By MOLLY DAVIS
It’s official… Jon Gosselin has been given the heave-ho from TLC.
The octodad has been dropped from the reality show and the title.
“Kate Plus 8″ begins airing on Nov. 2.
She’s now a one-woman show, which probably suits the controlling mom just fine.
“We’ll be seeing much less of Jon,” a source told PEOPLE. “Given Jon’s recent antics, there was no way the show could continue to portray him as a doting dad while all this other crap was going on.”
“Jon will still be seen on the show from time to time,” the source adds.
One wonders if this will help the suffering ratings.
The fifth season premiere attracted a record 9.8 million viewers for the TLC network, making it the most-watched show of that evening including those on broadcast TV.
But after a six-week hiatus from new episodes, only 4.2 million viewers tuned in to see Jon & Kate on Aug. 3, and only 1.7 million reportedly watched last Monday.
Will people tune in to see just Kate?
Time will tell.
And Kate doesn’t seem to have much faith that the show will go on.
“With ratings falling, this might be the last season of Jon & Kate Plus 8. I’m not sure yet,” Kate Gosselin wrote on her Facebook page (as reported by Us Weekly).
Which is probably why she’s covering her bases and filmed a pilot for a talk show with the Food Network’s cooking queen Paula Deen.
Jon has also been shopping around for a new gig.
He’s reportedly been trying to get a new reality series, “The Divorced Dads Club,” up and running.
With uber-creepy dad Michael Lohan.
Jon has been eating some humble pie as of late, telling In Touch magazine, “I regret my conduct since Kate and I separated.
“I used poor judgment in publicly socializing with other women so soon. I would like to get back with Kate as a partner in parenting.”
Translation: “I need a job. Please let me back on my own show.”
October 1, 2009
GROVELING JON EQUALS PATHETIC
CELEBRITY KILLED THE REALITY STAR
By ASHLEY DOS SANTOS
Oh Jon Gosselin, your Vegas parties and coed girlfriends have finally caught up to you.
On Tuesday, the TLC network announced that they were dropping Jon from “Jon & Kate Plus 8” to focus on Kate’s new life as a single mom in the revamped Kate Plus 8.
TLC President Eileen O’Neill said “Given the recent changes in the family dynamics, it only makes sense for us to refresh and recalibrate the program to keep pace with the family” and that they now intend to focus the show on “Kate’s role in the family and her journey as a single mother building the next chapter in her life.”
Not too long ago, Kate was being vilified as the overbearing control freak who pushed Jon too hard. Fans of the show lauded Jon for taking his life into his own hands and moving on without Kate looking over his shoulder.
Fast forward to the present day. Jon Gosselin has taken on the role as America’s most pathetic father (sorry Michael Lohan) who abused his newfound fame by womanizing, partying and choosing Saint Tropez getaways over quality time with his children.
When the news broke that TLC was dropping Jon Gosselin from the show, I think we all breathed a little sigh of relief. No viewer could believe that Jon is a dedicated father when he’s pictured lounging at a Las Vegas pool full of coeds at the MGM Grand.
Plus, with the show’s dwindling ratings, the announcement came at the perfect time to revitalize viewership before the series is canceled altogether. “Jon & Kate’s” ratings now thrive on the melodrama of the Gosselin divorce and not on the health and happiness of their eight children.
Speaking of melodrama, Jon Gosselin made his own announcement on Tuesday that he wants to slow down his divorce proceedings to reconsider his relationship with his family and atone for his behavior. Before you start thinking this is genuine, please note that on Wednesday he also filed an injunction stating that no camera crews are allowed in the family home effective immediately. Sounds like someone is a little bitter that his 15 minutes of fame is screeching to a halt. And all thanks to the same network that made him famous in the first place.
Jon’s latest attempts to cling to his fame mean that he is even sleazier than we thought. How about taking your kids to the park, dad, instead of sending away the family dog because it isn’t allowed in your new Manhattan bachelor pad?
By using his notoriety to land college girls and attend C-list parties in the Hamptons, Jon has managed to destroy his public image completely, making his very presence on the show not only a liability to TLC but, more importantly, to its advertisers. It’s clear that Jon Gosselin gave TLC no other choice than to drop him.
