The following is from a press release emailed to me this morning:
Kate Gosselin, whose adventures raising twins and sextuplets are chronicled on the hit TLC reality show Jon & Kate Plus Eight, is fighting back at reports that she has been having a more-than-platonic relationship with Steve Neild, a bodyguard who frequently travels with her and her family.
Two weeks after stories linked her husband, Jon Gosselin, with a 23-year-old school teacher, Kate says she is now the target of tabloid lies. "The next story coming out from the animals that stalk us is about our security person and his family," Kate tells PEOPLE exclusively. "Already the allegations they're making about me are disgusting, unthinkable, unfathomable, and I am horrified."
"These are people who absolutely love us and want to see us through to the end," Kate says of Neild and his family. "Of course, both of them travel with us at times, and we've spent holidays together, because, in this situation, your circle grows smaller and smaller, and it's very natural to become friends with your manager, your publicist, your security team ... they're the only people you have left. And now they're coming under fire."
For more, see the full story on PEOPLE.com:
79 comments:
I respect and empathize with the fact that she's concerned for her friends and family. I don't understand people who claim they opened themselves up for this- as if the fact that have a television show instantly strips all rights away from them and justifies even the most vile behavior of the attack machine.
ITA with you, Samantha! NO ONE deserves to come under the scrutiny and harrassment that the Gosselins have had to endure.
I can't help but wonder how much the hate blogs have made this situation more serious than it would have been in the past....
It's time to do the right thing, Gosselins..pull the plug on the show! I have loved the show from the beginning and applaud them for being so on top of their game as parents, but honestly, now it is time to focus on a united front. Take time from the camera, leave that life behind and get back what they have lost.
It breaks my heart that they are having such difficulties. Whether any of the allegations are true or not, it would be enough for me to say enough is enough. I would put my family back as top priority, stop writing books, touring the country, having television cameras and crews in my life and try for some normalcy.
The Gosselin children deserve that more than anything else.
If these allegations aren't true, they should sue. Many celebrities have sued the tabloids and won when they have out-and-out lied.
It sounds as if they've lost friends because of the scrutiny from the show. That's sad. Really sad. For the kids, for the friends and family, for J&K.
I am glad that this blog did not jump to any conclusions about the truth of these rumors. Better to err on the side of goodness than on the side of mean-spiritedness. Thank you.
I also agree that it is sad what a media firestorm this is. I saw the Rachael Ray thing today too.
I do wish the best for Kate and her family.
My sticking point though is that she CAN stop the insanity. Stop doing the show. Many people, while they may not like it, have altered their paths to make life more liveable.
Just like Jon is realizing his choices must be different and he can't "live his life and go places and be with certain friends (whatever the truth might be or not)", that same logic that Kate and Jon use can be applied to whether they should continue to do the show or not.
Jon's statement was that his behavior should change because of the show and the popularity.
Well, I argue they should change their work behavior and QUIT THE SHOW, because how it is affecting their personal lives.
Too many lives are affected to stay stubborn and indignant that she should be allowed to do as she wants.
If they are that isolated, it is so very sad. IMO, I would want to "go back to how it was" and not want to move forward.
She is concerned for her friends. She is talking about "friends" that are PAID to be around her. What a sad statement to make that the only friends you have are on someone's payroll to be around you. Where are Beth & Bob, Uncle Kevin & Aunt Jodi, they seemed to be able to handle all the traveling and helping w/the children without getting paid. This response in People is just going to have the tabloids and media in a story frenzy with more paps stalked out across the street from their house trying to get pictures of the children. Enough is enough. Quiltart, how can the hate blogs make this situation worse? The behaviors of these parents in the past year should hold them accountable for their own choices. I read somewhere that Season 4 had over 50 episodes taped and that it was TLC's #1 show. Of course the media is going to scrutinize their every move. If Kate continues on with her career then she scrutinized she will be. How can the Roloffs have 1,000 of people on their property for pumpkin season and not one anonoymous photo come out? How can the Roloffs have the respect of their viewers and the Gosselins do not, it comes down to honesty and integrity and maturity. I just once would like the Gosselins to consider their children and not just for filming their show purposes. I'm disgusted by all this.
I think that its time for Jon and Kate to end the show. Regardless of if they deserve this, or its to be expected its NOT right for the children.
I think that even if they pull the plug on the show this drama will all continue. The Gosselins have been in the spotlight for so long that they can't just fade away-- especially with so many blogs devoted to tracking Kate's every move and obsessing over reruns (since I know there was huge talk during the break between seasons of how horrible cupcakegate was or any of the other various -gates that people noticed in past shows).
I agree the show should end, but in a way all this might make Kate just want to show people she won't be taken down without a fight. Think of the pressure on the kids now that there are rumors about their dad (which have pictures and video showing that at least he showed poor judgment) as well as their mom (which there is no proof of). Seriously-- anyone who truly wants to advocate for these kids would not be spreading rumors or participating with sites that spread rumors. They would be making an effort to cut through the bullshit and show people that without factual information we really have no idea what is going on and thus should be cautious how we phrase what we say.
JillyBea, I totally agree that they should sue if the allegations are false, but wouldn't that just make this whole process take longer?? I mean, if I were in Kate's shoes and knew I was blameless, I would want the whole thing to be over with instead of going through the legal circus and trying to clear my good name. The kids do not need to have more headlines about their parents, so while I do think they should take action I would not be shocked if they do not.
I agree with you, Saint, that erring on the side of kindness is always best. Making assumptions does no good-- its ok to speculate and say your thoughts, but remember that stating things as fact is how the Star and other papers get their info.
I think it would take awhile but eventually people would forget/get bored with the Gosselins. I think they would fade just as quickly as they grew popular. But thats all JMO and I do respect that Kate doesn't want to back down, however as "horrified" as she is imagine how the kids feel, especially Mady and Cara.
I'm sorry but I am dumb when it comes to blog lingo what does IMO mean? Probably something simple... but I am a natural blonde. He! He! The situation is getting dangerous for the sake of their children. Thank God that the paps haven't stalked the girls at school. But, sadly, they are stalking the family at home.
