Jon Gosselin took part in what was being billed as an intimate discussion with his new spiritual advisor, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach Sunday night at a New York City Synagogue. The point of Jon’s appearance was to come clean about his personal battle with the pitfalls of fame and to own up his bad boy behavior since he and Kate announced their divorce in June. He earnestly apologized to his soon-to-be ex-wife Kate Gosselin, saying, “I want to apologize to Kate in private. I'll apologize to her for openly having relationships in the public eye.”
Jon revealed this earnest pomp and circumstance, these so-called heartfelt apologies, before the hoards of TV news cameras. There, Jon said with a straight face, “I think I'm just misunderstood. I'm not a fame seeker.”
When a man who is smack dab in the media frenzy decides it’s time to make amends with his soon-to-be ex-wife and focus on being a better father to his 8 children, the first step is indeed to go to the ex and apologize. But Jon’s first step was make a big stink about his intentions to apologize to the cameras he claims he isn’t seeking out.
I applaud Jon for hooking up with the likes of Rabbi Shmuley Boteach and attempting to get his priorities in life straight. But I say, Jon, as you gauge your so-called “moral compass,” the only way anyone is going to believe that you are a reformed man is to take care of your private business - in private. Then if you and Kate choose to come forward to let the world know you are on better terms – so be it. But until then, cut the talk, stop doing these panel discussions on being a “moral” father and just start being the man you keep claiming you are.