Today is going to be another one of my non-fashion related posts. Hey, it's my blog and I can write about what I want to. Today I feel compelled to discuss one of my big obsessions: Jon & Kate Plus Eight. I discovered one of the original specials back as a law school student, bored in the middle of the night, obvi not studying and decided to watch these crazy parents with 8 children. The kids were just too cute not to love. I was instantly hooked. I watched episodes over and over, even making my poor friends watch while we took a week long trip to the Outerbanks. Clearly what they wanted to do with a beach house was sit and watch sextuplets. Isn't that everyone's dream vacation?
Originally I watched and admired as this young couple struggled to support and care for their 8 very small children. I was rooting for them. I was happy that TLC could help them out so the mom didn't have to work double shifts on the weekend anymore. I was willing to overlook the first few outbursts from crazy Kate as the result of an over-tired mother and the clever editing of TLC. But then it continued. EVERY EPISODE. Even if TLC could be so clever as to put in all of her outbursts, it is her fault alone that were plenty enough to fill every episode and it was her alone who screamed at her husband like he was a wayward disobedient dog and her alone who criticized the way he breathed. I thought that after seeing a season, maybe she would be horrified at her on screen portrayal and correct her behavior, but week after week it continued and she made no apologies for it.
First, one piece of fashion discussion for this post: Kate's hair is terrible. As I cannot take my attention away from the demise of this family (I know, I'm a terrible person, but I just can't stop) like a rubbernecker watching a traffic accident, I have collected at least 6 tabloids with J&K cover stories and have read everything there is in print on them. Which makes me a bit of an expert, I like to think. If they've said it and been quoted, I've read it. This is a lot of wind up for me just to say, that I read, in multiple sources, that thousands of people are adopting the Kate hairstyle. The style is what I refer to as the reverse mullet. And it is the worst reverse mullet I have ever seen. I am beyond sad for all these people allegedly going to their hairdressers gripping a picture of the reverse mullet and demanding it for themselves. I like to believe that Kate is vain and made this all up to make herself feel better about her terrible terrible hair decision from which she can't bring herself to pull away. But on the chance that this statement was in fact true, I say: DON'T DO IT. PLEASE PLEASE AMERICA DON'T DO IT. SAVE YOURSELVES!!! THE REVERSE MULLET IS BAD! SO VERY VERY BAD!
Okay, I've gotten that off my chest, time to move on. Back to the show.
There are two major aspects of J&K life I've picked up from watching every episode ever: 1) Kate thinks she is an awesome mother and thinks she exhibits great family values; 2) J&K are very religious, e.g. they have covered their home in Bible verses. You should take my word for it, as I am an expert on this subject and will soon be doing my doctorate in J&K+8. What really got me as the seasons went on, and kills me now more than ever, in what religion or in what version of good family values is it okay to publicly berate and scream at your husband day after day? No matter how irked my hubby can make me, I would absolutely die before I uttered a harsh word against him in public. Such matters are best dealt with privately. But I guess when you allow cameras to follow you at all times, nothing is private anymore.
I think bringing cameras into your home to document your life is a questionable decision. But as I saw the Gosselins become able to quit working weekends and move into a home large enough for their large brood, I didn't begrudge them the decision. It seemed like this is what they needed to do to support their family. Family first, right? But then it became clear, near the end of the fourth season before any scandals had come out, that Jon was so very sad about their fishbowl life. While they sat on the interview couch, Jon was slumped and said he didn't like this lifestyle. Any person could see he was crying for help. If ever there was a time for a wife to look at her husband and go, you are obviously sad, let's work something out to change that, this was it. But Kate didn't do that. She gave him a disgusted look, turned to the camera and said, "I love what I'm doing right now. I'm going to keep doing it. I don't get why Jon wouldn't like it." It was dismissive. It was cold. It was far from putting family first.
Speaking of family, where are all the Gosselin relatives? Kate's brother and sister-in-law used to babysit and help out all the time. But then, without explanation, they were never to be seen again. By their account, as they told Star magazine and I of course read every word, TLC offered them money for their part in the show and Kate wouldn't have it, she wasn't about to share any of her loot. But at $50,000 an episode, I think sparing some for her dear family who helps out all the time couldn't have hurt. But that's just my version of family values, what do I know?
On the topic of family values, I'm not one to say mothers can't work outside the home, but maybe it would be prudent to maybe not go away on a book tour for a month at a time when you have 8 small children at home and your marriage needs some work. If she had to, it'd be one thing, but I think the $50,000 an episode should grant her a little cushion to not have to shill books all over the nation. But I guess she's not doing it for her family, it's more the fame and fortune now. Kate, however, says she's the best mom ever. With what proof? I swear she said this, Kate said she is a wonderful mom because she calls her kids whenever she gets a chance. Wouldn't it make sense to maybe, I dunno, actually be with her kids? On the fifth season opener, Kate complained her kids called her by the babysitter's name as evidence her life is tough. It only made her look worse.
What makes me so so sad about all of this, is that the kids are going to grow up and see this footage. And see their mother didn't care. See that their parents let their private lives play out on national television when they should have taken some time to work on their family. I feel so so bad for the kids. I realize it's getting late and this post is starting to make less sense, so I'm just going to end my J&K discussion here.
Okay, now that I've thoroughly depressed myself and shown you all that I'm a bad person for my obsession, I will now cheer us up with some sexy sandals:
Fendi, Sale $419