IMO=In My Opinion
Thats just it, they are STALKING the family home! The kids may not know any better but that doesn't make it healthy for them.
I'm Appalled, IMO just means In My Opinion (sometimes you'll see IMHO, or In My Honest/Humble Opinion).
Feel free to stick around-- I know you have a different view on things than some of us but that is what makes discussing everything more interesting! If all of us felt the same way life would be extremely boring :). It would be great if you could pick a screen name that was less incendiary though-- I know Jacelynn probably remembers us mentioning that to her and hopefully is glad she chose a new name and stuck around!!
Liza Beth: I definitely remember that, lol and am VERY glad that not only I stuck around but you guys welcomed my opinions. :)
IMO...I feel the only way Kate can earn any respect from anybody is to stop the show and focus on her family. She is making herself look less and less credible by giving us advance warning of future scandal. She is hanging on to this show and her fame with tooth and nail and it doesn't look good.
Just my .02
I don't think the hate blogs have made anything worse or better.
Liz, I think they should definitly sue for slander or libel, which ever it is. Yes, it make take awhile, but it keeps scummy journalists in some kind of check.
As long as TLC keeps showing reruns, DVD's sell, the Gosselin's will not be free to move around as a normal family. I think that may well be gone for a very long time.
And yea, it is very sad that there new friends are the very people who work for them. I am not saying they don't care about the family, it is all just beyond sad.
I agree Momof2.
Has anyone read this yet: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2009/05/jon-kate-.html
I think Jon and Kate should finish filming their last season and then walk away.
In my opinion thank you for welcoming me. But I am finding that I am dwelling on these stories too much and IMO am becoming too intertwined with the tabloid fodder. I just have watched from the simple beginning and am amazed how fame and fortune have changed this married couple in such a short time. I loved watching the tups from the beginning and thank God their innocence remains untarnished. The twins have had it rough the last two years also. Cara's withdrawal into herself and Mady's outbursts should have been clear to their Mom & Dad to back off. The only reason you didn't see them probably 1/2 of the filming was they thankfully were in school. But this obsession w/Jon and Kate is becoming dangerous to their children. Jessica Alba, Reese Withersoon, Gwentyth Paltrow can walk in public w/their children, yes they are photographed but these celebrities don't have body guards. I think I have said every point I wanted to get across And here I go again... I just want the children to be safe, happy, well and loved.
I am appalled--I have the same opinion as you do
I just want the children to be safe, happy, well and loved. We all want the children to be safe and is probably why Jon and Kate use Bodyguards to keep them safe. I think I would have a bodyguard if there were hate sites who dig info on me and stalk my every move and talk about it on the internet where the really unstable wacko's can look up my address, know where I shop, where my friends live, phone numbers etc.
Jessica Alba, Reese Withersoon, Gwentyth Paltrow can walk in public w/their children, yes they are photographed but these celebrities don't have body guards The difference between these actresses and no bodyguards is they don't have hate sites stalking their every move, pausing their shows to find information off a letter on a countertop etc. They don't have to worry about online stalkers digging up personal information about them to warrant bodyguards and a large percent do use security but then again they are not accused of having affairs with hired help.
I'm at the point where the hatred that people are expressing about Kate is really stressing me out. There are people on boards who claim they don't even watch the show but spend day after day saying the most disgusting things about Kate and Jon...it breaks my heart. "Oh, the humanity" is all I can think of when I see this sort of thing. We live in a nation consumed by hatred, where many many people would much rather dwell on what they hate, obsess over it endlessly, than find something they love, because they in fact LOVE the HATE.
It's out of control. What can be done for these people. It seems as if they are possessed. I can almost see them hunched over their computers, their heads spinning as they type more hatred about this one woman and her family. It's very scary.
Sherry, it is scary. How truly horrid their lives must be if they spend their days and probably most of their nights thinking up names and rumors for the Gosselins........ its sad......
Quiltart, how can the hate blogs make this situation worse?People on those blogs have contacted tabloids to try to get them interested in the Gosselins. They've talked to them. They may well have lied to them (and the tabs don't care if someone lies to them; they will just add "insiders allege" to the rumors they spew in order to cover themselves).
From the beginning, many of the haters have made it their MISSION to try to interfere with and disrupt the Gosselins' lives. What do you call calling CPS on them?
The behaviors of these parents in the past year should hold them accountable for their own choices.Yes, and angry women with too much time on their hands who have used that time to try to hurt total strangers are accountable for their own choices, too. Not that any of them seem to realize it.
How can the Roloffs have 1,000 of people on their property for pumpkin season and not one anonoymous photo come out? How can the Roloffs have the respect of their viewers and the Gosselins do not, it comes down to honesty and integrity and maturity.Plenty of people hate the Roloffs. I just went to check their thread at TWOP and the first two posts I saw suggested that one of the sons is a homophobe and that he will likely end up in jail.
Plenty of people hate the Duggars, too. There is really no one on reality TV who is universally loved. Most people (especially women) on reality TV seem to be lightening rods for angry, judgmental busybodies. Kate Gosselin has a dedicated band of haters, to be sure, but she's really not so unique in that; she's just developed a higher profile than some.
This is JUST MY OPINION but I think some hate Kate more than another reality mom because she has an attitude. She acts like she does everything and she is better than everyone. IMO she thinks that she is the super mom of the world and God's gift to every mother of multiples. She takes credit for things she doesn't really deserve credit for and she seems to do whats best for HER not her children.
What do you call calling CPS on them?
Is that a fact Guineviere because I don't know that to be true, do you? Could you provide a link to that information?
As far as Reese, Gweneth being able to walk around in peace, IMO, they haven't given the public reason to distrust them. Many people simply do not like the Gosselin's, and if the "hate site" have pointed journalists to uncovering lies, affirs and the such, then it is my opinion it should be uncovered.
I think people dislike Kate because she is mean and dishonest, this is again, my opinion.
