But within two years, as the show became TLC's top attraction, the temptations of fame and materialism began seeping in. Companies from Whirlpool to The Gap were placing their products on the show, so much so that Nielsen ranked this series in the top 10 product-placing shows on cable TV. Both parents got their teeth whitened, and Jon got a free hair transplant. Soon they were showing up on "Oprah" and "Good Morning America." The last season of the show (which just ended a few months ago) began to focus less on "real" issues and more on taking the eight kids on special trips that average people never enjoy (like running the bases at a Philadelphia Phillies game).
That season ended with a clear marital conflict. Jon wanted an end to the show, and Kate did not. Jon clearly lost that battle. The highly rated new episode was a vague mess, with Jon and Kate avoiding each other and none of the marital troubles explained or resolved. But there was a new complication: nasty paparazzi stalking the family home.
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.