Small Town Gosselins

Incredible Lack of Response From PA Dept of Labor & Industry

2010-05-21T15:22:00.006-04:00

I called Rep Thomas Murt's office this afternoon to follow up on our phone call of the week of the child labor hearings, hoping to hear that his office had heard from the PA Department of Labor & Industry regarding the issue of ensuring the Gosselins children are working only with adults who have been cleared for child abuse and criminal backgrounds.

The forms for doing these checks are easy to obtain and submit and their results are completely confidential. The individual being checked fills them out and sends them in, and after they have been filled out with information indicating that the individual either has or has not been convicted of child abuse or a felony in PA they are sent back to that individual who then gives them to their prospective employer, volunteer coordinator, or whoever they will potentially be working under. Having the info sent back to the person applying for the job or volunteer position rather than directly to the prospective employer makes this a confidential process because if someone's papers come back showing that they've been convicted of something, they can always call the prospective employer and say something like, "Gee whiz, I'm withdrawing my application because I got another job..."

These two sets of paperwork must be completed, returned and handed in prior to any direct contact with children, and any responsible Pennylvania employer knows it. You cannot work as a teacher, in a day care center, or at any agency serving children without them. I have been filling them out for years because I am on the board of directors of an agency that services children here in Berks County, and I don't even work directly with the kids the agency serves.

In the third week of April Representative Murt personally told me he'd been trying to get a response on this from Dept of L&I Secretary Sandi Vito for the previous week with no luck. He kept asking, and the Dept of L&I just kept not responding. It is now six weeks later and Rep Murt's office just told me they are still waiting for a response.

For the past several years the Gosselin children have been followed around by and sometimes been alone in bathrooms, bedrooms and the woods with cameramen and other adults such as caterers, bodyguards, drivers, and have spent prolonged periods of time alone with nannies, babysitters, etc. There is no evidence that any of these adults went through the legally-required background checks, although that evidence has been repeatedly requested by a Pennsylvania State representative. There is also, based on this clearly profound lack of responsibility taken in regards to the safety of these children, no reason to believe that clearances have been secured for any of the adults working with the Gosselin children now that filming has resumed.

Ms. Vito, please respond to the multiple requests for information you have received from representative Murt's office, and prove me wrong.

Poor Pitiful Jon

2010-05-21T08:31:00.005-04:00

This is one of those little things I knew about from the beginning but didn't bother to write because it's just more minutae, but since a few people have asked here it is. It provides a good example of Jon intentionally manipulating the media.

There was lots of speculation about whether Jon would be able to see the six on their birthday. He even was videotaped sounding speculative in the Wyomissing Toys 'R' Us parking lot exclaiming "I want to see them on their birthday, but I don't know. I'm hoping that Kate lets me see them on their birthday."

Jon, get real. You knew you were going to see the kids on their sixth birthday because you and Kate agreed beforehand that you would see them. I heard about the ridiculous video when it came out and then later Kate's team made it public to counteract your moping. So why are you acting all sad and forlorn, as though the poor little kiddies might never get to see the loving gifts you bought them? Is making your relationship with Kate sound worse than it currently really is, or making it sound like mean old Kate might not let you see your sextuplets on their six birthday, really going to help anyone, especially the children? And now it's online, for them to see forever.

Silent Five-Minute Rally, All Time Zones Invited

2010-05-19T09:15:00.008-04:00

Persistent and well-traveled (on the Internet) and infuriating to some but adored by others commenter Irene has suggested that we each take five minutes to think about what it would be like to be the Gosselin children. I like the idea: Five minutes of walking around our homes while picturing cameras and mikes everywhere. The virtual rally takes place at 7PM tonight, Wednesday May 19, 2010, in your time zone, wherever you are. This can be a great opportunity for family dicussion so get your family to join you if you can. Then come back here and share what it was like for you.

If you are unable to join us at home, take a minute now to picture this life. Imagine cameras in your house, including in your bedroom and bathroom. Some of the cameras and mics are hand-held by cameramen and others are permanently installed. This means cameras can be controlled remotely from a vehicle that is parked in the driveway, and you never know when they will be on or off. Imagine being small, uneducated and unsure of yourself, and having one or more much bigger persons hovering over you while holding cameras, and them not responding if you talk to them because of the invisible wall they're not supposed to break while they're working.

What would that be like for you?

Laws on Children in Entertainment in Our 50 States

2010-05-14T15:00:00.007-04:00

Eagle-eyed reader Irene contributed this link which contrasts laws regarding children in entertainment in all fifty United States. It doesn't provide specifics but shows a good overview allowing us to contrast and compare.

PA is doing better than some states but there's a major flaw in our laws: They only pertain to children age 7 and up. Therefore, it's free-for-all for kids younger than that.

It's obvious that a lot of work has been done to institute good laws protecting children in entertainment in California. On the other hand, Rhode Island, you totally copped out on this one.

Tiny little bone tossed to the Gosselin children: You've lost most of your childhoods and you'll never get them back, but at least you don't live in Mississippi, New Hampshire or Utah.

Thanks Irene!

Protesting on Behalf of the Gosselin Children

2010-05-12T11:28:00.015-04:00

UPDATE: For more info on boycotting Kate Plus 8 go to facebook account. "4-8 Please boycott Kate plus 8 on TLC" It can be found under groups.

* * * * * *below is today's original post * * * * * *

As some of you already know there might be a peaceful protest of TLC filming the Gosselin children in front of the Gosselin property in Wernersville on Saturday, May 28 at 12 PM.

This wouldn't be the first protest against the Gosselin children being exploited in entertainment, and so far the attempts at protests haven't made much of a dent. A year ago in May 2009 Kate Gosselin’s sister-in-law Julie exposed the unreality of ‘Jon & Kate Plus 8 and urged viewers not to watch. In August 2009 a man protested the show by standing outside the Gosselin home with a sign that read, "It's not Jon, It's not Kate, the only losers are the 8."

I'm torn on this one. Like many of you, I am dismayed at the prospect of further filming of the eight, and I was horrified to read that they will be away from home this summer, filming one of their mother's two new shows. I am all in favor of social activism, which has a long history of being an assertive, not aggressive or illegal, way to inform and protest, but I feel so badly for the children, especially Colin at this time, that I can't condone anything that might create more havoc at the house. Therefore, while I support the rights and motivations of anyone who decides to protest in front of the house, I will not be joining them.

I'd like to promote protesting in a way that could not potentially further damage the children. Betty White just hosted Saturday Night Live after a very effective petition was started on Facebook. A facebook petition is something I'd be happy to sign and promote here. I'd also be supportive of a protest at the TLC offices. But not in front of the house where the kids could either see it live or see pictures of it later on. I just think they've been through way too much already.

Meanwhile I'll keep protesting in my own quiet way, by not watching any shows with the Gosselin children in them and by continuing to provide education right here at my Small Town Gosselins blog.

Gloria Allred on PA Child labor Laws

2010-05-09T13:28:00.007-04:00

Following is an excerpt of Gloria Allred's testimony at the April 14, 2010 hearing on child labor laws hosted by Pennsylvania Rep. Murt. Although the hearings were not about the Gosselins in particular, they would no doubt have not taken place if the Gosselin children being filmed here had not brought attention to the topic. Therefore, the Gosselins various shows being filmed in PA has provided us with a valuable opportunity to examine and improve our laws regarding children being filmed in entertainment here.

As I read through this first portion of Gloria's testimony I thought of some examples where, throughout this entire "reality" TV experience, the Gosselin's children's needs have not been treated as a priority. Rather than state my observations now, I invite my readers to consider the Gosselin children as they read the statement below, and then comment on how you observe this relating to the Gosselins. Then I'll post another entry listing some of your observations and including my own.

* * * * * *

Good Morning. I’m attorney Gloria Allred, partner in the law firm of Allred, Laughlin, Goldberg in Los Angeles where I’ve been practicing law for almost 35 years. But most of all, I’m proud to be born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, graduate of Philadelphia High School for girls, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania where I was given the honor of being a commencement speaker at the College of Arts and Sciences graduation on Franklin Field just a few years ago. And, also, I was a credentialed teacher at Benjamin Franklin School here in Philadelphia and some other schools as well in Philadelphia before I moved to California some years ago. So, thank you very much for holding this important hearing. Most of all, thank you to Representative Murt and to the other representatives who spent time here today listening very carefully. I’ve testified at numerous hearings on numerous subjects for many years and I have to say I’ve never seen elected officials so attentive and very thoughtful about the testimony that was being presented to them and really obviously looking for ways to resolve the important issues facing the children in Pennsylvania. So I thank you for that.

