I'm sure there is an old thread somewhere... but starting a new one.

I don't know how I missed this article:
http://www.phillymag.com/articles/jon_and_kate_gosselin/

It's several pages, so go to the link
( talks about John getting fired etc)

I had no clue so much controversy surrounded this family. Those poor children. They sound as bad as Octomom. The laws need to be changed in PA to protect children from this type of exploitation.

Hmmm interesting read! I have only watched this show on occassion. I will admit that Kate seems a little too much of a perfectionist (hell she admits it) and she does berate her husband a little too much for any man to take. IMO of course.

Thankfully, I've never had to walk in their shoes. I cannot judge these parents. At least two sides to every story. The children seem to be thriving and happy.

Thanks for that Nancy. Quite eye opening.

I thought your link was going to reference a different story:

http://blog.beliefnet.com/idolchatter/2009/03/jon-gosselin-of-jon-kate-plus.html

http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/32331857.html

http://blog.beliefnet.com/idolchatter/2009/02/kate-gosselin-of-jon-kate-plus-1.html

I'll admit, true or not, the story is a little disturbing. It reminds of the movie "The Truman Show".

Thanks for bringing that over Nancy, it was an interesting read. I've been reading up on this for awhile and I've watched the show from the beginning. For me, it was really heartwarming to watch the love that was within this family. Their children, all beautiful and healthy thank God, parents that love them to pieces, just trying to get through each day with one foot in front of the other and I just loved watching them, Kate nope, never liked her, but her kids, OMG, they are precious.

For a while now, I felt like I was watching a different show, from trips to Disney, a renewal of marriage vows in Hawaii complete with a body guard (who they just named one of their new German Shepherd after ), a brand new 1.3 million dollar home with acres of farm land. I started to notice that there was no one else around, no friends and most of all no family. The only family Kate bothered with were her brother and his wife, Jodi. Aunt Jodi was a big part of the show, so her absence was noticeable to me.

Quite a few months ago, I stumbled upon a blog that was written by Jodi's sister talking about her version of the real "Jon & Kate", the fact that Kate doesn't cook, they have chefs, Jon doesn't work, hasn't in over a year, they're laundry is done for them and that their children are their support system (in addition to Kate's speaking engagements). I was blown away to find all this out, not to mention the reason for the blog (which by the way has now been taken down), was the fact of why we don't see Aunt Jodi anymore. According to her sister's blog, Aunt Jodi was approached by TLC to add her to the "payroll" and apparently Kate went off and said that no one gets paid for the show except her children, Jon & herself, therefore, severing all ties to her brother & Jodi (they now join the company of Kate's parents who she also doesn't talk to). Also, if anyone watches the show, you will notice that even Kate's closest friend is no longer on the show (I can't remember her name now, but she was the one that would travel with them all the time), for what some say are the same reasons as Aunt Jodi (this friend by the way was the one who supposedly wrote Kate's book, Multiple Blessings with her).

Here's a link to the site that Jodi's sister has her blogs up on, although the original blog is gone now explaining what went on between Jodi & Kate, all of her other blogs are there (archived). If anyone is interested, it's pretty good reading. She posts under the name The Truth Will Set You Free and indeed lets you know that she is Jodi's sister.

http://truthbreedshatred.blogspot.com/

Here is a clip of Aunt Jodi confirming that the blog was true and that The Truth Will Set You Free is in fact her sister.

http://evilbeetgossip.film.com/2008/08/23/jon-and-kate-plus-eight-gets-nasty-aunt-jodi-tells-her-side/

Apparently, all of this went down last Summer. Anyway, I think it's a complete shame that it has all come to this. Although I don't begrudge them the fame/fortune that has come their way, to me it no longer is reality, for me it's how a couple who had 8 children made a fortune off of their story and ultimately their kids. I do know that the cameras are no longer allowed in the children's room, for which I say thank goodness.

Thanks Jack'd. I had actually read that too. My daughter pointed it out to me.
One thing I noticed... poor Maddie. I think she needs therapy. Seems like she is always unhappy.

Also there is the site listed in the article called gosslingswithoutpity

So sad. I wonder if Kate and/or Jon or even TLC will ever address any of this.

Oh my! This thread's gonna get me out of lurkdom, lol. Thank you Jack'd for already explaining why I have trouble with Jon & Kate (I adore the kids, especially the boys who mostly get ignored by their mother).

"Gosselinswithoutpity" is my new guilty pleasure reading, lol. I couldn't believe there were so many who felt the way I did. I've agreed with everything said about Octomom but I don't see why Kate still gets hailed as supermom by the media when she's built her whole life around the same things Octomom gets blasted for.

I don't begrudge them having the good life thanks to their show. But what I do hate are all the lies and intentional deception. They still speak at churches 2-3 times a month pleading poverty and accepting offerings (in addition to their upfront speaking fee and any money from book sales or autographs from that event). I wonder if the church goers putting money in the offering plates know they live in a 1.3 mill mansion complete with FREE appliances and furniture, get FREE clothing and haircuts, FREE catered meals, FREE vacations to Hawaii and on and on. I just think it's disgraceful in this economy for them to take money from folks who don't have nearly as much as they do and in CHURCH!!

But I really hurt for those kids. If you see the recent episodes, Kate has totally checked out and can barely show any interest in her kids. Jon (and a full-time nanny) take care of the kids while Kate's away plugging her books, speaking at churches and womens shows, and being a spokeswoman for all the companies that give them free stuff. She's over being a Mom. She's rich and famous now. But it's hurting the ones who made her rich and famous.