One thing I must say first. This site rates consumerism as a non-issue. Excuse me, but have you ever watched this program, I mean EVER? It is absolutely impossible to miss the MANY (at least 20) episodes that were essentially commercials – 'The Tale of Despereaux' (it really was a wonderful movie with a rich plot and positive messages for kids), crooked houses and some cottage playhouse to name a few. They have received umpteen free tickets to places like baseball games, shows and an aquarium including special "backstage" activities (and gifts) only they get to experience. We also can’t forget the numerous vacations (the sextuples will probably not even remember) to places like Disney world, ski resorts, beach houses and of course the free $$$$ Hawaii wedding are featured. In addition, they also get tons of free stuff from the plates that they eat off to the matching designer clothes that kids always wear. This is especially glaring, because the show was tagged for drinking. It’s ridiculous to think drinking wine with dinner is an issue, THIS IS NORMAL, demonizing it wrong. There are WAY to many other things to point out as being inappropriate to worry about that. I have watched it from the beginning and LOVE it. I will continue watch, even if I know shouldn’t. However, at the same time, I feel it is completely inappropriate for kids to be watching. I cringe when I hear that parent watch this with say their 8 year old kids. What are you thinking? There is nothing for a child to gain by watching this. What is portrayed as reality is often fiction. Adults SHOULD know this, but kids don’t. Try explaining to your kids why the Jon and Kate had a huge wedding and told their kids over and over (dozens of times) “mommy and daddy will always be together,” then got a divorce less than two years later. Message sent – parents are liars. As much as I love this show, and don’t like to judge, I find it inconceivable that they knew (they defiantly did know) that their marriage was in trouble, but chose to re-do the wedding for the free vacation. In fact, I hate when others judge, especially when they criticize poor 8 year old Maddy – just think about this child reading your comments someday folks, would you want someone do that to your kid? Yes, I know they are not TV, but that is NOT THEIR CHOICE, it’s their parents. Even if you don’t care what your kids watch, if not for to protect them, then to protect the children that appear on it. If it were your children on the show, would you really the parents of kid next door watching last night’s episode where their friend had a tantrum. Or, perhaps letting them watch a rerun where their friend (choose one of the sextuples) was potty training. Who in the hell thinks it’s appropriate to let your kids watch the neighbors child being potty trained? I know there are only a few kids that have contact (attend school) with the twins, but I just think it is morally wrong for the parents of the few who do, to discuss the details of TV kids lives and set them up to be teased. It doesn’t matter that your own kid doesn’t know any of the eight kids on TV, it’s the premise. Again, this is fine for an adult, but not a kid – 16 and up, at least!
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Jon & Kate Plus 8
(Rated TV-G, Reality TV, Starring Jon Gosselin, Kate Gosselin, Where to watch: Discovery Health Channel, DVD)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 11. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Twins & sextuplets keep real-life parents hopping.
updated 06.24.09
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 11–13
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Jon & Kate Plus 8
Parents need to know that because the 2009 season of this reality show brings infidelity and divorce front and center, we increased our recommended age. The accusations and their consequences have spawned a media frenzy, with each parent looking terrible. Otherwise, the show remains focused on how the parents (especially mom Kate) often respond to chaos-imposed stress by bickering and picking at each other. While adult viewers will probably empathize with their tense emotions, young kids may not understand the context of the heated comments and could be upset by them -- especially since infidelity is a subject that kids under 12 won't be able to grasp, and divorce is one that is likely to upset them. Even then, this show is best reserved for teens and up.
Read our full review by Emily Ashby
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about how the media portrays families. Is there a "standard" family type in today's TV shows? We also recommend that parents who do let their kids see this show talk about the issues is raises and inject their wisdom and experience into the scenes the show portrays.
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Our Members Say
See all 119 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
Lives in OhioI rate this title off for age 16 and give itMy concerns are:- Excessive violence
- Excessive consumerism
- Negative role models
- Lives in OhioI rate this title off for age 16 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Excessive consumerism
- Negative role models
Lives in TennesseeI rate this title iffy for age 15 and give itMy concerns are:- Negative role models
Not anymore the wholesome family we came to know and love
This is a tough review for me, because I come from a dysfunctional family where my dad was always sick (he would later pass away when I was 14), my grandparents hated my guts, I was disowned by my dad's family for speaking of politics at the dinner table, so I naturally loved this show because I would think to myself, "So this is what a real family is like." But now finding out this show (not the early episodes but the later ones) are scripted is almost like a slap to the face for someone who just wanted to see what a normal family is like. Now with this whole controversial "divorce" going on, I have no idea what to think of the show anymore. I use to take time out of my day to watch this show, but not anymore. I use to think of Jon and Kate as a roll model for parents, I even bought their book, but now I wouldn't think of even picking that book up to glance at. Enough of my dislikes for the "cast", the show does attempt to show a "normal" family (that is if that family had 8 kids), but now there is no point of even turning it on because TLC had exploited them to the point that it has turned two loving parents against themselves to the point where they are getting a divorce. My big question is, how could two parents exploit there kids like Jon and Kate have? It was disappointing to find out that they were getting paid this whole time. Since they split up Jon was looking for an apartment at Trump Towers. This show shows negative roll models, and the messages it sends across are mixed. 1 out of 5
- Lives in New YorkI rate this title on for age 2 and give it
LOve it
i love this show any one who wants a laugh or is in a bad mood watch this it cheers me up all the time i love this show i hope it never stops airing!!
- Lives in New YorkI rate this title on for age 12 and give it
November Blues
i think this book was wonderful it showed me to tell my mom stuff as soon as it happens and it was so good and touching!!!
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Our Members Rate It
Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents don't feel there are good role models |
| 100% | of parents don't think the messages are positive |
| 67% | of parents say they notice product placement |
| 67% | of parents say it's too violent |
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