These children on reality shows don’t have a voice, they don’t make contributions to political campaigns, they don’t run for elective office and s they have no political clout. So ordinarily they got nothing but lip service , if that, from elected officials. But, obviously you are elected officials who want action and who want deeds not just words, and for that I’m very appreciative. What I’d like to talk about today is to give a short overview of what federal law does or does not do in this area, and also to, perhaps, give some analysis of Representative Murt’s proposals that I know he has not distributed, but we’ve had a chance to look at some of them and analyze them, and I’d like to emphasize what I think is positive about them and what perhaps could be a little bit clarified or improved. And then finally, I’d like to make some comments about the investigative process, and not specifically what’s going on with Jon and Kate, but the investigative process in terms of the law. I’ll give you an example, from California, in reference to an investigation that took place on the Nadya Suleman and her eight, well actually fourteen children that she has and whether that process worked or not in reference to what would work here in Pennsylvania.* And I do want to commend Jodi and Kevin Kreider who just gave incredible testimony , just perfect, and Paul Petersen who is in the interest of full disclosure of my client, but who is absolutely the leader above all else on this issue in this nation and for that matter around the world.

To begin, federally, and this background is also provided by and has been provided to me by the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, I am a member of AFTRA and I’m also a member of SAG. In reference to what the issue is federally, the most pleasing federal law that regulates the employment conditions and prevents the abuse of child workers issues is the Fair Labor Standards Act, FLSA, child labor provisions under FLSA are designed to protect the educational opportunities abuse and prohibit their employment and jobs that are detrimental to their health and safety. The FLSA restricts the hours that youth under 16 years of age are allowed to work and with hazardous occupations too dangerous for young workers to perform. And here’s what’s most important: Children employed as actors or performers in motion pictures, theatrical productions, or on radio or television programs are specifically exempt from Fair Labor Standards Act coverage and the standards and protections provided under FLSA. So let’s talk now about how does the lack of coverage under the FLSA impact children. Without national coverage, children have no consistent protection. Though some states regulate the employment of minors in the entertainment industry, other states have no provisions regulating child labor in this industry whatsoever. Among the states that normally regulate the performances of children in the media industry, few have comprehensive protections for the education health , safety and financial security of children.

For years, children have necessarily been a part of the entertainment industry. It would be impossible to produce the Harry Potter films or television programs like Hanna Montana or the Suite Life of Zach and Cody without employing children as actors. And the proliferation of the so called reality programming has exacerbated the problem by utilizing children on television without any compensation or any other protection either as contestants or subjects of documentary style shows. Without the protections afforded under the FLSA, the welfare of children is put at risk. The recent hoax of the so-called balloon boy, reports that the Octomom was developing a reality TV show and the proliferation of shows like Kid Nation, Jon and Kate Plus 8, or just Kate Plus 8 illustrates that children are increasingly exploited in the media and often without fundamental protection. Federal child labor standards in the entertainment industry would ensure that the well-being of children is not bothered for the proverbial fifteen minutes of fame. As film and television production becomes decentralized, more children than ever are left without protection. States with major entertainment industry production centers like California and New York do have well developed laws and regulations as Paul Petersen had said, governing the performance of minors in the industry. But production is increasingly decentralized particularly if more states like Pennsylvania pass production incentive legislation, that’s tax incentive legislation, designed to lure film and television production to their state. Though union contracts in the industry contain provisions designed to provide the unique protections that children require, many programs are not produced under a union contract. Additionally, the performances of some children like contestants and participants in reality television may not be covered by a union contract because the children are not technically “employed”.

So what protections are needed? First of all in the area of wages. There is currently no minimum wage for children who appear on air. Children who appear in competition or documentary-styled reality programs may not receive any compensation at all. This is nationally.

Financial protections. There are only four states that have a Coogan law requiring establishment of a trust account to preserve and safeguard a portion of their earnings for adulthood.

Health, safety, and working conditions. Children need health and safety protection that is specific to their physical, mental, emotional and developmental needs.

Education. States like California require that teachers be provided for children while they are working on production. California also requires the presence of a parent or a guardian while a child performer works. Other states may have no provisions at all for onset education.

Hours of work. Children need additional rest when working, particularly if they are traveling or working at night. Associate regulation of hourly support is necessary.

Moral oversights. Children should not be placed in a moral situation that is inappropriate, be exposed to distressing scenes, be forced to become distressed in order to prompt a particular reaction or employed in any situation involving nudity, which goes to your concerns, Representative.

Representative Murt, I know, has drafted some proposed improvements or changes in Pennsylvania Child Labor Law and without going through all of them because I think that’s in the province of Representative Murt to present, I would like to comment that I think it’s very positive that he wants to define work in reality shows. His proposals for legislation will require that children who appear on reality television are working as performers and should be subject to the state’s (??) process for child performers.

Minimum wage recommendation by Representative Murt: The legislation which he proposes will recognize that children in reality television should be paid for their performances, or their participation, and that the work load and restrictions in place for children working in other types of television programming such as scripted entertainment programming should be in place for kids in reality television. I see that as a positive as well.

Moral oversight. Representative Murt’s proposed legislation has some provisions related to moral oversight. Meaning prohibitions on photographing children while changing clothes, or bathing, performances where alcohol is present. Additional protections would be helpful. I’ll make a few specific suggestions there.

Health and safety. Representative Murt is concerned with that. His legislation contains provisions related to health and safety, which are good. States should study to see whether (?) protection are necessary.

Now here are some areas that I believe could perhaps benefit from some clarification, Representative Murt, for improvement.

Age of children. The permitting process in Pennsylvania is such that appears that children under the age of seven are not permitted to work. If this is the case, the same restriction should exist for children in reality shows. It would eliminate ambiguity if the legislation were to contain a clearly-worded prohibition against the employment of children under the age of seven in reality shows.

Hours of work. They provide, in Representative Murt’s legislation, that children shall not work before five a.m. or after 11:30 p.m. It strikes me that that’s rather early and extremely late particularly for children as young as seven years of age. Similarly, permitting up to forty four hours of work per week as a proposed legislation and draft suggests, seems to be quite a lot, and I would lessen that.

Financial protection. Only four states, as I have mentioned, have a Coogan Law requiring establishment of a trust account to preserve and safeguard a portion of the children’s earnings for adulthood. Pennsylvania is not one of those states.

Education. States like California require that teachers be provided while they are working on production. By the way, the purpose of the teacher is merely to safeguard the workplace so the children are not endangered. California also requires the presence of a parent or guardian while a child performer works. It’s good that Representative Murt is asking the department to ensure that adequate educational instruction is provided. But the standards they have to meet needs to be defined in my opinion.

Moral oversight in Representative Murt’s proposed legislation. Children should not be placed in a moral situation that is inappropriate, be exposed to distressing scenes, be forced to become distressed in order to prompt a particular reaction. There’s a real risk that these sorts of things can be problems during the production of television reality shows.
[End of the excerpt of Allred's testimony]

*Due to the length of this post that example will be provided in a future blog entry.

Dear Anonymous

2010-05-06T06:31:00.012-04:00

Dear anonymous, although I am not obligated to answer your "questions" I will provide some clarification. This may also provide background for newcomers who have noticed the baffling phenomenon of some commenters repeatedly coming here despite their obvious dislike of my blog. I am making this an entry of it's own so when this discussion has run its course we can move on with our own respective blogs, interests, views and lives.

I started this blog because I happened to post about living in the same town as the Gosselins on my other blog, and discovered people were interested in hearing more about it. I decided to call myself Werny Gal not to hide behind the name but because it was a good summation of what I was doing here. I signed my real name in comments and friends called me by my real name in comments. Eventually I learned there are fervant Kate fans who harass anyone they perceive as hating Kate. By the time I discovered this and removed old comments with my name in them, I had already been the target of harassment for some time without even knowing it. I usually stick to my own blog and mind my own business, but I am aware that there is ongoing discussion on a few Kate fanatiK blogs on topics such as how much I hate Kate, how I am abusing her children, and how I must be exposed because I am a hypocrite and therefore unqualified to work as a professional counselor. These discussions are infused with exagerations and outright lies about me, as they often are about other bloggers the Kate fanatiKs dislike or disaprove of and have similarly targetted. Along with the other bloggers whom the Kate fanatiKs dislike, I have been given an acronym, I have received threats such as "this time you've gone too far," I have been sent multiple nasty comments by the same few people using different names in attempts to make the fanatiKs look like a large contingency, personal information about me has been posted online, and I am the target of a flog. This negative energy is being expended by people who are anonymous and who would have much bigger and important battles to fight elsewhere if they didn't spend hours looking online for other bloggers to pick on, and by association they unfortunately reinforce the more negative aspects of Kate's reputation.

