coffee and homemade stuff which was really nice. In fact the whole show she was poking fun at the guys and they were doing the same to her.
Leah was trying to sing "I could sing of your love forever," which is a great praise song, but instead was singing "I could sing of love forever" (over and over and over, according to Mady). That was just adorable!
I also loved how Joel called the cherry picker a 'cherry truck.'
Kate was afraid of heights and still went up in the cherry picker-- I don't think I could have done that! She joked with Steve the whole time which was good too- she didn't throw a fit, just made fun of herself.
I think in the end they made some feasible changes that hopefully viewers will see as possible for their lives. Switching out light bulbs and buying energy efficient appliances are great steps that all of us can take next time one of those things need replacing. Those lights they put along the driveway were really nice, too.
this episode was cute for the most part. kate was kind of rude, and this from someone with a very dry/sarcastic humor, you can say she was joking and yes, sometimes she was, but there were definitely times she took it too far. i will say though, that "green" guy was sweet, but pretty annoying as well. she said she didn't want to be a part of it! let it be! ha.
oh, and alexis is the star! she's adorable!
Liz,
Just real quick, I think there may be several new episodes we see where they used the old interview set. I think this must have been filmed the same day as an interview for another episode because I recognize the outfits Jon and Kate were wearing.
Tonight's show...
Steve Thomas was GREAT.
Honestly, I think this was the first time someone was on Kate's level humor-wise, using her form of joking banter. I think this was showing how Kate's sense of humor "works", but the audience has only ever seen one side, hers, before. Steve was giving it right back to her and it was hilarious, and it was obvious she was enjoying the back and forth.
I don't know where the Baltimore Sun writer got that Kate was just kvetching the entire show. I saw it as a running joke that she and Steve made the most of.
Sending Kate up in the crane with the safety brace on was pure genius.
The kids were adorable...Collin and Aaden threatening to tell on the other one about going past the orange cones...Alexis being big and strong enough to help. Mady and Cara seemed to have a blast. Cara and Alexis cuddling with the puppies on the front doorstep was sweet.
Protons, electron and electricity scene....too cute.
You could also tell Alexis and Steve bonded. She seemed like she couldn't get enough of him by the time he left.
All in all, lots of fun to watch.
Thanks for the reports. I'm really looking forward to watching this! (It sounds like there was plenty of Alexis, which definitely makes me happy!)
Steve Thomas was GREAT.
Honestly, I think this was the first time someone was on Kate's level humor-wise, using her form of joking banter. I think this was showing how Kate's sense of humor "works", but the audience has only ever seen one side, hers, before. Steve was giving it right back to her and it was hilarious, and it was obvious she was enjoying the back and forth.
I don't know where the Baltimore Sun writer got that Kate was just kvetching the entire show. I saw it as a running joke that she and Steve made the most of.
Sending Kate up in the crane with the safety brace on was pure genius.I thought it was funny, too Marci. I loved how Steve was dishing it out. Kate and Steve made a great team. :)
How about that Alexis? Can she get any cuter?
After reading the Z on TV review where he says:
I give it three and half stars for Kate's uncanny ability to instantly put a whole household and all the workmen on edge with the cranky tone of her voice and sour look on her face. I was set to change my channel because I didn't want to watch an hour long scene of “the coupon”.
But, I was totally w/Kate. Steve Thomas was pushy and wouldn't let “the joke die”. He seemed nice, he was cute teaching the kids. Even with their back and forth, I thought he went overboard w/Kate. He didn't seem to care that she might be uncomfortable around all the workman. She just wanted to bake and be left alone, but he insisted she be involved hands-on. Kate was a good sport.
Kids were cute as always. Jon seemed to have a good time.
So glad about the going green info out to the public. Kate was pretty mercenary about it, but it's a good motivation.
Cute episode. I found the interactions between Steve and Kate funny, and completely did not take her crankiness seriously. I've seen her be serious bitchy, and that wasn't it.
The kids were all cute, as per usual, and it was nice to see Mady and Cara in good moods.
I'm getting excited for the new season now!
That was a very enjoyable episode.
The kids were so cute with the puppies and the singing, etc. An epi that actually deserves repeat viewing, because there was so much going on it was easy to miss things.
Steve worked well with Kate. I haven't seen him before. What was it he said about the cookie, comparing it to Kate, "crusty on the outside" or something?
I'm sure Kate will be criticized for the remarks she made about being glad the kids were outside all day and not bothering her.
