Are we being unfair to Kate?

Jon and Kate are both gettting exactly what they have asked for and what they deserve. They are both money hungry individuals who value possessions more than putting time into their marriage and loving and raising their children. Kate can go on and on about what a "dedicated" mother she is but actions speak louder than words. Any mother who hits (lets call it what it is) their child because she's on the phone (probably setting up another speaking engagement to make more money) doesn't deserve to have kids. Kate needs to get off the damn phone and spend some time with her children. Jons fault in all of this is not have the guts to stand up to that horrible woman he has been married to.

Kate, probably more so than Jon, chose to live in a "fishbowl". No one twisted their arms. This whole "drama" is fast becoming tiresome to say the least. TLC should also be concerned about their reputation.

I agree that Kate tends to be "shrill" and sometimes even "mean" to Jon – but, come on people, why do you overlook what a slacker Jon is???!!! I'm willing to bet that if she didn't get on his case, he would let things slip through the cracks and their daily "to do"list would compound exponentially with each passing hour. Does that make it OK for her to shriek orders?! NO ... but depending on WHO you're shrieking at, it might be the ONLY way to get that person to respond. With Jon, it's like Kate has 9 kids, instead of 8 – and yet only Kate gets criticized?! Sure, she's like a drill sergeant, but how else are you going to manage a household with that many children?! Think about how messy YOUR home gets with only 1 or 2 kids (or maybe with just yourself). If she wasn't an ultra-organized person, they would live in a pigsty. Yes, yes, now that they have LOADS of cash, they probably hire help - BUT they did NOT always have big bucks ... remember the early seasons? And speaking of that, if you NEVER watched the early seasons then you have NO RIGHT to criticize, because you never got to witness how the family has EVOLVED from then until now. They undoubtedly NEVER expected the kind of $$$ and attention that they're getting now – and if it was YOU, and you went into a project with the modest expectation of making a few dollars for your family, and shortly after realize that you are starting to make REAL $$$ (and you can actually QUIT YOUR JOBS to stay home with your family, while the cameras roll), how many of you think you could easily walk away??? SEE what I mean? Don't judge. If you don't like it, just DON'T WATCH!!!

I did watch the earlier shows and have quit watching long ago!! Their contracts are re-newed every season. They could end it whenever they want. If you are in fact watching, have you not noticed that she has a whole staff looking after her house and kids? She was also very aware of Jon's demeanor before she married him. He was an unemployed bum. You "reap what you sow".

Let's see – reality TV has been around a while now, so them not knowing what it would involve is ignorant. I will bet all they saw was $$$$$$$$$$ to begin with. Then the fishbowl aspect grew. Well you have to take the bad with the good.

So far the tabloids are the winners in this – they are loving it and making money hand over fist. Is this a publicity stunt – damn straight. Is Kate a spitful, hurtful, self-centered, shallow, appearnace focused (ya she's hot!!), controlling lady. Jon, has brought some of this on himself, JON "GROW A PAIR, or at least get them back from the junk drawer).

I hope they stay together, if not, Kate can I call you sometime, I live in Canada – it will be a nice escape.

Everyone says "poor Jon" and I think we all need to remember that Jon CHOSE to marry Kate. No one forced him and whether or not she changed as the years went on, he has every right to take a stance for himself and I don't believe he did that. I believe as well that he might be a bit lazy and Kate needed to push him in order to keep him going.

Also, how does it make sense that what Jon is doing (partying late and hanging out with a young girl), is right?

Maria, I so totally agree! I have watched J & K +8 from the beginning. What a beautiful family they have. It's sad for the children what has happened to their parents, at their age I'm sure they're confused. In some of the very early episodes seeing video of J & K at Christmas opening their gifts to each other they were so sweet, a couple in love. Maybe they need to watch themselves and say " hey what happened to "US" ? I truly wish them all the best and hope their relationship is not beyond repair. However, I don't see that happening unless TLC turns off their cameras.

I agree. Jon appears to be spineless. He wants out and I bet the family won't see him much if he does leave. He wants to ride off into the sunset on his Harley and not look back. It takes structure to raise a family and yes, sometimes harsh words. If he leaves he will have done her a favor in the long run. What a punk.

I'm so tired of people bashing this family. Eight children are EXPENSIVE. Of course they wanted to have the opportunity to provide for their children and give them the best that they could. That's what every good parent wants. Jon and Kate are both GREAT parents. They take care of, love and provide for their children in a manner that is impressive by any standard. The fact that their relationship is not a perfect one doesn't make them any different from any other couple, especially given the stress they are under in raising such a large family. Good Lord, lay off of these people. Those of you who are without sin, feel free to throw the first stone. Everybody else – shut up.

Kate is "monster mom" plain and simple. Jon, run don't walk!

It's a shame what's happening to them and I feel like I have somehow contributed to it by watching the show. The earlier seasons were such a joy to watch and it's just not the same now. It would be great if everyone would quit slamming both Jon and Kate and just be supportive. If you're not in the relationship and you're not seeing it first hand you don't know what's really going on. I hope that they can get through this but if they don't it's what's best for the kids.

Jon and Kate knew exactly what they were getting in for when they allowed to go on reality tv. I have no sympany for either of them on that issue. As far as the way Kate treats Jon, I think she is disgusting. She is so struck on herself, it isn't funny. Is the show about her or her family? I was reading a blog about her recent trip to a NC beach with the kids and someone said the only time she paid attention to the kids was when the cameras required her to do so. I hope the show is cancelled and Jon gets a divorce.

My daughter has been a fan of this show from the beginning. If you watch the early seasons, Jon was the drag. He went off to work while Kate managed their family. She had to be organized to get things accomplished and if she didn't stay on him, he never accomplished anything. Also he was pretty brutal to her also condemning her nature and take charge attitude. Also the tabloids did not start following them relentlessly until Jon decided to go trolling. He brought this misery on himself and is letting Kate take the fall for his shortcomings. I am not saying Kate is not at fault but I can understand her and sympathize with them both.

I hope that none of the women "friends" that Jon is hanging out with think that he's going to be a good catch! He's been spending all this time away from his children because, boo-hoo, he doesn't have any "me" time anymore. That's what happens when you become a parent!! He should have thought of that before he headed to the fertility clinic at age 22!

Granted, Kate can be a little harsh, but when you have that many kids, you have to run a tight ship or you'll never survive.

I hope they work it out, if only for the sake of the judge that would have to work out the custody arrangements!!

I think he needs to dump her and despite the fact that all of the females seem to side with her or brush off her mistreatment of him, there is no reason why he should stay in that marriage. Woman are just as capable of men of mistreatment within a marriage. If the situation were reversed, what would the opinions be then? Of cousre the woman would be encouraging her to leave the marriage. No one deserves to be talked down to in that manner.

Oh, please. This article appears to be written with sympathy for Jon and Kate, and for the fact that their lives have become a media circus. THEY DID THIS TO THEMSELVES. And worse, they CONTINUE to do it to themselves.

And even worse, they're forcing eight helpless children to do it, too. That is inexcuseable.

"Would any of us want to live in a fishbowl, see our lives edited for entertainment, etc...?" Not me, which is why I CHOSE a different life. Jon and Kate are just as free to make that choice as any of us.

I watched their special turned show in the beginning. I respected Kate for handling a chaotic family situation as well as she did, I always thought she spoke down to her husband- taking out her frustrations of life on him. My husband, NEVER EVER liked either of them. Jon always seemed like he was mad at the world. Like, I didnt sign up for THIS many kids.

Lets face it, the woman couldve had selective reduction, and both pregnancies were helped, not natural. They knew what they were getting into having all these children.

I believe at first the show was a way of making extra income to support the ten of them. Then, as things progressed, Kate got greedy for all the things that came with the stardom. Re-marriage, vacations, clothes, tummy tuck.. then the books and appearances.

This family need to take what they have, and sign off from the spotlight. Let their kids be kids, and let the adults work out their adult issues, just between themselves.

Leave them alone. It's none of our business.

"Eight children are expensive."

Here's a thought – quit making money off your childrens' childhoods and GET A REAL JOB.

Maybe the announcement is that they have come to their senses and for the sake of the family, they are ending the TV show. That would be the only sane thing to do. We're talking about 8 children who have no idea what being normal is. Also, it's not all Kate. It takes two to make a marriage, two to break a marriage and two to fix a marriage.

I've seen people who treat one sig other like dirt move on to the next one and be perfectly civil. I've seen people who stirke that ever-so-elusive "Balance" in all kinds of ways. I've seen plenty who haven't.

It occurs to me that the Show was a highly lucrative bad idea... And Jon and Kate don't belong together...
It happens sometimes (all too often these days).
Cancel the show and work out whats best for the kids. In my opinion I don't think that would include staying together. Kate is too dominating and Jon too submissive... Not in terms of absolutes because those don't exist. Just in regard to this relationship.

All in a day's opinion.

I'm willing to bet that the announcement is it's not that they are getting divorced, yet, but that they have decided to end the show because it's no longer good "for the kids." They have been under a lot of scrutiny lately - child labor, ASPCA for treating their dogs badly, Kevin and Jody on the Early Show, then the divorce talk. They will end the show and a year, or so from now, they will much more quitely separate and then divorce (they will tell the viewers again that they don't know what the future holds). I don't think TLC would promote their divorce as a promo spot, regardless of the ratings it will bring in, since that will be short-lived. I think they want the viewers to be empathetic to the couple and family's plight and it would also help TLC look better than it has recently - talking about free trips for the family and filming for hours on end.

Maybe they aren't splitting at all. Maybe just quitting the show altogether.

It seems I am the only one who sees this whole "whose the bad guy" issue the other way around. Granted, I've only sporadically caught portions of recent episodes, but i did watch more of the show at the very beginning. And I could not believe the absolute jerk that the husband always was and how sarcastic and mean he would be to the wife, specifically during the interview portions. Whenever he'd speak, my skin used to crawl. So I don't know if i was dreaming or if all these posts (and comments elsewhere) are from people who have only watched what has become of the wife, after having been treated so incredibly poorly at the beginning when the kids were still babies? Wouldn't you become bitter and sarcastic too? The other comment I wanted to make is that I can't stand how judgmental most people are regarding their decision to have a reality show. Where else were they supposed to get enough money to raise such a large family? As the saying goes, "walk a mile in my shoes...." I also don't appreciate the fish bowl life these kids have, but I surely don't judge their parents for the sacrifice they've made so their kids can have more!

They put themselves in the fish bowl. They weren't born into a famous family nor are they in the political arena. They sought the fame.
This is just part of it.

I think it's sad that the American public is getting such a thrill out of all of this. Are our lives so boring that we have to find satisfaction in others pain. Just because they put their lives out there doesn't mean we as a country have to get off by watching a family destroyed. It just shows where we are as a country when our news "reporters" find more time and energy wondering if one couple is getting a divorce than getting the facts straight on our new administration.

OK – it's time to put away the money and the TV fame and get back to reality and work on what really matters: The kids. Obviously the show has broken up and even humiliated the two. SO STOP – get back together and work on your marriage- duh! Even look at it this way-Kate has a base to work with from now: everyone knows who she is, who Jon is and who the kids are: she (and John too!) can now write books the rest of her/his life and not have to be on TV ...

Funny, to see the difference in perspective of the male and female opinions posted.

Me, and most of my male friends, see Kate as nothing more than a shrill nag who has beaten the very life out of poor Jon.

While the women go on about what a slacker he is perceived to be.

Very interesting perspectives.

I would never have wanted people scrutinizing my day to day life – through ANY stage of it – then passing judgment on it. People are WAY too judgmental and are WAY to critical when they don't know the real story/issues or roots of anyone’s actions or words. Have Jon and Kate and their entire family been treated unfairly? Absolutely. I only hope that those commentators who so adamantly judge them will, in turn, be judged that harshly one day – perhaps then, they will be forced to recognize what a little empathy, understanding and humility could accomplish. And let me add, that people who attach motives to someone else’s actions without knowing exactly what is going on, only reflect their own odious mind set. People should shut up and let what is going to play out in that family's lives – play out without further commentary from cynics and gossips. And for those that think they “deserve it” or “brought it on themselves” by agreeing to a reality show – politely speaking – that’s hogwash. People always need to be treated with respect – more so, maybe, when they open themselves up and are vulnerable. Whatever happened to treating people like you want to be treated.

I think that Kate has let all of this so called fame go to her head, and I think that she has always treated Jon poorly right from the beginning of this show. But I also feel that Jon should have not allowed this he just stands there and lets her rant and rave. I also think if he had gotten or kept a job and not been home all of the time things would have at least had a chance of turning out better. What these two parents have put their children through is unforgiveable. They are kids not puppies. And that is so controlling that would drive anyone crazy. She would not even let the kids name the dogs she had to do it. She wouldn't even give up that much control. Whether they annouce that they are breaking up or not this mariage looks to be over. So sad because it used to be my favorite show. After the first episode I quit watching it was too sad. One thing that I would like to say to Jon and Kate.......Shame on you. You left all the attention take over what once was a family

Question to all: Why do we care? Is this something which would make our lives better? Something we would discuss with our kids?

I understand its "entertaining" but this much hoopla is best reserved for traditional shows (non-reality). At least someone put some effort developing these shows and creating characters and plots.

What they Jon and Kate got are consequences of their decisions (to go on TV, to be nasty wife, to be a spineless husband). No different from what happens to you or me.

I find it hard to feel compassion for people who use exposure to their personal lives in order to make their fortune, only later to turn around and 'cry foul' when the darkest parts are exposed and judged.

It just doesn't work that way. Nor should it. I hope this is the beginning of the end for reality TV. Unfortunately I doubt it.

Maria..

Puuuullleaaseee! How many of us are married to men that at times slack off at home??? Come on get real.... Sorry but "most" men leave the house organization to the women...that's just how it is...I'm now trying to be 1950ish but that is the way it is "most" of the time!!!!!!

Why do u think Jon is a slacker? because he doesn't breath right? or mumbles??? like Kate says........In my opinion, Jon is pretty darn good at keeping 8 kids happily occupied which is hardly slacking!

I know at home sometimes I get a little pissy with my own husband (we have 4 kids) but I would never do that in public!!! and what I mean by pissy is.....it does aggravate me that at times he doesn't help as much as I think he should.....does Kate really need that much help from Jon?? She has maids, nannies, chefs etc etc....what should Jon be doing that he isn't?

I believe the reason he isn't around for anniversaries, b-days etc is b/c Kate banishes him NOT b/c he doesn't want to be there.

I can't stand Kate!!!!

I have a different take on it.
Seems to me everything was "fine" with their marriage while Jon was going off to work. He left for the day, came home, she was shrill and demanding and that "worked" for them for years.
All of a sudden, she's touring for their book, making public appearances all over the place and he has quit his job and is a stay at home dad. Even though she did it for years, he wasn't ready for that to be his life. I think he is still too young for the full grind of life at home with 8 kids. Not too many people would want that. Kudos to Kate for doing it so well.
It's too bad because there seemed to be a lot love there.
I also understand why they would allow the cameras in. He's an IT guy, she's a nurse, who can afford to send 8 kids to college? Not to mention just the food and clothing bills!!!! I think they did what almost anyone would do to make things better for their children.
But enough is enough now – they need to pull it back and heal their family – whether that family has a daddy living at home or not.

It's time for them to shut off the cameras and become a "real" family, instead of the "showbiz" family. If Jon and Kate were really committed to each other and their kids, they would have to agree that filming their lives, whether it be happy or tragic, is negatively affecting them. Show the world that their fame and money is not defining them, but their love, respect and friendship is the foundation of their relationship and their kids can start a normal life starting now.

I think it is unfair to judge Jon or Kate. Yes, they agreed to do the show, but I don't think the intended on becoming the people they now are. None of us know how we would act or respond to having 8 children and all the stress that comes along with that as well as being in the public eye. People should give them a break and let them live their lives and figure this out for themselves. I hope they can get through this and go on and live their lives out of the camera.

Wow! I really cannot believe how easy it is for people to judge a mother of 8 who is the only one working to support her family. John chose to live, just like Kate on TV and if he were man enough to go out and get a job than he wouldnt have to worry about privacy or the cameras.

I'm embarrassed that I care about this at all.

People please: they record days of there lives and then shrink into a half hour, hour show! TLC knows how to get ratings; you think they don't pick prime footage of Kate going at Jon? I hope the announcement is they are done with the show so people can get on with there apparently perfect lives and leave this poor family in peace

No man could put up with, let alone love and thrive with Kate. She is emasculating and overbearing. If John is quiet it's probably because anytime he opens his mouth she screams at him or demeans him. She is the one who regularly leaves her family to go on her book tour. She is the one who has driven this series to this point. All you people who want to stand up for her are simply ignoring the fact that Kate, at her most basic level, thinks she is entitled to run the show, wherever and whenever it is playing. When her children become adults and watch the show, they'll see how horrible she was to Jon. They both created this mess, but she takes the lions share of blame. She is the Amarosa of wives and mothers.....fun to watch, but you'd never, ever want to be a part of her life!

