Jon and Kate Plus Eight

From LoveToKnow Reality-TV

(Redirected from Jon)

Jon & Kate Plus 8 is a reality show on TLC that follows the lives of Jon and Kate Gosselin and their children. They have one set of fraternal twin girls and a group of sextuplets consisting of three boys and three girls.

A quick history: The show was first in the Discovery Health lineup, but with the start of the third season, the show went to TLC. The show relays the challenges of raising twins and sextuplets by simply following the lives of the Gosselin family.

The Parents

Kate and Jon first met at a picnic in 1997 when Jon worked at a hotel. Kate just graduated from a nursing program and two years later they married. At first, Kate was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome, which made it appear that Kate could not have children. So with fertility treatments and intrauterine insemination, Kate became pregnant with twins. The girls, Cara and Mady were born in October of 2000.

Three years after that, Kate wanted to have another child, but Jon wasn't so sure. They thought about adopting because a Korean baby was available when Kate was working as a nurse. Instead, Jon and Kate returned to fertility treatments. This worked again and they soon found out that she was going to have six babies.

At first their emotions were mixed and running the gamut of despair, sadness, and finally hope. As the news emerged that they were going to have sextuplets, their community banded together and gave their support and prayers.

In May of 2004 the sextuplets were born, all within three minutes of each other.

The Children

Born on October 8, 2000 (Twins)
  • Madelyn "Mady" Kate
  • Cara Nicole

Born on May 10, 2004 (Sextuplets)
  • Joel Kevin
  • Leah Hope
  • Collin Thomas (the largest at 3 lbs 5 oz and 15 inches in length)
  • Aaden Jonathon
  • Hannah Joy
  • Alexis Faith

Jon & Kate Plus 8 Show Format

Jon & Kate Plus 8 is not filmed 24/7, because it would be harder for the Gosselins to care for their children. The show is actually filmed three days of the week, with one of those days dedicated to interviewing Jon and Kate and/or the children on the weeks events or events in a specific episode. Just as the crew is an integral part of the Gosselin family, Jon & Kate are an integral part of the production crew. The producers, Jon and Kate discuss what kind of events should be filmed and what kind of edits (if any) should be made.

About the Gosselins
  • You can purchase a book that Jon and Kate have written called Multiple Blessings. It was co-authored by Beth Carson.
  • Seasons One and Two are available for purchase on DVD with the Third season being released in February 2009.

You can visit a few websites to learn about the Gosselin family or learn more about the show on TLC:

Controversies

There have been many issues with the family's need for "hand-outs." When Jon & Kate launched their first website they continually asked for things from the public in the way of prayers. They would pray for financial contributions at first, but then started to ask for more and more as people started to overwhelmingly give them everything.

In 2005, Medicaid no longer was going to pay for a full time nurse when the sextuplets hit one year old. Kate appealed the decision because, as she said on her website, "I cannot do it five days a week."

Probably the biggest controversy or problem is the product endorsements they voice on their show and on their website. In 2008, Jon got a free hair transplant from The New Hair Institute in L.A. If you look on the "Our Favorite Businesses" tab on their website, you will find that this company is listed.

Love It or Just Like It

No matter if you think they are using the public, or if you just adore the family, Jon & Kate Plus 8 is a family facing interesting challenges. The parents bicker, but love each other (and it shows). The kids are cute and fun to watch and if you've been following the show from the beginning, you might feel like you've been watching them grow up..

Retrieved from "http://reality-tv.lovetoknow.com/Jon_and_Kate_Plus_Eight"

 


Comments

You're right that there are plenty of people who get upset about the free items given to this family, but it is obvious that you are a big fan! Thanks for the comments.

-- Contributed by: Tamsen Butler

Thank you so much for sharing your trials and tribulations with us viewers every week. You are truly an amazing family and I realize now how easy I had it as a single parent of the grand total of 1!!! You have been truly blessed and so are we for being invited into your lives. I must comment though on the negativity of some viewers who condemn you for whatever "donations" are given to you. Obviously they cannot comprehend the cost of raising these beautiful children and not just financially. You give up a lot of privacy as you are a real family, not one putting on false airs to look good for the viewing public. Needless to say, these would be the first people to stand in line for anything free without giving anything in return. I wish nothing but the best for your entire family and hope to continue watching everyone grow for many years to come. God bless.

-- Contributed by: S.Holmes

Comment on Jon



(Displayed with your comment)                        (Will not be displayed)
Verification Code:   
    

Reality TV Categories
LoveToKnow Tools