They're doing a great job with those kids, and it's not all Jon's doing, or the "helper's". They were all happy, inquisitive, helpful and friendly.
I really liked the special. IMO Jon and Kate's marriage isn't in trouble. I think they are very much in love and are just having a hard time dealing with the stress. Kate's humor did go a tad over the top for me but it was obvious it was all in good fun. The children were adorable and Alexis singing that worship song was just precious! I didn't like that Kate couldn't be bothered to hang up her phone but on the same hand she is trying to promote herself and make a name for when the show is done. Oh and that house/land is awesome, those kids are truly going to love it growing up.
I think I've come to the conclusion that Kate is a bad actress, and is actually uncomfortable in front of the camera. I thought some of the fun-poking that Steve Thomas did was pre-planned--I can't quite put my finger on it--it just wasn't natural--uncomfortable for me at times, especially when he poke fun at Jon.
Thought the kids were cute! Did anyone notice that they weren't dressed alike? Very little crying, squabbling--they seemed like normal happy kids to me. So much for all the supposition on the part of many.
And, the dogs--still there and what a nice life they seem to be enjoying. That squelched those rumors, as well.
Entertainment Weekly gave high marks to the show... I think Kate's dry sense of humor worked in her favor in this episode...
http://watching-tv.ew.com/2009/04/jon-kate-plus-8.html
I liked this special ALOT! We got to see Kate's humor shine while bantering back and forth with someone who shares in her dry wit. I think it was obvious that it was all in good fun when she made the comment that Steve could make fun of her all he wanted to. I think it is so great that Kate can make fun of herself, laugh at herself, realize her own imperfections, and not be offended when others do the same perhaps that's why they continue to do the show despite all the harsh criticism.
I think its great that we got to see a little bit of "old Kate" i.e. making al big deal over Valentine's Day (but did anyone notice the cards were only signed by her...)baking and bringing coffee to all the workers shows that underneath her "crunchy exterior" as Steve put it, she still has that soft, maternal instinct. As for the dogs, Kate appeared to have fun while attempting to get Shooka to fetch :D I CANT WAIT FOR SEASON 5! Anyone know when in May we might expect it?
Hey Jacelynn,
You made the Princess Boards.
This may sound really dumb but what exactly is the Princess Boards?
Hi right back at you, Princess!! Love ya'll muchly :).
Ok I am so mad! I never even said the first quote! Its completely made up!!!! Urggg can they even do that? Good heavens, I thought the ladies at GWOP were nuts but this is above and beyond! Have they been doing this to you guys here all along?
Guin also got kudos from the princesses.
I saw Jacelyn. I didn't know if the name had been hi-jacked. Is that you Jacelyn?
Jacelynn, to be totally honest they were 'nice' to you. People on other sites have taken our comments and screennames elsewhere in a similar manner for months. I know of one place recently that said sick and wrong things amidst the actual comments we wrote.
It amazes me how hateful some people are. This is not all the anti-Jon and Kate crowd but there seem to be a few that take things out of control on a regular basis.
Merryway: Nope that wasn't me. I knew there was blog wars and stuff being said about Gosselin fans and non fans but that is just ridiculous! Seriously people need to grow up, Im sorry Im so off topic but I just can't believe what they are willing to do to support themselves.
Considering what they did was them be nice, or nicer I guess, it kind of makes me want to scrap the whole blogging thing. Ya know what I mean? They turn everything around and its just getting old. They are suppose to be mature, grown woman and they spend their time snarking and just being rude and hateful. I like ya'll here, your super nice and its extremely refreshing to talk about non-Gosselin related things, but Im not sure if Im going to continue. I just wanted to let ya'll know, just so you don't think that Ive converted to the other side or something if I don't post for awhile. Im not sure what Im going to do, at this point Im just outraged and for all those who have had their words twisted but kept on going good for you! I really, really don't want them to think they have won.
None of this probably even makes sense but Im just so freakin mad! How does this stuff not bother ya'll?
Jacelynn,
Gwop is ridiculous. Not only did someone have to write that idiotic post, but one of their moderators approved it. Let's hope they (the anonymousmods)delete it. They have trouble recognizing comments that blatantly break their own posting rules.
It bothers me, too. I only read Gwop through the Princess boards now because they make me laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. The Princess boards are really funny. Did you see how they handled the Gwop comment with your name? They (and we!) know it's the Gwoppers who are crazy, not you.