They need to walk away from the show, the spotlight, focus on each other AGAIN, their kids, their relationship and just move on. Damage done; no taking anything back.

Who are John and Kate and why should I care?

I think that the only way they have a chance to put their family back together is to quit the show. Jon needs to go back to a 9 to 5 job – he seemed much happier then. Kate needs to quit traveling and stay home. They both need to re-introduce themselves to reality – something that they have lived far removed from for so long!

We can easily see on television the way Kate treats Jon, yells at him , rolls her eyes and so on.

On the last eposide it was to clear to see that Jon did not want to come back for a fourth season.

There are 2 sides to a coin, but Kate loves her fame. I'm really disappoointed in her, never thought she had it in her, fame before family.

Give Kate a break. It's hard to run a household with eight children. Maybe it seems that she's hard on Jon, but if she weren't, he would just stand helplessly by.

A lot of people keeping watching because they love a train wreck. I keep watching because I'm looking for a glimmer of hope. I would love nothing better than a fairytale ending for this family.

Kate – Relax, let the kids and house get a little dirty.
Jon – Stay out of the bars and be an active part of your family.

If I had 8 kids to take care of I can't say I wouldn't do the same thing – how in the world could you afford to feed them, clothe & educate them?

That said, Kate seems to have tipped over into enjoying the $$ & attention more than being wife & mom. She IS mean to him, mean to her kids, mean to the production crew. I feel sorry for her because there will come that defining moment when she looks around & realizes the damage done. She did have it all & got too greedy.

I'm going to take up for Jon because I don't think he's lazy. We have all seen where he has tried to help & she cuts him and his efforts down. At a point you give up helping so the downward spiral in the relationship begins. I will say that he could have stepped up and taken a little more control, telling her to back off and standing up for himself. The poor guy was in his early 20s and had a family of 9. I'm sure he thought she knew more about this "kid thing" than he did so he let her take control. Boy did she.

I only wish Jon had kept himself out of trouble (and that disgusting excuse for a female gave him the opportunity to get in trouble.) It would have been only a matter of time before Kate imploded & he could have been vindicated. Now he looks like the one who wrecked the marriage single-handedly (with the help of a piece of trash.)

I sincerely believe Jon loves his wife & family, but it's so far gone now I can't imagine it getting better – especially with you & I watching and picking them apart.

It's all too easy to blame these people as flawed as they may be. It's what we do in America these days: "If I had the opportunity they had, I'd never be like that." Please. Most parents would easily risk the destruction of their own family for the potential to never have to worry about working, health care costs, or their kids’ education. Yes, we are that desperate these days. I don't believe anyone who would say otherwise. The fact is we all carry the same inherent weakness when it comes to fame and fortune...it's a grave error to think otherwise. Pride goeth before a fall.

I think the real culprits are the execs at TLC for putting these bores on TV in the first place. Give me shows written by professional writers with high-paid prima donna actors and actresses any day.

From what I have seen of the show the Gosselin children are bright, loving, intelligent and creative kids. That's the real measure of anyone as a parent, and in that regard I think Jon and Kate are doing things right. As for their marriage, I do sympathize with Kate because my husband can be a total slacker and I catch myself raising my voice to him out of sheer frustration. However, I think that she can be too harsh with him. Jon is not without fault here, though. He knows what will set Kate off but usually does what will cause her to freak out anyway. I think couples therapy is what they need–and probably a long, long time out of the limelight. I wish them luck.

This sort of stuff has a tendency to happen when the wife treats the husband like a dog CONSTANTLY, and the husband doesn't have the stones to man up and stand up for himself and tell the wife how it REALLY is, instead of just snapping to attention the second the wife starts barking orders and then moping around with a resentment cloud hanging over his head.

I feel sorry for the kids – both parents succeeded in COMPLETELY screwing up their childhoods. We're looking at 8 little Danny Bonaduces waiting to happen. So in another 20 years, they'll find themselves on ANOTHER reality show, just like the stuff with Bonaduce when all his problems/rehab came out.

All of you that judge continue to watch the show....no one is perfect. We all have our problems and if we were watched all the time I don't think we'd all be mommy and daddy of the year either. Lighten up everyone.......

Well many good posts, but really, come on people, can we judge. We only see what the tabloids, twitters, and tv wants us to see. We have no idea who these two people are much less what they are capable of. We see the people that reality tv created. Reality TV what a joke, it is still tv. Real life is difficult, children are a handful times 8 for them and then you throw in all of this crap. Please let Jon and Kate be Jon and Kate plus 8 real life and let them make their decisions. We do not know these people well enough to make our opinions or assist in the difficult choices they will have to make for their family. Really, I am sure this is a normal marriage, we just are not seeing the good parts anymore, they are all laying on the cutting room floor because real life marriage and children and responsibility do not get you the ratings.

They need a break for a while. This is too much for the both of them right now and along with everything else you have the eight kids. But, they chose this life, so they will need to deal with it together regardless of who wants out. They may not have a choice but to take their medicine and both grow up and try to make this work. I do agree that Kate should be in counseling for the way she downs him, but he needs to be a better man also, not another child. Put them both in counseling. It is a shame that we will be watching, we like being entertained by someone elses hardships. That is why reality tv is growing strong. We are all sick.

If they split, they split. It happens. I just wish they would quit taking pot shots at each other. Jon is now making comments about how he has been picked on by Kate, and she made it clear on the show American Choppers that she would just as soon see the back of him. In front of all the kids!! SHAME ON YOU, KATE!!! At least when Jon was talking, the kids were nowhere within earshot, although, they will be hurt, I'm sure if they watch that show.Kate always seems to treat Jon as if he is just so much much under her foot. They both say they 'are here for my kids', well, BE there for the kids and quit taking pot shots at each other at every opportunity. That alone hurts your kids!!

I haven't watch these plastic people and guess what? I won't in the future

I think it's very sad when any marriage breaks up, especially when children are involved. But these two just need to go their separate ways. Kate wears the pants in this family and thrives off all the attention she is getting. I think Jon just went along with her. Now things have changed very drastically from the way the were in the beginning and I think Jon is fed up with living in a "fishbowl". But let's face facts – if they quit this show (or they show quits them) how are they going to support the lifestyle they have become accustom to? Yes, Kate is a trained nurse and Jon did whatever it was he did (understand he got fired from his last job because all he wanted to do was look for free stuff on the computer for the 6) but just how are they going to go to work at a normal job with all this media circus surrounding them? As far as I'm concerned, they are both horrible parents. I watched the earlier episodes but quit watching after one show where Kate made little Joel sleep on the laundry room floor because he was sick and had vomitted on his comforter and she didn't want him getting anything else dirty. WHAT KIND OF MOTHER DOES THAT!!! I don't care how many kiddos you have, if one or more is sick you comfort them and soothe them – you don't banish them to the laundry room, turn out the light and shut the door! Good grief. I lost all respect for these two people then. They are both getting what they deserve; I just feel really sorry for the 8 because while they may have "material" things they certainly don't have loving, caring parents.

and let tlc support these kids better than our tax dollars

For anyone to say this reality show was the only way they could raise eight children is clearly deceived by them. People have been raising 8,12, 21 children for years without benefit of the mega money and questionable fame these shows have. I am such a mother. No child needs or deserves to have the big ticket items any more than any other family.
These parents knew exactly what they were getting into when they signed on the dotted line and if somewhere along the way, they didn't like what was happening-guess what, you quit. Sure you are breaking a contract, but they are broken all the time.
Let's hope that some forward thinking judge, if it comes to that, can see past the hype of the media and truly see who the best parent is in this situation for the children to live with. We all pretty much know who we would pick but thankfully it is not up to us. While both parents have faults where will the kids be the safest is the big question now, I feel.

I agree....Kate is a shrill.....Jon needs a backbone.... but I feel a whole lot can be said about a person in how they interact with animals. Kate has been extremely mean-spirited, even hateful towards their dogs. She probably only allowed Jon to get them to show what a 'generous' person she was...that's it not all about her. She does not seem to even make an effort to love them. What she doesn't realize is the message she is sending to her kids....

They chose to put themselves and their children in the fishbowl. Now they have to deal with the consequences of living their life so publicly.

if someone wants to film my family for 75,000 a week let them
who wouldent and be honest

Who cares??? These people haven't done anything to be famous other than have more kids than they can afford which is completely irresponsible.

Honestly? It's our country's voracious appetite for "reality TV" that is shameful. Jon & Kate may have made a series of bad decisions, but so do many married folks. We, who watch all this stuff tirelessly, are creating a culture (or lack thereof) in which nothing is sacred or private. We are all to blame.

Anxiously looking forward to the family’s reunion episode in 2019 to see what percentage of the kids are in rehab. My guess 60%...

It is completely our business because Kate made it our business by putting every last aspect of that family's lives on tv 41 weeks a year! Be free, Jon, be free! Hopefully those poor children will turn out to be relatively normal adults, because their pathetic excuse for a mother has made them circus animals!

We're the stupid ones, for watching their show and allowing them to get rich. I stopped watching the show after I found out how much they get per episode. They call themselves christians but I don't see any evidence. A christian is a person who has a relationship with the Lord. If that is the case shouldn't they be asking the Lord to help sve their marriage? Just asking.

I have a difficult time believing anyone would watch these "pseudo reality" shows. The only reason I have ever been able to come up with is that some people's lives are so miserable/plain/ordinary that they want to be able to feel superior to at least one other couple; get a life people. None of the reality shows on TV are reality; they are entertainment and the players signed on for their 15 minutes of fame. Kate and Jon are in overtime and need to realize that fact.

Sure its stressful and expensive to raise 8 kids, but TLC has another show called "18 Kids and Counting." They are also stressed and worried about their children. However, they are loving and respectful towards one another, they both make the effort to raise their children TOGETHER!!!. Granted the older children help with the younger children, but they are still the parents and children know they are loved and cared for.

The vibe I've always gotten from Jon and Kate is that they have essentially 2 very different demeanors. Jon isn't lazy, he does seem to parent the children very capably just differently from Kate. Kate clearly has a limited amount of patience with the children and with Jon, but again, 8 kids? Can you imagine what hurdles must be crossed every hour to keep that household running in a relatively smooth manner. They married young and had 8 kids before they hit 30. I've watched the "you're mean" video, seen/read the story of her spanking the kid while she was on the phone, and frankly those are absolutely both scenarios I could see played out in my home with my own kids. Whether or not she or he uses corporal punishment is a choice made by the parents, not by the rest of the world. I didn't see either as examples of bad parenting at all. As for whether or not Jon cheated, that's between them as a couple. And clearly the pictures that are used as proof of the alleged affair aren't professional, weren't taken by anyone at TLC, and thus are not our business. They will do what is best for their family, and what is best for them, and it's not our place to decide what that may be.

I don't think either is more to blame then the other. Jon may have cheated on her and if he did that is something he has to deal with. Kate has not always treated Jon kindly but one thing is for sure...they both love those kids. I think it would be best to stop the show and work on their marriage. The media needs to back up a little and let them live their lives in private. Kate is not a bad mom. If anyone was in the same situation as her they would probably be the same way. If she spanks her kids so what they are probably not abused and who are we to decide. One thing for sure is that those kids are suffering and going to suffer because of the sick and twisted ways of the papparazzi. It makes me sick! Lets all step back and say a prayer for that family raither then repair and criticize it when no one knows for sure what is going on in their life but them!

I commented to my husband-our tv has become reality this, reality that...what happened to shows like "Three's Company, Friends, HappyDays, Gilligans' Island?" These kind of shows don't exist anymore...all stations have jumped on the bandwagaon of "Reality TV" Even these CSI, NCI, Law and Order...those to have run its course....TV Executives if you are listening...I am sure ready to see some good silly clean fun on tv again...there are millions of us willing to support and watch these shows if you just offer them....

As for this long drama of Kate and Jon....Look I did watch early episodes and I always told my husband that KATE WAS VERY DEMEANING AND RUDE TO JON....and Jon did say things to her and she would be like .....what....what are you talking about....(acting like a little mouse–so like "wo is me" type of attitude) She never saw anything she did wrong whether in the way she spoke or treated him.

Has anyone ever wondered about extended family??? The ones they did have either turned on them or couldn't get in on the action and the lame excuse they have once about the reason we don't see parents on their is because they don't wish to be involved......HA>>>what a load of bologna! Kate doesn't want anyone to share the limelight with....as for Beth....ah yeah...suck up!

People constantly mention that she has "8 kids"–and that's the reason she is the way she is and does the show, book, speaking engagements....NO!!!!!! She and Jon made the conscience decision to have that many kids. Just like I chose to have only 2 kids because THAT IS WHAT I COULD AFFORD!

They are like other reality people who have gotten sucked up in all the money, fame and freebies that come along when people like this are given it. How many other reality stars have gone through this....the hogans, jessica and nick?????Duh they have to have known about the pitfalls...they don't live in a box and totally know about reality shows and perks....

I don't care who did what...I am so tired of hearing about them, seeing them and their family....go back to your 1.1 million dollar "green home", with all your little freebies like the atvs...free cooking lessons with Emeril, custom bikes....and just go away!!!!!

Kate you are no one to give advice to anyone about anything....jon grow up and both of you get real jobs like the rest of us and raise your family! Stop expecting handouts!!!!

If Jon and Kate truly loved one another and "loved their children to pieces," they would have asked those cameras to leave their home some time ago. Did they really intend to support their family via a reality show? My parents raised 9 children without parading our family before America. We didn't live in a house, "as far as the eyes could see," but they worked to support us. They provided us with a good life and a LIFE TIME of memories that still warms our hearts. Nobody wants to do the work anymore; yet and still they want it all!!

Oh please – this is the same old same old. Build up a regular person with an unusual life. Build up a celebrity as fabulous and perfect. Then as soon as there's a bit of humanity – let the media destruction begin. There are whole elements of the 'press' that make their living with this build and destruct sequence. Why do you think sites like TMZ even exist? To do the dirty destruction work.

Let's remember – the filming of this program has been edited by a 3rd party who wants a good show. Not necessarily the best representation of the family. Not even the honest representation of the family. Something that will draw the ratings.

And if you had 8 kids, you'd do whatever it took to ensure there was food on the table and a roof over their heads. I know – my brother has 6 and it's a struggle every day to ensure their financial security and health.

In all fairness to both sides, Jon & Kate as a couple decided to do the program and they both chose to continue the program through 5 seasons. However, it has to be extremely difficult to joggle their life. His work, her books, 8 kids, and not stop filming will put a strain on anyone. Yes, she does seem to be a jerk sometimes but there is absolutely NO excuse for cheating (IF he did actually cheat). And keep in mind that this is a tv show and they will cut together the parts that keep people interested and some chick screaming like a crazy person at her husband in the store or at the park makes for funny tv. Im sure she is not like that all the time. I cant imagine that i would be too pleasant if I were in that situation.

All I'm saying is that we don't REALLY know what's going on behind the cameras and we should reserve judgment and criticism because some day those children will be grown and will read about what america thought of their parents. Put yourself in there shoes.

Are any of us perfect? Jon & Kate are human....give me a break with all these rants.

For those who consider it "judgmental" to speak out against the show "Jon and Kate Plus 8," who admonish others to "walk in their shoes" before pointing out wrongdoing:

I don't have to walk in anyone's shoes to know that filming children for hours a day and putting their most personal and intimate experiences on national TV for the entertainment of complete strangers is WRONG.

How would you like it if someone had filmed you naked in the shower, eliminating on a toilet, or if someone had filmed your father manually relieving your constipation in the back of a car while you screamed in agony, then broadcasted it to millions of people? How would you like it if there were cameras in your bedroom? How would you like it if you were a young child who had to put a sign on her door that says "NO CAMERAS ALLOWED" in order to have privacy in YOUR OWN HOME?

Sure, they can provide food, clothing, shelter and cool jungle gyms for their kids. But can they buy back their children's privacy and dignity? Nope.

I like Kate and think Jon needs to grow up. The hate bashing of Kate is way out of control. Jon walks around like a wounded puppy while apparently everyone thinks his "adultery" behavior is acceptable. He has 8 children yet drives a two-door sports car! Talk about being selfish, he couldn't even be bothered to help with the kids birthday party and then strolls in like they should be happy he's even there. I hope if they do get a divorce, Kate finds a "man" and not a boy for a husband. I think she has had the responsiblility of being both parents and no one gives her any credit. Go Kate!!!

They are born again Christians and this is the whole reason they are being attacked by the media whichhas always fairly treated those of faith

"Would any of us want to live in a fishbowl, having our every word and action documented for the world to see, judge and comment on even if the financial compensation was hefty?" The answer is a simple and obvious no– that's why we're not all clamoring for a reality show.

