When the Gosselins first became tabloid fodder, I really felt for them (and blamed Octomom.) I’d watched their show casually for a couple of years, and I felt like this was just a sweet little family in an unexpected situation making the best of it. I live in the world, so it’s been hard NOT to be somewhat aware of the affair rumors and all around marital collapse that seems to have overtaken the family of 10 these past few months. But last night, as we were getting ready for dinner, my husband announced “Oh, you’re welcome by the way – I think tonight is when Jon and Kate are announcing their divorce, so I tivo’d it for you.” (He’s always looking out for me, that Scott.)
Anyway – last night’s show really brought me over to the other side as far as J&K are concerned. Scott and I watched in horror as they kicked off the show with yet another one of the product placement plugs that have made the Gosselins famous (even in the early days, this was a little off-putting) before delving into the inevitable dissolution of their marriage. It was hard to watch. Kate seemed disinterested as she played play-dough with the sextuplets, and looked like a disaster (and displayed the bottoms of her feet for all of America to see…yuck) as she attempted to sound hopeful in her defeat. But Kate’s always been an easy target.
The kids were equally as disturbing. Mady and Cara’s over-the-top performances were blatant cries for attention, but I think that’s to be expected from the older siblings of sextuplets. Aiden, one of the sextuplet boys insisted to Jon that he “be quiet, we’re doing the interviews” in a moment that I’m sure was meant to be cute, but really just made me kinda sad for these little one’s for whom “doing interviews” has become the norm.
But Jon. Oh Jon. With his hairplugs (which as Scott pointed out he should have waited longer to get, since he’s developed a nice new bald spot on the back of his noggin) and diamond studs in each ear, he announced their separation with almost no emotion whatsoever. He followed it up with a flippant “I don’t hate Kate, but…you know…” (I really do.) While Kate did her best to act like the separation was a trial – “the start of a new chapter” Jon appeared to be closing the book completely, telling viewers “I’m only 32…” and “who knows what could happen – I could be offered a job.” A job doing what Jon? Are you looking to start your own VH1 reality show where you date a bunch of underage whores? (Because that I would watch. Maybe it can be called “Father Knows Best…of Love”)
Anyway, it’s with great sadness that I add Jon’s name to the list of nominees for The818.com’s Reality TV Total Douchenozzle of the year award. Jon, you used to be cool. Although at least someone’s looking out for the Gosselin kids – despite the fact that Kate rallied “The Show Must Go On” while lamenting her divorce on national television, TLC announced this morning that they’d be putting the show on hiatus.
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