Jon And Kate "So Sad," Expert Says

Body Language Expert: He's "Broken Man," But Marriage Can Be Saved

(CBS/ AP)  Jon and Kate Gosselin arrived separately for their sextuplets' fifth birthday party. During the party, the spouses barely spoke to each other.

Clearly, the Gosselin marriage was under a strain as the fifth season started for the TLC series, "Jon & Kate Plus 8" with a two-hour show.

No wonder. The daily challenges of a super-size family with eight kids in the house have recently been overshadowed by recurring reports that Jon and Kate have cheated on each other and that their marriage is dysfunctional. Both deny the cheating allegations.

But on Monday's premiere (along with scenes from the party), Kate and Jon addressed the media firestorm that has engulfed them from beyond the carefully-tended boundaries of their own reality show.

"Did I ever think I'd see myself on the front of the tabloids?" said Kate indignantly. "Or see those words that are there? No. It kills me!"

And Jon, who insisted he was "being innocent and hanging out" despite reports of an affair with a 23-year-old schoolteacher, said, "I never read a tabloid magazine until I was in one. And the first one I bought was the last one I bought."

"I never cheated on Kate, and that's the way it is," he said bluntly. " ... I take full blame. I just didn't think it would escalate into what it's become."

"They had very little interaction between them" on the show Monday night, Dr. Lillian Glass, a psychologist and body language expert, told Early Show co-anchor Julie Chen Tuesday. "It was very sad to see. So sad. When you looked at Jon, he was very depressed looking, and he was leaning toward -- away from where the camera was. He was just so sad. And Kate was a bit defensive. When he was around her, she didn't acknowledge him. It was just so sad to see this couple."

Glass says Jon strikes her as a "broken man." "He's so sad," she observes.

Yet, she adds, she hopes Jon and Kate go for therapy, because Glass believes their marraige can be saved.

The Gosselins, Glass says, "were a loving couple initially. They had a lot of fun. They laughed a lot. But then, with the pressure, a lot happened. And as a result, it was just so sad to see it last night, because you really see a different Jon and Kate than you've ever seen before."

"(Kate) needs the money and this is a great income," Glass notes. "So she's between a rock and a hard place. But it would be ideal if they could live a normal life. (Kate) even talked about that on the show, that she'd really like to see some normalcy away from the paparazzi. And I just hope they get some counseling, because it could work out."

As Jon and Kate reflected during the show on the scandals that have made their lives so difficult and put their marriage in peril, the Gosselins were filmed individually, each seated alone on a sofa -- in itself, a revealing touch.

"Very swiftly, we turned into two different people," Kate said at one point, as she described how she has grown apart from her husband of 10 years, "and it's just hard."

While Kate has spent a lot of time on the road, making personal appearances for the show, Jon has mostly stayed home.

"So he's angry with me that he's home and I'm not," Kate said. "Yet he doesn't really feel great about me, so he wants me to travel.

"It is so involved I almost can't put it into words," she added wearily.

Kate expressed her own share of anger.

"I think the thing that makes me the maddest is: Jon made some mistakes and he was out and whatever, and that made people question him," she said. "I'm doing what I'm SUPPOSED to be doing. I'm working and traveling" - which led to reports that she was having an affair with her bodyguard.

Declaring that she was only doing her job by traveling, she said, "I'll be darned if they're going to take me down with that. I mean, just the allegations make me furious. And I need to change the subject because I makes me very mad."

"I have a lot of anger," she summed up, "because this is not where we were supposed to be, this is not what I envisioned for us."

"You see the anger," Glass says, "when she's yelling. When she's lashing out at the kids. She used to do it a lot with Jon. And that's what maybe caused this rift between them."

Crying, Kate pointed out that, "Parents of multiples have like triple the divorce rate. And (I thought) we were gonna beat that, but I don't know if I can say that anymore."

"We always love our kids," Jon said, "and we will come together for our kids, regardless of our relationship."