Thanks Saint, Im still unsure what exactly the Princess Boards are, but I am going to keep on blogging because there is no way Im going to let GWOP think they have "converted a sheeple". To all the bloggers here, I honestly don't know how you remain so calm and level headed when haters are doing what they do. Kudos to you guys honestly, one little comment and I about lost my mind. lol
Jacelyn, I was freaked out when I heard about stalking and people posting personal info. I stopped for a short while.
I certainly understand, but I'm sorry it makes you feel uncomfortable enough to leave. At least hang out and lurk and maybe you will feel differently in a couple of days.
You are on page page 305 of the Princess boards. All this particular group does is snark on Gwop. I envy you. You have 304 pages of hilarity in front of you.
Jacelyn,
Here's the link for the princess board. Go back a few pages before the last page and get ready to smile. They take posts from GWOP and give a funny reality check. I think they're hilarious and wished they still took members.
Glad you're going to be around.
http://princessmc.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Books&action=display&thread=2545&page=13
Jacelynn, I know how you feel, not that much has been written about me, but sometimes you do feel like it's safer just staying in your own little world. Most times I just figure if people are going to twist your words, what can you do? Or if people want to post using your name, there's nothing you can do about that either. Or if people are going to hate me for my opinion, well, that's their right, and most likely nothing I write will change their opinion of me so I don't bother trying. That's why I really had to give kudos to justaminute, he/she did something I would probably be too nervous to do, go to another blog to try and clarify my point.
Sometimes I might read something on another blog, and I'll think that maybe I should write to explain myself better, but then I just figure they don't want to hear from me anyway, or maybe I might end up making things worse, so I just let it go.
As much as I find all this fascinating, I don't want to be in the middle of a blog war. They can use my words, they can re-post my comments, but no one can fight a war with only one side in the battle. And I have no intention of getting into it with anyone. That's not something I would find even remotely enjoyable.
Jacelynn,
You're not the first to have your screenname hijacked, trust me. At least "fake" Jacelynn comment on GWOP was an obvious spoof.
If you feel the need in the future to let anyone know, "That wasn't me," if it ever happens again, go right ahead. Regular posters often make a quick clarifying statement if someone uses their name somewhere else if it's especially ridiculous, even though, for the most part, it's not necessary.
Eventually you get your blogging "skin" and it'll roll right off your back, so hang in there.
***************************
Princess Board Ladies,
You make me laugh on a regular basis! Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the links, I've been reading some of the stuff at the princess boards and they are pretty dang funny.....
marci: Oh I know without a doubt that Im not the first nor the last, its just so frustrating.
eileen: I agree, I don't want to be in the middle of a blog war either but I definitely don't want to sit back and let them trash "me".
merryway: Im going to stick it out, Im not giving up that easily, lol. I figure let them talk and so what? Who ever choses to believe it can and same for those who don't. Im not going to let the ladies at GWOP ruin something Im enjoying.
Thanks ladies! Love this blog, its much more than a Gosselin site. :)
I honestly don't know how you remain so calm and level headed when haters are doing what they do. Kudos to you guys honestly, one little comment and I about lost my mind.Jacelynn, There's almost no end to the level to which some posters will stoop. Just keep in mind that when they use "your userid", it's because they have no idea how to counter your point, and they are just plain stupid. You have the upper hand. The internet is a scary place, but blogs on this subject seems to be mostly women blowing smoke. Keep taking the high road. I would definitely state that you did not post something if you didn't. Glad you're staying. This is a nice group with intelligent posters.
Hey! They misquoted me and attributed it to marci!
Aww, man, I can't get no respect.
I thought the interaction between Kate and Steve was awkward. I think he was getting annoyed and his way of dealing with it was to give it back to her. I don’t find her complaining very humourous.
The kids were cute and so were the dogs.
I thought the show was very timely,and Steve Thomas was quite pleasant. I am JUST like Kate,in that I hate chaos and people around,but I am not having my life filmed. She seemed a bit rude,but it could have been the editing.The children are cute,but they need some training..I am an educator of 30 years.Those children are not up to speed,with all the places they have been,people they have been around,they should be much more advanced.The boys in particular seem very backward.The dogs ARE exceptional,so good about being roughly treated..never nipping.The twins seem to be better able to control themselves. I look forward to the new season.