Sherry, ITA! Something has be totally lacking in a person's life to be able to express so much venomous hatred to someone they don't even know! In addition, while some of the haters are applauding each other for their part of "bringing down the Gosselins", they are also directing the same hatred toward the fans. IMHO, Kate Gosselin is not the person with all of the problems... The people who are perpetuating the hate and the rumors and trying to destroy a family are the ones who need to look inward.. especially those who consider themselves advocates for the children, because trying to destroy the family of these children is not a sign of advocacy.
Sorry to be so longwinded today, but yes, all of this hatred really does upset me! I'll get off my soapbox now!
Is that a fact Guineviere because I don't know that to be true, do you? Could you provide a link to that information?Numerous haters claimed to have called CPS, both on TWOP and GWOP. I guess they could be liars in addition to being haters.
Numerous posters also claimed to have written various letters to various entitities trying to interfere with the Gosselins' livelihood, harrassed a pastor whose church was hosting Kate Gosselin, and contacted various tabloids trying to get them interested in reporting on the Gosselins. I believe several GWOPpers claimed or at least implied that they had contacted the IRS hoping to get the Gosselins audited in the belief that they weren't reporting their income from church talks.
I guess all of these people could have been lying. I'm just going by what the haters themselves have said. Maybe in addition to hating total strangers they are all habitual liars. It wouldn't surprise me. But it also wouldn't surprise me if they had done such things (contacted CPS, the IRS, the Enquirer, etc.), because a number of them seem to have no concept of boundaries.
As far as Reese, Gweneth being able to walk around in peace, IMO, they haven't given the public reason to distrust them. Many people simply do not like the Gosselin's, and if the "hate site" have pointed journalists to uncovering lies, affirs and the such, then it is my opinion it should be uncovered.I don't know specifically whether Reeese Witherspoon or Gwyneth Paltrow have bodyguards. I know a lot of celebrities do, though. Are you saying that only celebrities who "the public" distrusts have or need bodyguards? That doesn't really make sense to me.
I think people dislike Kate because she is mean and dishonest, this is again, my opinion.Yes, I dislike a lot of mean and dishonest people, too. I can think of a whole group of them, actually. Mean, dishonest, jealous, petty and utterly lacking in self-awareness.
I think people dislike Kate because she is mean and dishonest, this is again, my opinion.Yes, I dislike a lot of mean and dishonest people, too. I can think of a whole group of them, actually. Mean, dishonest, jealous, petty and utterly lacking in self-awareness.There's that word again..."mean". Now, where have I heard that before? It just sounds so familiar..... ;)
I agree with your post of May 12, 2009 11:06 AM, Liza Beth...but if there is grounds, I think they should sue. If it can be done quietly (right!) that would be ideal. Although, not having to go thru the hassle when they have such a busy life makes sense, too.
Guinevere, ITA on both your posts.
I don't HATE them...there's just something not right and I think it's all coming together. Look at all the flack Octomom has endured...granted...thats a bit different but in a way it's very similar.
What started out as one thing has completely turned into something else. Kate has relied heavily on others to support those children financially and people are starting to feel duped. She does not apologize for her behavior ever...and still manages to have a sense of entitlement...that is what bothers me.
Kate absolutely SHOULD NOT cancel her appearances, the show, etc. If she did, she and Jon (and the kids, or at least the always-dissed Hannah and Mady) would be giving in to the people with irrational hate, and to the liars and gossips out there. Sure, the show can't last forever, but they should quit on their own time, not in response to all the stuff happening right now.
It's funny--when I started out occasionally seeing the Gosselins, I thought from the get-go that Kate was a "shrew"! It wasn't until (A) the kids' cuteness won me over one night when nothing else good was on TV, and (B) I began to come across all the hate, that I started feeling sympathetic toward the family. It's like a reverse of the stereotypical tale of "discovering The Truth" that the rabid anti-fans often tell :)
I'm no expert, but I don't think libel suits are that easy to win in the US (IIRC, the standard is very different in the UK, where stars more routinely sue and win such suits against tabloids). Plus, perhaps celebrities don't sue because they don't want to have other allegations (true or false) brought out in court. I think it's usually the wiser course not to sue. If that were not the case, then there would be lawsuits being filed constantly against the tabloids by various celebrities. We know that the tabloids print things that aren't true; otherwise how can one tabloid claim that Brangelina are living apart when another has Angie pregnant?
What started out as one thing has completely turned into something else. Kate has relied heavily on others to support those children financially and people are starting to feel duped.With all due respect, I've been hearing for a year now that people are "starting" to feel duped, or "starting" to catch on. My sense is that very few opinions have actually changed over that time. The people who felt duped still feel that way, and those that don't understand what there is to be duped by still feel that way.
I don't understand why Kate is solely to blame for any financial support the Gosselins received in the past (I assume you're talking about when the sextuplets were babies). Jon is and was part of the family, too.
Momof2, I don't think Octomom and the Gosselins are similar at all, except for the presence of a multiple birth.
Octomom: Got implanted with numerous embryos, more than is medically recomended.
Gosselins: Kate received IUF, and thus had no way to know how many embryos she was starting with/could end up with.
Octomom: Conceived babies when she didn't have a job and didn't have a partner with any kind of income.
Gosselins: Kate and Jon were both working at the time of the sextups' conception.
Octomom: Had six kids prior.
Gosselins: Had two kids prior.
Octomom: Made sure to have some kind of makeover before the cameras first captured her. (I don't agree she had surgery, though--just that she made sure to look very pretty.)
Gosselins: Didn't get her tummy tuck and highlights until the 'tups were, like, two.
All right, those last two things were meant to be funny. But it all proves the point: That Octomom and Kate are in no way alike.
I understand we disagree. I used to watch the show quite faithfully with my daughter until I just couldn't enjoy it so much because I would let Kate's changing attitude get to me. I could STILL go back and watch the older episodes and probably enjoy them....but Jon and Kate have changed, very much so.