Since I started this blog I've become much more educated about the exploitation of children in the media. I've worked with many adults who were abused or exploited as children and also been involved in child advocacy for many years, but I never realized how the exploitation of children in entertainment was connected to child abuse. As a result in the past year I've gradually changed the focus of this blog. It started out as a silly lark but over time I've realized there are many caring people who are interested in learning about how the field of entertainment exploits children, and maybe even doing something about it. This entire experience has deepened my understanding of various levels of child abuse and my resolve to be part of the solution, as well as my appreciation for the many caring adults who want to help children.

In the beginning of my blogging here I made two short videos of interviews of fans standing in front of the Gosselin house, from my car window. (I've actually always found the phenomenon of the fans and paparazzi much more interesting than the Gosselins. I just never got what the big deal was.) I wanted to know what motivated some of them to drive hundreds of miles to stand there, and my readers enjoyed the videos. Less than a handful of other times I've taken a total of less than a dozen pictures out of my car window, usually of the papparazzi and most not published. One time when there was no danger to traffic I parked on the side of the road and spoke to a photographer at the fence for approximately two minutes and took four or five pictures of the same thing he was taking pictures of while Jon and the kids were posing. I do not regularly pass the Gosselin house and when I do pass it it's because my travels take me past it. I have never hung out at the Gosselin house. I have never hidden anything I've done and my family and friends know about this blog. I do regret taking pictures of the kids and after I did it I decided not do it again because it was unnecessary and yes, hypocritical. Despite that decision, what I did that one time may be distasteful to you or against your personal ethics, but it was not illegal. I respect the law, have testified for various judiciary committees on behalf of laws regarding children, am a loving mother and wife, and am a good citizen of my community.

I've always heard things about the Gosselins, most of which I've never told here because I felt it was too frivilous and sometimes too damaging or painful. I knew about several instances of Jon's bad behavior and heard the rumors about Kate and Steve way before they were in the media, and in one instance I tried through mutual connections to contact Jon to let him know that information about one of his indiscretions was going to come out in the media the next day so that he would have an opportunity to stop it, out of concern for what all the media craziness might be doing to the children. I never discussed any of these events until they were out in the mainstream media, and when I have discussed them it has always been out of concern for the children. When you read my snarkier entries, don't mistake my sense of humor for not caring. I have always fact-checked, the same way I do any time I hear a rumor about anyone, because I know how harmful gossip can be. If I've written anything here as being factual it is because I honestly believed it was, if not I've clearly stated so, and if it's my opnion I've stated that. When J&K+9 moved here there was lots of talk about them. Now there isn't so much talk anymore, and most folks wish they would just move away. However, people do still tell me things because of this blog. Most of it I don't bother to print here.

I have never sold advertising on my blog or in any other way made any money from anything related to the Gosselins. Al Walentis offered that I could read the first draft of his upcoming book and after reading it I offered him feedback on it as well as suggestions on some corrections I thought it needed which he could take or leave, but I am not in any way vested in Al's book. I excerpted three relatively benign passages on this blog because I thought they would be interesting to my readers, not to plug or promote the book. I plan to review it when it is released, and like most books I'll probably like some things about it and not like some others. I have a couple of friends whose books have been on the New York Times bestseller list and my friends can always count on me to be kind but honest.

I don't hate Kate or any of the Gosselins and I believe they both love their kids. I don't agree with some of Jon and Kate's parenting decisions, and I believe this entire experience has been damaging to them and the children, as well as other family members. IMO they made a mistake allowing TLC into their lives after the first special, and because they are still caught up in it they probably won't realize the repucussions of that professional alliance on their family for several years. We probably all agree that even without having become public figures their job as parents would've been very challenging, given their young ages at the time and the number of children they had. I don't know how anyone, especially the children, could go through what they have been through in the past year and a half and not be affected in long-term negative ways. It would have been traumatic even for adults with more maturity and more sophisticated coping skills than they have. It is surely overwhelming for the little ones.

My opinions and beliefs are my opinions and beliefs and in the long run they don't mean a hill of beans. That's why I'm Werny Gal instead of Anderson Cooper (hubba hubba.) I hope you enjoy this blog and find it educational and interesting. There's a word for people who continually subject themselves to suffering and that word is masochist. There are sites that do nothing but praise Kate, there are sites that IMO are unnecessarily nasty toward the Gosselins, and there are sites like mine that fit somewhere in the middle. In a country that allows freedom of expression and prohibits cyber harassment and cyberstalking, I suggest you find and stay at sites that most fit your needs and that you most enjoy.

Wishing you peace,
Werny Gal

My Money's On the End of Summer

2010-05-03T08:56:00.000-04:00

According to my sharp-eyed blog commenter GeorgiaMom, one of the tabloids reported that Kate has had her assistant checking out schools in LA and for guest spots on sitcoms for the kids.

It's been looking like Kate has a hankering to move to L.A. ever since her DWTS experience. When (not if) that happens, Wernersville will breathe a sigh of relief and go back to being the quiet small town we locals have always known and loved. I think Kate would be a lot happier living in the Hollywood area and she'd have a much better chance of finding the kind of man she'd like to spend the rest of her life with. It saddens me that the Gosselin children might continue in entertainment because they've grown up with cameras and never had a chance to experience their childhoods with the privacy that most of us take for granted and without self-consciousness. The good news is if they move to California and continue to perform they will live in a state where their rights are better protected than they were here, thanks to better laws and child advocacy organizations such a A Minor Consideration. And in the long run the whole situation will have done some good here because we now will have improved child lablor laws and the authorities will be more likely to confirm they have been abided by. When this happens I will stop writing my blog because my perspective has been from living in the same small town as them. It's been fun but ending it would give me more time for other things. My bet is they'll be gone from Wernersville by the end of the summer, and Jon will follow them out there to be near the children.

Thansk GM, and if you send me the link to that report I'll add it here.

The Real Jon Gosselin Fake Fan Site

2010-04-29T22:51:00.000-04:00

I've mentioned a friend who worked as a reporter for one of the tabloids last year. He is one of the sources I get my information from, and as you know if you are a regular reader, I try to be as accurate as I can. He is a respected journalist who worked on our local newspaper for thirty years, and the book he's working on is based on notes he took during his tabloid work.

You may recall that that my journalist friend told me about a tabloid photographer creating a fake fan site in order to ingratiate himself with Jon (it worked.) The fake fan site was thought to be lost, but today my friend found it and sent me a link to it. For your viewing pleasure, here it is. Personally I find it pretty darned hilarious. Hope you enjoy it.

It's A Living

2010-04-28T21:13:00.000-04:00

You may have read that there was a skirmish between the paps at the Gosselin house Sunday. It started over a parking space. Other than on the side of the road, which is usually not allowed, parking can be found in one of two areas. One area is about a half mile away on a connecting country road, where there is a little turnaround area with a small triangle of grass in the middle. That is the preferred area, because the other one's at Blue Marsh over a mile away around several bends down the winding country road in the other direction. One photographer has been spending more time that the others at Casa Gosselin, and he's been using the preferred space for quite some time. So much time that he's begun to feel entitled to it. So he got testy when he went to park the other day and found that some other paps had taken the parking space he now feels entitled to, and some nasty words were exchanged. According to my source the annoyed photographer is a little hotheaded so the verbal exchange wasn't that big of a surprise.

Some of my readers have asked about the paparazzi - what it's like for them, how much they make, what their relationship to J&K has been. Today I broke bread with my friend who worked for a tabloid last year and asked him some questions about all that, and here's what I learned. (NOTE: Paparazzi are usually either photographers or reporters, but are usually not both. This is because they are either professional photographers, or they are professional journalists. Whenever possible, below, I differentiate which one they are. If I use the word "paps, " then either I don't know which one it was, or it doesn't matter for the purposes of that sentence. People usually picture just photographers below the house at the fence, but there are sometimes reporters there as well. You can usually tell which is which because the photographers have very good expensive equipment while reporters have either crappy or no cameras, or sometimes they have binoculars. They all have the newest hand-held devices which allow them the virtually get images and stories to their respective employers or buyers.)