And where’s Kate in all this? Kate Gosselin appears to be positioning herself for the end of “Jon & Kate Plus 8” as well. Kate co-hosted ABC’s The View for two days and it’s an open secret that she wants to host her own talk show, possibly with celebrity chef Paula Deen. But you have to wonder if this show will have any appeal without the tawdry gossip associated with the Gosselins.
As America watches the Gosselins’ unraveling, I ask just one question. How is all of this affecting the kids? There would be no Jon & Kate without their eight. Being thrust in front of TV cameras at a young age is one thing, but watching your parents’ catfights in the media will add on many more months of therapy to what I’m sure will be a hefty bill once the children come of age.
So Jon, to borrow a line from Prince’s song “Kiss,” act your age and not your shoe size. Your kids are depending on you.
—
Ben Grinspan contributed to this article.—
Ashley Dos Santos serves as a senior account executive at Crosby~Volmer International Communications in Washington D.C. She received her bachelor of arts degree in women & gender studies and romance languages from Dartmouth College.
September 23, 2009
KATE’S ANNOYING PERSONALITY WILL SINK TALK SHOW
By MOLLY DAVIS
It looks like Kate Gosselin is close to sealing a deal to have her own talk show.
Did hell freeze over while I was sleeping?
How on earth did this happen?
I’m not trying to be mean.
Honestly.
But she has to be one of the most grating women on the planet.
And her stint on “The View” last week was a train wreck.
Kate didn’t fit in on “The View,” and was slammed by Whoopi.
I cheered from my couch.
The mother of eight, who shot to fame because of her brood on “Jon & Kate Plus 8,” is slated to host a show with “mom” hosts.
None of her kids has a starring role, so I’m confused.
What will she talk about if she’s not ordering everyone around?
She said she’s “been given the gift of gab, so why not use it?”
I’ve got several reasons.
The main one being that no one cares for your abrasive, opinionated, confrontational manner.
I would rather visit the dentist.
The only “up” I can think of of is that she would have a team of stylists to deal with that hair.
Even though she reverted to the reverse-mullet/dead do so soon after she took several right steps on the tress tracks.
Some possible topics for her show could be:
• How to make your man a Eunich in under five years.
• Nagging for beginners.
• Nagging at an intermediate level.
• Advanced nagging (bordering on belligerent).
That about covers her range of topics.
I’m canceling my cable.
September 17, 2009
KATE EYES HER OWN TALK SHOW
By MOLLY DAVIS
Kate Gosselin’s stop on “The View” may just be a jumping off point for her own talk show.
According to E! News, the mom of eight will be teaming up with Southern cooking diva Paula Deen in a “View”-like chat hour.
Telepictures, who is behind “Ellen DeGeneres’ and Tyra Banks’ daytime shows, will be developing the project.
“They’re looking around and casting for other women to be on the show with them,” one source said. “But they want all the women to be moms.”
Deen, 62, has two grown sons, Jamie and Bobby, and already hosts three shows, “Paula’s Home Cooking,” “Paula’s Party” and “Paula’s Best Dishes,” for the Food Network.
A spokesperson for Telepictures would not confirm or deny a Gosselin-Deen show was in the works. “We don’t comment on any development activity,” the rep said.
Gosselin told Entertainment Weekly earlier this year she has hopes of landing a talk show. “There are no mom-centered talk shows,” she told the magazine. “I think that would be a very comfortable thing for me.”
NEW KATE LOOKS MEAN — EVEN WITH TAYLOR
By MOLLY DAVIS
Two worlds collided on ABC’s “The View” this week.
It was a perfect storm — Taylor Swift and Kate Gosselin — in the same place.
This penultimate PA homecoming included Berks County’s own famous exports.
Kate played guest co-host, while Taylor graciously endured more Kanye questions from the ladies and performed her hits “15″ and “You Belong to Me” from her CD “Fearless.”
Taylor came out looking smashing, as always, in a blue/gold metallic little number and was humble, classy and an absolute delight to watch.
She told the gals she just got her first condo, and will be leaving the nest she shares with her mom.