They both quit their jobs when they realized how lucrative having the kids on tv was...they made the show their whole life and I think that's wrong. I agree it could be a PART of their life for awhile to help supplement their income, knowing someday they would go back to the responsibility of raising their children themselves...but Kate has made it perfectly clear that there's no going back. She expects more and more and it's less about the kids now. I do feel she and Jon had a difference of opinion on whether to continue the show and based on what TLC showed us on air...Kate made that decision for the both of them.
As far as Kate and Octomom being similar....if Kate only wanted "just one more" when they were apparently already struggling and Octomom did what she did already while struggling...they are similar. The outcome of both pregnancies was what it was....
You can attack me for my difference of opinion...I am fine with that. I actually came to this blog because there were some level headed posts here and I am not a HATER. I actually defended Kate on another blog and got beaten down there...LOL.
Momof2, thanks for clarifying your point-- I agree that while they both had jobs in the beginning they saw the show taking off in popularity and chose to maximize that time. I also think, though, that the time spent on the phone with production, setting up interviews, phone calls, etc, is a job unto itself. Granted Kate has mentioned this but it stands to reason that she really did feel like she needed Jon around more just to help with emails, scheduling, kid stuff, etc.
I have to keep reminding myself that the interview segment for the final episode of Season 4 was filmed right when the tabloids got ahold of the drunk photos of Jon with coeds. Because of that I honestly feel he was looking more at the current state of his life (i.e. realizing he can't just go out and party like he wants to-- shocking, I know!!) than at the big picture of what he wanted. Kate was happy, of course, and Jon was not-- but I really do believe a lot of that is because he was caught with his pants down (which is an ironic metaphor). Whatever else he may or may not have done, at the very least he has shown poor judgment and a lack of consideration for his family. He seems like the kind of guy who bottles up his emotions (I know they have talked about Cara being like Jon, in that she is the same way emotionally) so maybe he was feeling pressured for a long time and, instead of talking about it like an adult, he decided to lash out.
Whatever happens is their choice- I feel like they should just air what they have filmed and then see how they feel in a couple of weeks after the dust settles. There could be contractual obligations to fulfill, and if so it would be best not to have the kids dragged into a breach of contract lawsuit and just finish this last season then move on.
I would actually think that ending the show would earn them a lot of respect and they could STILL look forward to opening their home again in the future for their fans to see how much the kids have grown and what they are up to. Their fan base is such that they need to keep what they have instead of letting more potential bad news cost them more.
I don't think we need to know everything all the time. Less is more in this case. :)
angry women with too much time on their hands who have used that time to try to hurt total strangers are accountable for their own choices, too. Not that any of them seem to realize it.But, have these women actually hurt Jon and Kate? I would say, despite their best efforts, the answer is no.
Kuromi -
Kate absolutely SHOULD NOT cancel her appearances, the show, etc. If she did, she and Jon (and the kids, or at least the always-dissed Hannah and Mady) would be giving in to the people with irrational hateActually, if your husband is complaining how the spotlight bothers him, your 2 oldest daughters really don't want to be on the show - just going by the times they are actually shown -, and having this HUGE spotlight on your family is causing significant problems, I think quitting the show and taking time out of the spotlight is doing what's best for your family, not giving in to haters.
I'm not a "hater," but I'm hardly a fan.
I watched the show religiously — until the greed, arrogance and unkindness were more than I could handle.
"It's very natural to become friends with your manager, your publicist, your security team ... they're the only people you have left," Kate said.
Really? The only people you have left are "your people"?
Maybe if she hadn't driven away friends and family, those wouldn't be the "only people you have left."
I blame no one for this fiasco except Jon and Kate.
They wanted it: now they've got it.
But, have these women actually hurt Jon and Kate? I would say, despite their best efforts, the answer is no.I absolutely think they have. To what degree, I don't know. But even to be aware of the stuff they've put on the internet has got to be a stressor. And then the fact that they harrass pastors and businesses that deal with the Gosselins or appear on the show - I don't think they've hurt Kate as much as they want to - I think they'd like to destroy her - but I do think they've done some damage.
Since GWOP, the rumors and accusations, and I believe, even Penn Mommy were around when Jon and Kate signed their contract for seasons 4 and 5, I would think that they took that stress into consideration and decided the money they are getting paid to do the shows was worth the stress they receive from the haters.
And since no one the haters have contacted has actually cancelled an event/contract with Jon and Kate, again I am going to say the haters have not hurt them.
AAP, I would have to disagree with you. These people talking hate about the Gosselins ARE hurting them. Guin you summed it up so much better than I can, but I just want to add that they are very much hurting the children and as a mother I can promise you that Kate hurts when her kids hurt.
Jacelynn, their comments haven't hurt her enough to stop doing the show. I don't condone what the haters do, but I am saying that Kate was fully aware of their intense hatred towards her and has chose to ignore them and continue her career in the public eye.
Kate is more popular and wealthier than ever, so I have a hard time understanding how the haters are affecting her life. Nothing they have done or threatened to do has seemed to work.
If anyone is interested, Julie has commented, on GWoP. I haven't been reading there since all this recent stuff started (no, seriously) but somebody mentioned it at one of the places I lurk.
Kikibee
I was wondering if you could email me. ninabell53@gmail.com
AAP, I thought we were just debating whether they'd hurt her, not to what degree. I'm talking about emotional pain (and obviously as such just speculating). I don't see the fact that the show is continuing as indicative of anything.
If anyone is interested, Julie has commented, on GWoP. I haven't been reading there since all this recent stuff started (no, seriously) but somebody mentioned it at one of the places I lurk.Why am I not surprised? Fresh meat brings vultures.
have
Guin,
From the beginning, many of the haters have made it their MISSION to try to interfere with and disrupt the Gosselins' lives.This is what I thought we were debating. I'm sorry, but I don't see the reference to Kate's emotional well being in that statement. And since you like to focus on proven facts, and there is really no proof that Kate or Jon reads GWOP, I was mostly referring to effect the haters have had on their professional lives. When you referred to hurt later on, I thought that is what you were talking about.
