Today, readers, I am contemplating the phenomenon that is Jon and Kate Plus Eight. You know my feelings on this show with its cult-like following. Whether critical or adoring, it seems everyone is talking about Jon and Kate.
I cite for evidence my own writings. I have written for a couple of years at Associated Content (a place I highly recommend, by the way, if you enjoy writing and would like a little extra spending cash for doing it). My Jon and Kate articles far eclipse everything else I’ve written. For instance, my article on the homes of Hoosier author Gene Stratton Porter have garnered a lowly 25 views in the past 2 months. Contrast that with my review of Kate Gosselin at the Indianapolis Home Show February 4, which has been viewed over 6,000 times.
My posts here on Jon and Kate are far more popular than anything else I write. Almost every search term people use to get here deals with Jon and Kate.
What I’m wondering today is, what exactly is the appeal? Jon and Kate are two average adults who happened into fame because they had six children at once. But, others have done this too without the fame.
It’s my contention that J&K continue to be popular now because of the controversy they generate. I recently saw an older episode of J&K, and was struck with how Kate has changed. While she was always “real” (i.e., not afraid to show her true feelings, even annoyance and anger), she was much softer and seemingly happier then. Now, she appears to be bored, put-out, and frustrated most of the time. She lashes out at Jon more and more, berating him for mispronouncing a word or failing to use a coupon. It’s uncomfortable to watch these exchanges.
The show seems to be showing Jon and Kate more and more, and the kids less and less. I can only explain this by thinking that Jon and Kate generate more controversy, and therefore more interest. It’s like watching an accident – you know you shouldn’t, but you can’t pull yourself away. That’s kind of how I feel after watching J&K recently.
For you viewers, what do you think? What is the appeal of Jon and Kate to you? The kids? Jon and Kate’s “real”-ness? The trainwreck aspect? How many of you are still fans? I would be curious to know!
I have no idea what their appeal is. I don’t watch the show. When I’m not watching old movies I enjoy nature, history and science type shows. ♥ ∞
Hi! Yes, I am here because I saw the title of your post on someone else’s blog. If I watch ANY show on t.v. that’s the only one.
At first is was because they reminded me of my life (minus 5 children) plus our children are asian-american. But I too have a hard time listening to Kate. My husband refuses to watch the show because he thinks she is “mean” to put it lightly.
I don’t care for the controversy, but I think its wide-spread appeal is how they were handling so many kids.
Also, I question if they are “Christians?” I’ve seen Jon wear shirts with Christian logos and words, I’ve seen them pray, once. Just a thought…
I have never in my life watched Jon & Kate, nor do I plan to. I am getting along just fine without it. I’d rather be stitching.
Hi Susan!! I love your blog!!! I usually read it while I eat lunch at my desk. It always brightens my day!! I watched the J&K episode last night and was mortified by Kate’s attitude and treatment of Jon. Why does he put up with it? I think the show (Kate) has changed a lot since the beginning. After last night, I don’t think I can stomach it anymore. By the way, I loved yesterday’s comments on the church organ!
Susan, I watch every now and then, and the appeal to me is definitely the kids. I think they are precious! I love to see how the family copes with that many babies, and I actually think they do a pretty good job. I would think, though, that the constant scrutiny would be hard on a marriage as would the constant demand for their attention by the kids. There would probably be little alone time, and I think they need to be sure and have a date night by themselves one night a week. That’s what all of the successful couples I know do. God first, their marriage seconds, and the kids after… just in that order. There is no greater gift a father can give his children than to have them watch him love his wife. And the same goes for wives and husbands… with the wife reverancing her husband. And they need to reverance and love GOD first. That sets the tone of the household and sets the tone for the kids.
XO,
Sheila
Sorry for the typos! Was typing too fast.
I dont’ have a TV, so this is the first I’ve heard of this…and owie on the parental interaction. I’d have a hard time with it, too. Thanks for the writing link!
I think I’m going to have to go watch more Jon & Kate; I’ve only seen a handful of episodes, and nothing recent.
Maybe things have changed since I’ve last seen them, because Kate was a little harsh, but not soooo awful…..
And I actually had no idea that they were THAT popular – 6000 hits on your article – Wow!
And BTW, I’m so glad you started a blog!!
I don’t get the channel J&K are on so I’ve only seen the show a few times when I was in a motel. I think her frequent sniping at her husband is unbecoming of a Christian wife. In fact, I wish they wouldn’t bill themselves as Christian.
I love watching the Goslins. I think they do an amazing job. However, if they don’t stop Mady’s sassy mouth, they are in for big trouble later.
Wanda,
Well put about Mady. She’s the cutest little thing but sometimes how she acts and what she say’s is NOT cute. Jon and Kate really need to get a handle on her.
As far as why I watch, I guess it’s the train wreck. In every episode, I know Kate is going to berate Jon for SOMEthing. Someone posted above that it used to be cute but now it’s annoying, and that’s SO true. While the slaps are in playful jest, the way she talks to him here lately is horrendous. I used to think that they were a lot like my husband and I in how we interacted, but not so much anymore. My husband would never put up with me berating him about how he pronounces a word or weather or not he used a coupon! I respect him so I wouldn’t speak to him like that anyway. He’s a grown man for goodness sake!
I know some people have commented on the fact that they “market” themselves as Christians. My thought on that is that being Christian doesn’t mean your perfect or that you even STRIVE to be perfect. Yes, there are guidelines in the Bible on how a man and wife are to respect one another and the woman is to respect the fact that her husband leads the family however sometimes our own weaknesses prohibit that from happening in everyday life. I’m not in any way defending how Kate treats her husband because she’s made it more than apparent that she thinks she’s entitled to treat her him this way, but just because they are Christians doesn’t mean they are perfect. I wish he’d stick up for himself more ON CAMERA. My thought is that if she can treat him like a baffoon in front of millions of viewers, he should be able to fire some right back at her. She might respect him more if he did.
I think j&k our doin the best they can with eight kids pretty much all the same age. But everyone is right ti is very disturbing how she down grades jon. She needs to check her self before it ends up in a train wreck. Theres so much someone can take.
They need to get their butts off television. Reality shows have a way of ruining relationships, and not only are they doing harm to themselves, but they may end up destroying their kids in the process.
Forget the money, put aside the fame, and do what’s right for your FAMILY, I say.
I agree with Linda. Jon and Kate need to turn off the cameras and FIGHT for their marriage. It appears that they need a miracle. Good thing we serve a God who is in the miracle business.