A lot of the people here are way to worked up about people on a TV show. Relax – it isn't your life. And before you go calling people names, get your own house in order. I doubt any of you are even near perfect.
ALso – seems like some of the people here are jealous of the perks of the reality TV gig Jon and Kate have landed. I've never seen them "expect" a single handout. Do they get paid well for the show, did they get a free house? Yes. So what? You wouldn't take a free house?

Funny...things are so bad but you don't see either one of them giving up the perks. He just got a motorcycle for nothing. They get free food, free clothes, trips, etc. I don't see either one of them giving up anything. They can both bitch about it all they want but they are both
money hungry gimme, gimme people. I am hoping the show does not end I have been watching it from the beginning but really do any of us know exactly what goes on behind close doors. For all we know it could be a publicity stunt and boy is it working.

I've watched this show off and on, and Jon has been treated in the same manner by his wife throughout. If it was ok for her to be the more organized and more detailed of the two a year ago, why is it so horrible today? These people have been pretty danged honest about how they are – good and bad. The public needs to just butt out already.

How awesome would it be if Monday's announcement is that Jon & Kate are expecting?

Wow

The Duggars have 18 kids – neither parent was cruel nor harsh with each other on their reality show, so why can't Kate be nice to Jon?

It's obvious Kate has no respect for Jon if she is putting him down with the cameras rolling. I can only imagine how she is when they are not rolling.

Please cancel the show and let the "Diva" find a different way to make a living instead of the exploitation of her kids (obviously they are "her" kids, not "ours").

So, when and if, whatever happens, happens- who will the media (specifically the tabloids) turn on next the Duggars .... Jon & Kate have turned into a cash bonanza for TLC (both prior to the tabloid feeding frenzy and especially afterward).

I do not think even they thought this would turn out as it appears to be unfolding when the started the documentary six years ago....

I feel sorry for them and wish them the best.

"I don’t care who did what…I am so tired of hearing about them, seeing them and their family….go back to your 1.1 million dollar “green home”, with all your little freebies like the atvs…free cooking lessons with Emeril, custom bikes….and just go away!!!!!

Kate you are no one to give advice to anyone about anything….jon grow up and both of you get real jobs like the rest of us and raise your family! Stop expecting handouts!!!!"

AMEN! WELL SAID!

WHO CARES? What's wrong with everyone? This is NOT news. With all that is happening out there that truly affects each and every one of us, I find it a sad commentary that this even makes it on CNN! If it's not this, it was Britney or before that Anna Nicole!! Go read a newspaper or a book and enrich your brain...or whatever is left of it.

I want to see Kate in a thong...

Kate: grow a pair....oops, looks like you already did with TLC's help

Jon: grow a pair

They both chose the path they are on. So putting the blame all on one of them is unfair. They should have had their eyes wide open from the very start.

I hear she's going to be doing a Playboy spread...

How much of their demeanor is edited? We only see what the editors want us to see. Perhaps the slow decline into their appointed roles is not the complete reality but made for better ratings.

Maybe they just need to get some help distiguishing themselves and their marriage from who they've become.

I think they had to do the show since for most of the marriage Jon has been unable to find/keep employment. Kate sees her husband for what he is SLACKER and so she works book tours and the show. Kate is not dumb she knows the show will end and then what? Jon's not up to working and putting food on the table. Kate will once again have to work shift work as a nurse and then Jon will be at home complaining he is a STAY AT HOME DAD (gee I don't hear too many mom's complain about being at home while the kids are small it is a blessing one that Jon has forgotten how to count).

Kate grumps at Jon due impart to him not living up to the perceived role of a man and that is to provide for his family, she is and has been the provider for the family. People are not used to seeing women in this role as part of reality TV or reality LIFE, if it was packaged as a movie such as MR. MOM then it is easier to accept.

Kate has the expectations of wanting to send her children to get a degree or more education like she has obtained. That is why she is watching every penny and milking this cow while it is here to milk, one kid is expensive to send to post-secondary school what about 8? Jon says he wants to finish his education but no he went to go snowboarding and other extra curricular activities that just selfishly benefited him. Kate would never buy a sports car that could not take all of the kids, so this makes one wonder who really is selfish? Who really has their focus on the kids? Kate is the one who cares about the kids not just now but in the future Kate sees the big picture. Jon just sees the self gratification of the present without seeing the consequences.

GO KATE, you rock Girl.

Who are these people?, seriously?!?!?
I guess I just have better things to do with my time then to get involved in this kind of media.
America what is happening to you?

I think Kate realized she needed money to raise those kids and came up with a plan where she could stay home and raise the kids herself. Folks are too hard on her. I love Kate. I think this is exactly what they have said all along – the publicity just got to Jon. Did he stray – probably – it is what men do. Will they divorce? Who knows. I hope the big announcement is they are going to counseling and saving their marriage.

I think that the announcement will be that they are STOPPING the show to work on their lives, marriage, parenting. Or, at least that SHOULD be the announcement.

They need to end the circus. It is so incredibly sad to see two adults causing each other so much pain when their children should be the only center of attention.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_%26_Kate_Plus_8
"They began thinking of having another child and, according to Kate, a biracial infant of a teenage girl became available to adopt while Kate was an obstetrics nurse. They decided not to adopt the baby, but instead returned to fertility treatment."

Adopt a biracial baby? No thanks! I'll have a litter of science-aided spawnlings! Then get rich off pimping them out to TLC!

I have no sympathy for either Jon or Kate, and a lot of sympathy for their poor kids.

I think it is a little disturbing that she would run her own promo on her own divorce. I don't think it is something you should promote.

I have a family member like Kate and her marriage ended just about the same way. She was really, really nasty to her ex and until this day still refuses to acknowledge that it was her constant put downs that made being married to her competely demorilizing and a real self esteem killer. All it takes is another person to come along and offer just a tiny bit of appreciation to a person married to a Kate and they are outta there!!

Just think! If they had simply adopted one child when they decided they had to have a kid, rather than making litters of babies in a petry dish, they would be a calm, middle class family and no one would be commenting on them at all. They are a fine example of how selfish (and out of touch with common sense) people have become.

I never thought it was "right" the way Kate treated Jon on the show; but I do think that it is partially Jon's fault as well. He should have grown a backbone and stuck up for himself rather than shrugging it off and letting her ridicule him. In my own experiences, I've realized that people typically treat you the way you want to (or atleast feel that you deserve to) be treated in life.

As for the "money hungry" accusations – although having a reality show is obviously incredibly destructive in many ways to the family unit – we can't forget the abundance of opportunities that being "celebrities" has given these children as well. All along, people have constantly donated food, clothing, vacations, etc which has allowed Jon & Kate to spend more time with thier children instead of both parents working full time and move out of thier cramped little house into one more suitable for 10 family members. It's starting to get excessive, with the books and publicity, but remember, Kate grew up very poor and is likely just trying to save up money to ensure her kid's futures.

The English language does not have the words for me to properly express how little I care.

It is never as simple as one person is the good guy and one person is the bad guy. I will agree that Kate comes off as the less pleasant of the two. But sometimes I think Jon seems like a dolt. And who would be dumb enough to think they could run around with another woman while filming a reality show. I think they started the show with the best of intentions and Kate seems to have gotten caught up in the publicity and I have ask myself how many of us would not been a little swayed by all of the attention??

Boy – you folks are really HARSH and judgemental! I don't enjoy watching shows that I feel are exploitative (like Jerry Springer), but I started watching this show a couple of years ago because it didn't feel that way at all. I don't think it's necessarily been harmful for the kids - I feel like show's been good about not crossing any inappropriate lines.

As to Jon and Kate's relationship... While I agree that Kate's style of talking to Jon has always bothered me a bit, it's been pretty consistent from the start and it seemed to be understood that this was just "Kate being Kate" and he didn't seem to feel particular injured by it. Different couples have different ways of communicating - some couples like to bicker, others don't. I think a bigger problem is that, as Jon has often said, he ended up in a very grown-up role at a rather young age and feels deprived of some of the opportunities to have some "personal" time that people usually have when they have a more manageable-sized family. I know some folks have said that they didn't *have* to have all of those children (selective reduction being a medical option), but it appears from what we see on the show that they are fairly religious and I'm not sure that that really would have been an option for them.

What would disappoint me is if they decided to get a divorce without trying everything possible first to fix their problems. I think that, too often, couple today use divorce as the "easy way out," instead of doing the hard work of fixing their relationship (and themselves). They seemed to really love each other earlier on...I just think that they've let things spiral down and need to make the commitment to work together to put things right again.

Yes, she's bossy, but she always was and he didn't seem to mind. Yes, he doesn't do quite as much work as she does perhaps, but I think he does more than she (and some folks here) give him credit for. (And, contrary to what at least one poster said, he was *not* unemployed originally - he quit his job partway into the series, when he no longer needed it and could spend more time at home.) No, I don't think they only care about money - I think they both genuinely love and care about their kids.

Jon and Kate have shown how much they can accomplish when they work as a team...I hope they'll apply that same effort to fixing their relationship. If they both go into it with open minds and open hearts, I'll bet they could salvage it yet.

I can't believe how hateful people can be. This family was fine until the media got ahold of them. Kate can be a little hateful when she talks sometimes, but wouldn't you if you had 8 children? I'm sure she's worn out and doesn't have the patience with Jon when he lollygags around sometimes.. Come on moms, we all know how hard it is to get our kids ready and then try to get yourself ready. In the meantime you husband is sitting around ignoring the kids and letting them undo everything you just did. I personally think Kate has her shit together and does a great job. I think Jon is upset that he has had to change jobs and he can't be gone all day. This woman needs a break and he needs to step up to the plate ocasionally. The whole point of this show is to show how they work together as a family, good or bad. I'm sick of the media showing every move they make. Next thing you know they will be taking pictures of them in their house with a zoom lens like they did with Angelina Jolie. Leave them alone people. Let them live their lives and work out their problems.

"Would any of us want to live in a fishbowl, having our every word and action documented for the world to see, judge and comment on even if the financial compensation was hefty? Life can get pretty crazy sometimes, especially with eight children. How many people who would want to see their lives filmed, edited and packaged for maximum entertainment?" -

Probably most people would not enjoy that, but Jon and Kate invited the film crews and cameras into their home - they sought this out and welcomed it. There are lots of families who have sextuplets or large families - the Gosslins wanted to be the ones to have their lives documented on television and watched by millions of tv viewers.

Also, there are other reality tv families – the Duggers for instance – who handle parenting, relationships and the media with much more poise and dignity than the Gosslins. These are families who asked for the attention. Some can handle it while others can not.

Kate has said they originally agreed to the show to document the children's lives because they were too busy to do so. Shame on all of you who think that you know how to raise some one elses kids better.

They are not exploiting their children, but giving them more opportunities than they would have had without the show (and yes, the cash that comes with it).

These are parents who are doing the very best with what they have and there is nothing wrong with earning money that can help support the family and allow them to spend more time with their children, or give them opportunities that they never would have gotten before.

And Jon is a scattered person who shuts down when he's overwhelmed. I'm sure Kate comes across as shrill or mean to those less intuitive people out there, but it's clear that she has to motivate him. And when you're in an emergent situation or something that requires action right away, you don't have time for touchy feely crap or to explain why something needs to be done. You just need to get it done.

If you had 8 kids, I bet you would get exhausted, overwhelmed, snippy and in a hurry also. It's not like that situation would bring the best out in any one of us.

Shame on you all for your blatant jealousy and pointing fingers. I'm sure you've never encountered any cross roads in your life where you make a choice and have no idea what the backlash will be.

With the way you are all ranting and carrying on, I'd say you are no better than what you deem Kate to be. What kind of role models are you for your children when you always have a negative opinion and lack an ounce of compassion or forgiveness?

@ Maria, Michelle and the others who are dogpiling John: If you don't take care of your man, someone else will.

It amazes me that women are surprised that men don't like being constantly reminded about how disappointing they are. If you want to get rid of your man, this is the surest, quickest way to do it.

There's a lot of articles on the net about how to get a man to do stuff, most don't advocate belittling and berating them. If you want the behaviour to change, change your approach. If you keep doing the same thing expecting a different result, you are insane.

Kate has always been a neurotic, penny-pinching b--. Since when does this give Jon the "right" to break his wedding vows and cheat on his family? He is a father of eight and should start acting like one.

I think that most of you who have commented above are just jealous of the Jon and Kate's success and the money that comes with it. I agree that Kate comes off very negative in her dealings with Jon, but remember that when you have 8 kids, you must be a control freak. How many of us can say we treat our spouses with kid gloves and are pleasant to each other all the time? Give this couple a break. I am sure that when they went in to this show, they thought that they could handle it and things would be different for them. That is human nature, we all would think this way. Please Jon and Kate, get some counseling, remember that you are the same people you are now as when you first met each other and try to get back to that. Also, I love the show and would be disappointed to see it go off the air. I don't care about the fighting, I just think its great to see how to raise such a large family. And to those of you talking about selective reduction, which one of those beautiful multiples would you have chosen to "get rid of"? It is not as easy as you think it would be if you were in their shoes. Jon and Kate, good luck.

I have watched Jon & Kate plus 8 since the beginning. I hate it terribly that they are going through this. Jon & Kate both have said things early on that I questioned.
Kate always seemed to be totally in love at the beginning of their marriage but as time passed she took on the role as the "head of the household".
If Jon were the Christian man he proclaims to be, that should have never happened. I'm not saying that he should be bossing her around, no one deserves that, the marriage sould have been a team effort. See, even I am talking like it is over.
I hope and pray that these two work things out. I keep going back to the episode that they made before the renewal of their vows, when Kate tells one of the children,"Mommy and Daddy will be together forever". Let's hope this stands true.

Marie- I agree with you. Yes she can be a b-- but come on. with 8 kids she has to be organized and we all know he isnt at all. she has to keep him on his toes. Im sad that they are having problems. Even though they used to fight alot when they laughed and she slapped him i thought it was cute. they promised the kids they would be together forever and that bothers me the most. I think they need to try and work things out. she needs to be nicer to him and he needs to be more sensative to her.

I think they started with the best of intentions and probably wanted to earn money to pay for the kids' college, upbringing, etc. I do think Kate is not always polite, but I think this whole situation has now been so blown out of propotion that it's ridiculous. I feel sorry for Jon and Kate. I think they wanted to showcase their kids and the challenge of raising eight kids, with the best of intentions. And now it's just sad. I think the announcement is going to be canceling the show.

Sorry I can't really add to this discussion, as I don't waste my time watching this rubbish.

Yes I can understand it would be hard to be in a "fishbowl" but there is a reason why the masses are taking Jon's side on this. In every episode i've ever seen Kate seems like a high maintenence, shrill woman who's biggest passion in life is to make everyone else around her bend to her will, and I get the feeling that this is how she would be with cameras or not. I mean, why would she do it if it wasn't really her personality? Since it is obviously not to her benefit to be a bitch?

Hey, this chick is hot. Dump the dude, let's rocknroll.

I feel sorry for the kids. The parents are supposed to be the "adults". When trouble started brewing they should have stopped and taken a look at those faces and relalized that this is what is important. The family! Not ratings, or the money can save this family!

Ok, I have been suckered into making a comment, too. I started watching the show when it was just another documentary. I am single, with no kids, so I was interested in learning about other realities.

Here is my take: Their relationship was in trouble before they ever started filming. John did not want to have more kids, but gave in to Kate. Kate then got both of them in this situation. John is passive aggressive. He also was not prepared to take on more responsibility and lost his job.... leaving Kate at the mercy of public aid. Their lives were almost destroyed before the show began. So, desperation took over.....but their issues never changed. John was still passive aggressive about the whole situation.... he never sowed his oats. Why is he hanging out with girls in their early 20's? He is still that age developmentally speaking. Kate on the other hand, took control of the situation after John's failure to be the family provider she needed, and did everything she could to get her children's needs met. This includes selling out to the massive paychecks they got. Since she took control, the family situation has improved. So she doesn't treat her husband with respect, probably due to deep resentments over their situation when he was the provider. Now, she identifies too much with her own public persona, and seems to have narcissistic personality disorder. Her needs are more important than anything else.... John is buying expensive cars and motorcycles, and taking expensive skiiing trips and such, but doesn't seem to connect with his role or how he got there. Yes, he acknowledges that his lifestyle is due to the children. But at what price.
If their marriage is to last, they both need to reconcile the people they have become, and what their intentions were when they married. I always see Kate reiterating to John in these episodes that she is dealing with the reality they have now, but John still pines for an idealized version of what he thought his life would be like, and says he did not sign up for all of this.... as well as the older children. Its true that they can't go back, but how they deal now is more important. They need to stop the show. Its not worth the money. John needs to get a job to gain self-respect. Kate needs to forgive him and stop treating him with disrespect, and John needs to forgive her and start acting responsibly.