At first, I thought Kate was being rude to the green guy. (i don't know his name) But when they started going back and forth I realized they were jerking each others chains. It was okay. I think the zest I once had for the show is gone. Maybe it will come back, who knows. I still read here though. :)
I was on the fence with this show. LOVED it in the very beginning years ago but I am finding it so hard to watch now. This family has changed so much for the better because of the show and Kate seems just so ungrateful and mean. I much prefer the VERY old reruns but after the GOING GREEN I know I will probably not watch...there's no fun in it anymore. Not bashing....I'm just sayin'
i watched this entire episode and i never found any moments when kate had a good sense of humor about the work MNAY OTHERS put into greening her family's gagillion $$ new home.
kate came off as cranky, ungrateful, and deserving a time-out for horrible manners - the very ones she's supposedly so firm about instilling in those adorable kids. awful episode!
My husband was actually watching a little of the show, he likes and watches the 'green' show that Steve Thomas does now (he used to host "This Old House") but after about fifteen minutes he said he had to stop watching, as he put it "It has that b@tchy wife on, the one from the show that Ellie (our daughter) watches!"
I just laughed. He asked me if I wanted it recorded and I said no I wanted the movie about Irena Sendler recorded!
I really don't think that Kate is rude or ungrateful. I think she just has an incredibly dry sense of humor and that's what we see on tv. People take her so literally, and I don't get that. She jokes around with the renovation guy, and she's a b*tch. If she wouldn't have interacted with him, she'd also be a b*tch. The lady can't win. Of course, I'm saying all of these things based on what I see on tv; I certainly don't know her at all.
I do think her personality and sense of humor is working for her though. There's so much buzz about her, which I think is making the tv show a huge hit. Even the people who say that they despise her watch the show (which makes no sense to me), so she's doing something right.
I love the Princesses! I find their jokes so clever and witty. Plus, it allows me to read the insanity over at GWOP without actually having to go there.
I haven't seen the Green episode (I know, some fan, huh) but now I sort of want to just to see what all this rudeness is about.
So Bethg, I agree with you about the buzz and I often wonder if Kate does it on purpose. I always thought she was a cunning business woman.
MommyZinger,
I didn't watch either. I also want to see myself what the rudeness was. I watched Masterpiece Theater's installment of "Little Dorrit" instead. Luckily, I have no obligations to advocate for the Gosselin children by picking theri parents to death. Whew!
Saint said...I didn't watch either. I also want to see myself what the rudeness was. I watched Masterpiece Theater's installment of "Little Dorrit" instead. Luckily, I have no obligations to advocate for the Gosselin children by picking theri parents to death. Whew! Saint, how was "Little Dorrit"? I have not read the book. I saw it was on Sunday, but I already planned to watch "The Amazing Race" and the Gosselin special and didn't want to tap my DVR out. I am very interested, however. I might have to see if it's replayed on PBS.
I thought it was a good epi overall. A little looooooong though. A few things I loved:
-Alexis singing.
-The girls with the sleeping pups on the front porch.
-Jon shooting the sh&t with the guys about Kate.
-Kate laughing at herself and giving Steve Thomas permission to make fun of her.
-Steve Thomas was great - I think he actually "gets" Kate.
The Princess board is hilarious. I am officially hooked and I wish they would do the same for some of the other hate sites.
Does anyone know how to join?
Thanks!!!!
i wasn't impressed, kate really got on my nerves. the kids were cute of course. i did have one question: this was supposed to be valentines day? i thought one of the last episodes was v-day? the one where jon was at his mom's house. wasn't there all this hoopla that jon was out of town on v-day?
themrs: Yeah Im not sure about the Valentines thing either.....
I really don't think that Kate is rude or ungrateful. I think she just has an incredibly dry sense of humor and that's what we see on tv. People take her so literally, and I don't get that. She jokes around with the renovation guy, and she's a b*tch. If she wouldn't have interacted with him, she'd also be a b*tch. The lady can't win.I think she really can't win with some people at this point. I almost beat my head against a wall around the airing of the St. Jude's episode arguing with people who feel that her charity is just for show but won't acknowledge that if she didn't do any visible charity work, she'd get dinged for that too.
