Comments on: Kin: "Jon & Kate" Kids Being "Exploited"

Her Brother And Sister-in-law Call For Laws Protecting Children In Reality Shows

[ethicaldisaster]

It is clear to me, that it pains Kevin and Jodi to feel the need to say these things about their family. They are grief stricken for their nieces and nephews, and I am sure for the loss of their own time with the children - they seemed very close to all the kids.

Kevin and Jodi are speaking out because the children do not have a voice for themselves. They cannot tell us. But they could tell their aunt and uncle, and they did. Children are easily run over by the adults in their lives, because witnesses to abuse of all kinds say and do NOTHING. Kevin and Jodi refuse to sit idly by, regardless of the personal toll it takes on whatever relationship they still have with Jon and Kate, regardless of what the public thinks of their decision to speak up. I call this courageous and selfless and I commend them both, and hope that they can stay strong and keep fighting for the children's well being.

[ksl695]

They need to..... Leave the show...Get away from the media...Go to Counseling...Get REAL jobs.... And concentrate on putting their family back together!!

[badkitty308]

The Reality TV Lesson for today Boys and girls is;

Be very careful what you wish for!

[ethicaldisaster]

Thank God for Harry Smith. He is the very first person, from a major media outlet, to even briefly raise the issue of responsibility, ethical and otherwise, for how TLC has and continues to create, promote and profit from this farce of a show they call reality. In addition to the flagrant exploitation of the children for profit at any cost, and the infringement of what should be private moments of their lives, TLC fictionalized the "reality" of their lives. They created scenarios for the family to experience. They let Jon and Kate perpetually lie about Jon's "work," running the home and children being virtually just Jon and Kate, and about how much they had to work to make ends meet., about what the Gosselin's actually purchased vs. what TLC paid for, shot episodes as if they were holidays and birthdays when it was actually filmed on other, random days, ....If any legitimate news service would spend some time reading the blogs, they would see enough conflicting information to curl your toes if not turn your stomach. Life Unscripted my a--! Watch a sampling of shows from the beginning through season 4. See how the children have become increasingly unhappy looking. Yes, they seemed pretty buoyant in the season 5 opener. But oddly, their home life is probably more stable and CALM with their not- nanny "babysitter" and Jon's presence than it?s been in a long time. Kate has been emotionally abusive to her husband perpetually for years. Not only did the children witness this, her behavior with her children is at times not much better. TLC is as culpable in this as the parents. I deeply hope someone investigates. It would restore my faith that the media can and still will on occasion act beyond cronyism and self interest.

[mariakc75]

I never thought I would be commenting on something such as this, but I feel so strongly that I must. Kevin and Jodi make me physically ill!! They are extremely difficult to watch. I have never been a huge supportor of the Gosselins or their show, but I am absolutely disgusted by this mornings segment. It is extremely obvious to anyone that Kevin and Jodi are speaking out for one reason...MONEY. Kevin has no idea what he is doing, other than following his wife's orders to be on television. He can't even finish a sentence without looking at her for approval. Jodi needs to be honest and admit that she would stop her slander if Jon and Kate give her money or paid her to be on the show. It is also obvious that the children are not in her best interest. If they were, she would step back, support her husband's family, and stop dragging them into the negative spotlight. Jon and Kate have enough to deal with, they do not need this money-hungry woman spreading rumors and lies about them. Please do not have her on the show again. She is gross!!

[starleo146]

You know Kate better look at herself, she is lucky to have a man so devoted to his children and her and she wants to be the head cheese of everything. She has become a book author, while all chipped in to help her, so she could take all the accolades for everything. She would give up her family unity because she is blinded by the good old greed game MONEY,MONEY. I do not blame her husband for being upset she used him so bad. He loves his children and is doing the right thing to try and get their lives back. I doubt Kate will go along with it the devil is in the details.

[joule18]

I believe Jon and Kate started this show as a way to meet the financial needs of the family now and in the future. I can't help but notice, however, that when they are able to go somewhere special or buy a bigger home, Kate is very defensive about it and always says it's for the benefit of the kids. Also, I believe they felt it would be a way to put money aside for the eventual college expenses they would need to cover.

However, it is painful to watch what has become of this family. I often wondered how Jon could cope with Kate's harshness on a regular basis. She demeans him constantly and his becoming "Mr. Mom" while she travels has taken his life away. He feels no purpose other than being a caretaker and needs a life outside of the family such as a job and friends wherein he can gain some self esteem and confidence back.

Unfortunately, the show and the books have become a full-time business. I like the show, but I would rather see Jon and Kate go to a professional and work on their marriage for their good and the good of the kids than have the show to look forward to.

TLC needs to back off and maybe just do a yearly follow-up rather than have their crew invading their lives constantly.

[webmonkeydc]

Although the prayer schedule featured on the link below has the Gosselin's with 24/7 prayer coverage, there's always more room to remember this family in the coming days as the media and others continue their campaign of gossip and hate.

http://richardtgarner.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-can-honestly-say-jon-is-my-best.html

[vivethom]

I find it VERY INTERESTING that the in-laws (or is that out-laws) did not object to the show until they asked for payment and got a firm no! I doubt their motive and I think they should be ashamed of themselves. As for Kate, she's number ONE in my book. Kate if you're reading this, please don't fold under pressure to give details about your marriage which is NONE of our business. As for Jon, how sad that he had the opportunity of a life time to raise these precious EIGHT children but chose his own poison and I do mean poison. What a creep.

[YCantWeAllGetAlong]

First of all, whoever WATCHES the show needs to get a life. If my children get to watch television, we watch an educational program. My kids ooh and ahh when they get to see Planet Earth. "Reality" shows are boring, scripted and THE farthest things from reality. Try turning OFF the TV and shows like this exploitation nightmare will cease to exist. Shame on the parents.