I love watching the show, with the kids its was a fun show.

I just think that Kate changed a lot from when she first had her kids even when she had all 8 kids i think she has been changing. i dont think its fair for the kids, the kids are going to be used to going from one place to another on vacations and so on and when they stop doing shows where are they going to go????....

I just think they should of thought what could happen if the show was a hit and it is.

I hate to chime in with most others but Kate is obnoxious! She is so rude to him and everyone else. I don't think she learned any manners ever! It is sad because they really could have been a cute family if she had a different personality. I used to like her but as time went on she just got so nasty! She is really self-absorbed. I feel bad mostly for the kids. They are the ones who are suffering and don't know why. The one little girl who asked Jon when he was going to be home more says it all. I am sure she thinks he is staying away because of somthing she did. It is only natural that kids would think that. Their parents are practically their whole life. Sad.........

I agree with Maria. Any real mother out there has her share of reality moments. I'm glad Kate has been strong enough to lay down ground rules and keep organized. Her kids seem healthy, unspoiled, and loved. However, I do hope she and John can become a whole family again, even if it means taking a break from the show to work on their marriage.

If anyone thinks that this season shows the family we once knew and loved, they're wrong. It's so fake now. TLC has created drama on top of drama. Things that Kate says now like " And Jon decided to take some time off this week so I had to plan the party 'by myself' is a part of TLC planning. The whole crossover thing with the chopper guys is one example. She's even trying to act 'human' and not the obsessed clean freak she always, always, always was. Her treatment of Jon is and continues to be terrible and HER decision to continue the show over Jon and her oldest daughters objections, is reprehensible. Rock On Kate! Keep on traveling! You've alienated most of your family with continuing what was once a nice little show into your little carnival circus! And thank you TLC for making it all possible!

Kimberly – you summed it up very well. Can't think of anything to add.

BUt ending the show is not going to do anything for them because people are still going to want to know about them and whats going on with their lifes. its not like its going to be over just like that.

I've never watched it, so cannot give an opinoin on whether or not anyone is being treated fairly...I'll just say that my mother is one of 8 children, not multiples, but all 8 kids are pretty tightly spaced. My grandmother raised them alone for the better part of their lives. I've got no respect for anyone who'd do this to their kids, and little more for anyone who'd tune in week after week to watch that circus. Shows like this can't make it if nobody watches...

Do people actually find this show interesting now? I enjoyed watching the early episodes when it was more of a documentary and Jon and Kate were learning how to raise eight kids. It seems like they've figured it out, so I don't know why TLC is making a show out of Kate complaining about doing the kids' birthday party all by herself and rolling her eyes at Jon's new motorcycle. Is having the family mingle with other reality TV celebrities going to be the way to keep people interested in the show? The original idea behind the show is gone, and I understand that ideas evolve, but I really think Jon and Kate have timed out. They need to work on their marriage and give the cameras a break.

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH MARIA! WHO ARE ANY OF US TO JUDGE? IF YOU WANT TO WATCH GO FOR IT, IF NOT, DONT. TV IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES, WHY DOES EVERYONE TAKE IT SO SERIOUSLY LIKE THEY ARE OUT TO GET KATE OR JON. SOOO RIDICULOUS. I PERSONALLY ENJOY WATCHING THE SHOW. IM HUMAN JUST LIKE THEY ARE....THERE IS ONLY ONE THAT CAN JUDGE ME AND ANY OF US AND THAT IS MY LORD AND SAVIOR.

Watched the show from the beginning. It is time to end the show. Get help with their problems and become a family again. I remember at the end of last season, Jon didn't want to come back, but Kate did. Didn't seem like the family made the decision, Kate did. TLC should be stop the show. I feel bad for the kids. Please Jon and Kate for your family's sake – stop the show. Even if they divorce, and the show continues with only Kate and the kids it won't solve the future problems the kids are going to have.

Don'tGetItGirl – that was quite a rant for someone who doesn't care and isn't interested. If you're "so tired" of them, don't watch the show, and don't read articles like this one.

So, let's review. The opinions on here have been as follows:

[Jon and Kate should have "culled" their own children to avoid having so many.] Which of them would you have chosen to kill, if they were yours?

[Jon and Kate SHOULD get a divorce.] Really? And what, exactly, happened to the sanctity of marriage? That line of opinions goes a long way towards explaining the divorce rate in this country.

[Jon and Kate were just looking for handouts and can't support their own family.] Jon is a computer programmer and Kate is a nurse. They are educated professionals, not welfare recipients. My guess is they did the show so one or both could stay home with their kids. Not a bad choice in my opinion. Hating them for having money is hypocracy, on the part of every one of you who does so.

[Having the kids on the show is harmful and exploitive.] Right. Why isn't everyone, then, talking about every other show with kids in it? How about 18 Kids and Counting? How about the Disney Channel? Don't be ridiculous.

[Jon and Kate chose to have that many kids.] No. They chose to have children, needed the help of artificial insemination, ended up with that many, and have done an amazing job of caring for and providing for them. There are countless people with one or two children who don't even come close to parenting their children as well as they do.

I hope and pray that Jon and Kate completely ignore the moronic public opinions like those reflected here. You want to talk Christianity? Judge not lest ye be judged by the standards which you use to judge others. You all should be ashamed.

My guess....their having another baby! Ha!

She signed up to be "in the fishbowl". She says she hates the paparazzi but relishes in having the attention upon her. Shame on TLC for not pulling the plug on the show-if only for the kid's sake. When they get older they ought to sue the network for all of the therapy they will need.

Yep. This bs is what we should all be worried about! Yesser. What with nuclear war being threatened all over the world, our money worthless, our health care almost unaffordable (oh, but wait; the Prez is going to tax us all more to pay for that – and the bailouts);

So why not dive head long into "reality" shows on TV?

We need our own reality check!

DO you people realize that we watch this show because we have issues and it is NOT about the 8 KIDS!!!!! the last thing I need to see when my kids get to bed are 8 MORE KIDS on the potty having partys...blah blah blah!!! We watch it to see Kate and Jon...and it's their big fat bad that they can't keep it together for 8 awsome reasons.....they hardly worked at it......they obviously would never have made it if they did the show or not!!!!!! I guess they are 8 "not love babies"...how SAD......TLC is all over this and all of you are airing your dirty laundry right now...GET IT!!!!!

Jon + Kate + 8 + one more I guess (we are a happy American Family )

I think what's most disturbing about this whole scenario is that they continue to choose to do the show!

At one point Kate herself said she would end the show immediately if she thought it was detrimental to her children. Now she has been quoted as saying she owes it to the public to continue! Give me a break!

It's sad and disgusting to me that while a family is disintigrating, they continue to film the fall out. It's awful that all eight of their babies are going to have a public record of how their family fell apart.

Frankly, I think this is a case of fame and greed getting in the way of reality.

I hope, at some point soon, they decided to do what's best for their children instead of what's best for their egos. I say shame on both of them!

Since when is living your life in front
of a TV camera considered "work"? Isn't it curious that these people have alienated their entire families in pursuit of stardom? Why don't their own grandparents want anything to do with their own grandchildren? The last straw was when I heard Kate gush that her children "deserved" their new million dollar mansion. I ask why do those kids deserve anything more than anyone else's kids? Haven't they all gotten enough special treatment in the way of exotic
trips, designer clothes, being treated like stars at the Phillies games and having all sorts of special venues closed down so they could have them all to themselves?

Let this be a lesson to everyone...no one's marriage can survive a reality show...

These are adults. They chose to maintain a sextuplet pregnancy. They chose to support their family by having their lives play out on national TV. Plastic surgery, hair plugs, all manner of trips and perks- willingly accepted.

Other families take appropriate help when faced with raising quads, or quints or- sextuplets. Jon and Kate chose to put up with what must be demanding and frustrating circumstances of having camera crews follow their every move. Key word: Chose.

Kate's persona screams off the screen- and I do mean scream. We all have bad days, we all have moments where we do not conduct ourselves as we might wish to. Kate's sniping, put upon attitude, eye rolling, teenager sighs- very, very immature and unflattering.

Both seem to enjoy the booty being on TV brings them. If the strain of the show is too much- then stop it. Get jobs in the real world, get some part-time help you pay for, and try and raise your kids out of the public eye. I don't think that they want to do that.

Kate's taken the heat because Kate's behavior has drawn the heat. I do think some of the comments have been unfair. However- in this day and age I can't imagine that either of them could have been totally unaware that being in the spotlight would bring the negatvie as well as the positive.

Perhaps the kids would be better off in a foster situation and Jon and Kate could pursue the passtimes that seem to be so important to them.

Has anyone considered that perhaps their decision may be to quit the show and work on their marriage?

My wife and I have 4 kids, we fight, we're stressed, we're exhausted...but we're not on TV! It's tough enough to raise kids in PRIVATE, but choosing to raise 8 on television is just insane. I sincerely hope they regret their decision to do this and, divorce or not, are calling it quits with the show. They need to in order to salvage some semblance of normalcy for the kids.

Jon – start "speaking up" instead of "acting out". Your mid-life crisis has had its 15 mins of fame.

Kate – stop talking for a change and listen. Jon clearly said he didn't want to do another season and you ignored him. Did you ever listen to his reasons when off camera?

Both – Go back and listen to your wedding vow renewal. End the show and start your lives over. The hurt and confusion is already evident on the kids' faces.

Let go and Let God.

I've watched this show, and I really enjoy their family. The kids are great, and I think they have responded well to the experience they've been through. The announcement is likely going to be a bowing out from the show. I'm sure both of them can see how extremely blown up the show has become, how incredibly inappropriate the media has become, and must stop making the show for the safety of their marriage and kids. Deep down these two love each other dearly, and you can see that in the first season. That's not going to change.
I can tell you this: I much prefer watching celebrities going at it in the jungle than seeing TLC ruin the lives of a perfectly good couple. Shame on reality tv for making these sorts of shows.
And shame on Americans for being so interested in judging people that we have absolutely no right to judge.
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"

I see an Obsessive compulsive wife who if not that way the household would be in shambles. I see she organizes things to make life better. I see Jon overwhelmed with duties as a husband. I see two young people with 8 children trying to do the best they can. I see two young people saying hey a reality show will help us pay for and care for our children. I see two young people now thrust into the everday lime light not realizing how tremendously hard it is to get awy from greedy all consuming every day people who lust after every aspect of the show and every second of what is going on in their lives. I see people see what they want to see on the outside when we dont see/hear what goes in in between takes and we are making our own judgements because we want so miserably for them to fail so that they can be in the tabloids as a bad couple. Too bad we have become such a greedy society to see a good family like that fail. I hope all the best for Jon and Kate and their children. Back off AMerica

I doubt anyone posting on this blog has 8 kids. I only have 2, and they are hard. Kate is doing what any mother out there would do...providing for her kids. Maybe it isn't the best way, but it is paying the bills. Would you rather she was a stripper or hooker??? I agree that Jon is a bit of a slacker. WIth the amount of laundry they do, if 1 thing doesn't get done, then the whole house falls apart. Jon should suck it up and help out. He is complaining about having to quit his job and watch the kids....but what did Kate do when the kids were born??? She quit her job to stay home. Jon, pay your dues. Kate, lighten up a bit.

Kate's bossyness and meanness to Jon has nothing to do with having eight children or being on television. That's just the way she is. I experienced the exact same thing in my marriage and only had two children and we were not on TV.

Watch the episode of buying presents at Toys R Us. No adult should EVER treat another adult like that. Whether they are married or not.

The real situation is that ALL of us have no idea what REALLY goes on during the 24 hours of that household. We only see what TLC shows us. This is true for ANY program on TV whether it be a reality show or not. I think that TLC is the "third party" in this. We also only see what the tabloids show us. I'b believe in half of what I see and none of what I hear.

I cannot judge either of them because I have not walked in their shoes but I think now is a good time to get out of the limelight and heal what is left of that family. I wish them the best. More than that, I hope that they learned something from it.

Where are Jon and Kate's families? Strong family ties help us thru difficult times in our lives. Kate had a falling out with her parents very early in the children's lives and doesn't speak to them. She had a falling out with Jon's sister and her best friend, Beth who would baby sit the children often and accompany them on family vacations. Something has to be said about a women who would turn her back on her parents and not let them see their grandchildren.

It seemed that Kate was very envious of Beth's large expensive, beautifully decorated home. Well, Kate has the $$$ and her big house now and look at what it's brought her, a lot of heart ache. One day Kate is going to need her family back and they may not be willing to forgive.

I DO think Kate is being treated unfairly – eight children are expensive. So the fact that they decided to do this show makes sense, they are a young couple with 8 children to feed. The fact that they have a show does not give us the right to judge them as human beings, nor do they deserve to be stalked by paparazzi and be prisoners in their own home. While I feel that Jon & Kate have certainly evolved since the first season of their show. I really do think it's unfortunate what has transpired between them. Kate does run a tight ship but I think she has to because of the amount of the number of kids they have; I have two and they can turn my house upside down in the blink of an eye if I let them. It is my opinion that Jon, can seem a bit clueless at times and needs that extra push to get him to cooperate. Also, remember that Kate is about 2 or 3 years older than Jon, not that that's a bad thing but they are probably not at the same maturity level. I do feel that Kate is harsh on Jon but this has always been their dynamic since the inception of the show.

I hope they work it out for their sake and the sake of the children. It's sad to know that 5 years ago, they were so happy with their new additions to their family and to see that their relationship has dimished to what it is now. I wish them the best of luck and may God bless them all.

Jon is single-handed destroying the family's primary means of support. Can't help but think his rage is being fueled by family & too-young friends. It's a bit premature for a mid-life crisis. I'm on Team Kate all the way. Sure, she has quirks, but so does her husband, & I challenge anyone who is not as compulsive as Kate to tackle raising 8 children so young. The poop patrol alone would bring most others to their knees.

I do fault TLC for making the show so much about product placement. The shows I've enjoyed the most were those where the family was having fun alone at home. The dress-up fashion show reminded me of my own great-grandchildren dressing putting on similar shows. But Jon & Kate exploiting their children? Puleaze!

I think smalltownmama said it correctly that there have been people raising large families since the beginning of time without the help of freebies and reality TV paying the bills. There is nothing wrong with working and earning a living while raising a family. The lavish vacations and the million dollar house with expanses of space for the kids to roam in are just the by-product of unreal expectations. Did they really think they could have all of that and it not change them and their family? We watch the show and have since very early on, and it has evolved into a commercialized, "what is in it for me" show. I feel sorry for the kids and Jon and Kate, but I think they've lost their focus completely even on the kids. They did decided to have 8 kids and there are ways to have a family without resorting to fertility treatments. Did they ever stop to consider there are 140 million orphans around the world that would give anything to have a loving home and a roof over their head? They've created this monster, and now they have to live with it.

It's television people and scripted. You have no clue who these people really are as you do not know them. You know what the television shows you and since you are not there you don't know if the things you are seeing accurately reflect reality or great writing. Getting information from tabloids and television does not mean you have enough real information to determine who's doing what to whom. Get a real life.

Ha, I just laugh at this column. Why would you think they are being treated unfairly?? I have never watched this show before, but I hear plenty about it. It's not rocket science to figure out that putting yourself your and 8 kids in front of a camera is gonna cause some problems. From my understanding, nobody absolutely HAS to have a show about their life, right? I mean were they somehow forced to be on this show? Were they in major debt with someone and tried this to get out? I assume it was their decision to go ahead with the show. If it was the money, or the possibility for money down the road, that caught their attention to do the show, then obviously their kids are NOT the most important thing in their lives. I think everything they are getting is totally fair. If they honsestly didn't realize that having a show about their family while trying to raise 8 kids was going to be a very bumpy road, then i feel sorry for their lack of knowledge about today's world. If their kids are their #1 priority....they should end the show immediately.

The price they pay for their greed.

I think its sad that people actually watch this show.

Jim Quinn
Glens Falls, NY

It is incredible to me on how people nitpick about this show so much, because I am sure they would be able to run a family of eight crying, screaming, attention hungry infantile children while maintaining their job in this tough economic times to a point to be able to provide for ten people while maintaining smile 24/7. Jon and Kate did what they had to do in order to provide their family with their needs and wants and not just their own.

It's funny. I am a recently divorced woman of 3 and my 13 year old daughter has been following this drama for the last 3 months hoping they will get back together. I told her "who knows', that's life, It may be interesting seeing how the show plays out if they do divorce.

It will definitely add an interesting twist to 'realty' TV...maybe making it more real than ever. Divorce is certainly a 'realty' and it may add depth and more interest to this already heated drama.

Unfair to Kate? Why did these "parents" allow their problems to escalate without getting help before it was too late? Their show and their money were far more important than their family. Of course both of them are fair game now.

Hey! Where is Dr. Phil when you need him??