I totally agree with you on her sense of humor. I can completely understand people not liking her sense of humor (in addition to being dry, it can be biting), and not enjoying watching her based on that. But taking it so literally and calling her rude when she's so obviously joking...that just seems to me to be a deliberate choice on the parts of people who don't like her.
i watched this entire episode and i never found any moments when kate had a good sense of humor about the work MNAY OTHERS put into greening her family's gagillion $$ new home.
kate came off as cranky, ungrateful, and deserving a time-out for horrible manners - the very ones she's supposedly so firm about instilling in those adorable kids. awful episode!She baked and brought them baked goods. She said thank you several times. She has a kvetching persona (that she may now be exaggerating for TV; I don't know). No one there seemed to take it seriously.
I'm not sure where gratitude comes in. I mean, I am assuming that everyone involved was being paid for their time. I don't think this was a volunteer effort. I think paid workers should be treated well (and again - treats and thank yous), but I'm not sure gratitude needs to enter into it when it's essentially a business transaction.
I finally saw *most* of this episode last night. I thought the interaction between Kate and Steve was funny. I dont think she meant to be rude, I think they teased each other equally.
I'm a heights chicken too and wouldn't have wanted to ride up to the roof..... at all.
Leah was so cute singing!
Little Dorrit is great. There's one more installment. I never read the book, but probably will now. So far, it's my favorite Dickens story.
I finally saw the Gosselins Go Green episode, and I am surprised that people take Kate's attitude literally. I can certainly see why it would be annoying, but who thinks she's serious? She's hamming it up. They even referred to her "playing the part" in this episode. She's not my cup of tea when she's like that.
The kids were cute, I agree, themrs.
Jon wasn't in the "Valentine's" scenes in this episode, so there is no reason to think he was home necessarily. At least I didn't hear anything on the show to suggest he was or wasn't there. The show was clearly filmed over several days, so maybe he was not home for that particular day or weekend?
I would just like to respond to Guinevere's comment about Kate's sense of humour being dry and biting and that people should not take her literally when she is obviously joking. Teasing and joking that is good natured is fairly obvious. What appears on tv does not seem good natured at all. In my opinion, we are totally responsible for what comes our of our own mouths whether we are on television or not to ensure that we are not misunderstood, perhaps especially when we are on television; not that I ever will be. The onus is on us, not others, to make sure that our words reflect what we mean them to. In my own family, we have often had the discussion that saying we are "just joking" does not give us the excuse to say whatever we want or hurt someone else's feelings. Similarly, our right to say something does not outweigh the other person's right not to hear something rude or offensive. Sarcasm and biting comments are especially hard for children to make sense of and excuse the way adults may do especially when it comes from a parent, even if it is simply overheard. I know that you will likely rush to refute my comments and provide excuses for Kate but I am just offering my point of view for you to think about. I really wonder how the Gosselin children make sense of what is for television and what is not because, regardless of what Jon and Kate say, there must be some differences in their behaviour or words (i.e., for entertainment value) when the cameras are on versus when they are off. I also wonder how this will play out in the future as they look back on their childhoods, something we all do. Just my thoughts.
This episode was a nice sales pitch for green technologies (Thanks BP for your solar panels), but really, is it wise to put solar panels in Pennsylvania? Too many cloudy days, not enough direct sun, waste of an expensive, limited resource. If they really wanted to make an impact, ship those panels to San Diego or Florida where they can produce a lot more electricity.
The show failed to reveal how Jon and Kate would achieve the first and most important aspect of being green- Conservation. Use less, buy less, drive less, FLY less, and so forth. Is Kate spending her hard earned money for carbon credits against all those plane flights she's taking now? That would impress me, but I highly doubt that she is.
Like I said, nice sales pitch of a show.
Ok Devils Avocado has to be one of the funniest screen names I have seen in a long time.
...it's a 30 rock reference, probably Tina Fey thought of it.
DevilsAvocado said...
blah, blah, blah, but really, is it wise to put solar panels in Pennsylvania? Too many cloudy days, not enough direct sun, waste of an expensive, limited resource. If they really wanted to make an impact, ship those panels to San Diego or Florida where they can produce a lot more electricity.
____________________
You are joking, right? ROFL
I am serious, solar radiation over a year in Harrisburg averages 4.52 kWhr/sq.m/day and San Diego gets 5.77, plus electricity is more expensive in CA. Gosselins should have done windmills if there is sufficient wind, they certainly have the land for it.
In the big scheme of things, solar panels and the government credits that go with them should go to the areas that would benefit the most.
Didn't you catch Steve saying it was many years before payback on the panels (if they were actually paid for by the gosselins), I think he said 30 and the panels are good for 50 years, maybe more.