[Melelephant]

I don't think Kate and Jon have ever thought they were exploiting their children nor did they really, deep down, ever want to do that. I believe the basis of the show was to help us understand what life was like with two sets of multiples. I know for myself, Kate has reassured me as a mom that my bad days with a 'terrible two' is nothing compared to dealing with 6 of them all at once. I do believe they will in turn make the best choices for the children because I know deep down that is absolutely their number one priority.

I want to comment on those ridiculous tabloids. I do NOT buy into any kind of tabloid for any reason. I feel, personally, that 'Stars' are normal people like you and I and are not by any means people to worship! Sure they bring entertainment. The only reason they are there in the first place is because they found that magical road to take them into the public eye. My camera just hasn't found that magic road yet.

Kate & Jon, good luck in your future endevours. My heart goes out to you both and hope your road meets up again with or without us watching.
Melissa from Canada xox...

[Mom-2-5]

I've watched and enjoyed this show from the start. Aunt Jodi has made multiple online efforts to get the shows to stop...my personal feeling was that they resorted to CBS in order to be heard by J&K...they've been virtually disowned ever since Kate kicked them off the show because the producers wanted to pay Jodi to be a regular, and Kate would rather disown her family than to have them be part of her show.

I agree that none of this is anyone's business...it's family dirty laundry, etc. I really hope that they open their eyes, can the show, and work on their family. I'm not sure if it can be saved at this point...but even other sets of multiples have spoken up about how this will ultimately have very negative affects on the kids in the future (if it hasn't already).

You can see the affects of the camera...when a kid starts to do something and they see the camera out of the corner of their eye and do something else...or look to the camera for approval...it's really so sad to see. I would like to say I am done and will not watch the show any more...but it's becoming addicting...like a train wreck...so sad...

[lfnewby]

Seventy years ago, a poor family in Canada found themselves with five identical baby girls. They had not used fertility treatment. The world's fascination with the Dionne Quints led to their removal FROM their family and into a facility where they were on display - almost a zoo. There were Dionne Dolls and Dionne clothing -- and authorities and the family fought over those girls - and their profits - for years. The end result? As adults they described sad and disjointed lives. Never close to their parents and afraid of the outside world, they seldom experienced happiness. Perhaps the viewers should just shut off their TVs. Without an audience, the show stops and all of the kids -- the older twins and the sextuplets - might find a degree of normalcy as they are allowed to enjoy their childhood and adolescence. I suspect that Kate would not like the idea of walking away from all of the cameras and attention. I also suspect that her children would be thrilled.

[bobnjersey]

[I used to feel sorry for you, but now I see Kate was right to get rid of you. How jealous can you be? Jealous enough to exploit the kids for your own wants obviously. CBS what is wrong with you? You have given airtime for people to air dirty family laundry. You should be ashamed! ]
[Posted by janejean at 8:44 AM : May 27, 2009 ]

interesting ... you seem to see that the problem is with everyone else ... the brother and in law sister, cbs, et al. but nobody dare touch kate and john ... who made the decision to do the show ... and really have absolutely no idea what impact it will all have on the kids in the long run.

human development is a complex process ... especially in these early years. recording everything in these peoples lives is not really an appropriate thing in the name of selling laundry detergent or womans hygiene products during commercial breaks.

[ShellyPa]

Funny in the radaronline video Kevin and Jody said thay had not spoke to J&K in a year, then Kevin says Jon came to them six months ago. Now Kevin and Jody say they still speak to J & K but the their relationship with them is strained. DUH, do ya think. Get your lies straight. You already look stupid.

[mikeintact]

All four of you should be ashamed of who you are! Kate & Jon,Jodie & Kevin. Your all a bunch of PROSTITUTES! THATS RIGHT.....I SAID IT!

[AustinTexas10132005]

If Kevin and Jodi are so concerned about the kids being exploited, why are they addressing these concerns on national TV rather than privately with Jon and Kate? It seems to me that this is the first step in the Kreider publicity campaign that will likely culminate with a tell-all book from Uncle Kevin and Aunt Jodi. While it is a little unusual to have your entire life on film, isn't it unusual to be a septuplet? I think these kids' lives, from the start, were not cut out to be ordinary. And the show has allowed them opportunities that most kids would love to have.

[iloveusa2]

I had never watched this show until a couple of days ago and my frist impression was that these people are doing nothing but exploiting their children for monetary gain. It is terrible to scrutinize families like this much less in a bad situation. It is not realistic to begin with - just a show - and to add the pressure of a family falling apart for the children to deal with is terrible. They need to have the children's best interest at heart and stop this nonsense.

[stairsthatmove]

Exactly HOW is Kate molding Maddie to be money hungry? We must be watching different shows. Yes, Kate can be a little crass. But I don't see her going on about the money. Nor, do I see her wanting more & more. I see her being thankful to those who've sponsored their vacations. I see her making it a point to mention who sponsored & thanking them. Think before you speak. If that's possible. None of us here are perfect. And we all have our faults. So until you're willing to be judged by the media, maybe you should chill.

[mom2014]

This has gone too far. I enjoy the show and they need a professional, not the media or the public to see if it is hurting the children. If not, TLC may be up for some serious lawsuits when these kids get a little older. I feel if the parents want this 'reality show' as their means of income, so be it, but not so much focus and cameras on the kids. The parents' huge differences and Kate's yelling is good enough TV. She's not in a marriage/family. She's in a sweet deal w/ her husband and kids her employees/subjects.