Premiering two years ago, "Jon & Kate" is TLC's most-watched show, and has made the Gosselins famous. The arrival of its new season was highly anticipated and highly promoted.

"Jon and Kate face each other for the first time," an announcer teased on an ad that aired repeatedly beforehand.

And so they did, sort of, as they sat side-by-side on the sofa in the episode's final seconds.

An off-camera voice asked, "Do you guys know what the future holds?"

Both of them looked puzzled. Neither replied. Then the episode was over. The season had started with lots of suspense.

[mic09]

I feel so bad for this family, especially the children and the husband. I have seen an episode of the show that showed Kate in all her glory, screaming at Jon inside a gorcery store. She absolutely treated him like he was one of the children. I sat there with my mouth open at the thought of someone acting this way in public as well as infront of her children and to her husband, it was pitiful.
Now I can;t say that it is all her fault that this is happenening, but I have seen from watching the show her controlling ways and unrelenting disrespect of her husband.
Maybe Jon needed to stand up to her a bit more than just staying silent. He has all the signs of a battered husband.

I would call on Dr. Phil to step in and help this family for the children's sake. If there ever is a person to fix this train wreck of a marriage, it is Dr. Phil. If Kate and Jon love their family enough they should seek professional help for the marriage.
Their beautiful children are worth much more than the money they get from this show. I admit having the money can make life so much easier, but material things can only go so far.
Those children need both their unconditional love and care than anything else in the world.
I hope for their family to come back together and make everything like it was when they first started this family.
Good luck and God bless....

[I_Never_Do_This]

The show has really become Jon + 8 and Kate + Hate. The complaints about Kate are not new. Fans, new and old, have complained about Kate's verbal abuse of her husband. Her poor children look on confused or scared out of their mind. No wonder they do not speak up to her or really talk to her. They know better. I was a major fan of the show even when it became painful to watch her verbally abuse her husband just for fun. We need to reach out to TLC and get this show cancelled. If this does not work, we need to start boycotting the sponsors. The family, especially Kate and Mady, need to be in therapy. If Kate wants to be famous, she can use her anger and abusive nature on Survivor or some other reality show where her children are not involved. The only way to end the show is to shower TLC with letters to do so. The next step would be to boycott every sponsor until this dysfunctional woman is no longer on TV. She is not fit to raise a dog, let alone children. Whe violated God's plan for her to not have children and 8 innocent children are paying the price for a very selfish woman:



I have never commented on a post of any sort before in my life, but a comment left by someone in regards to this topic really set me off today and I feel compelled to respond.

You condem Kate for being a horrible mother, saying she is "not fit to raise a dog, let alone children." Do you not watch the news? Do you not read the newspaper? If you are so concerned about people not being good parents, then go work in a homeless shelter, go volunteer with the local mental health clinic, be a Big Brother or Big Sister, don't sit on your hump whining about how a family on TV isn't raising their children the way you would.

While I do not agree with everything Jon or Kate to do eachother or to their children, I make a choice whether or not to watch the show. If you don't like what's happening on the show, don't watch. Kate is not a horrible mother, she is doing what she feels is best for her kids, just like the majority of all the other parents in this world. The only difference is we don't have TV cameras following us to document all of our mistakes.

From your post you are obviously a religious person, yet you have made it very clear that you have judged Kate and found her to be inadequate as a parent to her 8 children. Shall I bow down to you? Worship you on Sunday when I go to church? And if you are such a believer, then wouldn't you believe that God has enabled our brilliant scientists to discover ways to help people, like The Gosselin's, have children when they might not otherwise be able? Isn't that in itself a miracle? Yet you say she "violated God's plan" and that her 8 children are paying the price for her selfishness. Perhaps you know what God has planned for me and could clue me in so I don't have to sit and wonder and pray that I figure it all out. How happy you must be knowing you have all the answers.