DevilsAvocado - The Gosselin's live in PA not CA or FL. What they are doing will benefit the area in where they live.
IMO, it is unreasonable to expect the Gosselin's or any PA resident to "ship those panels to San Diego or Florida where they can produce a lot more electricity." But I could be totally wrong...
Gosselins should have done windmills if there is sufficient wind, they certainly have the land for it.What if there isn't sufficient wind?
What if the solar panels were free? Should Kate have said, "Oh no, it's sunnier in Bakersfield, CA, please ship them to PennMommy."
Too many cloudy days, not enough direct sun, waste of an expensive, limited resource.
The resouce is sunlight, which is free and renewable. Really, there is sunlight here. PA's not a rain forest. Free solar panels are free. I am assuming that the cost to the Gosselins, if any, was worth it. How is sunlight being "wasted" by using solar panels?
Saint,
Truly funny. I think the Gosselins will be anxious to hear from "Penn Mommy" regarding the solar panels among other things.
I know, I know. I can hear it now. "Are they still talking about Penn Mommy?" That would be a yes.
What if the solar panels were free? Should Kate have said, "Oh no, it's sunnier in Bakersfield, CA, please ship them to PennMommy."
I almost fell of my chair...so funny.
But then again I don't think they make fake solar panels..oh sorry!!
Saint, that was hilarious. I laughed out loud!!
Honestly, I don't think it matters what state you live in-- solar panels, different lightbulbs, recycling, etc are all important for everyone. I can see the point that they may be more effective in some areas but just because we in Michigan get paid 10 cents per pop bottle that we return (which is a deposit we pay when purchasing said bottle) does not mean others should not recycle things without a deposit available.
Use less, buy less, drive less, FLY less, and so forth. Is Kate spending her hard earned money for carbon credits against all those plane flights she's taking now? That would impress me, but I highly doubt that she is.I'm all for living responsibly and doing what we can. But do you really expect people to say "Fly? Of course not, it's only 900 miles. I'll walk thank you!" Or is this only a standard for Kate? Some people have to travel by plane frequently, even more frequently than Kate does. How do you propose they get there?
I know that you will likely rush to refute my comments and provide excuses for Kate but I am just offering my point of view for you to think about. There's a huge difference in rushing to provide excuses and disagreeing with someone. If you find explaining why you disagree to be "making excuses" then so be it.
Steve's feelings didn't seem hurt to me- they seemed to have a buddy/buddy joking rapport going on and I think he's a big boy. Regarding the way she treated poor Steve, there is a fine line between concern and stupidity.
Samantha, if you would like to actually explain why you disagree with me that is no problem. What I was referring to is the often used excuse that Kate is just being Kate or that is just her personality when she is negative, biting or complaining. That is no excuse in my opinion. I would want to work on it if I were her whether or not I was on tv which, of course, I am not.
The other thing is I would appreciate clarification as to whether it is me you are referring to when you write that there is a fine line between concern and stupidity because it seems to be. If so, I am kind of shocked that you would find it stupid of me to express my opinion. Actually, I was not just commenting on her choice of words to him -- don't think I mentioned his name -- but to others including her children over time (even though I know this is a discussion of a particular episode).
Teasing and joking that is good natured is fairly obvious. What appears on tv does not seem good natured at all. See, not only did it seem good-natured to me, but I am just as baffled as you are that anyone would see it differently, BGR. To me, it was fairly obviously joking between the two of them (Kate and Steve.) It didn't make for good TV for me. I get tired of that type of banter, but that doesn't mean they were serious. (The kids were cute; I liked those parts.)
I am responding because I don't agree with your perception that is in bold above. What is fairly obvious to me, seems to have been missed by you BRG, and others who agree with you.
I agree that there are people who complain too much. I agree that Kate is one of them. I agree that Kate should work on that. So what? That doesn't ruin children's lives. Just because something is annoying doesn't mean that it's detrimental to children's development. She takes care of her children. To me it's fairly obvious that she loves her chhildren. They seem like a happy bunch of kids and they love her back.
By the way, there's an awful lot of complaining about Kate, too.
Also, just something for those of you who share BRG's perception to think about: there are a whole lot of nice moments seen on this show, too. Do you notice those? The children are happy. Did you notice them snuggling the dogs? Did you see them playing outside? They also celebrated a little holiday and showed snippets of that interspersed with nice comments by the kids. Jon and Kate were both shown joking and laughing with the workmen. The home improvement guy, Steve, made several teasing jabs to Kate and behind her back, which I cannot believe anyone truly thought were meant in anything less than a teasing way. I agree that Kate is over-the-top with her "fussy" and "phobic" and "indoor-girl" persona. So what? I just don't see the interaction that we see of that family as being outside a normal range.
