Jon & Kate Plus 8
- Network: TLC
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
Twins and sextuplets keep real-life parents hopping.
- Network: TLC
- Genre: Reality TV
What parents need to know
Positive role models
Violence
Sex
Language
Consumerism
Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Parents Need to Know
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 older viewers.
User reviews
Parents say
Kids say
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?
QUALITY
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.
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 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
| Cast: | Jon Gosselin, Kate Gosselin |
| Network: | TLC |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Available on: | DVD |
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QUALITY
Good -> Bad
Honestly, three years ago, I loved this show. It was my reality show that I watched every Monday, and the episodes were epsecially good around the time where each kid got their "special day" out with Jon or Kate. It was even kind of funny to watch Kate pick on Jon and the kids mildly, and to be thankful my parents aren't like that . . And then . . . It got worse. Way worse. The parents were picking on each other and the kids, and then divorce and cheating came into the picture . . . Honestly, I would watch it again for an episode if it ever came on again just to see what's happened to it, but no more then that. It just kind of stinks now.
What other families should know
Too much consumerism
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That's SugarCoated Child Abuse
Jon is an idiot, Kate is a little fame wanting, and the kids are victoms. Like others said, this isnt right for the kids, the parents pretty much chose their lives for them, to be famous, always to be famous. I dont want to give this show credit, I'm sorry, but I care more about the kids than me being intertaned. Fame breaks up families and ends up making the parents think they're above it all. People incourage the bad behavior too. What kind of life is being horded by camera crews? The kids are going to go crazy, the mom's already there. Even if I gave birth to 8 kids and survived, I wouldnt put it on TV. No matter how much it pays, money isnt worth throwing away the kids happiness. Attention loving snobs...
What other families should know
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
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