Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Twins and sextuplets keep real-life parents hopping.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 26 parent reviews
Parents say the show has sparked a mixed bag of feelings among viewers, with many criticizing the portrayal of family life and the exploitation of children for entertainment. While some find it educational or entertaining, especially for young women, others argue that the show has shifted from a representation of a typical family to a scripted spectacle that can negatively affect the children's well-being.
- exploitation concerns
- educational value
- negative role models
- family struggles
- mixed viewer opinions
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 30 kid reviews
What's the Story?
Jon and Kate Gosselin and their boisterous brood -- twins Cara and Mady and sextuplets Hannah, Alexis, Leah, Collin, Joel, and Aaden -- have spawned a mini-industry of "multiples" reality shows. The early episodes proved that when it comes to managing a hectic family life, where there's a will, there's always a way. But the 2009 season polarizes the parents' relationship with accusations of infidelity and a fall-out that includes filing for divorce. While the bulk of what you'll see will still revolve around birthday parties and seasonal outings, the series does somewhat exploit the daily ups and downs of life with two energetic sets of multiples. Expect to see plenty of footage of the physical and emotional challenges of balancing the children's individual needs with the struggle for harmony at home.
Is It Any Good?
We can't imagine why kids would want to see this show. But we can see how parents might get some enjoyment out of it, since they can relate to many of the issues Jon and Kate face (if on a slightly smaller scale). But some parents may be turned off by the frequently snide comments that Kate makes about Jon, both in his presence and out of it. ("He takes longer to get ready than I do, and that's really irritating," or "Can you please help me instead of playing with toys?") Her seeming negativity, while understandable in her situation, often becomes the focal point of the show, and young viewers won't fully understand the stresses that lead the adults to talk to and about each other the way they do.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the media portrays families. Is there a "standard" family type in today's TV shows?
We 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.
TV Details
- Premiere date : April 10, 2007
- Cast : Jon Gosselin , Kate Gosselin
- Network : TLC
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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