Sounds like Jon and Kate need a serious you-know-what kicking from Dr. Phil. I mean, two grown children having eight little children. Has either of them put any time or effort into marital counseling of any sort? oh yea, sorry, these two little children do not have any hind-sight for-sight or any sight to see that their eight little children will suffer the most in the long run. Lets just worry about the skiing we need to get in and the trips to San Diego before we grow up.

I think Kate has always been most concerned about giving her children the means of survival. I am not sure how she & Jon would have provided for these children without doing the TLC show...but whatever was or wasn't available, I don't think either of them had a clue as to what would happen after they went on TV.
Yes, Kate can be a shrillmaster, but she is the strong one. Jon seems to be worrying more about his feelings of a loss of his self-identity than he is about the eight children he has fathered. Yes, Kate is out on tours, etc. but I an sure she is banking all she can to secure her childrens' futures.

I honestly don't see why anyone would feel a need to attack Jon OR Kate.

I have six children. The youngest are twins. I work 16 hours a day (including most weekends) running my company so that I can provide for my children, and my husband works a 45 hour a week job as well. We both earn a decent living. That being said, our earnings do not provide much more than what our family needs, and every once in a while, what we want. We work hard so that our children might have some small benefit as they grow into adulthood, but there is a price for this. We often don't have the time we'd like to spend with them because we're so busy making sure we're providing well for them financially. There are days when I look at my beautiful children, and I'm just at a loss as to where the time has gone. I chose to bring them into the world; I chose this life for us, along with my husband... but if I could spend just a little extra money to buy a few more hours for each day, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I'd love to take more time for myself, hire more people to do what I do, but it's not possible now – especially in the current economic climate.

It's difficult, under the best of circumstances, to raise a large family. Jon and Kate have chosen a route that not only provides their family with a comfortable living, but provides them with precious time to watch their children grow up, and to be a huge part of their growing-up experience. Most of these memories may be being created behind cameras, but the fact is that they're being created. It's so easy to sit in front of the TV and see what's been approved for us to watch, and to judge these people as if that right to judge is self evident. It's easy to see Kate as a shrew when we're not in her place, working to keep some semblance of normalcy while keeping up the role of wife and mother. There is MUCH more expected of Kate by the public than there ever has been of Jon. On the other hand, it's easy to see Jon as a jellyfish, hanging his head as Kate criticizes him yet another time, or to see her rolling her eyes in response to something he's done or not done. No one can see the internal struggle that might be going on in this young guy as he's struggling to maintain his "manliness" while being barked at by his wife.

I bark at my husband sometimes. It's not often, to be honest; if the gate needs fixing and he hasn't done it after a couple weeks, I don't nag – I just do it myself. I doubt that the effectiveness of that tiny bit of manipulation will be lost on anyone. My point is that couples choose to deal with their individual and collective problems in different ways, and that there is no "right" way to do things. Kate may or may not be a control freak with OCD, and Jon may or may not be a spineless little cheating wuss. The fact is that these two people chose one another under the pretense of forever, and sealed their promise with eight little children. At one point, it worked for them. It still can, depending on their commitment to one another. People say that marriage is about love, trust, compromise, honesty and many other little taglines that we throw around as though they don't really mean anything. I can say, with relative certainty, that it's simpler than that. Marriage is about finding that one person that you never want to live without, and MAKING it work. We all have patches of disharmony and stress. What's more important are the times when things are good, and these are the times that people would do better to focus on.

My question in this situation isn't whether Jon and Kate will stay together or divorce, or if what they're doing is good for their family. My question is, why is it so difficult for us as the viewing public to focus on the wonderful times they've given to each other and their children, and to hope they're able to resolve whatever has come between them, even if they decide that continuing their marriage isn't what will benefit their family the most?

I, for one, will continue to wish the best for them both, and for those eight adorable kids. They are who they are – and no one can change that but them – IF they so choose.

Jon didn't want to do the show anymore, he didn't want a 5th season. He was tired of the cameras and seem to want to just live their lives.

Kate is THE one who didn't want to stop doing the show – she still doesn't want to. She is loving all this attention. Kate is all too consumed with the money, being in control, her looks (obviously she's had a boob job!) and the freebies. She has turned into a snob. She continually says everything she does is for her kids. Really? If she were so concerned about those kids of hers and their well being, she would stop doing the show. It use to be that the focus was on the kids and family. Now her focus is on her looks and how much more money she can rake in. Kate is too lazy anymore to get a real job. Haven't you noticed how she likes to sit around and tell others what to do, or what needs to be done!

Its a shame! And it is very sad to see how this family has changed over the last 2 years.

They should get divorced. Have you noticed how Kate looks at Jon. She can't stand him. And she ignores him when he asks her something – like she didn't hear him! Its not healthy for the kids to live with parents who don't get along, don't even like each other anymore.

Good for Jon, get away from Kate! But make sure you get your half of the pot!

Overall – Jon needs to grow up and learn to speak up to people! Kate is a narcissist, all she cares about is herself and her needs. She is so rude to everyone – not just Jon.

The kids are the ones who will suffer the most!

I do not care about who did what to whom or money about the show, hello, somebody is watching the show or it would not be on this long. Now to get down to buisness Jon has no right whatsoever to leave his resposibilities be it Kate plus 8 and leave Kate to raise the 8 as so many other males have and are still doing to women when a new set of legs walk by. I'm sure he is tired of all this turmoil, deal with it Jon, it is real life. He made the statement that there was no Jon well join the club, my name and every other mother's name is MOMA 24*7 that still does not give him the right to run and running is what he has been doing. I watched the first few episodes they have been running when they were expecting and how happy they were, life has a way of throwing a wrench in things. Who knows how long Kate has secretly known about Jon's friends and that could be the reason behind her unhappiness.

It appears to me that many of the women commenting here are not aware of the double standard they are applying to the behavior of both John and Kate.

To put it bluntly, no amount of "being a slacker" on John's part gives Kate the right to verbally and emotionally abuse him. It may come as a bit of a shock, but just as women are not here on Earth to cook, clean and bear children for men, Men are not put on this Earth to tirelessly slave away without complaint for the good of their family and offspring.

It's quite shocking to me to see so much stereotyping of husbands by the women in this thread, as if their worth only extends as far as they are capable of providing support (money or labor) for them and their offspring. Doubtlessly (and rightly so), I am sure that many of these same women would be horrified if the reverse stereotype was applied to women.

How can anyone not judge these two? They have put their life on view for everyone to see. I refuse to watch the show but my mother in law gives me play by plays all the time. They both state that they want whats best for their children, as far as I am concerned the best thing for them, is to end the show and go back to raising their family. Its obvious, like every reality show star, the fame goes straight to their heads and they lose sight of whats important. And we as a society should just shut off the reality shows. I think whats going on in our country is far more important than worrying about two grown adults that are acting worse than the children they claim to love.

OK I have issues with many things-Kate worries about everything these kids put in their mouth BUT she rides a motorcycle without a helmet, tans in a tanning booth or in the sun, attends church for what, and the biggest of all seems to hardly want to deal with her children. She has mistreated John my husband would hate if I talked to him the way she has in past episodes-(what does she do in private?) I do not support cheating on your wife for any reason. I do think they need marriage counseling-at least give it a shot for the kids sake. I would like to give them fuel for thought-how will either of them support the life they have made without the show? If John is looking for an apartment in NY-how is he going to support himself and pay rent and be there for his kids? I do not think they have to ditch the show-everyone all of a sudden thinks they are hurting the children-where were these people for the last 4 seasons including her brother and his wife? I think doing couseling good, bad or ugly-without the children there could be an inspiration and put it on the show. Let me give each of them 1 tip-Kate-you need counseling to find out why you cannot maintain relationships with anybody, why you are so hateful, why you like the publlicity, and why you think it is OK to berate John and other people-look at Mady she acts like you only in a younger platform. John you have put up with alot you are a great Dad-but you need to see if this can be fixed-I know it has built up but these kids NEED you around all the time-the relationship cannot be fixed in a day
so they need a voice of reason, pizza hut once in awhile-getting dirty , and being kids -you need to facilitate that. The grass is not always greener on the other side! Good luck to all 10 of you!

I have to agree that this couple is in it all for the money and fame and in the meantime have destroyed what should have been more important than anything else. Their marriage and their children. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND the big HYPE about 8 children. SO WHAT!! My sister and her husband raised 6 children on their own and 3 were in diapers and the other 3 were 3rd grade and below. ALL 6 of these children grew up as very good adults, CHRISTIANS, and with much values and morals and now either married with beautiful wives and starting their own families, and the youngest twins graduated last year and both in college.
So, raising kids and a bunch of them certainly can be done and done very well, without bulging wallets and entertainment fame. Lets get real, these people, Jon and Kate created their own huge mess and failure. However, if they get smart, they have a chance to save their children from the devastation they were setting them up to face for their own lives. Kids with way to much can't even settle for a simple life when they grow up unless they grow up smart enough to see the damage it caused. What a shame!

The bottom line is that they're human. Nobody is perfect. They probably had the very best intentions but went through a very high stress experience and now they are struggling through it. Obviously they love their children and do the best they can. What happens between the two of them is their business. They owe the public nothing. If you commit to spending a lifetime with someone even an eternity then you should do everything you possibly can to honor that commitment. This is what makes a couple strong and united, working through life together. Marriage and family are most important, we should do everything we can to protect the very value of it. We should love one another, unconditionally. The world would be a better place.

Of course they are being unfair to Kate. As always the woman is blamed for everything. I man has an affair, and everyone says, well if his wife had treated him better. We are blamed for everything from baldness to every sneeze our children get. I honestly believe Kate has done her best, and that my friend is all any of us can do.

I believe that when Jon and Kate got into this life in the public eye it was for income. I mean really who can afford to care for all those children and work full time? You need help and you need diapers and groceries...LOTS of the aforementioned I might add. However, I think Ms. Kate, (who is truly a condensending, pushy, bitchy woman) got swept up in the attention and the money. I have watched this show from time to time only to come away shaking my head saying...Jon you REALLY need to put this bitch in her place. (And by the way I am a strong woman that runs my own life but she is truly out of control with that mouth and with her actions). I am all for swatting your kid on his or her diapered or clothed butt when they get out of control as they need to learn discipline. Her reasons for doing so ... not so much.
Will they divorce? Who knows but I think not as she needs needs too much help with that brood...that is unless she catches and castrates some other poor fool first.

In response to some of these comments that say how hard she's working raising these children, she now has staff to help her else how can she go on these book signing tours, TV appearances, etc. It's not like when they started out doing everything on there own with only help from neighbors and their church. She's more concerned with her physical appearance on camera than being there for her kids where she lets the staff take on the brunt of every day life. What's going to happen in a few months when the kids are in school?

I think that it is totally unfair the way people have been commenting on Kate. She has 8 kids, she has a husband that for most of the time has not had a stable job that actually supported them. She had to handle finances when there was no money, the children, the house, and yet prople say poor Jon. He is nothing but a big child. He wants to party, go out with young girls, and buy sports cars without even discussing it with his wife. She is trying to make a life for her kids by making the money now and taking care of the kids. I think it is totally unfair what people are saying about her. She has to be controlling and sometimes mean, because he is a flake who is unable to focus and never happy.

Oh My god everyone in these blogs needs to get a life that is why the show is so popular everyone is wrapped up in their life and not their own i am sure all that is going on in this life is the same with almost 60% of everyone elese life except this is shwon on tv weather we have 2 kids or 8 kids everyone goes through what they are going through daily life the only thing is these 2 started really young they were b4 30 and had 8 kids and they both got married right out of college long ago people got married at 16 17 years of age but waited to have kids now people cannot handle work marriage and kids at the same time without wanting a life of their own. they are also involved in others lifes of people who watch the shows even celebraties are watching the show who has a life beside j & k plus 8

hey I feel sorry for the kids but, if jon wants out for the party scene in NYC then he is leaveing for all the wrong reasons. he says he has changed, I guess he has. being in NYC high socitey and party scene, come on jon grow up. you have 8 kids and a nasty soon to be ex wife. I just feel sorry for these kids that they will suffer and grow up with out their dad in their life. kate you need to shut your mouth and grow up as well and most of all stop being a control freak. you pushed your husband away.

First thing, I'm totally TEAM KATE. I really dislike Jon, who is a poor excuse for a man on several levels.
However, why all the comparisons to the Duggars with 18 kids? The reason those parents are "happy" is because the older girls take care of all those younger kids, the mama is busy with the newest baby, and the dad is doing whatever it is he does (realtor?) but anyway, my point is, Mr. & Mrs. Duggar aren't taking care of all those kids, the kids are taking care of each other. Kate is taking care of all her children, while Jon is a sub-par babysitter at best. Sure they have fun when Jon is in charge but jeez, he's not working, he's not doing anything but playing.

Have we all forgotten that Jon and Kate aren't the only ones benefitting from TLC, the Duggars and Roloffs are other families as well, If people are going to complain, then they should complain about ALL who benefit from the same entity. The Duggar's who pride themselves in conservative, wholesome, honest values have also taken the opportunity to cash in from TLC.

It is too bad TLC didn't do the right thing, put the show on hiatus, giving the family time to work on their life, instead as predicted they went for ratings. It used to be a cute show to watch, last couple of seasons got to be too much. I think they both like the attention when it suits their needs( ie: when they get freebies), too bad they didnt know that reality means everywhere all the time. The earlier seasons I would say they were in love, then they got a taste of fame, she loved it, he didn't.

What seemed like an innocent way to document your children's life turned ugly in a blink of an eye. Not knowing Jon and Kate, but by observations, it seemed like they were a loving couple. As the show progressed, Jon was pushed to the back while Kate hogged the lime light. Every time Jon tried to express a thought or feeling, Kate interupted and shot him down. She publcily humiliated Jon in front of his family, friends, and viewing public. Jon was a good sport and took it on camera. Who knows how he handled it off camera. All I saw was Kate becoming a person obsessed with her new found stardom. Jon quit his job so Kate could promote herslef more. And as Jon stayed home, she made fun of his thining hair and wait gain.

Now, I am not excusing anyone for their improper behavior, but wasn't it no wonder that Jon escaped and tried to find validation, love, and comfort from someone else. Too bad it wasn't Kate, but she was off promoting a book and living the high life.

What I am most concerned about is the kids. This innocent documentation of their life now has become a brutal documentation of their parent irresponsible behavior. Now, the kids can grow up watching episodes of their parents bickering, the infidelty, and lies. I hope someone steps in and helps these kids before Jon and Kate detroy their childhoods forever. Where are you Dr. Phil????

I agree, I've heard on various sites that interviewed old friends of Jon and Kate, and they all say Kate was always like this. Jon choose to marry her like that, he loved her the first couple of seasons when shewas like that, so obviously it's not Kate's obessive-complusive-ness that is the problem. And come on, if you have 8....8! kids, you'd be like that too. She's not money hungry either, just think about caring for one or two kids, then multiply that by 4, they NEED the show money, and the book money. Come on, they have to be able to send those kids to college some day. I don't even want to think about how much that would be.

I doesn't matter why they are splitting up, what matters is if they are doing what's right for the kids. Everyone who speaks badly about them should be ashamed. You have no roght to talk badly about them, some day their kids are going to see what you wrote and that's horrible. This isn't easy for them, its not easy for anyone who's having problems in their marriage. I'm sure it's worse when people, some of who don't even watch your show, tell you how much of a b**** you are. (or that you cheated) Come on, have a heart people.

No matter how well we plan, we can never really look ahead to see how things work out. We can only see the now. What seems like the right thing, the best thing, to do; can so easily turn out to be wrong. And we can choose to wallow in our errors or look at what has happend-learn from it-and move on. Hopeful that tomorrow will be on the right path. Jon and Kate. Right or wrong? Who am I to judge? I am glad it is not my life that is being examined under the microscope of others.

Perhaps if Jon and Kate put each other first all of this would be better. Contrary to popular belief your spouse should always come first not the kids.

She chose this. It's not about having people unfair to her OR to him. They are adults, have made adult decisions in life, and have chosen to put their lives on a platter to make millions in front of millions. She seems pretty happy in her designer clothes and her vacations. Last week, I believe she was in a $10,000 rental property on the beach being filmed with her kids. How many of us Americans get that luxury with our kids? She has her "pluses". If she was that concerned about being unfairly treated, she would have quit filming, working on her marriage and family life, and given up some of her perks. They also have moved into a million dollar plus home since this became a hit show. So, it's like asking your self, "what do I really want out of life?" Don't feel one bit sorry for the adults. I do the kids, however. They didn't ask for this.

My husband would not watch this show from the beginning. He didn't like the way they treated each other. Maybe it reminded him too much of us and the bickering that we do. Raising kids is hard. It will really strain a relationship. You have to be strong to keep your perspective.

I liked the show and my kids liked to watch it but we won't watch it now. The wholesomeness is gone.