Kate has, except for one occasion, refused to even acknowledge the paps, either at her home or when she's out doing her errands. On the other hand, Jon's contact and relationships with various reporters and photographers have developed steadily since when he was still on the show with Kate. At first he just came down to the fence and signed pictures for fans, but he gradually began answering questions and engaging in actual conversations. After Jon began responding to the paps, one of the photographers went online and made a fake Jon fan site and told Jon about it to get in good with him. (That fan site was online briefly and then faded into oblivion, and my source believes Jon never knew it was fake.) Then Jon gradually started inviting paps out for drinks. A mutual understanding was established: Jon would provide photo opportunities and sound bites for the paps, and in exchange the paps would leave him alone when he went out to the bars at night so he wouldn't be photographed drunk or behaving badly. For example, he'd tell them when and where he was going to get his car washed so they could be there if they wanted pictures, and then later he could go out and party without worrying about photo evidence which might tarnish his TLC-appropriate image.

Occasionally Jon would befriend one of the paps and they'd go out to eat or party together, and then he'd switch favorties and move on to another. Boundaries became blurred as the same group of people were around each other for hours at a time at the property or wherever the action was, some of them photographers, some of them reporters, some of them bodyguards and some of them Jon. Money started changing hands when guards could be seen being handed cash for tipping off the paps about where Jon or Kate were going or even about things happening in the house. Jon also started cashing in on all the money being made outside of his TLC work, especially after the show ended and he no longer had that income. He started leaking things to the paps, and then he hired one of the tabloid photographers to be his bodyguard. Then this photographer who was also Jon's bodyguard was able to take pictures of Jon no one else could get, and he and Jon split the money they got for the pictures.

After the Deanna Hummel pictures were released TLC barred Jon from talking to anyone for 45 days. In the beginning of the 45 day press ban, Jon signed autographs at the front fence but would say "No comment," or apologetically state that he was not allowed to talk with anyone anymore. Then after a while the TLC ban was gradually forgotten and he started talking again. Ever since the tabloid shit hit the fan last year Jon has leaked a lot of stories and sometimes tried to manipulate the press by planting things. My friend told me that Jon probably leaked the ridiculous recent story about his having a rich older girlfriend from Washington D.C., which hasn't panned out to be true.

Kate has never walked down to the gate to talk to fans or photographers. She has, one time that I know of, walked down to the gate to put out the trash. This appeared very staged due to the casual yet trendy matchy-matchy outfit and nice makeup and hair, and the fact that she could see there were lots of paps out front at the time so obviously they were going to take her picture and ask her questions. She usually has the house help or nannies take the trash down. When she has the gate opened to drive in or out, she does not make eye contact or acknowledge the paps or fans, just like she does not acknowledge them at Target, Starbucks or anywhere else.

TLC currently pays Jon $5,000 a month with the provision that he is not allowed to do any other work. TLC has a one-way option of continuing this contract once it runs out. (In other words, it's their decision whether or not to continue with it, and Jon has to go along with that decision.) As most of you probably know, Jon seems to be getting along better with Kate and TLC within the past couple of days, and it now looks like he's flip-flopped and is supporting the kids doing more television, so he may be getting lined up to be in Kate's new shows or to somehow otherwise increase his income from TLC.

How much can the photographers make if they get a good image? The picture of Deanna Hummel in the car with Jon that started the whole sordid shitstorm went for $18,000 to US Magazine. The photographer who got that shot was offered $24,000 by the National Enquirer but he decided to take less so he could have a glossy magazine cover in his portfolio rather than the legendarily tacky Enquirer. The highest price ever for a Gosselin image went to the photographer who went into the trees to the side of the house where he wasn't supposed to be and took the picture of Kate swatting one of the girl's behinds. That image fetched $72,000. On the other end of the spectrum, the Stephanie Santoro picture, when she was caught on film doing the early morning walk of shame out of Jon's garage apartment, only went for $10,000, as the price for images went progressively down with each of Jon's indescretions and she was numero quartro.

Kate has never had a relationship with the reporters or the photographers, but she doesn't have to because she has TLC packaging and promoting her. My friend has spoken to her and tried to engage her in conversations several times, and the only time my friend knows of that she actually responded to a reporter or photographer was on Monday 4/26/10, at the Giant where she grocery shops. That interview can be seen here.

Has Kate manipulated the press? It's possible she has, but if so, not nearly so much as Jon. The press can manipulate too. For example, People Magazine likes to make itself sound credible by saying they don't pay for interviews. Sure they don't, but what they don't tell you is that if you're in the magazine, especially on the cover, they will pay you for the photos. Therefore Jon and Kate have probably made the standard People magazine "photo" fee of $30,000 each time they've been on the cover.

Gosselins To Take Parenting Class

2010-04-27T16:06:00.000-04:00

Jon and Kate have to both take parenting classes which are mandatory for parents involved in custody disputes in Berks County, PA. The three hour class is called "Children In The Middle." Fortunately, Jon and Kate are allowed to take the class separately. Now wouldn't it be nice if they had to take a class called "Children In Reality TV?"

Smile Smile Smile

2010-04-26T22:14:00.000-04:00

Remember the hoopla when one of the parents was caught on film slapping the behind of one of the little ones? Is spanking illegal? No. Is it attractive? No, and although it is not how most of us treat our children, in this case it probably doesn't legally qualify as abuse. Is it in line with the pristine picture painted on TV? Absolutely not, and imagine being the little ones and having to smile smile smile for the cameras:
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Kate spanked the kids all the time for little things. When they didn’t listen to her the first time, she snapped out and tanned their behinds. Jon would tell her to stop, but that would lead to them fighting in front of the kids, and Jon didn’t want that so he let her go. The source said Kate would get angry when the kids wouldn’t pick up their toys, and she never gave them a second chance. She once kicked a Lego building the boys made into a thousand pieces because they didn’t put it away the first time she ordered them. Then Kate made the tots clean up the mess she made, all the time yelling at them to put their damned toys away.

The kids were afraid of mommy. All she had to do was look at them with that expression, and they grew petrified because they knew what she’d do to them -- completely different from the loving parent you saw on TLC. Kate always screamed at them and that’s one of the reasons Jon said they split up. Jon painted himself as the fun parent and Kate as the meanie. Jon let the kids make a mess while Kate demanded everything stay neat and tidy. She would get mad at them just for taking out their toys to play.

All this was very self-serving, of course, and we wondered just how calculated this report was. But then one of Kate’s former neighbors from Wyomissing said Kate always did holler at the kids, even when they were infants. She would run the house like a military base, expecting the kids to jump whenever she barked orders. “I saw Kate spank the kids many times,” the neighbor said. “She believed in old-school discipline. If she said something and they didn’t listen, they’d get spanked. It got to the point that the kids would cower when she yelled at them because they didn’t know if they were going to get hit or not.”
* * * * * * * * * * *
(end of excerpt)
The reason I am printing this piece is to demonstrate the failings of reality TV when the parents have less than excellent parenting skills. I will use the Roloffs as a contrasting example. They aren't a perfect family, but they clearly love each other, and the kids know they always have a soft place to fall - on their parents. They also have areas of privacy in their home, and the kids are old enough to understand what's happening with the filming. Most of all, viewers get the feeling that if the family started to disintegrate in front of the cameras, the cameras would be removed by the family's adults.

A large part of parenting is understanding developmental stages and appreciating the child's experience and capabilities based on their ages and levels of growth. Yelling at infants and expecting toddlers to do everything perfectly the very first time displays a basic lack of understanding of children, and becoming frustrated to this degree shows a lack of maturity on the part of the parent. (This is not the parent's fault. Something was missing in their own parenting and they are doing the best they know how, given the limited skills they were given. This does not excuse it. It just explains it.)*

Anyone can be on a reality TV show, and with today's economy, lots of people want to be. Wouldn't it be great if families had to undergo counseling or have some sort of psychological screening in order to qualify to participate, as well as guidance throughout the entire process?

This is the third and last excerpt of my source's book-in-progress that I am going to print here. I hope you found my choices interesting and enlightening, and I look forward to your comments.

*Many of us were brought up with less than adequate parenting, only to become loving, non-abusive parents ourselves. Sometimes this happens naturally, and other times parents need help to become better parents. We have to admit we need to change in order for change to begin. Even the worst parents can become great parents with the help of a good therapist, as long as deep down inside they truly love their children. I believe these parents love their children.

Happy Thanksgiving?