“It’s kind of big news,” she beamed. “No one knows!”
“Well,” she smiled, “I mean, my mom already knows.”
Kate G. was sporting a brand a new hairdo, which is But she needs a new personality to go with it.
Gone were the stiff, porcupine-esque spikes most fans have come to loathe.
Her usually severe cut was replaced with soft, subtle waves that framed her face.
The color was an improvement as well — her usual harsh, frosted white highlights were transformed into a warm, butterscotch gold glow.
Her outfit was adorable — a fitted print mustard yellow tank top and skinny black pains paired with a pair of hot, black patent leather heels.
She looked amazing!
But alas, she still looked mean.
At least to me.
As my mom always says, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.”
Kate was led to the proverbial style mecca and made all shiny and bright, but she had nothing interesting to add to the already bold hosts, and sat there with a painful looking smile plastered on her face.
Maybe she was nervous, and she’ll get another shot, as she’ll be back in the same capacity on Friday
September 10, 2009
JON STRIKES BACK
By MOLLY DAVIS
Jon & Kate plus hate.
He “despises” her and went straight for her jugular in his new interview.
Brutal.
The reality dad of eight won’t even sit on the sofa with her, and came out swinging during his ABC interview.
He ripped her a new one, and deservedly so – he has been vilified, and unfairly.
Jon told America that he loves Hailey Glassman more than he loved Kate, and went so far as to accuse Kate of swiping his wedding ring.
In the interview, he said, “She separated me from my family. She used to hold the kids over my head and say, ‘Don’t spend time with your mom, spend time with your kids.’ Why can’t I spend time with my mom and kids together?” he said. “Our relationship will never be fixed. I think down the road we might be friends, but at this point in time I don’t think so.”
He went on to say that he went from celebrity to slug overnight.
“It’s just like the change from America’s favorite dad to dirt-bag. Tomorrow I could be maybe… America’s favorite dad again. It could be after this interview. I don’t know. Whatever they want to write, let them write it. They’re going to write it anyway. I’ve learned that lesson,” Jon added.
In a statement to ABC News, Kate responded by saying she believes in drawing a line between public and private. “While I certainly have a very different perception of how our marriage dissolved, for the sake of my children I maintain that I’m not going to go into details of aspects I believe should remain private,” she said.
Translation: Kate is more than happy to talk about her ex’s shortcomings, but not her own.
September 8, 2009
DIVINE INTERVENTION FOR JON?
By MOLLY DAVIS
I had a conversation with a woman at the grocery store about, who else, Jon and Kate Gosselin.
We were standing in line, and there was a tabloid with their pics splashed on the cover, and she made a comment.
Then I made a comment.
You get the picture.
But what stunned me was this statement:
“You know, karma is a b***h. God made him hit his head.”
She was referring to Gosselin injuring himself with a cabinet last week while at his PA home.
That’s just hilarious.
GOD made him hit his head.
I felt relieved this woman was here to tell me that the big guy upstairs is hovering around Wernersville and actually concerned with the Gosselins drama.
And ensuring that Jon gets some stitches to show that the almighty disapproves of the way the father of eight is behaving.
Makes perfect sense.
All I could do was smile and nod – it’s useless to try to get your point across to someone who is clearly unbalanced.
Any opinion I gave would’ve been wrong, because it wasn’t the same opinion as hers.
What I felt like saying was “Lady, you need to find a new church, if that’s what they’re preaching.”
It’s the thought that counts, right?
She went on to say that he’s “immature and ugly and should forget about his life and spend all his time indoors taking care of his kids.”
Jon is just trying to get by like the rest of us.
Except he’s newly single, has eight kids, a perpetually pissed off ex-wife and the paparazzi shadowing his every move — good or bad.
How sad when someone uses God in order to take potshots at others who are struggling.
I don’t think God had anything to do with Jon’s boo-boo.
Maybe Kate hit him over the head with a frying pan.
Now that, I can believe.
August 21, 2009
JON & KATE PLUS POLICE
By MOLLY DAVIS
Jon and Kate have added some hate into the mix.