Kate is more popular and wealthier then ever. No one has cancelled a contract or an event with them, nor has a sponsor dropped them. They haven't succeed getting TLC to take the show off the air. I don't think the haters planted the 20 something in a bar to seduce him and cause Kate problems (and they are probably kicking themselves for not thinking of it first.) So overall, I am not seeing the effects of their hate campaign.
My comment about how much GWOP has hurt Kate was in response to Jacelynn's comment, where Jacelynn's referenced she believes GWOP has hurt her emotionally. I was responding to her comment, which I took as solely her POV and separate from our debate.
In our debate, I said "I would think that they took that stress into consideration and decided the money they are getting paid to do the shows was worth the stress they receive from the haters." I mentioned nothing about the degree of hurt GWOP caused, because that is not the topic.
Sorry to disappoint SusanP
Just needed to take care of some personal business. No attack on Julie by me. Don't care about Julie enough to expend the energy.
AAP said:
"Kate is more popular and wealthier then ever. No one has cancelled a contract or an event with them, nor has a sponsor dropped them. They haven't succeed getting TLC to take the show off the air. I don't think the haters planted the 20 something in a bar to seduce him and cause Kate problems (and they are probably kicking themselves for not thinking of it first.) So overall, I am not seeing the effects of their hate campaign.
AAP, this particular part of your post made a lot of sense to me in regard to PERSONAL CHOICE. Gosselins.
Jon's actions and Kate's interviews/statements were their choice. IMO. Also, J&K's statements/interviews/explanations might have been prompted moreso from tabloids, cnn, people, etc, than the hate blogs.
So what if Julie has commented on GWOP? Why are people on this site consumed by what GWOP says? What I would like to see is Kate's Mom and Dad, Jon's Mom, Jodi and Kevin, Beth and Bob come forward in the defense of Mady,Cara, Alexis, Aieden, Joel, Collin, Leah, and Hannah. Kate is consumed with her new career and Jon, well Jon is just lost. Someone needs to come in defense of these 8 kids. For Kate to say that "paid" friends are so important to her is sad, really sad. The above mention people in Jon and Kate's life had the interest and only the interest of the 8 Gosselin children in their minds. They need to couragelously come forward in defense of the children for Kate to stop her obsessive career plans and Jon to be mature. Pity the innocent children not their parents.
MGoBlueMom
Consumed by GWOp? Are you serious?
I Rarely ever even bring GWoP up anymore. I personally haven't talked about GWoP for months. I don't see it mentioned here much.
Now I know over at the wallow, you mention it quite often. You also appear to be consumed with our site.
Julie - one person brings her up and we are just consumed. Wowjustwow.
I need to find some duct tape.
mkb77 said...
It's time to do the right thing, Gosselins..pull the plug on the show! [...]
Actually a better idea would be to pull the plug on this blog, and GWoP, and tabloid mags in general. The more people throw fuel at the fire, the more likely it is that the show will continue.
Hypothetical question: If this whole things turned out to be a scam..for ratings...how would you feel about it?
What I would like to see is Kate's Mom and Dad, Jon's Mom, Jodi and Kevin, Beth and Bob come forward in the defense of Mady,Cara, Alexis, Aieden, Joel, Collin, Leah, and Hannah. Kate is consumed with her new career and Jon, well Jon is just lost. Someone needs to come in defense of these 8 kids. For Kate to say that "paid" friends are so important to her is sad, really sad. The above mention people in Jon and Kate's life had the interest and only the interest of the 8 Gosselin children in their minds. At the risk of being accused of being "consumed" with "proven facts", how on Earth do you know what is in the minds of people who have never even been on the show or spoken publicly about any of this, such as J&K's parents? Is the thinking: Kate is EVIL; Kate doesn't get along with her father; therefore, Kate's father must be GOOD, and voila: person we know NOTHING about is now another Child Advocate with the Gosselin kids' best interests at heart? Please explain, because I really am not getting it.
At least I understand in theory the thinking on Bob and Beth and Jodi and Kevin: Beth and Jodi are NotKate (the men are just along for the ride, of course) and as such, and since they may or may not be estranged from Kate, OBVIOUSLY care more about Kate's kids than Kate does and would be more than happy to raise them. Any real mother would gladly take on the raising of 8 kids in addition to their own! Problem solved.
Exactly Samantha!
Celebrities have rights to privacy as any other citizen of the US.
B/c of the--nature--of people thinking that being on tv means it is okay to stalk, plot, and poop on celebs...
Is it no wonder there is security detail available?
I mean--Rebecca Schaffer, Selena just to name 2 up and coming actresses who were just living until a crazed fan offed them.
We should be lucky that Kate and Jon are only dealing with affair rumours, but it is scary the amount of "stalking" that people do to prove they are horrible parents.
It only takes one crazy to make a situation dangerous.
And to suggest that--well, if they wanted to be safe, they should have never...
Oh patooty on that!
Seriously?
If I don't want to be murdered or stalked or bullied by the public, I have to stay home?
Backwards thinking.
Completely bass ackwards.
Perhaps the rumours are intended to get them of the air.
Is that really fair?
Someone mentioned on other posts about why are the Gosselins not suing if there is innocence.
Well--you have to prove that there is harm as a result of the lie.
We'll have to see how it plays out.
But make no mistake--failure to sue b/c someone lied is not an admission of guilt or validation that the story is true.
I'm Appalled That....
Wrote:
"How can the Roloffs have 1,000 of people on their property for pumpkin season and not one anonoymous photo come out? "
They are pretty candid on camera about airing their dirty laundry.
There probably isn't a market for a photo.
Matt wrote a book prior to the show ever being aired and they had popularity within the Little People community through their conventions.
In any case--when he drove drunk...it did make the news. He had his mug shot plastered nationwide.
However, they aired it all and he ended up being cleared IIRC of some if not all the charges (can't remember as it was a while ago).
So to argue that they don't have anonymous photos....
There just is not the controversy surrounding them as there are the Gosselins.
People are trying to tear the Gosselins down.
Which is rather unfortunate.
To suggest that they let the naysayers win by giving up and that people do this daily.