[Kingmel55]

I hope Jon and Kate can work things out. It is so sad to see any couple break apart, but with 8 children, I would hope for all their sakes they can try to stop and take a look at how they should and could work on their marriage. Maybe it is time to set aside the idea of pride, since it looks to be slowing fading away anyway. Watch some of your old shows and see where you may have started having these problems and maybe you will be able see a way to forgive each other and be the parents those beautiful little children deserve.

[justathoughtbymarie]

My suggestion for Jon and Kate is spend some time alone together (not to run off with only one child to escape) watch the Fireproof video regarding marriage and relationships and I would love to see Kate step back and devote her energy into doing the love dare. There is clearly alot of damage however they have so much of themselves invested into the family it would be an unjustice to give up.

I do not think that Book tours and speaking engagements are necessary keep life simple remember when the 6 were born neither one of you had jobs now you have one great job with the show, the book tours and speaking engagements are the enemy's way of attacking your marriage.

Jon I can see your point and your desire to turn the cameras off clearly it is not worth a dime if for the sake of the show your family continues suffering emotionally and changes into "two differen"t people. It is really sad that Kate now refers to the kids as "my" kids they should be always referred as our kids remember Jon is and will always be their father,

In spite of all of this Children learn by example and Kate should re-evaluate how she favors Maddie making Maddie her Maid of Honor not fair - Maddie & Cara are twins what kind of normal parent would pick one daughter instead of another or name one daughter after her and not the other it just is not fair.

Jon and Kate - the love dare can be the changing point in your lives - it is a short term test but may be just what is needed.

[theeper]

Their first show of the season was horrible. TLC should be ashamed of themselves for continuing this fiasco. Obviously, it's all for ratings now ... and it's just a soap opera now.
I used to love the show ... but now find it a cheap ploy for ratings. I feel sorry for the poor kids who are being used as pawns for Kate's desire to be famous and need for cash.

[g8turgirl]

As a paralegal for many years in a family practice firm, and a divorced grandmother, I really think the Gosselins can work this out...if they WANT to. It's not easy, and it takes an awful lot of work from both parties. I think, and I love Kate, but I think she's the one who's preventing their reconciliation. It's like she has to prove a point. The point she needs to prove is that they love each other and are willing to work this out. If not, then get a good family law attorney! They've got very beautiful, and very smart children--They are very well-mannered, and well-behaved, especially with cameras lurking at their every move. Most kids would have melted by now. I truly hope they can work this out, because I think not to really give it a try would be a travesty for them, but mostly for their kids.

[luvny-2009]

I saw it and was very sad. I think Kate blew past Jon in many ways so she thinkd, she treated him awful. She thinks she's some superstar now with all her fancy clothes etc. I don't blame Jon for being upset and feeling USED. Jon I wish you and the kids well! Kate you need a class in being NICE and get off your high horse and quit making it all about YOU!!

[vinnyb5]

So what if they make money from their kids...they have 8 of them and 5 are girls. Thats alot of weddings and college.

[fleabag75]

Jon and Kate huh!

[Paul-Linda]

My wife and I think these kids are wonderful and they are also beautiful kids. Anyone who loves children should know these kids are fine just how they are being raised. People should realize that none of our lives are perfect, including our married lives. Do anything and everything to keep this marriage together for the benefit of the children. They have a bright future if the money is being handled right. A lot better than many of us have had or will ever have. Keep up the good work Jon and Kate, and we will all pray for you and wish you the very best..

[number1GI]

It's the pressures of Hollywood and fame. They keep pushing and pushing for more and more . Watch out for this family going down the tubes

[legalpro]

I cannot believe that they would film a fifth season with the condition that this family is in. Here is my take - Kate has become caught up in the fame and money - the million dollar home, the manicures, the hair, the clothes, the tanning - a far cry from where she came from with no make-up and sweats. It is quite clear that she wants to continue the show because of the money. Jon has not changed other than he gave up his job for Kate and the show - and that is a huge thing for a man to do. He deserves a medal all these years for putting up with Kate's criticism. But now he is clearly not happy and even at the end of last year when she was talking about doing a fifth season, you could see it all over his face that he didn't want to. Jon and Kate have to get off the merry-go-round if they want their marriage to survive. If Kate truly has those kids as a priority, she would stop the insanity. Those children need both their parents and a NORMAL home life. They need to stop the show and concentrate on their personal and home life. They could perhaps do some specials so the public could follow what they've been up to and write some more books. That would give them enough money. It's hard going back after the fame, but if they want a happy healthy marriage and family, they have no choice. Kate - I hope you're reading this.