See, not only did it seem good-natured to me, but I am just as baffled as you are that anyone would see it differently, BGR. To me, it was fairly obviously joking between the two of them (Kate and Steve.) It didn't make for good TV for me. I get tired of that type of banter, but that doesn't mean they were serious. (The kids were cute; I liked those parts.)I’m not convinced it was obviously joking between the two of them. Steve’s “Yikes” and the expression on his face said it all. It was awkward and the best way for him to deal with it was to compliment her cookies. I don’t think Kate’s shtick is amusing. When Jon said the kids helped put in the lights on the driveway and whe she replied “Is that why they’re all broken” was rude. It was rude to keep them waiting while she talked on her cell-phone. Maybe she does put it on for TV and if that’s the case she’s very good at it.
I agree that there are people who complain too much. I agree that Kate is one of them. I agree that Kate should work on that. So what? That doesn't ruin children's lives. Just because something is annoying doesn't mean that it's detrimental to children's development. She takes care of her children. To me it's fairly obvious that she loves her children. They seem like a happy bunch of kids and they love her back. I agree, just because someone is annoying doesn’t mean it’s detrimental to children’s development, but it also doesn’t mean we shouldn’t comment on Kate’s behaviour. The kids seem happy sometimes and other times not so happy. That doesn’t mean that Kate is the best mother or the worst mother in the world. If there are detrimental affects it is more insidious than that and not likely to be obvious on episodes of the show.
I would just like to respond to Guinevere's comment about Kate's sense of humour being dry and biting and that people should not take her literally when she is obviously joking. Teasing and joking that is good natured is fairly obvious. What appears on tv does not seem good natured at all.I agree with Saint; I saw it as fairly clearly good-natured. I guess we can all be accused of viewing Kate through the lens of our own prejudices; there are a number of times that I've seen Kate depicted as furiously angry by non-fans when I didn't think she was angry at all. Since none of us can know what's in her heart, I think it's a matter of perception, but I would suggest that many of the more egregious claims about Kate's horrible bitchiness or perceived rage would not pass the "reasonable person" test.
In my opinion, we are totally responsible for what comes our of our own mouths whether we are on television or not to ensure that we are not misunderstood, perhaps especially when we are on television; not that I ever will be. The onus is on us, not others, to make sure that our words reflect what we mean them to.I disagree. Communication is a process, with a sender and receiver. The receiver has some responsibility, too - to be fair and not to look for excuses to take offense. If I tell someone, "You look nice today" and they perceive it as a dig on how they normally look, I don't think that's my fault.
Communication is such a complex thing; I really don't think you can reduce it to, "Always say exactly what you mean and use care with your words, and you'll never be misunderstood".
In my own family, we have often had the discussion that saying we are "just joking" does not give us the excuse to say whatever we want or hurt someone else's feelings. Similarly, our right to say something does not outweigh the other person's right not to hear something rude or offensive.I agree with the first, to a point; obviously, using humor in a passive-aggressive way to hurt others is wrong. That said, teasing is more common in some relationships than others, and I think sometimes people who don't communicate that way judge it too harshly. I tease my niece a lot. I've learned the hot buttons that she doesn't like to be teased about, and I respect that. It's certainly not my intention to hurt her when I tease her.
But even if humor is used to get digs in, is that *always* a bad thing? I'm not sure. I don't think that passive-aggressiveness is usually that effective. But again, there are as many different communication styles are there are people. A parent may tease a child about her messy room, and the child may take offense. But in some families, such an interaction may be the catalyst that gets the kid to actually clean, where no amount of direct requests or nagging could do so.
I haven't even gotten into the use of indirect communications in other cultures.
Sarcasm and biting comments are especially hard for children to make sense of and excuse the way adults may do especially when it comes from a parent, even if it is simply overheard.I'll agree with Saint again - the Gosselin children by and large appear to be happy. I've seen evidence that they "get" when Kate is teasing them or joking. I don't think you're giving the kids enough credit here.
