Gosselin Kin Cite "Balloon Boy" Saga

(CBS)  The "balloon boy" incident shows the potential for the exploitation of kids by their own parents in the world of reality TV, according to Kate Gosselin's brother and his wife, and a well-known lawyer who's a leading child welfare advocate.

They're in the vanguard of a drive for federal laws to shield kids from such exploitation.

Kevin Kreider and his wife, Jodi Kreider, and attorney Gloria Allred agreed on "The Early Show" Tuesday that what allegedly happened with "balloon boy" Falcon Heene helps their cause.

Earlier this month, cameras followed a balloon as it drifted 50 miles across northern Colorado with, it was thought, six-year-old Falcon along for the ride. Then it was feared he might have fallen out, when the balloon landed without him. It turned out he was hiding in the attic of his family's house.

His parents had called 911 to alert authorities to Falcon's potential flight plight. Later, it came to light the whole thing may have been a hoax, which the parents deny. Larimer County, Colo. Sheriff Jim Alderden says he's recommending criminal charges against them and is asking that child protective services investigate the family's children's well-being.

Observers feel the Keenes may have been jockeying to get a reality show and the entire balloon story was a publicity stunt.

The hit TLC reality show "Jon & Kate Plus Eight" chronicled the lives of Jon and Kate Gosselin and their eight kids. But the couple filed for divorce in June after weeks of reports of marital discord and infidelity by both, which they both denied.

The divorce battle has turned bitter.

Kate and Jon have been in-and-out of court. On Monday, Jon returned $180,000 he'd withdrawn from the couple's joint bank account after Kate said she couldn't pay her bills.

TLC is mulling a new reality show, sans Jon but with Kate and the eight kids. It would be called "Kate Plus Eight" and feature her as a single Mom raising her kids without their father. TLC has postponed the launch, after Jon obtained a court order barring the network from filming the kids.

Jon told CNN's "Larry King Live" he doesn't "think it's healthy for them, and the reason I don't think it's healthy for them is because we're going through a divorce."

Monday night, Kate answered viewer questions during an hour-long special called "You Asked, Kate Answers," which industry insiders see as part of TLC's testing the waters for "Kate Plus Eight."

During Monday's special, Kate admitted, "I don't want to be alone. The aloneness is so alone."

But on the topic of the new show, Kate disagrees with Jon, saying the children aren't "suffering from this. It's in no way harmful for the kids. They wouldn't be on it if it was."

Kevin and Jodi Kreider recently reconciled with Jon, from whom they'd been estranged, and visited the Gosselin youngsters this weekend for the first time in over a year.

They say the Gosselin kids "haven't missed a beat," but the Kreiders say they still staunchly oppose any new reality show with those kids in it.

They and Allred explained on "The Early Show" Tuesday that there's no federal law protecting kids in realty shows -- only a patchwork quilt of laws in various states -- and they made the case for such a federal law.

Jodi Kreider told co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez the Keene story "makes it very clear that parents and people will do whatever they can do get on a reality show, kind of thinking that's a great way for quick fame."

"Without the concern for their children," Kevin interjected.

"The children's interests are so often different," Allred said, "than the interests of their parents, and that's why they need special proections, and that's what we intend to win for them."


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[JetMonkeyfish]

Parents have been living vicariously through their children since forever. Only deranged parents "force" their children to do anything, be it model, play pro-sports, or go to law school. This issue is really about our lack of self-worth as a Nation. We are all infected with the celebrity virus or we wouldn't even be having this discussion. Most of us here are in some way living vicariously through these people. The ones who love Kate and hate Jon or vice versa are just venting their own unresolved issues. Same goes for the who claim to just be concerned for the children. Deep down we believe that that if we were rich, famous, or adored that we would finally have peace of mind. We believe we are entitled to perpetual pleasure or at least friction-free lives. So we turn our frustrations over to the Media so we can see what life should really be like. I'd actually like to see them get back together. Maybe Jon will stop moping around like a sad sack and Kate will learn to soften up and stop being uber mom. Maybe we can all stop being righteous long enough to learn something about ourselves.

[willow013]

Ok, so Kate wants a career in movies, so what? She has eight children that her freak of a soon-to-be ex husband doesn't give a fig about!!....All John Gosslin (a nip with a hair lip) cares about is ripping off the bank account so he can support his groupie group...What else can Kate do? It is unreal to expect her to support eight kids on a steno salary, a realator's salary, a nurses salary, etc....You get the picture, don't you? She wants to be able to support her children without the help of her idiotic, shallow, sex-minded excuse for a husband....The less that that no-good, out of shape loser contributes, the less she is obligated to allow him to be a part of their lives......GO KATE!!!! You have the guts to go on (without that loser) with your kids, so MORE POWER TO YOU!!!!!!