In a not-so-surprising turn of events, the police were called to the Gosselin’s Wernersville residence on Aug. 13.
Kate called the popo after she “showed up at the house unexpectedly. It’s Jon’s scheduled time to be there with the kids,” a source told TMZ.
Sources close to Jon and Kate told TMZ that Kate was upset because Jon wanted to leave the kids with Stephanie Santoro — the babysitter who was hired by Jon.
It appears that Kate has some, um, trust issues with the 23-year-old nanny, and doesn’t want her playing “mommy” with her kids.
So Kate went to the house to be watch the kids instead of Santoro — and that ignited the heated fight that ended with Kate dialing 911.
No arrests were made, and Kate checked in to a local Days Inn for the night — wearing sunglasses.
At night.
Which is where she should have been anyway, since they have an agreement about who stays at the house and when.
This story could have been more “Jerry Spinger-esque” if there was a Red Roof Inn and bodyguard Steve thrown into the mix.
Dare to dream.
This is just another example of Kate thinking the rules apply to everyone else but her.
If she had been locked up, at least she’d look good, because jailhouse orange is her hue, as she was seen looking hot in a bikini of the same color family this summer.
And I’m still on Team Jon.
Kate Gosselin’s second appearance on morning TV solidified Jon as the frontrunner again this week.
On “Live with Regis & Kelly” last week, Kate and her reverse mullet tried once again to make people see her “side.”
And as Regis quickly found out, when Kate wants your opinion, she’ll give it to you.
“I just have a feeling like, I think the separation is going to come to an end, I think he’s going to come back and he’s gonna say ‘Please, marry me again,’ and I think you’re going to live happily ever after,” Philbin said. “What do you think of that?”
Kate looked at him with the same disdain that is reserved for Jon.
“Wow,” she replied with an uncomfortable laugh/combination sneer. “You’re an optimist.”
My definition of optimism?
That this whole debacle will soon be over.
I predict TLC will soon cancel “Jon and Kate Plus 8″ before the year end.
Why?
Ratings are down.
And the police being called to referee a domestic dispute is an embarrassment to a network that prides itself as a “family channel.”
As I write this, TLC execs are probably brainstorming behind closed doors about the show’s fate.
My crystal ball reads “cancelled.”
August 13, 2009
HEY KATE, STOP WHINING & RAISE YOUR KIDS
By MOLLY DAVIS
Kate minus Jon is making the PR rounds.
The mom of eight opened up to Meredith Vieira on “Today” Monday morning, telling her lopsided side of the story.
“My focus still is the health and well being of my children as well as myself,” said Gosselin in her first public interview since the couple announced the were divorcing.
What really scares me is Kate’s self-righteous streak, which is a mile wide.
I get the feeling that she will keep the show going, just to show America how she’s been “wronged,” or to skewer Jon every chance she gets.
Yes, Kate, we know what a great mother you claim to be despite Jon’s “bad judgment.”
But instead of proving your point, shouldn’t you try to be smart about the situation rather than right?
Wouldn’t that make you the great mom you proclaim to be?
While it was teased as an “emotional interview,” I saw an expressionless Kate trying to convert viewers to her side of the feud.
She lacked emotion, looked bored, and used the time to get in her always-less-than-subtle digs at Jon.
She said that Jon was “no longer the person she knew and married” and that she still wears her wedding ring “for the children.”
I had to rewind the Tivo when she said she was “hesitant to believe the rumors” about Jon’s cheating.
That’s a strange thing to say, and an odd way to say it.
It stands to reason that since she lived under the same roof with your husband, she’d have an inside track to his romantic life.
Turns out Kate was reading the tabloids like every other average Joe for her information.
The only thing I liked about the interview was her hair — it had been tamed a bit in the back – and looked less “cockatooish.”
Small blessings.
Kate also addressed the rumor about her and bodyguard, Steve Nield, saying there was “no affair. There never has been an affair. We are very good friends with him, his wife and his family.”
She said when she’s not around her children, she’s “in hiding from the paparazzi.”
If she really wanted to settle this privately why is she out of town doing PR?
She’s trying to drum up sympathy and is overexposed as it is.
Go back to Wernersville and work on your family.
