Jon Defends "Jon & Kate Plus 8"

Jon Gosselin says there's no truth to reports that his eight children have been hurt by the family's reality TV series.

Both Gosselin and his wife, Kate, have drawn tabloid fire as the couple, their 8-year-old twins and 5-year-old sextuplets continue to appear on TLC's "Jon & Kate Plus 8." The show is grabbing sky-high ratings at the start of this, its fifth season.

Last week, Pennsylvania's Labor Department said it was launching a probe to see if the hit show is complying with child labor laws. TLC says it "fully complies" with state laws and regulations.

Gosselin rejects the idea that his children are being exploited by the TV production.

"I don't even want to use that word, because I think it's ridiculous," he told People magazine. "We have healthy, happy, well-adjusted, educated kids. They're bouncing around and having a good time."

But Kevin Kreider, Kate's younger brother, and Kreider's wife, Jodi Kreider, said on The Early Show last week they think it's high-time for laws protecting children who appear in reality shows.

And Jodi said, ""Many times, they would come to me and say, 'Aunt Jodi, I don't like the cameras'. And, if they were crying, the cameras would go right to them, the one that's crying, and that's embarrassing. And you know this is being used as entertainment for America."

Even "Octomom" Nadya Suleman has criticized the Gosselins, remarking to Website RadarOnline.com she wants the reality show she just signed to do about her 14 young children "to be very NOT like 'Jon & Kate Plus 8,' where I feel they made a mistake allowing it to be more exploitative and invasive in the kids' lives."

Jon and Kate reportedly have cheated on each other. They deny it, but acknowlede their marriage is struggling in the media glare.

"I think all parents, and anyone who is married, are always going to have times when you're upset with someone," Jon said to People. "This is a reality show, so you're going to see real emotion."