[realsinglemom]

Are you serious! Kate doesn't have to raise her children by herself. Everything I've seen in the past and current shows Jon is VERY active in the children's lives and does many things to help out. I'm not sure how you came the conclusion that he doesn't. If you really fall for the poor pitful me Kate show..more power to you. I'm a REAL single mom and beleive me she hasn't a CLUE what that means. Yes she may soon be single and yes she is a mom. That is the only thing that defines her as a single mother. I used to like her..over the years my opinion changed drastically and have since realized she is a good at BS'ing people and acting is right up her alley!!!

[cidaia]

You don't know - none of us do - what Jon really cares about. I don't know what motivated him (nor do I particularly care), but his decision to stop supporting the public exploitation of those kids is the first thing I have heard either one of them do that actually is in line with what is best for those kids.

There is NO reason to suppose that being put on TV is what's best for those kids. The best anyone can say is "it doesn't hurt them" - but that is very questionable, and the person making that argument is clearly hungering for attention.

[rootinforoz]

Good job CBS for following the story about protecting CHILDREN in reality shows. No matter who may be contributing to the cause it is "the best for the children". That is what really matters here isn't it?

[chase996]

What I want to know is..did kevin & jodi get paid for this appearance??
I think as far as Jon & Kate are concerned they should keep their nose out of J & K's business. they are despicable!! and Jon is just using them to get back at Kate. I thought this kind of thing was below CBS's standards.

[cidaia]

I think it is WONDERFUL that the Gosselin kids have kin willing to take an interest in their well-being! I hope that Kevin and Jodi are the ones responsible for Jon's change of heart!

Kids are not something you own, not something you can sell or rent or exploit. They have their own problems, their own rights, their own interests. Kate and Jon have lost touch with that. I hope that after Jon gets through with whatever descent into the underworld he's going through, he can find whatever it is that will enable him to be a better father. SOMEONE needs to stand up for those kids. Clearly Kate doesn't intend to change a thing.

[hatekate]

Posts all over the place are calling Hate on the carpet. She wouldn't stop while she was ahead. She's gone too far and people are seeing her for the sham she is and lives. Congratulations to all sheeple who have finally seen the light.

[hatekate]

Kate needed Jodi off the show because Jodi was outshining her as a mother. Jodi showed patience, love and kindness towards the kids. It came naturally to her and Kate couldn't stand it. Oh, and there's the little issue about TLC offering to pay the Kreiders (after being on the show for quite some time). Guess who put the halt to that? You got it - dear old Kate. She stated that nobody gets paid but her family. Why? Not even family? I heard the amount wasn't even much. What would be the harm in allowing the Kreiders to, perhaps, have a little extra money. They never asked for it or expected it. It was simply offered by TLC and Kate shut it down.

[azmom]

Who cares. I can't imagine Kate will have any career after all this dies down. NO ONE wants to see her on tv, movies, magazine covers. Her phone smile that is on the verge of splitting the corners of her lips is due for loooooooong break. Face it America, the parents used their kids for their own good and to quench their thrist for money. I said it before, Kate said her kids' college funds are taken care of. You're welcome Kate. NOW GO AWAY and let me get back to work so that I can send my kids to college. Your kids have had enough freebies. Sorry, but true. It cost me $10 to send my child to the pumpkin patch this week. When was the last time your paid for an extracurricular activity for your kids--or even one of them, Kate?

[isgamboa]

PLEASE stop having these people on your show. Who cares what they think! They are out to make money off the very kids they claim to care about or they would shut up and take care of matters leagally if they really cared about that issue. They just want air time and you are giving it to them. What kind of brother would slam his sister publicly??? Kevin and his wife are awful, stop interviewing them!!!!!!

[rootinforoz]

I care what they have to say. Why do you think you may be the only way that feels that way. Thank you CBS for thinking of the children versus the greedy money hungry adults that seem to get more consideration. Kate Gosselin could care less if her children are on anymore as long as she can continue her "NICHE" in acting which she seems to believe she has. MOVIES? are you kidding. I would rather watch reruns of Lassie then that idiot. Thanks Gloria and the Kreiders for pursuing this very worthwhile cause.

[deifspirit]

Kevin and Jodi are 2 people who actually CARE about these kids and they have been involved in their lives since they were born!! Long before they got a show. they have watched those kids for free long before they started appearing on the show. YOU NEED TO GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT BEFORE BLASTING THEM WITH LIES!!!!!!!

[scubbasteve01]

It's OK Balloon Boy. May the BALLOON be with you, always.

[scubbasteve01]

Jon and OctoMom plus 22! Get ready people the next show to be made so all of you can watch since you have nothing better else to do anyway. Who knows what next reality star will get Kate pregnant again?
So how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Charms Tootsie Roll Pop?
THE WORLD WILL NEVER KNOW! Jon, OctoMom and Kate won't either!