2010-04-25T21:29:00.000-04:00

Here is the second installment on some of the material my friend, who worked for a tabloid for a few months last year, shared with me. As I said before, I am choosing to share some of the tamer material, out of respect for the kids. This entry covers events that took place during Thanksgiving 2009. I think it shows an interesting picture of daily life at Casa Gosselin, after the breakup and while Jon was living in the garage apartment. It also shows the mythical supermom Kate vs. the real Kate.
* * * * * * * * *

The day before the holiday a woman drove a black Volvo SUV through the gate and onto the Gosselin property. She made five trips, alone and in the rain, carrying a total of 16 white plastic bags of Giant groceries into the house.

A nanny source said,"wants to look like a supermom who does it all – taking care of eight kids and the house and having a career but the fact is that she barely does anything. She’s got so many people working for her and doing everything but nobody reports that. She’s had a woman here for two days working on preparing food for her and two people watching the kids and someone else cleaning the house. Kate spent most of the day locked in her office talking on the phone."

The only activity at Heffner RoadThanksgiving day was a visit by three Mennonite women who stopped by to leave a gift for Kate. One woman, from Kentucky, was visiting family in Lancaster County. She asked if Jon was here and the pap told her no. She said, "That’s OK, I didn’t want to see him anyway. I brought a gift for Kate."

That gift was three painted wood blocks. One word was embossed on each: Faith, Family, Friends. The Mennonite seemed put off by the fact Kate didn’t answer the buzzer or send Steve down to the gate to tote up her gift. After three attempts at leaving a message, she left the bag inside the gate and they left. Nobody came down for the bag by 8 p.m. Along with the painted blocks, the woman left a card that read, "A basket of wishes … and a bushel of love! Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours."

A handwritten note said:
"Dear Kate –
I made this gift not knowing who to give it to. Then it came to me – you!
We all need these 3 in our life.
Friends – during times of trouble in one's life this is a test of who your real / true friends are.
Family – is next. Unfortunately, some have betrayed you. We can’t choose our family. We are born into one.
Faith – is at the top. Our friends will leave us, our family will disappoint us, but one thing for sure, God will never leave us or forsake us.
Kate, Happy Thanksgiving. May the Lord be with you. Take care & God Bless!"
[name removed by Werny Gal]

We arrived at the Gosselin house at sunrise Friday to confirm suspicions of Steve Neild and his wife sleeping over. Sure enough, they were still at the house. The lights were on in Jon’s apartment above the garage and you could see people milling about up in those quarters.

We texted Jon to let him know he had trespassers in his apartment, and he texted back, "Interesting." He phoned back a minute later, pissed. He said nobody’s supposed to go in there, ever, except him. "I have to have the locks changed now," he said, "I have a lot of valuable shit up there."

Jon said he was going to call Kate immediately and bitch her out for invading his private apartment. He said Kate had called him earlier and asked when he was stopping by to see the kids, but he now realized what she really called for was to make sure she had Steve out of the house before Jon got there. Otherwise, there could be a nasty encounter.
* * * * * * * * * * *
[end of report by Werny Gal's source]

Clarification of Laws Regarding Children in Entertainment in PA

2010-04-25T12:35:00.000-04:00

Kate Plus Eight is reportedly set to premiere this summer and the children may also be involved in the filming of Twist of Kate. This brings up two separate issues which come under the auspices of two different departments in the Commonwealth of PA. Since there has been some confusion about the differences between these two as shown in some of my blog comments, I'm going to take a moment and clarify them here.

The first issue is that the law states that permits need to be secured for all children under the age of 16 working in the Comonwealth of Pennsylvania. This comes under the auspices of the Department of Labor and Industry. In the case of the Gosselins and future filming, the child labor permits that will allow the children to continue filming have reportedly been secured, so those legal requirements have been met.

The second issue is making sure that all adults in Pennsylvania whose work brings them into contact with the children have been cleared for child abuse and criminal backgrounds. This comes under the auspices of the Department of Welfare, not the Dept of Labor. It is imperative that only those whose background checks have been confirmed and then updated regularly (because they do expire) be allowed to work with any children in Pennsylvania, the Gosselin children included. It is unclear whether or not those clearances have been secured, and I will continue checking with Rep Murt and keep you updated on this issue.

PA requires that only 15% of the total earnings is required to be set aside for children who are working in the entertainment industry. Therefore if the Gosselin family gets $75,000 per episode, Kate could get 85% or $63,750, and the kids could get a minimum of 15% or $11,250.* If that 15% is divided up between eight children, each child would earn only $1406 per episode. After taxes and social security $1400 is about $1000, and that doesn't include other expenses like health insurance. Is that really fair, considering the invasion of privacy and the emotional consequences of doing a reality show?

This is assuming that Kate keeps her 85% and gives the kids their minimum of 15%. Some parents, especially in California where child labor laws have become more enlightened and adult caregivers have learned from their past mistakes (thanks to the good work of A Minor Consideration) set aside more than the minimum 15% required. That way when the kids grow up they have a nice nest egg for college so they can make a living as an adult when the acting career goes down the tubes (which it usually does when the kids grow up and aren't so cute or special anymore.) What kind of financial future do you think Jon and Kate have planned for their children? Do you think, based on their lifestyles, values and priorities as evidenced by their past behaviors, they have put away the required 15%, a higher percentage, or no percentage at all?

* I am assuming 15% for the kids as an entity. Clearly the law was not set up for families with eight kids. Two or three kids could each get 15%, but it just doesn't work with eight. Clarifications or corrections are welcome.

Eight Legally Cleared for Filming Kate + Eight

2010-04-25T06:32:00.000-04:00

This article from TMZ online, posted early this morning, claims the Gosselin kids have been cleared for working on Kate + Eight. Apparently Kate, who holds herself up as a model parent, still hasn't educated herself about the harms to children of being used in entertainment industry. And whatever happened to Jon's insistence that the kids not be filmed anymore? Was that a sincere desire to do what was best for his children, or was it just sour grapes because he bad-behaviored himself out of the entertainment industry?

The PA Dept of Labor & Industry still hasn't answered the question of whether all TLC employees, caterers, and all others involved in filming the series J&K+8 were cleared for child abuse and criminal backgrounds before being given access - sometimes alone in isolated places including bathrooms, bedrooms, or in the woods - to the Gosselin children.

The disaster continues to unfold.

Greetings From Ghettoville, Pennsylvania

2010-04-24T21:38:00.000-04:00

One of my most fervent commenters, "anonymous," pointed out that it is hypocritical of me to express concern about what the children might read on the Internet, while simultaneously writing things that might be upsetting to them to read. In this case it would be nice if you could blame the messenger, but you can't because the kids apparently witness this mentality all the time.

Yup, Ghettoville is the name Kate calls this little Pennsylvania town that originally welcomed her with open arms. As a neighbor told my friend, “They always say they live in Wernersville, but they never even drive through town. Kate never comes near us. She always goes the other way, down State Hill Road. That’s more high society, I guess. She calls Wernersville ‘Ghettoville.’ She thinks she’s better than the rest of us.”

If you've read my blog long enough you know that our quiet little town of Wernersville is no Ghettoville. Werny is about four blocks long and our main street, Penn Avenue (or Route 422W,) is lined with old row homes, with a smattering of locally owned businesses mixed in for good measure. We have a couple of pizza shops, one gas station/convenience store, a small bakery, an ice cream shop, a bike shop, and a really great gift shop. The post office, police station and public library are set back about a block off Penn Avenue. Our population is under 2,500. It's not a ritzy place but there are lots of nice people here, like the neighbors who took freshly baked goods to Casa Gosselin when they first moved in, and were screamed at by Kate to get off her property and not tell anyone where she lived, or she would sue them.

The word "Ghettoville" strikes me as not only racist but elitist. Elitist, just because Werny isn't all matchy-matchy and perfect, like a brand new Barbie doll with new fake blonde hair and fake white teeth.
It struck me as rather odd that a Caucasian woman who was married and had children with someone who is half Korean would make a racist comment, but then I read further and found this bon mot: A source revealed that Jon hired the main nanny, but Kate also likes her a lot because “she’s Asian and she works 24/7 and she knows how to do hair and nails. Kate loves having Asians working for her. That’s why she frequents Planet Nails. It’s owned by Asians and she thinks they don’t get involved in other people’s business and they won’t gossip to reporters about her.”

Just love those Christian family values.

Well, gotta go y'all. Gonna go hang with my homies now. Down in the 'hood.