That is a bunch of malarcky.
Many successful people rise above adversity.
Folks want them to quit b/c they don't like their career choice.
Please provide an example of a well known person who quit b/c opinion polls said they should of any job they were successful at.
Key word--successful.
Many people do not like the Gosselins--but funny how they continue to succeed despite that.
Either the twisted anti's still don't get how ratings and book sale rankings work and continue to flock, or there are just plenty of people with a brain who do not depend on mob mentality's in making their entertainment choices.
And for perspective--I did take a professional acting class and to the "t" everything that is happening now with the Gosselins is something that is warned about in the class for those who get towards being successful.
You find out who your friends truly are and aren't and that people will find something wrong with success.
I'm glad that my husband and I do not make our career decisions based on the opinions of people who don't like us.
Anybody who does that--is a fool IMHO.
"I'm no expert, but I don't think libel suits are that easy to win in the US (IIRC, the standard is very different in the UK, where stars more routinely sue and win such suits against tabloids). Plus, perhaps celebrities don't sue because they don't want to have other allegations (true or false) brought out in court. I think it's usually the wiser course not to sue. If that were not the case, then there would be lawsuits being filed constantly against the tabloids by various celebrities. We know that the tabloids print things that aren't true; otherwise how can one tabloid claim that Brangelina are living apart when another has Angie pregnant?"
The standard indicates there must be harm. IF it doesn't hit Brad or Angie in the pocketbook via less bookings or boycott of films thus less profit...
You won't win a suit.
People lie--sadly it is a protected form of speech in a way.
That way is--I can say that Twiggy is a fat unsophisticated cow that I saw gorging on Ben and Jerry's before a movie in my home town.
Now it is very much untrue, but it won't have harmed her in anyway.
Hurt feelings are not grounds for winning a libel suit.
It doesn't surprise me that in our litigious US society, the litmus for truth is whether or not the person sues. If they don't sue--well it must be true!
Momof2 said:
"They both quit their jobs when they realized how lucrative having the kids on tv was...they made the show their whole life and I think that's wrong."
This certainly is a difference of opinion--but I see it differently as someone very interested in the entertainment industry as a profession.
The show demands combined with the money made, made more sense for them to not work.
As for Jon--he didn't outright quit his job. He began working from home.
We never found out what the true reason for him ultimately quitting that job.
But one thing is obvious. The demands of the show (which obviously provides them a very steady income) made working 40 hours elsewhere rather difficult.
A few scenarios could have played out.
Jon could have quit when it was evident that he could not service his employer full-time.
Or perhaps he had an agreement with the employer that enabled him to bow out when it got tough to balance the two.
We just don't know.
It is awful presumptious that greed is what took them to doing the show exclusively as a source of income.
I watch an awful lot of Dave Ramsey and he often says that if you have an idea for a business, you don't quit your day job and amass oodles of debt to build a business that may fail. You work at it until you have an income from the business that you can live on and then you quit your day job. (hence that funny saying "Don't quit your day job" that is often said to folks who have no talent but wish to pursue it.)
This is what the Gosselins did. Sure, there commodity is their family and yes laws should be updated to include the children under the umbrella of protection, but that aside--
IT is spoken as though they sold their souls to the devil. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I don't have issues with them as long as they are based on fact.
Many times though, folks have an issue with anyone other than themselves acquiring wealth especially if they themselves do not have wealth.
It is not limited to the entertainment or reality tv industries. It runs rampant across all sectors.
"I agree it could be a PART of their life for awhile to help supplement their income, knowing someday they would go back to the responsibility of raising their children themselves"
This again is another unfair statement. One would presume then that you are against any kind of childcare arrangement that does not involve at least one parent, preferably mom, staying home.
It is odd how there are many dual income families in this world but people seem to think that it is thier place to judge whether or not a family is a good family based on the employment status of the parents and the childcare status of the children.
Very shameful and I say this as a full-time homeschooling mom.
We should learn to not judge the choices that we would not make based on our opinions. (i.e. I do not judge parents that send their children to a box to be brainwashed as horrible parents. There are homeschooling parents who might, but I am not one of them. I made a decision based upon what works for OUR family and I would not impress upon other families to follow suit b/c I am not in charge of raising their family.)
I find it odd that you gave your blessing for part-time but then once they got popular and famous...you withdrew your blessing.
If you had such a moral issue with their choices, you should have been against it all along.
I think that is telling.
".but Kate has made it perfectly clear that there's no going back."
Well, yeah--you can't just "turn off fame". It would be difficult for them to seclude themselves since the stalker-non-fans decided to post the whereabouts of their home.
"She expects more and more and it's less about the kids now."
She said this? You say it as fact.
"I do feel she and Jon had a difference of opinion on whether to continue the show and based on what TLC showed us on air...Kate made that decision for the both of them."
Again--your opinion has transitioned to an appearance of fact.
We do not know what takes place in their private conversations in regards to their family.
But I think it is fair to say--that maybe...just maybe...it is a bit sexist to expect Kate to bow down to her husband and do as he says when he says it.
My husband honors my wishes and dreams. He is a bit prepared in the off chance that something "takes off". His only issue is that I transition to paid work, my work right now is non-paid. And for that issue alone, we evaluate the impact on the family for the time away from home. But it is for me to build my base so that I will be taken seriously.
The fact that Kate is working on a 3rd book indicates that she has some passion for writing.
To presume that she should drop her dreams just b/c Jon doesn't like it--again is sexist.
(And I am far from a femi-nazi who is for women's rights men be darned. Can't stand it--but I am shocked that folks are stating they would be more content with Kate if she were tantamount to Mrs. Duggar and just stop the show and any prospect of a career b/c her husband says so and she should be home with the children.)
"As far as Kate and Octomom being similar....if Kate only wanted "just one more" when they were apparently already struggling and Octomom did what she did already while struggling...they are similar."
They were not struggling until after they got 6 more.
Octomom was struggling long before she ever conceived and her fertility doc who did this is under review for doing this.
Her doc was complicit in making her situation worse.