J & K profess to be Crhistians. Christians believe that marriage is a convenant made before God. It is not to be broken when things get tough. It is a lifetime committment. They need to work it out no matter what. Kids are involved and they need both parents. Get over it, move on, work on what is important and step out of the limelight.

It makes me sad to see them having trouble and to have these troubles aired publicly. It is not our business.

As Talk Soup said it best, "next time on Jon & Kate plus 8...it's Jon minus 9!"

Kate is no angel and acts like she's above other humans who share the planet. I'm pretty tired of her over-the-top drama queen antics and whiny voice, so I've stop watching the show. I could care less if they stay together as a couple, since apparently their marriage was over ions ago. Both have apparently had affairs. I thnk there'll be a reality show in the future featuring their disfuctional children as teenage criminals, drug addicts and rehab rejects. Not laughing out loud about that last statement either...

WOW since when does a divorce become something to get excited about let me see what year is this?

they let the media into their life ( and i am still trying to figure how who cares except someone with no life) and it was much more that what they thought greed and fame ruined their family . you see both of them on mag covers like they were hollywood royalty these people cannot play in the spotlight they just end up looking stupid and out of their element. move on people i could care less what happens to them i am more concerned about my family and my life . i don;t even know why i wasted 5 min writing this gee so ashamed

I agree with JR that I am embarrassed to admit I even care about Jon & Kate. The saddest thing about this situation is that it is like watching a train wreck in slow motion...you can see it happening and can't do anything to help. The saddest thing is that Kate is basically saying that money is more important than their marriage. I have a cousin who lives a very christlike existence...they just had baby boy number 6...they have very little in material possesions, but they have love and a very full and loving family life. They have their priorities in order. Jon and Kate could take lessons. I pray that they can find the strength to pull together and heal their relationship...it can be done; and at the rate they are spending...they better do it quick...it will all be gone soon.

You can't blame Jon. You can't blame Kate. You can't even blame the tabloids. We are the ones that are sucking all this up like it is water and we are all dying of thirst. Look at us all staring at this train wreck of a marriage and speculating, maybe even betting, on whether or not they will make it. It's disgusting. Not to say that I am not as guilty as anybody else, but let's face it people. At the end of the day, they are giving us exactly what we want. Because nothing makes somebody feel good like watching somebody else feel bad. We should ALL be ashamed of ourselves.

First – I also care about my appearance, color my hair, get my nails done, trying to lose weight so I can look good – that must make me a terrible person as well.

I have been hoping that Jon and Kate would work out there problems. I have watched the show for the past 3 years and loved it. I have defended her – no matter what kind of wife or husband you have, you do not "date" while married. You get a divorce, then you date.

Which makes me now believe that is why Jon is able to state with absolute conviction that he didn't cheat on Kate. It isn't cheating if you are already separated and have decided to divorce.

I now believe this couple separated months ago, perhaps before Christmas but certainly before they filmed the last episode of the 4th season and Jon was photographed with the college students at the bar. According to reports he was at staying at his mother's (already not living at home).

Then he was "caught" again leaving a bar with girl. But TLC, Jon and Kate needed this fifth season, she needs for her book deals, Jon needs it because despite his protests without the show, he is an IT Programmer, with less money and no celebrity. Young, hot school teachers and college students aren't interested in that guy.

They all agree on 5 maybe 6 six shows, work their "marriage" troubles into the show, make a BIG announcement into one of the shows and big surprise they cannot work it out and are in fact getting a divorce.

The losers are the children. They were happy, fairly well adjusted children now they will be children of divorced parents, who are will be trying to figure out how to live out of the limelight..

Has it been completely overlooked that they were 22 when they went to the fertility clinic? 22. I watched their first special and Kate said she had poly cystic ovary syndrome. It CAN be devastating trying to conceive but not always- look at the statistics and you'll be quite surprised. Before they even gave "the old- fashioned way" a good try they were at the IVF clinic.
A good friend of mine was anxious to start her family soon after being married and the doctors around here wouldn't even offer IVF as an option until she was closer to 30. And then, with twins 2 years old, (I rewatched their first special), Kate INSISTED on having another go around. Jon didn't seem thrilled about it- even back then. RIGHT THEN- he should have said something.
Then they found out they were 8. Selective reduction wasn't an option for religious reasons. Funny- disowning your own father because his church's donated cribs weren't matching doesn't sound very Christian-like to me but I guess some people practice "Selective Religion."
I really enjoyed their show from the beginning and I thought Kate was great at managing until I began to notice how she was becoming more and more demeaning to her husband. I'm not defending him. By his own admission- when they met, he lived with mommy and had no job. He had just got done backpacking through Europe when they met, in fact. So- she knew what he was when she comitted her life and love and undying respect and later berated him constantly for being who he is.
It's been said a million times before me but – someone think of the kids. I'm sure they hate the constant cameras. They're gonna love it 10 years from now when they start dating when their friends and school mates get to see them potty training, throwing tantrums, and also watch the beginnings of their parents' divorce. Good memories. I'm a mom and I find it demeaning to my children to even pull out the digital camera when they are throwing a tantrum but these two allow it all of the time. Yes. It pays the bills but – what if TLC never existed? How were they going to pay for growing babies and college? Did they not have a backup plan??
The BOTH of them are terrible role models for their children. They should be teaching the children love and respect- not that hate and divorce and scandals make good TV.
I refuse to watch this show anymore. They better be announcing that they are quitting the show tomorrow or I'm calling the cable company and cancelling my entire Discovery Network Package. (Which sucks because I really love watching the Duggars..THEY are how a family should act. There is nothing but love in that family. And they could quit their show tomorrow. They DO have a backup plan and work hard for all that they have. )
GO TEAM DUGGAR!!!

It has not been proven that there is any basis for the criticism leveled at J&K. Are any of the children depressed or regressing to bedwetting or other behaviors that are age-inappropriate? Are they pimped for the cameras in sexually suggestive make-up and attire? Do they throw tantrums like many children I see whose parent's don't seem able to deal with them effectively. Do they suffer from low self-esteem, lack of motivation, ADHD, hyperactivity, learning difficulties, or show signs of physical neglect? Is their home well-maintained and the atmosphere supportive? I think Kate has demonstrated well how necessary structure and discipline are in raising a family. Our schools would be much happier places and are prisons emptier if all mothers cared as much as Kate and made the effort she does to maintain a home. And to all the posters who portray Kate as a monster, how well-adjusted are your children? Dogs? Husbands and wives? Have you done an inventory lately of your relationships? Most of the time, maintaining a home and the atmosphere, as well as discipline, budget, scheduling (this ranges from overnight visits to dental appointments) shopping, education, family outings, etc. is the responsibiliy of the mother. Kate appears to be doing it all just fine. These kids are happy, bright, articulate and appear well-adjusted. All the hyper-concern about their welfare is thinly disguised envy. Quit portrayed her as the culprit. It was Jon who acted selfishly and whether or not he is guilty of any or all of which he is being accused, he is at the least guilty of poor judgement and questionable behavior. Fathers of 8 shouldn't be hanging out in bars with college girls who are only 12 or 13 years older than his twins. I wonder what he'd say if soneone's dad was partying with Cara and Maddy in about 10 years. If I blame Kate for anything it is for managing her home and children so well that he has the time to do this.

I watched this show from the beginning. I think Kate has given rein to her intolerant and controlling temperment. While Jon is responsible for his actions, I can only think, if that's the way she treats him on camera, what must life be like for him the rest of the time. He is her HUSBAND not her servant or slightly slow child. I hope she takes a good look at herself, watching her evolution from the beginning of the series until now. Maybe she'll learn some compassion for Jon.

I wuoldn't have sold my family's private life for all the money in the world...they both went into this to make money...plain and simple. I've never watched the show, and I dont feel sorry for them at all...I do feel bad for their kids though...

Everyone here will give there bits and pieces of advice - but what it comes down to is that there are only human whom will make mistakes like everyone else who as commented on this blog or whom has given their oppinions. I for one will "always" be a true FAN of Jon & Kate + 8 no matter where their lives take them. It's bad enough that I have 3 grown daughters who have a difficult time trying to get them to come to the dinner table as well as have their own personalities and attitudes. I give them credit for "trying" to make it work. It is no ones business on what happens with their personal lives....

They as parents like all of us "try" to do our best in providing and nuturing our children; I truly see that in Jon & Kate. I pray for them that amongst all of this that whatever the outcome that they will be strong!

Still a fan of JON & KATE PLUS 8...........!!!!

@Linda, they made it everybody's business the minute they decided to profit from having a large family. Anybody who wants fame needs to live with the consequences of having the public eye on them. I don't pity any of them but the kids, they were used and that is sad.
If they split, which I still hope for the kids sake they don't, it will end the show and we will be watching them in where are they now a couple of years from now.

I have to agree with Linda and everyone else that suggests that the show be cancelled and let the family be a family. Being married is hard. Especially when growing up in a society like ours that tells you that you can have everything. A marriage is a life of compromise. You want "A", she wants "B", but you each settle for "C" because you both like "C" and marriage means both, not "His" or "Her" only. For the love of God people, our country is fighting in two foreign wars, our economy is barely surviving, our children are either on drugs or killing each other and all we seem to care are the unimportant distractions... (btw, I include myself in this category.) What happened to us as a society?

I bet if we all stop watching and buying the rag mags all of this would go away and let them work their problems out without be in the public eye. The more you watch and the more you buy puts more in their pockets. It like watching a bad wrestling match

I've watched the show. Yes, Kate is demanding, but I really don't understand how so many people can sympathize with Jon. He cheated on his wife and kids that makes him slime in my book. I don't care what kind of excuse he's packing. It doesn't matter if his wife is the biggest witch in the world; real men don't cheat. Think of the example of manhood and masculinity he is providing for his children. His girls are going to grow up looking for a guy like dear old dad, who will cheat on them, and his sons are going to grow up thinking that it's okay to cheat on women. You can't justify his bad behavior just because his wife may or may not be totally awful. A real man ends the relationship before beginning another - end of story.

Yes – the media coverage has been so totally unfair – as it always is... because the only thing the media is looking for is something to up their ratings... they do not care about the people they hurt in the process. Everybody else seems to know whats best for these two – but unless you walk in their shoes you have no right to judge them... you do not their situation, life, or story – everyone needs to back off. This is NOT news, this is life, and the stupid media needs to back off – THIS IS NOT NEWS... STOP ADVERTISING IT AS NEWS. If we (all the readers) would just NOT access any more of this crap, not watch, not read – maybe the media would get the point. Leave these people alone.

What a mess this has become. Kate is shrill. Kate is controlling. Kate gets her way. Kate needs a time out. Jon needs to grow up. No one held a gun to his head to marry and then procreate with Kate. They chose this life.

They now to un-choose it. Remember who they are, not who they've become, and get on to the business of raising their children. NO one said it would be easy. But it is worth it. 15 years from now when the kids are gone they'll only have each other.

Time to remember that you've professed to be Christian, both of you! Forgiveness is for everyone, even your spouse.

Now, go do the right thing!

I'm sorry, but can we stand back for just a moment and think about this? Fine, Kate might not be the woman you want to be best friends with...but does that mean that she's necessarily a hateful terrible person? Of course not! I'm shocked after seeing the footage of Jon out and about doing things that a married man should clearly think twice about, and without speculating yet so many think this is appropriate behaviour because of Kate's naturally abrupt nature. He made a promise to her to be loyal, come what may.

The long and short of it is...these things happen in a relationship. ANY relationship. Even the ones with just one or two children, and without cameras in your face every day. Many relationships go through spells where they are mean, unhappy, and wish for another life path. It's a normal natural situation to find oneself and I hope they can keep that perspective as they work it out.

Standing on the outside looking in– Jon and Kate love each other. Both have way way too much pride. Both need to realize that they have a beautiful family and enough money to raise them. They need to stop with the limelight and start putting back together what they did not mean to rip apart. Jon and Kate need to have some alone time and both need to tell each other how much they mean to each other and that they can work this out. Kate needs not to be so full of ridicule when Jon does not meet her standards at something that is expected of him and Jon needs to grow up and realize that he can help make his marriage better rather than divorcing and later on re-marrying and having to experience all these mistakes all over again. Jon and Kate talk more to the cameras than they do to each other. They divorced each other along time ago in a sense and married the world. Jon and Kate did not expect this much money and are now dealing with the luxuries of what that money brings. Jon and Kate also did not expect a probable divorce and their family is not important enough for them to make this work out... UNBELIEVABLE! Jon and Kate - , the hard part is over. The babies are not babies anymore. It gets easier for a little while till they become teens. But with proper guidance the teen years should be smooth. These kids are learning respect. They know love, For the love of the kids don't show them at this age what failure and giving up is. Jon was raised by his mother he should not want the kids to go through the same thing. This does not take luck it takes forgiveness. Jon and Kate have both made mistakes they need to "let it go".

Is the writer kidding us? How would we feel if cameras highlighted every aspect of our lives? This writer needs to better understand why this show is on the air - because Kate wants it that way. She has said that she totally loves the life she has created with this show, while Jon wants it all to end. It is unfair to the public to blame us for being able to see into Kate's world when she is the person responsible for opening the door and allowing the cameras to roll. Don't act like Kate is an innocent victim to the realities of reality television. Kate is cunning and savvy in developing the business of marketing her family. This started as a means to take care of their children. Unfortunately, she has fallen victim to the trappings of "celebrity" - free vacations, tanning beds, day spas, etc. The family is dissolving because Kate has relished being in the spotlight while Jon wants to disappear. That he might want to disappear so he can party with young co-eds is yet another issue. The point is, the cameras need to stop rolling on this family tragedy. TLC should take the higher ground and cancel the contract. Focus on some other family with litters of children or the nuptuals of the Elephant Man or a family raising their children in the wild. In recent years, TLC programming has gone down the toilet.

Why is Kate's behavior so unacceptable to us and yet we allow Jon to whine, moan and complain about everything from the weather to "lack of freedom?" Kate did not impregnate herself and Jon signed his name on the dotted line as well. Jon needs to grow up and deal with the fact that they both made decisions that were hurtful to their family as a whole. Kate, at least appears to be the "parent" in the home while Jon mopes around! It is obvious that she had to be bossy while she waited for her husband to grow up. She is still waiting!!!!!!

Yes I think Kate is getting what she deserves. She treats Jon like crap. I watched the show with Emeril and she even HIT him. She made a sarcastic remark to Jon about whether he even knew where the oven was in the new house that show. She just can't stop always wanting to be in control of EVERYONE and EVERYTHING. The show may have started out innocent as a help for other parents of multiplies, but I think the money and fame went to Kate's head. It's sad, because my family enjoyed watching those sweet little kids grow, but now we feel sorry for them because of how Kate is ruining their lives.

It amazes me how people can make judgement on a blog about someone that you think you know from watching a television show. These people are living this. It's not a show it's their life and some of the comments I read here about them asking for what is happening to them.
They started this show I'm sure because they were offered money to do so and as they were struggling because of the large family they jumped at the chance. As I have no doubt anyone of you with the nasty comments would have done.
Jon and Kate profess to be christians but they don't profess to be angels. I would like to see anyone of you people put yourself in their positions and see how you would handle the publicity. I know I would not be as calm as I've seen Jon and Kate.
Sure it's a lifetime commitment but I am pretty sure that none of you who commented has the perfect marriage or relationship. I know I don't and any of you who think you do should take a long look because no relationship is perfect and I'm sure that it is times 100 when you are put under the microscope the way Jon and Kate have been.
I guess it just makes me laugh the way people can put other people down when they don't know them. Nobody really sits down and thinks that they really don't have to watch the show. If it makes you so sad about thier problems or you don't like the way it is going. I have a suggestion. "don't watch the show." Just remember that we are all to blame for this. If we didn't watch the show and make it popular then it wouldn't have been a success. So I think we can all shoulder a little of the blame for them being hounded by the voltures that take the pictures and add their own spin on a picture.
I just feel all the bad press and the bad thoughts people are having about these people is only hurting the kids. I'm sure that the kids are hearing from their friends in school or over hearing other adults talking about this.
I personally enjoy the show and the fact that they are having couple problems only shows they are human. Not the television characters that people see to turn them into. They are a young family trying to survive in the crazy world the same as you or I.
It brings me to a quote from the bible that goes something like "you without out sin cast the first stone"
So people stop being so cruel to Kate and Jon. I think they need prayers not snide comments. My heart goes out to both of them.

I find it funny how everyone who watches this show thinks they know this family. This is why the TLC channel is making so much money. Tv shows know how to make things interesting. We all know they need money that is why they are doing this show. Almost all of my friends and my family fight and don't talk to each other once in a while. Everyone expects reality tv to be this dream. Well it is reality! Hello everyone. I am so sick of seeing stupid people on tv when in real life families are trying to get by. We just keep making these reality stars so rich. I refuse to watch reality tv. I am so tired of it. How many great dancers or singers do we have to pat on the back. I say bring back the family shows. Lets get something good on tv for once.