It's Going To Be A Bumpy Ride

2010-04-24T17:16:00.001-04:00

As my faithful readers know, a local friend who is a veteran news reporter was hired to gather fodder for a major tabloid/entertainment magazine/rag last summer, during the height of the hoopla, not to mention traffic snarls, on a certain country road in Wernersville, PA. I've always enjoyed listening to his tales of not only what he learned while he tailed Jon and Kate, but also about what it was like working for the tabloids. It's been a learning experience for me for sure, and I wasn't even the temporary paparazzi.

I haven't always written everything I know. In fact, I've often chosen not to share certain things because I didn't want to cause potential pain or instigate drama where it didn't already exist, at least in the public eye. I knew about several things way before they became public, but I kept them to myself until they came out, for the same reason, such as Kate and the bodyguard and some of Jon's wee johnnie roamings like with Stephanie, for example. We all have to remember that what we say is going into the vast permanent unknown that is The Internet, where eight little ones, swept up in this embarrassing and shameful saga with no choice of their own, will have access to it, maybe for forever. So I try to keep it real, minimally dramatic, and productive, when possible. (Okay, okay, so nobody's perfect, right?)

It turns out that my friend was keeping notes, a chronological journal, in fact, of his Summer of Gosselining. He shared it with me a couple of days ago, and what an addictive tome it is. I am impressed with his dedication to the subject and the breadth of his information gathered, and also frankly overwhelmed with details. With his permission, in my next couple of posts I'm going to share with you some of what I've learned.

So buckle that seat belt and stayed tuned. I will be posting later tonight.

So Much For Quality Time With The Kids

2010-04-22T18:40:00.000-04:00

So much for spending quality time with the kids. Actions speak louder than words, and saying the kids are a priority doesn't mean a pile of dogpooh if it's only words. Kate zoomed out again soon after returning home, suitcase in hand. Once again the kids are left with the nannies instead of having a normal home life with their natural parents. Meanwhile Jon supposedly fired his attorney, is selling his Beemer and has a cougar in Washington, D.C. What does any of this have to do with parenting?

It appears Representative Murt's hearings on the PA child labor laws were not a moment too soon. Legal changes won't help the Gosselin kids with their problems at home, but at least someone somewhere out there is paying attention and trying to inject some sanity and health into this situation. Who's making sure these kids' needs are met?

Using the need of money to pay for college educations is a transparent and poor excuse for not being parents to your children. Many families have eight or even more kids and they aren't all over the country trying to hook up television or Hollywood deals. Some parents even adopt mentally or physically disadvantaged kids, adding to their own large broods, because they love children and want to help them so much. There's no reason an IT guy and a nurse who worked at a great hospital couldn't provide their kids with not only the basic physical care, but also the time with their parents and individual attention growing kids need (not to mention privacy in public and in their own home.) Kids are not a meal ticket or a vehicle with which to draw attention to yourselves, make money or create a career in entertainment. Kids are people, little dependent people, with emotional and psychological needs, and they need parents more than they need matchy-matchy outfits and the other superficial trappings these two parents seem hellbent on procuring.

Let's Enjoy The Sound of Crickets...

2010-04-21T18:40:00.001-04:00

A reader asked me if the dogs are back. I did hear they were back, about a week ago. Otherwise all is quiet. Today when I passed the house I once again searched for the hoards of paps Kate described as being outside her door every day when she was on DWTS, and there was not a soul in sight. No paps, no fans, no nothing. Now Kate is off DWTS and the paps will no doubt lay off until she or Jon do something new to draw attention to themselves. The only "sign" suggesting that anyone even vaguely resembling anything like a star might be anywhere near the vicinity of Wernersville was this weatherworn momento, laying forlorn in the grass in front of Casa Gosselin.

Update on PA Child Labor Laws

2010-04-20T09:16:00.000-04:00

This morning I received a personal phone call from PA Representative Tom Murt in response to an email I sent him requesting information on whether or not TLC employees were checked for child abuse clearances and criminal backgrounds prior to being allowed to work with the Gosselin children, as required by the Commonwealth of PA of anyone working with children. He told me he's asked for this information every day for the past week and that if he doesn't get it today he's going to personally call Sandi Vito, Pennsylvania's Secretary of the Department of Labor and Industry for the answer.

See the last couple of entries if you are not familiar with last week's work of Rep. Murt in which he held hearings to tighten up child labor laws regarding children used in entertainment in the Commonwealth of PA, in particular "reality television." He told me he's been amazed at the responses via email including one from France which stated "We would never exploit our children the way you do in your country."

Representative Murt talked briefly with me about 1997's PA's film tax credit which was created to encourage filmmakers and television production to bring their work to PA. Along with the influx of film crews and production companies comes added responsibilty of Pa to ensure that the State's children who are involved in such productions are safe and protected. Murt told me he is currently drafting legislation based on last week's hearings, which he hopes to unveil on May 20, 2010.

Interestingly, he's also planning on updating legislation on an unrelated issue regarding child abuse, and I happen to have testified at the first hearings regarding that exact issue when it was originally proposed as legislation approximately twenty years ago. I'm going to make myself available to him in case he would like me to testify at the upcoming hearings proposing updates to that legislation. Twenty years ago I testified as a former victim of child abuse. Now I could be testifying as a therapist who works with adults who were abused the way I was as a child. Isn't it great the way life comes around sometimes?

Were TLC Employees Cleared As Legally Required by PA?

2010-04-15T22:46:00.000-04:00

I was chilled by the testimony of the Kreiders at Rep Murt's child labor law hearings yesterday, detailing occasions when the Gosselin children were left alone with cameramen and other adults related to the production of J&K+8, in the woods, in the childrens' bedrooms and bathrooms, and other places in the normal course of daily filming.

Have all the adults who've worked with the Gosselin children gone through the legal clearances that are required when working with children in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania? These include the PA and federal criminal records and child abuse clearances that are required of all teachers, child care workers, and anyone whose work normally and regularly brings them into contact with children. I am a volunteer at a local agency that assists children in Berks County and even though I rarely actually come in contact with the children served by that agency, mine are regularly updated as required by law.

So much of yesterday's testimonies revealed the lack of privacy in the children's lives. All children should be given information that helps them stay safe regarding their personal boundaries, what is acceptable treatment toward them and what is not, and what to do & who to tell if anything inappropriate happens or if they feel uncomfortable or violated in any way.

The sexual abuse of children is epidemic in this country. How much higher is it in an industry that is primarily concerned with creating images and selling air space rather than the safety and well-being of the children?

Good News For The Gosselin Kids, We Hope

2010-04-15T22:22:00.000-04:00

Jon is moving into a large apartment in Reading, the hub of Berks County in which Wernersville is located, according to this report. Now let's hope he can get that original custody agreement revised. Since Kate now owns the home and has primary custody, what's to keep her from moving the kids out of the home they love and into a whole new state and lifestyle, not to mention more cameras and media attention?

Rebecca Gullan, PhD ~ PA Child Labor Laws Testimony

2010-04-15T11:27:00.000-04:00

Here is Rebecca Gullan's testimony. It does not include the discussion testimony which takes place after the written/spoken testimony. (Paul Petersen's testimony may be seen in my last entry.)

* * * * *

Good morning, and thank you for the opportunity to speak with you about the involvement of children in reality television shows. I am a Licensed Psychologist in the state of Pennsylvania with my masters and doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology and a specialization in children and families. I am currently an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences at Gwynedd-Mercy College. Prior to my current position, I was a research fellow at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, with a grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to design an intervention to promote positive identity development in high-risk youth. I am here today to speak about the developmental needs of children, with the hope that understanding these needs will inform decision-making as it relates to children’s participation in television, and reality shows, in particular.

As those of you who are parents, grandparents, teachers or coaches know, physical, cognitive, social and emotional capabilities are rapidly changing from the point of birth into adulthood. As such, developmental needs also change as children age. To this point, I will be framing my discussion around the basic developmental tasks at different ages and then connect these tasks with the “realities,” if you will, of reality television.

Infancy and Early Childhood (birth – 3)
In the first few years of life, small children are learning to explore and interact with the world around them. Critical to this task are the social relationships children form with their primary caretakers. Specifically, children develop early attachment to their parents that allow them to safely and comfortably explore their world. Securely attached children are those who have learned that their primary caregiver will be there consistently; a securely attached child can trust that even when mom leaves the room or is out of sight, she will reliably be there to respond to his needs. Children whose caregivers are unreliable, inconsistent or abusive develop early problems with attachment that relate to a number of negative long-term outcomes. As such, stable and reliable care is critical to the development of strong emotional bonds that can form the basis for future success.

