Why the Hate for Jon & Kate?

Clearly Nebulous ^ | May 26, 2009 | Colette Moran

[CMoran325]

Well, I hope Joel McHale is happy.

Ok, so he's not the only one to blame, but is was the likes of McHale's portrayal on The Soup of Jon Gosselin as a hapless henpecked husband that must have drove the poor man to try and escape the world of a father-of-8-under-a-microscope.

Last night's premiere of the 5th season of Jon & Kate Plus 8 was bittersweet considering the recent developments. I believe Jon's side of the story, and I still understand that even the most innocent version of his galavanting is enough for Kate to feel very hurt and angry.

That's all you can really say. Exactly what drove Jon to such poor behavior, exactly what the couple's relationship is -- it's all pure speculation. Only the two of them truly know. What's up to us is to let these two figure it out -- especially for the sake of the children. But unfortunately, the media does not seem content to let them.

Gossip rags run covers like this, with sensational stories from folks who are paid big bucks for their indelicate info (I don't care if one of them is purportedly her brother -- what kind of brother would reveal such intimate details?):

And just look at the review of the show's premiere from the Washington Post. The producers of J&K did not send out a sneak peak, so the writer decided this was an appropriate time to launch a personal attack on the Gosselins, and a general attack on large families.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/24/AR2009052402680.html?sub=AR

The show is deemed "appalling." Kate is then unkindly described as

[CMoran325]

showing them support on a web post is a lot different than excoriating them in the mainstream press

[CMoran325]

as a reply to you and all the other negative comments — so much for the plea for charitable thinking

the parents of these children did not set out to expose their children to this — if you watch the first specials which then turned into the first season, it was all very innocent

I doubt anyone would have passed up the opportunity for the financial security with such a large family to provide for — simply letting a camera crew follow you around for a couple days a week as you go about your daily lives at home, or make a visit to the dentist or a gymboree

there was no way they could have predicted the overwhelmingly positive response to their show which unfortunately has now sickeningly morphed into this fiasco — thanks to a dogged paparazzi and a liberal media who loves to bring families like this down

no, Jon, was not “driven” to questionable behavior (one should take him at his word that he has been faithful)— it was a poor choice of words, since of course he is responsible for his own actions — but challenging his manhood week in and week out must be very hard on the male psyche

as for the conception of the sextuplets — good for the doctor who was the level-minded party — you can’t blame Kate *and Jon* for wanting to just proceed when you consider the emotional and financial toll the procedures take on a couple — considering that a result of sextuplets — even with so many eggs — is so rare — and they knew they would accept any and all babies conceived...

[CMoran325]

“This couple gives Christianity a bad name”

so does being so judgmental

How do you know she isn’t letting him be the head of the family? Based on what is seen on tv? We have no idea, looking at such a small sample of their lives

The materialism was a bit disturbing, but they had to move to a new house bec people were camping out on their front lawn (not to mention they were bursting at the seams in that small house as the kids got older) — but again — if someone says — hey come to our dude ranch on us — all you have to do is let some cameras follow you...

And whereas the twins behavior seemed troubling, again ratings demand showing the most sensational scenes — TLC carries the most blame for exposing this family to such scorn — thankfully, in the first episode, it seems the twins are in a better frame of mind and are more sweet and helpful

let’s wish for the best and not immediately take to task people that when you think about it — YOU DON’T REALLY KNOW (yes, I don’t know them either — I’m choosing to look at them in a more charitable way — isn’t that WWJD?)

[Dianna]

Neither is invitro fertilization, in which some frozen embryos are discarded and in which children are mechanically manufactured as if they were a consumer product made to order.

Well, that is very interesting but Jon and Kate didn't use invitro.

[Dianna]

I see that you corrected yourself. Sorry, I jumped the gun.

[Scotswife]

I’ve always thought that people who would want tv cameras in their home must have some screws loose.

That this situation involves so many children who have no choice is even sadder.

[Dianna]

let’s wish for the best and not immediately take to task people that when you think about it — YOU DON’T REALLY KNOW

We can't wish for the best. The best would be that the show is cancelled and the parents try to remake some semblance of normal happy family life for their children.

Looks to me like they aren't even going to TRY for the best. So, why should I be charitable?

[Scotswife]

“I doubt anyone would have passed up the opportunity for the financial security with such a large family to provide for”

Pass up the “opportunity” to expose my home - my marriage and children for everyone to see?

Ummm...hell yea - I would pass that up in a minute - and I do have a large family.

[MinuteGal]

This thread is rife with the most rampant nasty speculation and guessing cloaked in the most righteous of robes. So very, very Christian are the accusations about things the daintily-upright posters know not a damn thing about.

I suppose Mrs. Temple was totally "un-Christian" in "exploiting" her daughter Shirley in her long career as a child star. I wonder how it is that Shirley grew up to be a normal adult, being appointed by President Reagan to positions of responsibility and prestige (ambassadorships). Not to mention the joy Miss Temple brought to hundreds of millions of people over the years.....and it continues to this day.

I guess it's very evil for children to be in show biz or TV biz. And the parents of such children will definitely go to hell for "pimping" their unprotected and abused kids in the cesspool that is TV.

Leni

[EDINVA]

“...must have drove ..”

The author might have considered a grammar lesson or two before criticizing anyone.

[Dan Middleton]

And I even charitably corrected the is/it mistake in my quote.

[Scotswife]

I don’t recall anything about the Temple family putting their home - their marriage - their family time in front of cameras.

[luckystarmom]

They are not acting like a Christian husband and wife. I’m ashamed that they call themselves Christian.

They should cut the show and work on their marriage.

[luckystarmom]

They were on TV talking about their marriage. It is out in public, and they are setting themselves up for this type of banter.

It would be different if these were 2 private individuals, but they are not.

If they wanted their marrital problems to be private, then they should cancel the show and work on their marriage.

[CMoran325]

writing in an informal way and an obvious typing error— are you really going to be that nit-picky?

I realize that this forum can get contentious, but I strive for civility

this is not easy at times — and no one wants to be a doormat — but can we stick to the overall themes and have some real dialogue — not schoolyard bickering?

[RichInOC]

In my case, it’s not hate so much as I really don’t care.

[ShandaLear]

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see them rise above their problems, forgive each other, and move on to have a healthy, loving relationship? Isn’t this what we should want for them?

All marriages go through rough times, even Christian marriages.

[ClearCase_guy]

They should cut the show and work on their marriage.

I agree. At the end of last season, Jon was openly unhappy with the whole thing. They didn't go into a lot of detail, as far as I know, but living in the public eye was clearly wearing on him. They indicated that they might not come back for another season. Kate wanted to; Jon did not: it was left a bit up in the air.

Then the scandals hit, and all the dirty laundry came out. And they came back for another season.

Not wise.

[luckystarmom]

It would be wonderful, and I hope they do that, but not on national TV.

All they have to say is that we are not doing the show anymore so that we can concentrate on our marriage and our family. Maybe, they could do 1 special a year to show what the kids are up to. That’s it. No limelight. Work out their personal problems behind closed doors.

[EDINVA]

The initial grammatical comment was because the post seemed to be a clip from the trashy mag. Sorry. If you think that’s contentious, you haven’t been around long.

I’ve never seen the show in question and don’t plan to, either. I had seen the mag at a supermarket checkout and had no clue who they were featuring, so when I saw this thread, wanted to find out who the celebs were.