The same cannot be said for Jon and Kate and their doc.
"The outcome of both pregnancies was what it was...."
Octomom seeking instant celebrity status...
"You can attack me for my difference of opinion...I am fine with that. I actually came to this blog because there were some level headed posts here and I am not a HATER."
I wish people did not think they were being attacked b/c their posts are responded to when questioned. It is thought provoking and provides for engaging discussion.
"I actually defended Kate on another blog and got beaten down there...LOL."
To date--I don't think anyone has beaten anyone up here.
I have some spare bandaids though if you feel I knocked you silly.
A Mom-ynous
Bass ackwards is exactly what it is! Thanks for the laugh :)
"Hypothetical question: If this whole things turned out to be a scam..for ratings...how would you feel about it?"
Like Matt Roloff driving drunk?
Kate is NOT a good actress.
NOT by a long shot. (she did that Vsmile commercial and her voice was nails on a chalkboard to me b/c she was just "reading" the script and not feeling it).
For her to fake the pain that this has caused her would be impossible.
As for Jon, I don't see that he would be complicit in a ratings stunt.
As for the show, I would be disappointed that they felt the need to tamper with the show in that manner.
As for how I would feel or what I would do--I would hope that it would be considered a hoax and the production company able to be prosecuted for it.
However--I am uncertain what the purpose of discussing this hypothetical is. There is nothing to suggest that it is a hoax that was masterminded by Figure8 productions.
I'd have to do some research on the company, but I just don't see that they would have that much of a love of the art to soil their image by orchestrating the destruction of a family with a fake affair.
Morals or no morals--it would destroy their bottom line and their credibility in the industry.
As tantalizing as ratings would be for a few weeks from all of this--it would be suicide for the company to have been complicit.
It is beyond the parameters and scope of a publicity stunt.
I think that Kate could win a lawsuit and that she should sue. It takes time but Carol Burnett did it. She should also make sure she recoups all the money that she has to put out for legal.
I watched one clip with Kate coming out of a building in NY and the paparazzi pursuing her were really trying to rile her by saying terrible things about Jon and herself. I just wanted to hug her and tell her that I was sorry for all the things that were being said about her, and for what I have said. She doesn't deserve this! All of this on top of the accusations against Jon. And even if Jon didn't cheat on her, he gave the impression of doing so and put himself in the position of being accused. I honestly believe that she is innocent of what she is being accused of. I think that the hard core that drives her would never crack enough to allow something like that to happen. She is driven to provide for her family;she has tunnel vision and can only see the goal in front and cannot be distracted by the periphals. The idea of Kate "letting her hair down" is inconceivable. I think that the obsessiveness of her goals is what makes her so disliked and at the same time, shows that she couldn't be out cheating. She doesn't even have the time to relax with her husband's idiosyncrasies let alone a relationship outside the marriage.
I think that all this hate being directed at them, and the lies add up to hate crimes. It's reached the point of being so much more than libel or slander. I think that the tabs would be very hesitant to continue publishing this stuff without proof if it became a hate crime.
At the risk of being told I am "too invested" in the Gosselin family life, I think Kate appearing on the cover of People magazine stating her marriage is in trouble and has been for some time, was an incredibly poor judgement choice. What happened to handling the matter privately among themselves? Wouldn't that be best for their kids? And isn't this another example of Kate saying they're doing one thing, and then contradicting herself with her actions?
Really, what are the benefits of doing this, unless she is laying the ground work for their divorce?
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20278472,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines
Thanks for the link AAP. This is all just really sad, I honestly think that there was something going on between J and D, if they were truly just friends I don't think Kate would be having such a hard time with it. Its sad to see a marriage end, but at the same time....... there has got to be a lot of stress in that house and that is not good for anybody.
I really don't know how they can complain about the intursion of the press into their private lives. It appears, to me, that they are now inviting the speculation on the state of their marriage. This story isn't going to go away if they keep feeding it with constant interviews and press releases. Perhaps the tabloids wouldn't have let it go either but we'll never know now.
AAP--I just read the People online version. It is sad, sad. And I agree that she is not using good judgement to place her family and her struggles so publicly. If there was a conclusion (yes, we're divorcing, please respect privacy, or "we've agreed to work together to stay together") would be one thing. But to update the world at every opportunity during the process is poor judgement IMO. And she completely contradicts everything she said on Rachael Ray, LKL, Today, etc about handling things in private.
I do agree with her comments that once your mind has time to process things, you can accept shocking events you would never have anticipated.
Maybe this is why the production is stalling. They don't know what they are doing personally and so they don't "know" how to spin the episodes to make sense to viewers.
"At the risk of being told I am "too invested" in the Gosselin family life, I think Kate appearing on the cover of People magazine stating her marriage is in trouble and has been for some time, was an incredibly poor judgement choice."
My question (rhetorical) is: How can anyone watch the show and NOT come to the realization on their own, that there is trouble in the marriage? We have episode after episode of J&K fighting it out over some issue. Is it really poor judgment on Kate's part to basically say, "You see all those times in our show when we're yelling at each other and conflicted about things - fighting over who does what and how Jon thinks I'm wrong in how I behave or I think Jon's wrong in how he behaves? That's all real. "
They did put it all out there for the world to see. Why would anyone one think that the continuation of what they've always done is poor judgment, now? Is it because of the tabloid stories? Is it because that now there is suddenly a possible third party involved? Does that make it worse than anything we've ever seen on the show already? Was it all different before simply because their fights never involved the possibility that there was an "other woman" or "other man?"
Yesterday I said I was stressed by the hatred I've been seeing when it comes to Kate. Now I think it's more amazement, wonder and awe that people could be so happy about what some are calling Kate's downfall. I'm horrified by people's reactions to this (I'm certainly not talking about the person I'm quoting - fyi) but it's just so sad that people take so much satisfaction in thinking that Kate is hurt or that she's evil (and these stories are proof) and that her "true ugliness" is being revealed.