In addition to forming emotional bonds with their caretakers, small children also learn how to communicate and regulate their emotions through referencing their caretakers. For example, a child who is trying to understand how to act in a situation that is new or ambiguous will look to those around her to learn how she should respond. Indeed, this is why experienced parents know not to scream, “Oh no!” and look panicked when a child falls down!

Finally, young children are beginning to learn how to control their own behavior. Over time, parental expectations are internalized and even when the primary caregivers are not around children will follow the rules established in the home. Critical to this learning is the interaction between parent and child. Just as with attachment and emotional development, rule-based learning requires consistent parental feedback and ongoing, mutual interactions between parent and child.

Given the developmental need for consistent and reliable parent-child interaction during the early years, how might taking part in reality television shows relate to child development?
First, one often hears parents of children in reality television shows indicating that the purpose of their participation is to support the family in a way that allows the parents to stay home with the children vs. working outside of the home. Parents might also feel that the show provides opportunities for children to explore the world in a way that the family would not have been able to afford before, such as family vacations and other child-friendly activities. Indeed, this might be a very real and notable benefit of such a lifestyle.

On the other hand, the quality and format of the increases in “family time” must also be considered. For example, a parent’s ability to form a stable attachment with his child might be challenged by the realities of a family life made public. Increased demands from the general public, the need to travel for the show, and the general disruption in everyday activities related to the television show can interfere with the caregivers’ ability to provide consistent, reliable and responsive care. Of course this is a concern of any family with parents that might travel for work or otherwise have a career that is outside of typical work parameters. However, the all-encompassing nature of reality television and the constant public demands of celebrity families can blur the line between work and home and make these concerns more acute and pervasive for families featured in reality television.

Further blurring this line is the presence of cameras, microphones, and production people into the family home. This necessity of reality television has the potential to create an atmosphere that challenges the child’s need for consistency both in terms of parents’ time as well as routine, rules and expectations. Although reality television show families are depicted as going about “life as usual,” those who make decisions related to production (e.g., taping schedules, number of cameras, rules regarding when cameras will be turned on/off) must recognize that these factors also become aspects of the children’s daily lives and can interfere greatly with the normal routine and expectations of a household, particularly if not closely regulated.

On a related note, the role of the individuals behind the camera can be confusing to children and provide them with inconsistent feedback on their own behavior as well as their general schema of appropriate social interactions. For example: Do cameramen laugh with children when something is funny? Correct incorrect grammar? Pick them up when they fall? One must also take care to determine how inappropriate behaviors that might make “better television” are encouraged or discouraged by either parents or the individuals involved in producing the show.

School Age (4-10)
Children enter another rapid stage of growth when they start school. Significant changes in physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development during this time are strongly impacted by children’s relationships with their parents and peers. Self-esteem and efficacy across domains also take on new importance, as children expand their experience, knowledge and relationships in the world outside of their immediate family.

Peers take on heightened importance during the school-age years. Children begin to have real friends (vs. mere playmates) and interactions with peers can influence all aspects of development. Through both friendships and conflict with peers, children learn leadership, communication, cooperation, and problem-solving skills. They learn how to read social situations and develop a repertoire of appropriate responses. Although adults are critical during this period, children’s own negotiations of group and relationship issues (from deciding who gets to go first to choosing how to respond when a classmate says: “you’re not my friend anymore!”) facilitate the development of information processing skills and behavioral repertoires that form the basis for future relationships.

One cannot discuss peer influence without highlighting the increase in aggression and bullying that occurs during middle-childhood and continues into the teenage years. Indeed, most children are involved at some time in some type of physical, verbal, or social aggression, with a portion of these children experiencing these things to an extreme degree. Advances in modern technology have also brought concerns about bullying and aggression to a whole new level, as children can now communicate immediately and even anonymously with hundreds if not thousands of other youth at a time. Subsequent surges in rumor-spreading, name-calling, insults, and other aspects of cyber-bullying have led to grave concerns about the mental health of children who are the victims of these activities, including a number of suicides that have been directly linked to these behaviors.

Outside of social networking, the setting where most children experience intensive socialization experiences is school. As we all know, schools are not simply for “reading, writing and arithmetic,” but actually serve as a major formative experience in life. In addition to social development, school is a setting where children begin to develop a sense of themselves as valuable and valued contributors with a range of competencies. It is critical that parents support this development by establishing a home environment that promotes the importance of learning, and continually engaging their child in discussion about school life.

Given the developmental need for self-efficacy, friendship and affiliation, and social and emotional processing skills during the school-age years, how might taking part in reality television shows relate to development during this life stage?

Unlike situations with child actors and performers who often receive their schooling from and on-set tutor, children in reality television shows spend much of their time at the family home (which is now also the “workplace”) and continue to attend their local school. However, this might not be true in the case where children travel to take part in reality shows centered on competitions, take trips relate to the television show during the academic year, or are removed from public school due to social problems or concerns about safety, stemming from the increasingly public nature of their lives.

In general, it is critical that children maintain a consistent routine that minimizes any disruption in school attendance and related activities. Even if a child is maintaining their academic achievement, if they are not experiencing the other social-emotional benefits of the school-setting (such as learning to interact with peers, participating in a range of activities, developing a sense of their relative strengths and achievements) then their developmental needs can be compromised. If this cannot be met through traditional schooling, care must be taken to meet these varied needs elsewhere, for example through enrolling students in community clubs or sports teams.

In addition to ensuring that the range of physical, cognitive, and social experiences typically provided in the school setting are met, school should continue to serve as a major factor in the lives of children in television. Although children on reality shows might be distracted by the myriad of people and activities in their household and related to the show in general, it is critical that they have established study times, clear bedtimes on school nights, and encouragement and emphasis on the value and importance of school.

Normative social development might also be compromised for children on reality television shows due to the lack of privacy related to family life. Home for children should serve as a “safe haven” where children can process their experiences in the outside world, enjoy one-on-one time with parents and siblings, and rest and rejuvenate for the next day. While children on reality television shows might be able to achieve this, it would seem that this could only be done through a strong commitment to have the cameras around only for limited and structured time periods, with sufficient time for the family to interact in private and for children to do homework, bathe and sleep without disruption. In other words, a clear delineation should be made between “house as home” and “house as workplace.”

Ironically, as the lives of reality show participants become more public, they might actually become or feel more isolated. Thus, as family outings to the grocery store become an event featured on the evening entertainment news and personal conversations with friends and family members end up on the covers of magazines, these families can find themselves increasingly isolated from friends, family, and even the ordinary activities of daily living. Thus, just when children are exploring the outside world and learning how to form new relationships, they can be bombarded with experiences that betray their trust and stymie their growth as individuals in society.

A final issue related to this lack of privacy is that of cyberspace. We live in an increasingly public world where blogs, celebrity gossip sites and other electronic venues for commentary, speculation, and judgment are prolific. Even mainstream online news publications often have a section after each article where readers can anonymously post their opinions and views of the story and the people in it. Thus, not only are children in the public eye subject to the same pressures and situations of their non-public peers, they are also subject to the constant commentary and views of a society where sharing your opinions is the norm and where strangers might feel justified in sharing their views on issues related to family members or the family’s choice to be in the public eye. The public might also view the family as distant, unreal, and even immune to their scrutiny, thus increasing their willingness to say whatever is on their minds, regardless of the impact on the family. This problem can become even more profound during the adolescent years, which I will discuss now.

Adolescence (>10)
Mere mention of the term “teenager” can conjure up images of youth and families in turmoil. Thus, dramatic physical, cognitive, and social changes can lead to an increase in high-risk behavior, mental health problems, and family conflict. First, the onset of sexual maturation puts adolescents at a critical stage of life physically. Physical changes combined with a peak in the importance of peer judgment and acceptance can then set the stage for distress over personal attributes, such as body image, which can lead to the development of eating disorders or steroid use.

Cognitively, the part of the brain related to higher-order thinking and planning is continuing to develop during adolescence. Consequently, teenagers who desire or are given greater responsibility and independence are not yet fully equipped to make optimal decisions on their own. As such, it is critical that adults help adolescents think through life choices and experiences, while not stripping them of their autonomy.

Finally, adolescence is considered a critical time for identity development where youth must develop a sense of themselves both as individuals and in relation to others, as well as a larger understanding of their “place in the world.” While most youth remain connected to the values and beliefs of their parents throughout adolescence, the striving for independence and the increase in peer influence requires a delicate balancing act on the part of both parents and teens.

Given the many changes that take place during adolescence and the developmental need to form a sense of oneself, one’s relationships with others and one’s place in the world, how might taking part in reality television shows relate to adolescent developmental needs?