[Gosselinfan]

Jon and Kate have changed sadly since the show first aired. I would hope they realize that every marriage has rough times and there's is no different other than being played out to the public which is a choice they have made to air their lives on TV. I believe every marriage is worth repairing if both parties are willing to try and work through it. Jon and Kate you have made a covenant before your creator and profess being Christians. I would highly recommend a book called Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerich so you both understand that a man's greatest need is to be respected and a woman's greatest need is to be loved. I think both are falling short and Kate may be acting out b/c she doesn't feel loved and Jon obviously is not feeling respected by his wife. I wish this didn't have to air over the TV and affect not only them but their lovely children. I wish them healing and God's best. Hang in there--Jon & Kate--if you are committed to God's best for the family and trust Him for His Grace---it can happen. It did for me!

[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

[apple2pie]

What a shame, Kate is so pretty on the outside and so hateful on the inside.

[ozarklady1936]

The person that wrote the article about Jon was way out of line. Sure, they were having trouble, but it was private trouble. I hope the reporter sleeps well at night after the havoc and destruction he has caused to this family. I sincerely hope they can get past this and move on with their lives as a family and be stronger for it.

[merkst]

Kate is manipulative & toxic. She has worked the system to gain Medicaid and state college funds for those kids plus a huge salary & every kind of perk from this show. Why do you think she is estranged from her entire family & Jon's? And now Jon. In the future, it will be the kids. Stop supporting this abuse.

[Save_Jon]

The show has really become Jon + 8 and Kate + Hate. The complaints about Kate are not new. Fans, new and old, have complained about Kate's verbal abuse of her husband. Her poor children look on confused or scared out of their mind. No wonder they do not speak up to her or really talk to her. They know better. I was a major fan of the show even when it became painful to watch her verbally abuse her husband just for fun. We need to reach out to TLC and get this show cancelled. If this does not work, we need to start boycotting the sponsors. The family, especially Kate and Mady, need to be in therapy. If Kate wants to be famous, she can use her anger and abusive nature on Survivor or some other reality show where her children are not involved. The only way to end the show is to shower TLC with letters to do so. The next step would be to boycott every sponsor until this dysfunctional woman is no longer on TV. She is not fit to raise a dog, let alone children. Whe violated God's plan for her to not have children and 8 innocent children are paying the price for a very selfish woman:


Eileen O'Neill
TLC President
Discovery Communications, LLC
1 Discovery Place
Silver Spring, MD 20910

[kayice]

Google Narcissist and divorce or just narcissist and do some research on Kate Gosselin. You'll find all you need to know about this woman. I think Jon was passive and couldn't say NO to this woman from day 1, since then it is like battered wife syndrome only it is battered husband, it is the verbal and constant manipulation by a narcissist. Unless you ever had one in your life, you haven't a clue. I cannot imagine what it is like for the children....like being raised by a selfish, greedy, bi-polar dry-drunk for a mother. Kate Gosselin plays her fans like a fiddle!

[lmquin]

Wow what show are you watching Lillian Glass, Kate is an exceptional parent who is in tune with ALL 8 of her children, she is caring loving and attentive with all her kids. what parent doesn't get frustrated and yell sometimes.she has 8 kids..you are way off the mark my guess is you have never even seen the show. Of course they are upset and frustrated look what the tabloids and people like you are doing disecting their lives. they are just chronicaling the trials and tribulations of raising a large family and are very very successful at it the children are happy and thriving and know they are very loved............the media needs to BACK OFF....whose next to be trashed, the Duggers?