I know that you will likely rush to refute my comments and provide excuses for Kate but I am just offering my point of view for you to think about.See, in my perception, the above sentence constitutes a passive-aggressive dig; the first sentence essentially negates anything that I have to say and the second justifies it by offering the pretense that you're trying to be helpful.
So, if I were offended by this statement (I'm not), by your reckoning, it would be entirely your fault, right? It's not possible that I misunderstood you or that I'm taking offense because I have my own agenda - at least according to the rules you've set out.
My whole family is sarcastic and biting in their 'humor' and so is my husband's family. I always wonder what strangers think of us when we are out in public and making fun of each other and calling each other names! But we get us, we know it doesn't mean anything, and none of us complain about being picked on. We KNOW we love each other. I would imagine it's probably the same with the Gosselin family. I don't watch them anymore so I can't say for sure, but if anyone were to judge my family by the things we say to each other, you would think we hate each other. We do not, in fact, just the opposite. And we try to spend as much time with each other as possible.
I didn't watch the green episode, but from what I'm reading about Kate not wanting to interrupt her phone call and give her undivided attention to the workers, if I were one of the workers I would feel that I do not matter. That was extremely rude of her in my opinion. She was telling the workers that her phone call was more important to her, which it may very well have been, but then finish the call, give the caller the attention they deserve, and then give the workers the attention they deserve. I may have misunderstood, as I said, I did not see it for myself, so if I am misjudging her, I'm sorry.
I didn't watch the green episode, but from what I'm reading about Kate not wanting to interrupt her phone call and give her undivided attention to the workers, if I were one of the workers I would feel that I do not matter. That was extremely rude of her in my opinion. She was telling the workers that her phone call was more important to her, which it may very well have been, but then finish the call, give the caller the attention they deserve, and then give the workers the attention they deserve. I may have misunderstood, as I said, I did not see it for myself, so if I am misjudging her, I'm sorry.I had mixed feelings about this scene. She did come off a little rude, but from what I recall, Kate was called out when she was already on the phone. They basically dragged her out there. She seemed to want to finish her call. It felt a little staged to me, but even if it wasn't, she may not have handled it right, but OTOH I think Steve was being aggressive (possibly for "storyline" purposes) on bringing her outside - it wasn't like she swanned out there on her own and then kept everyone waiting why she chatted (it sounded like a business call, IIRC).
Well, I really shouldn't weigh in on an opinion of whether Kate was rude or not rude in the first place because I am basing my opinion on another point of view of what someone else saw.
I always felt that three people can witness the exact same scenario and you will get three very different accounts of what happened. The only way really to form an opinion is to see for yourself, which I didn't, so I should just keep out of it.
I can see that Guin thought of it as more 'banter' on the part of both Kate and Steve Thomas, which I also read was going on a lot during the show. If I had seen it myself I may have come to that same conclusion, especially in light of how my family conducts themselves (ourselves I should say, I'm guilty of the sarcastic remarks too).
I felt the same way about the phone call as Guin, because what we saw was the middle of an event. It's just as rude to talk to someone while they are already having a conversation on the phone with someone else as it is to take a call while speaking to someone else. Which was it? I don't think Steve meant to be rude. I think he meant to be funny. That was the whole point of the scene.
Eileen, my extended family handles sarcastic remarks very well. We are a functional, close family. In-laws get treated more tenderly as a rule, though there are a few who come from even more sarcastic families. There is a range for normal. If everyone loves each other and is generally happy, well, that's a decent guage for whether this teasing is detrimental or not.
Rain88, I completely agree with the last part of your comment, including that you should be allowed to comment on Kate's behavior. The comments here, while in disagreement, are respectful, and I love reading them. I've said before that the comment threads at other sites where disagreement is not tolerated are boooooring to me. This is the best place to comment on Kate's behavior, IMO.
I didn't watch this episode, but I did see it mentioned on the Soup. Pretty funny if you get a chance to catch it.
I did not like the episode. I felt uncomfortable watching it. Infact, I only have seen bits and pieces when nothing else has been on through the multiple re-airings. She came of even more snarky and just icky through the entire episode and Jon was acting more like he can't stand her. I realize the not a nanny was there watching the kids and all. But she could have pretended to atleast enjoy what they were doing and be thankful.
Florida Mom said...
I didn't watch this episode, but I did see it mentioned on the Soup. Pretty funny if you get a chance to catch it. I did! Funny. I didn't catch that the first go around. It was almost painful to watch.
Jon seemed a little off to me in this episode. Just kind of going through the motions.
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