Yes! This isn't Kates fault. Her husband is a child. He wants top have extra marital relations with 18 year olds and his wife wants to take care of their children. I do not care how hard she is on him. She should dump his loser a** and continue making her millions without him. He should get a job and pay child support and she should remarry and keep him out.

I think we should not judge them... we dont know what is going on with their lives, even if it is been exposed on TV. They have the right to raise their children anyway they want, and if they made any mistakes, is for them to work on them not for the public to do that for them.
After all they are the ones living through it not us. So Please stop all this nonsense... and before anyone critizices other people, please do look at your own life.

Kimberly and Sweetkitty–AMEN!!

Everyone, lay off of Kate. And, for that matter, Jon. Stop calling names and being hateful. They are real people, and therefore they are not perfect. They are who are they are! I appreciate that they are not afraid to show their true personalities; in fact, it's one of the reasons why I love the show. You are welcome to your opinion, but for heaven's sake, act like an adult while stating it.

I hope TLC is reading this post BECAUSE the show has changed and I am no longer interested.

It is now about what freebie they are going to get or what celebrity they will meet or what shows will be combined (bake shop, American Chopper) to further promote TLC.

I was discouraged to find out the family received all the organic meat from the farm for free when I watched Kate write a check – was this staged?

What mother takes their children out of school for one- two weeks for a tv show?

The show is not what I originally began watching and I am not interested. It is all about Kate and what she can get for free for her family and how she can improve her physical appearance.

Really, Jon, if you don't like the limelight and the attention, quit the show and take your kids with you.

I don't think Kate or TLC can see the forest through the trees anymore.

I also don't care what the announcement is coming soon – it is none of my business and they should have some dignity and keep it that way.

Thanks, Maria! Kate decided to do the show and write her books to support her (obviously) large family. A nurse's salary simply would not cut it.

If Jon was the one out there making money for his family, he never would be called a "publicity whore" or hounded in the press. We would consider him a good man doing what he has to do to provide for his family.

This is simply misogyny.

And, Maria, I agree. Jon puts Kate in a catch-22. There are lots of things to be done when one has 8 children. When he doesn't do his share, she must pick up his slack. Naturally, she is angry with him for this – no one likes to be a nag. And then she is called "shrill," "bossy," and lots of other horrible things. However, if Jon did his share, she would never be in such a position.

This is a situation women often deal with in modern marriage. My husband and I had to work this out the first year of our marriage. Kate is not a bossy, shrill, publicity whore. She is a woman attempting to provide for her family in a culture that does not yet accept this role for its women.

I like Kate and i like the show. I hope that they are able to work things out with their marriage no matter what the out come and be good loving parents wether it be together or apart. I think Kate is a great mother and that is just my opinion. Who doesn't want to have more than what they have and live better than they have in the past. Good luck Jon and Kate!

I believe that Jon would abandon everything and just nurture his family. I think he would live in their old house, say no to fame, be happy with $10 presents and being a bald spot loving dad. I don't think Kate would be happy with anything like that. I think she wants to be a Princess and the "leader" and "spine" of something that will unfortunately evaporate in front of her very eyes in the next few weeks/years.

Kate – your children will have access to your behavior on TV when they turn 13. I hope they aren't out ruining their lives in the backseat of some car while you are out signing books to pay for your next surgery.

I also think that the announcement is going to be that they are ending the show. Jon has made it clear that he no longer wants this type of life, and at this point the media circus will never end. It's time for Kate to put the family's happiness first. At $50,000- $75,000 an episode they have more than provided for their family.

As far as Kate is concerned, yes she is demanding and treats Jon horribly but she admits she has problems.

I do NOT agree with some of the way the people on here are criticizing her. Just because she spanked her kid once, or was talking on the phone, or has hired help? Come on people. I don't have kids but I have nephews and remember my own childhood with lots of siblings.
You can't tell me that you've never:
1)hired a baby sitter to go out
2)left your child with friends or family to go on a business trip
3)got frustrated with your child's behavior and did something you regret
4)ignored your child's nagging while you were talking on the phone.

I also don't like the way people are blogging that she should stop making money and go home and raise her kids. Is this 1950? She's a working mom just like you all are. Even though she doesn't have a traditional 9-5 what you are calling "real job", this television series has become her job. And she has every right to go out there and establish her brand, go to meetings, and events, etc.

Stop acting like you're all perfect!

Kate is being treated fairly. Some of the things I have seen her do could be used against her in a custody battle, and it just isn't getting into her head.

I think that people shouldnt feel bad for Kate because she I think this season is only airing bacause she is hungrey for more attention. It shows behind the set that she does not really watch her children and that Jon and Kate plus 8 is probably just for the fame. Kate always says how organic she is but really Jon feeds them a lot of junk food. Can she at least speak the truth about how her life with the sextuplets and twins really is? The lies about their "perfect" life are getting pretty annoying.

Someone had to be the adult parent in this family and fortunately, or unfortunately, that fell to Kate. We may not like the way she took charge but someone had to or there would have been chaos in the house. Remember, she was not out snowboarding, surfing, skiing or going to bars. She was the adult parent of, as we now see, perhaps 9 children.

I think they should cancel the show for 2 years to get their relationship back on track; a family needs a strong foundation before bringing kids into the picture. It may be too late since from reading Kate's version of how they met and their romance, she pursued him which rarely works. I don't think Jon was demanding to have children – it was Kate wanting to get pregnant, and then when 2 wasn't enough, she tried again.

Oh yeah! And how bad is this for the kids? On the first episode of the season right now the FIVE year old asked Jon "Daddy can you stay home more?" How sad is that!?!? And his answer was Daddy has been AT WORK! I think they need to move somewhere were noone knows, cancel the show, and let their kids have real lives!

At this point the best thing that could happen is the Pennsylvania Labour Dept. prosecuting the child labor law violations fully. They should just go after everyone (including TLC) and make an example of this. Be fair to the parents?

Let them argue it and a judge can decide... who are any of us to really take the children's best interest at heart – we pay for our TV service. The kids have the right to proper representation. At this point, this is nothing short of 8 life sentences.

She has treated him like one of her kids since they appeared on television. I have never seen her treat, love, respect him as a husband and father to "her" children.

A lot of people have responded with the same comment I would make and that is to say they are the ones that invited television into their house. If it was taking a toll on their marriage and family life, they should have not renewed their contract from year to year.

I don't wish anything bad for either one of them. I would hope that they could work on their marriage and think of each other rather than themselves. Marriage is give and take and it is always a work in progess.

I hope the big announcement isn't that they are divorcing, I hope it's that they are spending some time apart and seeking couseling. These children need both of their parents.

I am not going to judge either one of them. They are both humans and humans make mistakes. My hubby and I have made a few ourselves!

I think Jon and Kate desperately need to find one another again. Couples grow apart over time, if the relationship isn't nurtured and made a priority. Marriage is a lot of work and the focus has been almost entirely on the children (as well it should be) and producing a t.v. show.

They haven't made their relationship a priority and now we are watching the result.

They can save their marriage, but the both have to want it and that is a question only Jon and Kate themselves know the answer to.

I wish them all the good things in life: love, laughter and good health.

Most significantly, I hope they can find their love for one another before they give up. It's worth fighting for!

Jon and Kate have both changed. I believe that Jon wants to give up the show and have a normal relationship with his kids. I believe Kate has become so greedy and self absorbed, she will not give up. If they really wanted to work on their marriage, they would do away with the show. Again, I think it is now all about the money.

I think anyone that has watched this show for a while can see that Jon is on no way a self starter. With that being said you can also say that Kate has changed 10 fold on this show in front of everyones eyes. Hope they are going to stay together their are 8 kids futures here to look at. If I was them I think I would be looking at canceling the show after what they are contractually signed up to do.
Kate needs to start staying home and quick worrying about book signing trips and start back helping with the kids again. She can be demanding all she wants as long as she is at home helping out. They have a beautiful home now and should have plenty of monies to make due for all of them. The issue is that they have grown use to expensive vacations and things, they need to focus on them and the kids only. maybe do a once every 2-3 years update on all the kids and the family.

My heart really goes out to the children. The children are so innocent in all this. I was actually crying when i was reading all this stuff. If you look at their cute adorable little faces and to think what they are going through because of the selfishness of BOTH parents it's just heart wrenching. I pray that whatever they chose to do it is the best decision for those kids. And i feel sorry that they are going through this also, I can remember watching them and thinking what a cute couple,(cute cute family)

Someone posted that "they NEED all that money". I practically choked upon reading that. They need a million dollar plus home and 30 acres. He needs a BMW. She needs to have so many money making entities going on that takes her away so much from the very thing that made them famous, their 8 kids. Give me a break. My parents raised 10, 10 kids. They never took the first welfare check, food stamp, reduced or free lunch for their kids. They worked hard and they made us work. Practically everything these people get on top of all the money is free to them. Right down to her tummy tuck. Those kids are going to end up on the couch of a psychiatrist when they're grown. How selfish these two seem.

cancel the show...please
do everyone a favor

This is to Jon and Kate. I have three young children of my own and I am only 24. It is hard but we love them and they love us back so it worth every minute of it. Everyone fight and argues and makes mistakes. Please think about the kids before you make a really big mistake. Try to think about forgetting and forgiving. I been in your shoes Kate with the father of my kids and we worked through the issues and we are great and moving forward. You have to work at a family they do not just happen so day. We must keep working at life.
I wish you guys the best and hope the kids take all of this ok. The kids are that matter. Kate try to change alittle and Jon keep working to make things work. I love the show but not as much know that is about fighting and playing the blam game. It takes two everytime.

I suspected last year that Jon and Kate were in therapy. She seemed to be trying to tone down her behavior during interviews on the show and he seemed to be trying to be more assertive. As a psych professional, I've always believed that one's true personality doesn't necessarily show itself until the mid to late 20's. I think that's happened in this case, and that Jon has come to realize that he has been treated poorly by his wife and decided he wasn't willing to take it any more. The fact that he clearly said he didn't want a 5th season and Kate won again probably pushed him over the edge and he no longer cared how his behavior would come across. He looked very angry in the first show of the new season and I thought he wanted nothing to do with Kate. She ignored his behavior except to complain that she had to do all of the party prep herself. To me it looks like he has grown up a bit and has changed in his willingness to accept how she treats him, and unless she is willing to change, they won't make it.. I guess we'll learn the plan tonight.

I've watched many episodes of the show (mostly re-runs) for a over a year now with my son who is 11. In terms of their relationship, Jon and Kate are definitely a yin and yang couple. She is the driver and it has been apparent to me that she has driven most of the major decisions in their relationship for the duration of their marriage including the decision to start a family. I really felt for Jon last year when it was really clear that he didn't want to continue the show for another season, but she did. Like many people, I think he married to young and then discovered later that he was on a roller coaster and could not get off. It looks like Jon is getting off now. There is a lot of talk that Kate will be alone with the kids, but I don't see Jon relinquishing his parental role. Likely he'll enjoy time with the kids on his own terms without the criticism of a controlling spouse.

It really is sad that we have descended to the point where watching a family derail is considered 'entertainment'. I hope and pray that the announcement is the show being canceled immediately and them all going into counseling.

Instead of bashing Kate and Jon, how about encouraging them, supporting them, praying for them? And when we look at the tabloid and say "Oh, look at them, they're such a mess! She's such a bad wife, he's a pathetic husband!".... how many of us turn the mirror on ourselves and ask whether we're making any of the same mistakes, or whether we're trying to avoid the same things we criticize in them?

First of all, many seem to want to bash Kate for "publicly" humiliating Jon. The whole point of a reality show is that we get a glimpse of the real lives of the people involved. Secondly, I have to defend Kate, because I do understand – I was married to an irresponsible man, and it does not bring out the best in a person. Kate has admitted that she feels badly about the way she has treated Jon at times, and I believe her. When you are overwhelmed with responsibility and your partner has a laissez-faire attitude, it is very difficult not to lash out. Jon is good with the kids, but his passivity in the relationship and his attitude remind me of a petulant teenager. It is hard to respect your partner when you have to parent him or her, which is the position Kate is in. I think that (perhaps subconsciously) she goads him because she wants him to grow a pair and act like a man. Jon did not quit his job to be with his family, he was asked to resign. Everything about him spells L-O-S-E-R, and Kate has had to step up and wear the pants in the family, including providing for 8 children. I believe Kate could show her tender side and let her guard down if she were with a real man instead of a brooding teenager. When has he ever done anything to take care of her? Yes, she may have chosen him, but many of us have gone for the bad boy in our youth only to discover that, in the glare of everyday life, that is no longer attractive. Kate grew up, but Jon didn't. He would have nothing if not for her, and all of the sports cars in the world won't change what he is. A woman can't be soft and vulnerable with a man who doesn't take care of her. Jon may be good at playing the victim, but I have something to say to all of the men who are defending him: what kind of men are you? Are you like Jon, thinking you should be able to play instead of providing for and taking care of your family? Or are you real men who cherish the women in your lives and allow them to be soft and sweet to you because they know you will take care of them? If a man wants a woman to show tenderness, he has to protect her and give her a safe place to do that. Do you do that for the women in your lives? Or are you like Jon Gosselin, whose wife has to worry all the time about her family's welfare? Answer those questions, and then explain how you can criticize Kate.

TV came to them,not the other way around. Kate is trying to provide for eight kids and saw this as an opportunity that she never had as a child.She needs an equal partner,not another adult child which is what she has with Jon.If she is on edge,maybe there is a reason.Most people cannot handle 2 or 3 children,much less 8. I used to think that Jon was just laid back,now he seems to just want out of his responsibilities.That isn't a choice after you have 8 kids. He needs to grow a spine and then maybe Kate could be his wife instead of his mother as well. Or maybe Jon is just looking for some young thing to buy him shots in a bar because he is on TV while his 8 children are at home sleeping.

To all those who say that they needed to do this show bcuz raising a large family is so expensive... it is all in your perspective.

My husband and I are raising 5 (including a set of multiples) on less than $100K a yr and are doing great. We put up 10% for retirement, 10% to our church for tithing and are even saving for our kids college!

Most parents of large families do not make a lot of money. Our children do not need to be in matching clothing. Nor do they need to be in name brands! Target and Kohls and (good heavens!) garage sales, are just FINE for that age!

Kate is in this for money for HER. You do NOT need that big of a house for a family of 10. I come from a family of 7 and we grew up in a 1300 sq ft house. It's all in your priorities. Obviously, Kate's is for her appearance, her possessions and how her kids look.

WHile I would never claim to know what is best, I do wish that they behave in a kind and gentle manner towards each other. The mother or father of your children deserve to be treated in the way that you would wish your child to be treated if they were in the situation. We are teaching them how to act to their mother/father and their future partner. We have to show care to those who make up our children's worlds. J&K continue to teach their children how to love, even as that love goes through changes.

I wish they could work it out, but if they don't I wish them the best. Both of them.

"We do everything for our kids." Sorry, but that's not how it should be. It was just husband and wife before the kids, and it will be husband and wife after the kids grow up. They should have been focusing on their own relationship instead of exploiting their family circumstances.

People need to lay off judging them, until you walk in someone else's shoes you should not comment. Everyone has their faults but God loves us all! The only thing that he judges is evil and neither of them is evil they are just doing the best they can. they have no family to stand by them and I think the comments that Kate's brother and wife made are unbelievable! If they felt their was danger they should report it and do what ever they can for the family not go on national TV and give interviews, they are no better then what they are acussing Kate of. I believe Kate is an excellent Mother or she the kids would not be as sweet as they are. I have twins and 4 kids and a mother who lives with my husband and I and going anyway is a trail so I can only imagine what it is like for them. Both of them knew how the other was when they go married so it is not surprising that they are drifting apart at this point and I am sure that it is tearing them up inside. I know that when I went thru a divorce, even though I wanted him gone and he was a jerk it tore me up that my marriage did not work. I think Jon is not making very good judgement calls and needs to step back and look at what he is doing and who he is hanging out with however they deserve the money they have made and are making and I believe that Kate is only thinging about her familys furture and what they will need to raise the kids because sooner or later the public will move on to watching someone else the kids need to be provided for. I have watched from the begining and it will be sad if the show ends but all I really want at this point is peace for the family.

I love Kate!! Kate is a wonderful mother who has been through hell! Everyone should leave her alone. No one knows what it is like to raise that many children of the same age, it's not easy! There is nothing wrong for wanting what is best for your children.

