Tuesday, June 2, 2009

The Great Debate Of John And Kate

I am sure I don't need to tell you who these two people are. Unless you have been living under a rock in the past few months, you've seen and heard about John and Kate Gosselin. They have been America's new tabloid darlings, splashed over every magazine and newspaper in the country.
The question is WHY? Herein lies the debate.

John and Kate welcomed sextuplets over 5 years ago and added to their two child family, making them a family of eight. "John and Kate Plus 8" was born and our voyeuristic TV viewing habits were satiated by viewing the daily lives of this family with eight children. As with every great story, there is a protagonist. Kate, is certainly the main character here. Her husband John and the kids; the bit players in this drama/reality TV show.

The transformation of Kate happened right before our eyes, proof that money and power changes people, and not always for the better. There is the money; which is reported that the Gosselin's receive close to $50K to $75K per episode. At 89 episodes to date, estimates say that's somewhere in the ballpark of 6 million. Nice ballpark. Then there's the freebies; plastic surgery,(tummy tuck for her), hair plugs, products, cars, homes and numerous staff. Put that all together and the world has created it's very own monster, a la Dr. Frankenstein.

I must admit that until last night, I had never watched one episode of their reality TV show. I have however, read plenty about the drama that surrounds John and Kate. WHY? Because I cannot escape it. It's in my morning newspaper, in my mail box every Friday and on my email at least twice a week. I'm talking about US Weekly Magazine. I recently started getting a subscription and in the two months I have received the magazine, (that's 8 issues) Kate has been on the cover of every. single. one. I get e-mail updates from US Weekly and they have all lead with a new titillating detail about Kate and John.

WHY? Is this a story about a hair cut that launched 70 million viewers? Or is this a classic example of "The Britney Factor", as we are watching a train wreck of a marriage implode right before our eyes. Tabloid reports speculate on John's extra-marital exploits with a young teacher and whether or not Kate's banging her handsome body guard. The public can't get enough. She has been accused of being a cold-hearted, bully who is hardly a mother, but extols her skills as a mother daily and John is painted as the lazy, hanger-on who is better with the kids, but visibly unhappy and unmotivated. Then there's the kids. Eight beautiful little souls who will bear the brunt of all this ridiculousness for the rest of their lives, all in the name of the all mighty dollar.

Sometimes I'm not sure if it's OK to invite the press into your life and then complain about the intrusion. One could argue that although the Gosselins have created an opportunity to support and raise their brood of eight fiscally responsibly, as young, attractive adults they have acted irresponsibly and created this tabloid fervor. Others may argue that Kate is a money hungry, evil monster who cares more about keeping her next tanning appointment than worrying about exploiting her kids for profit.

It's a tough debate as long as we keep watching and buying her books. I am sure that pictures of Kate or John with a member of the opposite sex are worth a small fortune on the paparazzi open market. One thing is for sure, this drama has certainly reached a fever pitch and if someone doesn't step in soon, we may be following a blueprint for a tabloid tragedy.

Too bad Jamie Spears is unavailiable.

17 comments:

will said...

I guess I'm living under a rock (It's quite comfortable too) ... I've seen reference to their names and wondered (less than slightly) who they were. I'm sorry I now know something about them.

Verdant Earl said...

I've never watched the show, but Gia is occasionally fascinated by it. I don't get it.

Sass said...

It irritates me that their kids are going to suffer because of her drive for fame.

Ugh.

h said...

Never watched the show. Hit the Mute button if it's a topic on the News. Not interested in the personal lives of "real" celebs either.

Here's hoping the "Octomom" isn't next!

Heff said...

You may not be able to escape it, but you CAN avoid it, which I do at all cost.

I've never seen 1 second of it, and I quite proud of that fact.

Cora said...

I've only seen one episode and I hated it. The kids were totally out of control, Kate was a complete Nazi, and Jon was just an annoying wimp. No-one in their family seemed the least bit happy - everyone was crying and yelling and looking miserable. I can't understand the allure, honestly. My sister though is addicted to the show and even watches it with her kids. Strange.

Jennifer and Sandi said...

Hate her and I've never watched one minute of her / "their" show.

HAPPY TUESDAY!

- Jennifer

Anonymous said...

Candy, I have never seen it but as most, heard of it. Except for the kids, which I have none, that sounds like you were peering into my now defunct marriage. Except that I am not actually lazy and in my humble opinion, I am better looking than that guy, wow, he looks like shit. He must have a big unit or something.

Jenny said...

I've never watched, but agree with you that it doesn't matter .... you can't escape their story which is now being played out in the tabloid headlines.

I think they represent everything good and bad about this country; the ability to make your own fortune and the dark side to success and power.

I tried to watch the premiere, but I was BORED and turned it off after a few minutes. Which isn't to say I don't watch my share of bad TV, just not that bad tv show.

Pop and Ice said...

I have watched the show a few times, but I eventually felt so sorry for John that I just couldn't watch anymore. I do, though, like Kate's hairdo. *Don't hate me, please*

The Dental Maven said...

Never watched it. I enjoy my own reality, thank-you-very-much.

SkylersDad said...

I would watch if the kids had to compete with each other to not get voted out of the family...

Chris said...

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones, since I know next to nothing about these people. I've heard the names in passing, and that's it.

starbender said...

WoW- I must be living under that rock cuz this is the first I have ever heard of these people.

Eight kids would drive me way-crazy, I am crazy from 5. Although the money would be okay, I can stretch a dollar 'til it cries.

Prunella Jones said...

I love trash TV with the best of them but I truly don't understand why anyone would watch this show. Two unattractive bores and their eight screaming kids? Ugh.

Anonymous said...

I have to admit I would like to spank her in an angry sort of way.

Wil Harrison.com

Fancy Schmancy said...

I'm with Cora, saw it once, hated it. She's a f'ing beyotch and the kids are absolute brats. Maybe they need to combine 2 reality shows and have one of those Super-Nanny's show up, and maybe some marriage counseling while they're at it.

p.s. Kate is so awful, even her own family is selling her out to the media.