Even worse, the parents are having no problem airing all their dirty laundry in the pages of People magazine, complete with pictures.

What about the children? How can they grow up unharmed in this kind of a fishbowl? But by the twisted rules of "reality" television, a collapsing marriage and screaming fits are a gold mine.

There are voices of sanity on this. Kevin Kreider, Kate's younger brother, appeared with his wife on CBS and accused TLC of exploiting the Gosselin children and treating them as commodities. They claim already to have seen signs of adverse effects and resentment among the children at the constant cameras zooming in on their every move. Every birthday party or outing for the children is organized by a production company with their eyes on the highest ratings. ?

But these relatives can't imagine Kate allowing a voluntary end to the show, so they advocated the passage of laws to protect children who appear on "reality" shows. This shouldn't require an act of Congress. If the loyal audience for this show really cares for this family, they should be demanding that TLC put an end to the show and the damaging circus it generated. 

Everyone involved disgusts on some level.