I am so pleased to see so many comments defending Jon & Kate. Yes she is controlling and Jon sometimes seems to be a bit of a slacker. So what, every person has their own unique personality and these two knew who they were marrying. Can you imagine the chaos if an ADULT wasn't in charge? Even with so many children, she is teaching them such wonderful lessons, ie: sharing, consquenses for bad behavior, rewards for a job well done, self control and so much more. Perhaps the money and fame have gone to her head a bit, what would you choose if you had eight little kids to care for and raise on meager income? If you say you would turn down millions of easy money, I would call you a liar.
And just what is the flak over her hair style? It's cute and suits her and is NOT sci-fi bizarre as many would have you think. For scary hair, see Lady Gaga, Pattie LaBelle, Beyonce and Jessica Alba as blondes or Paris Hilton's massive collection of spare hair,ugh! But who are we to so harshly judge them or Kate? I bet she doesn't like YOUR hair, either. So what? What possible effect could her hair have on your life? Everyone who is perfect (I'm not nor -news flash- are you) might have the right to slam her but being perfect, would have too much class to be so petty and crass.
Lighten up on them, they have enough troubles to worry about without being constantly berated. Divorce rates are high, nearly 50% and the rate is even higher among parents of multiples. The stress is a killer and if these two don't make it, it will be truly sad. I believe they still truly love each other but this has been just such terrible pressure, especially all the petty sniping over everything they do. Wish them well and pray for healing for them. They are a lovely family and I sincerely hope they come to a workable agreement.

I just can't figure out who are the biggest nitwits.....
John and Kate(or whatever their real names are) , or the people that give one hoot about anything that happens in their lives.
WHO CARES ?????
Man we have become a pathetic society.

As everyone recalls, John stated in the last interview of season 4 that he DID NOT like the attention and did not want to do the show anymore. Kate was the money hungry one that stated Oh we will do another season. John should of stood his ground and completely refused but then again they just bought a massive, expensive house so how would they pay for it if they decided to not do the show anymore?

I think Kate is getting what she deserves and I'm glad that Jon is finally standing up to her. Throughout the seasons all Kate has done is put Jon down and treated him like dirt. I can only imagine what things are like when the cameras are off.
Kate has really let the fame go to her head and now she thinks she's all that and then some. I hate to break the news to her but if it wasn't for the money from the show she would not be were she is at.
I feel sorry for the kids because they are the one's that are paying for this. Kate and Jon need to stop the show and focus on the kids instead of themselves.
I just hope that this doesn't have long lasting effects on the children.

The only ones suffering are those 8 kids. If you look at the track record most pople that put their lives in a reality show are split up or divorced. What does that tell you. If they were both smart they should have gotten out of the show a while ago but the money talks and I am sure they got many many freebies from the show. Watching Kate treat Jon like a child was what made me stop watching the show. Jon had no back bone and never stood up for himself. Youc an only take so much. I feel sorry for the next man who dates Kate!!!

Are any of you parents of multiples? From the sounds of it I would not think so. I am a mom of multiples, and having 8 kids is VERY different than having 2 and 6 the same ages! The dynamics that go on with multiples is VERY different that the dynamics of 8 kids who have their own place, birth order,identity, etc. It is extremely demanding and I think you are all NUTS if you think you could do any better than Kate. Jon helps, as he must, but he doesn't embrace it and he doesn't THINK before he does things...it's like he's numb and on auto-pilot all the time, so his "help" isn't very helpful to Kate. Jon is just so checked out, so it makes Kate have to be in hyper-drive all the time....which, OF COURSE, makes her exhausted and constantly overworked which makes her irritable with Jon. Jon needs to care more, period.

They chose to be on the spotlight. And if they really cared about their kids, as soon as this big mess came to be too much for them, they would have also quit willingly. But money, it appears, has become more important than family.

It is very clear that Kate is in way way over her head with those kids. It is down right abusive to have those poor kids on camera like they have and if anyone else were taking pictures/video like what was shown on TV, they would be arrested for crimes against a child.

Kate needs to spend some quality time with Dr Laura so she can learn how to parent as well as being a good "mom/wife" role model for her girls. Jon just needs to find out where Kate put his jewels and take them back so he can be a dad/husband role model for his sons.

TLC needs to act as the parents, since the bio-parents don't seem to want do what is best to and pull the plug on the show.

Kate is not listening to Jon!! He needs to grow up. Its like she has nine kids. They both need some alone time and get away from the limelight to sort their problems out. He is being selfish and not being a husband to Kate and not being a father to his kids. They are giving up too easily. They both need to be there for all of their kids and for themselves. Kids are the innocent bystanders and now they have to wake up and save their marriage.

I agree with Rich. Let's move on to something that matters. The kids will be just fine, and that's all we should care about.

Can't say I'm surprised. Kate is an overbearing, domineering and plain rude shrew. A wife is supposed to be a loving, nurturing partner but all she ever did, show after show, is berate and put down Jon at the slightest provocation. The little kids were always hitting each other and the older girls are just plain bullies like their mother. What a depressing show. I quit watching long ago.

I think Kate ought to contact Mikey from OCC, since it looks like the family thing with building motorcycles isn't working out and he wants to find something else in life. He loves kids, plus, Kate seemed real happy with Mikey, plus it looks like he doesn't mind her wearing the pants in the relationship, so the adjustment will be short lived for her. I at least hope Jon keeps his bike and moves to New York and take Paul Sr. up on his offer of having him at the business. No doubt he would make a great addition to they're show & the guys in the shop would get along with him. It would be of great benefit for everyone. Hopefully, no matter how it turns out, I hope they at least remember the children & keep putting them first on the emotional scale. But, most of all, I think this was a good move on Jon's part. It's hard to share or show love when someone is always bitching or snapping at your every whim.

I hope judge finds that changes need to be made and that Jon will get custody of kids and kates temper will be making him more of the fit parent.

Did anyone actually say the show was ending???

This soap opera could drag out even longer as we 'watch Jon & Kate come to terms with their new lives'. (Will they get back together? Tune in this Monday...)

I always thought they were staying together for the sake of the money.

What angers me most after watching the show and after reading everything that I have these last months. The show has given them free trips, free dogs, free meat, free hair, free plastic surgery, free crooked houses, and all the other things that the family has received. WHAT ABOUT FREE COUNSELING????

They have eight children, they are not even trying to save their marriage or their family. If you can't communicate with each other you will never be able to fix things. It is going to be a very long road for all of them and the kids will have a very tough time.

So sad!!!!!

I have to say that yes I agree for years that we saw nothing but Kate belittle Jon. However, shows are edited. I believe it is safe to say we didn't see all the interactions between couple. There always needs to be the villian. But do we really know what goes on in someone elses bedroom. I dont care what Kate has done it does not give Jon the right to run around on her and in public no less. He was aware of the paparazzi and the news around the show. But he still decides to party and have an affair with someone knowing that he will be caught. Does anyone deserve to find out this way their husband is with another woman? Does anyone deserve to be publicly humiliated. I dont believe so. I believe if Jon deserved all the praise he has been given, he would have told Kate it was time to seperate before he started seeing other women. I've never really cared for either of them. Kate is always nagging and I always thought Jon to have an arrogance about him. I think they would both be better going their seperate ways.

Ever since the show began Kate has been rude and uncompramizing to her children and to Jon. I felt uncomfortable watching the show but the children and their development was the reason that I watched. It is embarising to watch Jon so passive as Kate rudely shouts commands at him. This is not a good role model husband and wife interaction for the TV audience unless the audience likes such negaive behavior. Jon and Kate should apoligize to their audience for their behavior. They are both at fault. Take them off the air!

you are all knocking them but you would put yourselves in the same situation for the same reasons........money, fame.

I watched tonights show and I know it will be the last one I watch. As much as Kate protests about the love of the kids, every single show, including this one, is all about some freebie being given to them. When she constantly says they are doing this to provide for the kids, I wonder what her standards of providing mean. There are parents living in cars and shelters with their kids. There are parents moving in with relatives because they have lost jobs and houses.

Even tonight, Kate saying she has been hard on Jon for years, she couldn't say I'm sorry. She takes no responsibility at all, at least Jon does and apologizes. And her whining that now she will be all alone.. sheesh. Join the thousands of other single Mom's who don't have nearly as much as you do.

This seems just too much focus on material things. Raising 8 kids used to having everything appear out of nowhere for their pleasure is not attractive.

I do wish them all the best. I loved the show in the beginning when it was really about raising 8 kids.

Jon and Kate; shame on you. You just couldn't put your differences behind you to be the PARENTS of your children. You mentioned that you didn't want your kids to hear you arguing; very simple, DON'T! You mentioned that you wanted PEACE for the sake of your kids and that this action was to accomplish this, what about your kids' sense of security, direction, being loved by both parents; divorce is going to make your kids happy? I don't think so. Rethink your decision, FOR YOUR KIDS! Good luck; think about your kids instead of yourselves.

How sad.

John:

I feel badly that at 32 you decide you just don't want this life style anymore.

Yes she was hard and beat him down. I loved how he said he stood up for himself? Did he so he went to a bar and cheated on his family?

Wait, I want the $$ it cost to ship that family to Hawaii for that wedding to be donated to someone that can't afford a wedding.
How about a soldier being shipped to Iraq? What a rip off.

You have a new wedding when you knew your life was a lie??

Shame on John for cheating on his family and not knowing what it is he really wants.
Kate look back on how you act and react and remember to laugh.

You look great! Remember everything in life happens for a reason.
I am not Team Kate but I am seriously not a fan of people cheating.

Leigha,

Try having multiples like me and have one be autistic...

I've never watched the show, but I think it's awful to put a family through what they(Jon and Kate) are doing. It probably would have helped theri marriage survive if they hadn't done the show in the first place. Who would want fame and fortune at the expense of your relationship with your spouse and children? Hope the children will be ok. They are the only ones that I'm concerned about.

Last nights "announcement" episode was so "Truman Show" it made me sick. Aside from the drama and sadness of watching a family fall apart, The Crooked Houses people got 1/2 hour of free advertising. All the little kids were were the crooked houses t-shirts. These kids don't even know they are being used to sell tons of product. And when they get to be older and watch all these videos back I'm sure they will not be so happy with mom and dad. John and Kate better have made enough money to save for all the therapy these kids are going to need. What were they thinking??!! To raise their kids on national television and not have any negative effects? Didn't they watch "The Truman Show".??

Stephanie...please...Jon is a slacker and lazy slob. He walks around with his head up in the clouds. Kate had to support 8 children because.....HE DIDN'T HAVE A JOB!! So yeah maybe she went to far-okay maybe they should have slowed down the production process but sleeping with a 24 year old whore ain't gonna make it any better. Where is this little piece of work? Why don't we see her little life put in the spot light? HOME WRECKER! Kate did what she could to give those kids things she wouldn't have been able to with his salary. Oh yeah HE DIDN'T HAVE A JOB!! Put your big boy pants on and quit livin off of the go getter Kate is. I agree grow some balls and GO GET A JOB. He didn't like how Kate was treating him then why didn't he get out of the house and GO GET A JOB? Yeah he quit is job because he didn't have to work. Kate wrote the book. Kate went on personal appearences.Kate pushed the show. Why? BECAUSE JON DOESN'T HAVE A JOB! Yeah so he likes living the 2.5 million dollar life style riding around in him pimpmobile and messing with a 24 year old but when it all comes down to it. He's a boy not a partner. Man up wonderboy. The kitchen got too hot and your slimy little boy lazy crap we all saw. He cheated, he doesn't have a job, he doesn't have any balls. Kate getta haircut and find a man-this boy is a looser!

Why do people keep saying Jon had no job. When the show started Jon had a job and went to work every day. They BOTH decided he should stay home full-time with the kids when she started writing books and doing appearances away from home.

Jon is well educated in the I.T. field and won't have trouble getting work (well maybe he will due to the recession, but in normal times).
Indeed I think one of the things that happen to him was (very common for typical stay at home Mom's) he lost his entire adult social life. Adults need adult time.

This is the really sad part...all these terrible things people are saying about Kate and Jon and that the children will have to see written on magazines and hear people say about them and it will hurt them....it is impossible for the family to divorce and it not affect the kids...the best thing you can do for your kids is to love each other.

Did they need a new million dollar house??? They took money that they could have saved for the kids education and saved it. They are not doing the show for the kids benefit. Crooked houses are expensive, OCC motorcycle are expensive, having Emeril in your kitchen is expensive. I met her at a book signing and she was very cold. She seemed like a very mean person.

I don't feel sorry for anyone except the kids. Kate don't tell us you are doing this for the kids to be able to provide for them! The kids NEED a stable home with a mother AND father. Work on your marriage for the kids, work on yourself for the kids and your faith will allow to provide for your kids. Maybe you won't have a million dollar home and crooked houses, manis or pedis and the latest fashions, but you will have a FAMILY! Kate has obviously never seen 18 and counting and table for 12.

I feal sorry for the kids!!!!!!!!!!
But they reap what they sow!
Kate emasculates Jon so much , I would have been gone a long time ago!
MAYBE WE WILL GET SOME GOOD TV ON FOR ONCE.

I'm one of 12 children. I watched the show once just to see what all the fuss was about.

I turned it off after about 10 minutes because I felt sorry for the kids. Kate at one point started screeching about not putting their hands on the windows (they were looking at something outside–I think they were 2 at the time). I couldn't actually believe she even considered the windows. Honestly, who cares more about fingerprints on the windows than the kids experience?

Even when I was very little I helped to clean up. My mom gave me windex and a cloth. Because the lesson is to clean up after yourself. The lesson should not be that the windows are more important than you are.

There are worse things than having a messy house.

I really wish that things could had turned out differently for this family. Those of us who are married know it takes two to keep it together and functioning, and it is hard work on both parts. Communication is a BIG part of it... If you spend time following 8 kids all day, making sure all they will need the next day is getting ready at night, when do you have time to ask your spouse "So, how are you doing?". They made the decision of exposing their lives and devoting all the time they had left (which probably was not much) perhaps in exchange of a life style that may as well help them to put every one of their children through college. Who doesn't want the best for their child... In their minds, and for the situations they were in, that was the best decision, and we cannot judge that.

I feel for both. Kate seems to be busting Jon's chops all the time, and many times he says nothing. Well, maybe he could had said something a few years ago so it wouldn't become a pattern. My point is things are where they are because they both let it happen, what ever it was. Both have part in it, one for being so humble, and the other one for being the opposite.

Very sad........our hearts truly wanted to see this family survive I feel and yet it unfolded in a way that hurts us to watch now.
Nothing compared the pain this family feels though.....and the sense of loss for them.
I ponder thoughts of:
Perhaps fame and greed in the media frenzie took over but could perhaps Kate of known on some level that she would end up being sole support of these children?
Could this be why she held on to the show and promotes her books?
Personalities aside..........survival is a large componet isn't it?
We all do the best we know how to do.......and when we know better we do better ....don't we?
We make our choices.......moment to moment.
Who is to judge........as we all contributed by wanting to learn more about them and keeping the show on the air with our interest didn't we??
My heart breaks everytime I see a family break up but I have learned to trust that all happens for a reason......and the blessings will come from all the pain......only to be seen in hindsight.
Change is a constant for sure.
I send prayers and love to all .........and trust that this is all unfolding as it is needed for everyone to find their strength of purpose.

I've dated woman strongwilled with always something to say. But there comes a point where as a man you need to stand up to that woman and say, "NO you're going to talk and treat me this way"! After time you get use to being talk down to and it feels ok. But the woman loses respect for you. As time passes the man can't take it any more and feel traped. We can all see that John felt traped!! They both are at fault here. Kate for being a mean wife and John for letting it happen. People only treat you how you let them. If John spoke up the first time kate said something fly we all would have nothing to talk about right now. Have fun J just be good to the kids. Kate find a man that will stand up to you. You need to be put in your place!!!! hahahahaha I know all the ladies out there will like that one! hahahahah

I don't think any of us can fully understand how hard it must have been to be the parents of eight children and try to get along...there are some very rough years in every marriage....I wish the best for both Kate and Jon and for their children...wish I could help somehow with whatever they need...

I can't believe Iam actually writing this about a reality show ,but I use to watch the show in the first years and all I can say is what kind of legacy these parents are leaving these children . It won't be too much longer when the older two will be out and making their way in the world, and have to live with this stigma of this family's falling apart on tv. This is something that no mother would want their children to come to understand how so many people thought so ill of both their parents and that they lost what could never be given again (a chance at a normal life with possibly both their parents and supporting family members.) Even Kate could not want such tragedy for her kids at what ever the money or ratings. And Jon....shame shame on you your mother should be very proud of your escapades.

I always watched this show, but who freakin cares now!! I thought it
was really nice 2 wach Jon and Kate raisin their children and i liked learning bout their kids and their lives in the beginging and now, Kate is too controlling and Jon is...(watevr). I dnt think now that Kate has all
of her 8 kids, she probally wnt raise her kids right! I kinda feel sorry for
Jon because he was pretty young when they started to have children!
Plus! They pretty much like renewed their vowles (dk how to spell it)
not that too long ago! I dnt think it is worth watching this show...it's waisting time just to watch how BORING it is now!!!