All the ugliness I'm seeing is coming from those commenting and celebrating about the J&K situation. And all those ugly comments simply make me feel more compassion for Kate. Kate can't come close to being as mean and ugly as the people who hate her so much.
I am just simply sad.
While reading blips of the People article my heart just dropped right into my stomach.
All of the kids will be adversely affected, but I keep visualizing the twins in my mind specifically and how they would react to not having their parents together and dad not around...it just breaks my heart.
I really hope, even if Jon did cheat, that they work it out and stay together. If Jon were really committed, they could work it out.
Those kids need both their parents.
Trish: I agree the kids need both of their parents but if they are constantly fighting and the home is full of stress it would be better, IMO, for Jon and Kate to not be together. I don't think Jon wants to work it out all that much, he has admitted that he's not really the working type, he would rather being hangin' with the dudes at the ski hill, and he's just not motivated. So why should Kate shoulder all the responsibility of raising the children, it seems like its up to her to bring in the money and its up to her to raise the kids while Jon is galavanting around town so really to me it seems like the kids only have one active parent all ready and Kate is already living like a single mom.
Jacelynn-
All families bicker and experience stress. In a perfect world, raising children in a home without any of that would be awesome.
But that isn't reality for 99% of us.
All I know is my family and marriage have been through some extremely rough and stressful times...things that others might have thrown the towel in and said forget it, I'm done. Well...we're still here, we're still together and our family is that much better for it. We are more tightly bonded than ever. Was it hard? Sure. Was it rosy for our kids at the time? Heck no! But I do know our kids are beyond grateful that we have stuck together.
As for Jon's attitude and maturity...well that would be one of the key ingredients necessary to making it work. I agree with you...I am not sure he is there.
All I can say is I hope this is enough of a wake up call for him to want to turn things around.
The whole thing is just plain sad. :(
I am more upset at TLC for cashing in on this now than anything else.
I have not read the People article yet, but I will.
I'm interested due to my own personal circumstance.
At this point--Kate is also becoming a role model for those in similar plights.
*bleep* like this happens in the fantasy world of celebs as it does with private citizens.
To say that it is not good judgement for her to be in people is--poor judgement.
We don't know what Kate is doing in her life at the moment with her husband who is appearing more and more like a cheating dog.
And if Kate cheated so what--it isn't right, but Jon is the one who got caught so to speak.
Them handling it privately is not the same as providing an update.
Me telling what few I can that my husband and I are fine and that he is in treatment and talking about my feelings (as I did hear in demonstration of empathy to Kate's reaction) is not the same as airing my dirty laundry publicly and dealing with it publicly.
They are not one and the same and it is no suprise WHY the public feels that celebrities are not entitled to the privacy they request when they are unable to figure out that there is a whole world beyond an interview on television and to a magazine.
We the public have unjustly blurred that line.
Her sharing how she feels is not dealing with it publicly.
There is fallout right now. It is ridiculous to expect any less.
(Make no mistake that if she went hiding behind closed doors and making no mention of it that the hater blogs would be on hyperspeed on the gossip!)
I don't mind opinions--as long as they are realistic. But some of these comments have me shaking my head and clearly demonstrate that folks haven't walked one inch in the shoes of infidelity and/or addiction.
A Mom-ynous said:
"o presume that she should drop her dreams just b/c Jon doesn't like it--again is sexist.
(And I am far from a femi-nazi who is for women's rights men be darned. Can't stand it--but I am shocked that folks are stating they would be more content with Kate if she were tantamount to Mrs. Duggar and just stop the show and any prospect of a career b/c her husband says so and she should be home with the children.)"
I respectfully disagree. I don't care if you are male or female! If your partner is having issues with being part of something he/she doesn't want to be a part of, then it the other partner has a responsibility of figuring out what is best for the marriage.
A marriage is a partnership.
This doesn't mean that you can never do what you want to do, but why would you want to continue doing something that you know bothers your partner?
Anonymous A Mom-ynous said...
I have not read the People article yet, but I will.
I'm interested due to my own personal circumstance.
At this point--Kate is also becoming a role model for those in similar plights.
*bleep* like this happens in the fantasy world of celebs as it does with private citizens.
To say that it is not good judgement for her to be in people is--poor judgement.
A Mom-ynous said...
We don't know what Kate is doing in her life at the moment with her husband who is appearing more and more like a cheating dog.
And if Kate cheated so what--it isn't right, but Jon is the one who got caught so to speak.---------------------
So Jon is a "cheating dog" because he got caught? And "if Kate cheated, so what"?
Oh my, what a unique perspective.
A Mom-ynous said:
"..presume that she should drop her dreams just b/c Jon doesn't like it--again is sexist."When your family is falling apart and there are 8 little children at home who are more than likely looking for answers, comfort, and stability ... yes, you drop your dreams and take care of their needs first.
It's called *not* being selfish.
Jacelynn,
I agree with you. I've only halfheartedly followed the story, but what I feel is missing is a united front in which Jon admits to the problems in the marriage, his role in creating those problems, and his commitment to fixing them (or divorcing, if that is what he wants to do). Kate is doing all the talking, which may seem like a good strategy since Jon doesn't come off as very articulate, but at the same time the person who is most responsible for bringing their problems into the media spotlight is doing the least amount of embarrassing mea culpa. I firmly believe that it is the responsibility of the cheater (whether he did it or not is pretty irrelevant at this point) to work toward regaining trust, and it is the responsibility of his partner to work on forgiving and letting go of the pain and distrust. However, it seems like Kate has had to put on a brave face and go out and defend Jon, which implies forgiveness, while he does nothing (in public). IMO, it gives off the impression that he doesn't want to put in the effort to atone for his poor judgment, and his half-assed apology doesn't help matters either. I hope they don't divorce, but Jon needs to man up and stop leaving his wife to the media sharks while he hides in her skirt folds.
I really have to second everything Sherry said. I'm disgusted by the celebrating, the "how dare she, but good for him" attitudes that abound. There is enough here to suggest a family is splitting up, and 10 people (at the least) will experience the heartache of that break up--to laugh and celebrate that is just kind of sick.
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