When considering the roles, rules, and responsibilities related to children in reality television, we often put teenagers in a category more in line with adults. Thus, we tend to place decision-making authority in the hands of the teen and parental involvement becomes less paramount. This is parallel to other aspects of life, my own field included, where circumstances can allow for teens to make decisions about their own medical care, for example. Although parents are often involved, it is generally believed that teenagers are more advanced than younger children in terms of their abilities, rights, and responsibilities. However, the developmental needs and capabilities of adolescence highlights the need to carefully consider this approach.

First, our knowledge of cognitive development tells us that adolescents make better decisions in collaboration with adults than they do on their own. This might be particularly relevant in the case of reality television, where a teenager might be enamored by the idea of being in the public eye, while not having the foresight to recognize the potential long-term consequences. For example, the increased public scrutiny discussed earlier can be even more pronounced and more devastating during the teenage years. Thus, not only do these teens live with the pressure and judgment of their friends and classmates, but they also receive judgment and commentary from complete strangers across the nation, or even the world. In such an environment, important areas of vulnerability during adolescence—such as self-esteem and body image—can be exponentially magnified.

Even if teens on television are able to escape negative attention from the public, they might be impacted in other ways by the reality that fame brings them and their family. Increased narcissism (“Everybody cares about me and what I’m doing.”; already a common characteristic of adolescence), difficulty with trust (“Is she my friend because I’m on TV or because she really likes me?”), and a confused sense of one’s place in the world (“Who am I outside of this show and what do I do when the show ends?”) might each be outcomes for adolescents living in the public eye.

In conclusion, it is clear that the cognitive, social and emotional needs across the different phases of childhood require that we as adults take great care in establishing an environment that helps promote positive development and prevent negative outcomes in all children. In terms of reality television, specifically, children do not have the experience or skills to deal with the additional decisions and repercussions of living in the public eye that we as adults do (or should). Further, the nature of television—to entertain—is such that the families that are chosen to appear in reality television programs are often from high risk groups to begin with, e.g., families with children who are exhibiting significant behavior problems, homes with a parent who is a celebrity prior to the show, or families with a large number of children. Thus, it is imperative that we build protective factors – including mechanisms to promote close family relationships, positive peer interactions, and a strong education – into the structure of these children’s lives, so as to minimize risk and optimize positive development.

Although one might not say conclusively that children should or should not participate in reality shows or television in general, if these shows are to take place, great care should be taken to produce them in such a way that puts the developmental needs of children and adolescents first.

* * * * *

Paul Petersen/A Minor Consideration's Testimony

2010-04-15T10:46:00.000-04:00

At several readers' request, I am happy to provide Paul Petersen of A Minor Consideration's testimonoy at the hearings on child labor laws in PA yesterday:

* * * * * * *

Good morning. My name is Paul Petersen and I have been growing up and growing old with most of you here today. Grandparents may remember me for my brief stay with the original Mouseketeers. Your parents may have watched me on “The Donna Reed Show.” Today’s generation…the consumers of so much of what passes for popular entertainment…may know me because of my advocacy on behalf of the children in Entertainment for the past twenty years through my foundation, A Minor Consideration. That is what brings me here today.

The use and abuse of children in our media is no longer a “Hollywood Problem.” The life-long troubles of former child stars has become a cliché’ with which we are all too familiar. But, the production of commercial entertainment has spread not just throughout this country, but throughout the world…and spread so rapidly that our laws and rules and regulations have not kept pace with the special needs of children exposed to the voracious appetite of our modern media. Complicating this issue of the exploitation of children in entertainment is the incredible development of delivery platforms we now take for granted…the Internet with its staggering social networking sites and unregulated content…downloadable music and films, the traditional platforms of the printed Press, broadcast news and, of course, television. An outside observer will note that many of these delivery systems are actually owned by a just a few very large global conglomerates who routinely use the profits of one division to drive traffic to yet another wholly-owned subsidiary.

So, what is the true status of children working in Entertainment? What is the State’s interest in their labors? What are the risks and perils? There are so many myths surrounding the most visible children in the world that it’s time to look at the facts. Let’s look behind the curtain.

· First, children are the “property” of their parents. They are, literally, owned by the people who bring them into this world. In Common Law the wording is straightforward: “Parents of a working child are entitled to its custody, income and services.”
· Children in Entertainment are exempt from Federal Child Labor Law…and have been since 1938 with the passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act. If an individual State does not pass laws governing kids in entertainment, there are no laws to protect this class.
· A Minor is assumed, in Law, to be incapable of Informed Consent, and contracts entered into on their behalf are unenforceable unless approved by a Court.
· The Parent…not the child…is expected to provide for food, clothing, education and shelter. Children who must work for these basic necessities are always at risk.
· PA’s Third Circuit Court in 1985 noted that "the common law rule that minors…may disaffirm their contracts has as its basis the public policy concern that minors should not be bound by mistakes resulting from their immaturity or the overbearance of unscrupulous adults."

Of all we hear about Child Labor we continue to believe that parents will always do what is best for their off-spring and that actual paying work is a rarity when it comes to children. The Federal Dept. of Labor, however, tells us that 5.5 million children are even now at work in America, most of that number involved in Agriculture…and just like young performers, the kids picking our crops are exempt from federal child labor laws. Today, as I speak, 250 million children are in the world’s work force…most of them underpaid, working to have enough to eat, and easy prey for the so-called adults who are in control of their destiny.

I want to thank Rep Thomas Murt for undertaking this task of examining Pennsylvania’s laws regarding not just children in Entertainment, but the hidden world of working kids. This subject is much larger than most people suspect, and has consequences that stretch far into the future because we are affecting our children’s perceptions of the world they will inherit. We have become far too careless with our kids…with the quality of their education…their broadcast images…and their need for spiritual nourishment and right to privacy.

Nothing in life can compare to the bond between parent and child, and each of us must be mindful of the risks inherent in what some call ‘meddling’ in other people’s business. We must also keep in mind that the rules for children are different…especially when work and money are involved. I have not come to Pennsylvania to point fingers. The events that have played out in the Gosselin family over the past five years have, frankly, defied description, but from my perspective as a person who literally grew up on television I keep coming back to the one unassailable truth…these children, through no fault of their own, are engaged in a commercial enterprise that takes place in their home…a home in which every participating adult is compensated…yet their status has not been determined in Law or in the collective mind of our culture.

The excuses for this absence of common sense reasoning are many. The children are merely participants. Being on camera is easy and not work at all. “Jon and Kate + 8” is just a reality show and the kids aren’t actually performers.

Permit me to gently point out that in the mind of a child these are distinctions without a difference. Children are not Meerkats. They are decidedly not the same as a pride of lions being filmed by a naturalist on an African plain. They are aware…and if you’ll just close your eyes and remember when Dad took out the movie camera to film you playing in the back yard and the way you mugged for the camera…you’ll know to a certainty that even a two year old toddler knows when a camera is present.

Cameras and microphones alter behaviors. The presence of a working film crew alters the dynamics within a home. When money is thrown into an altered reality things can become extremely complicated. For the developing child who finds themselves in the voracious maw of the media there is literally no concept of the life-long consequences they will have to live with for the next sixty, seventy of eighty years of their lives.

Let me blunt about this: There is no Delete button on the internet. Once your identity becomes public there is no going back. Images can be manipulated, and even the most innocent activity can be changed to suit the mind of the consumer of popular entertainment. It is a dangerous world out there, my friends, and all of us need to be constantly reminded that the consequences of fundamentally and publicly altering the life of a growing child will have consequences. Each of us is directly connected to every day or our lives.

I repeat, the rules are different for children. We do not hand an eight year old the keys to the car. Children have bedtimes and rules. Kids are not equipped to deal with things like taxes and salaries, publicity shoots and travel arrangements…and they do not ordinarily have to deal with autograph seekers and fans.

We have long acknowledged the special status of professional children who are paid to deliver a performance…in fact we have come to believe that an entire set of special rules are always in place to guard their welfare and income. Some of the things we believe are that children in the world of entertainment always have a parent or guardian close at hand, that a studio teacher will be provided to ensure that child’s education, that their working hours will be strictly limited and a portion of their income will be set aside for their use when they become an adult.

It’s just not true. I have already mentioned that there is no Federal standard for kids in Entertainment. If an individual State doesn’t pass its own child labor laws for Entertainment there are no laws governing the work place. Today there are still nineteen states, many of them competing for production dollars, which have not gotten around to passing meaningful child labor laws specific to entertainment. Pennsylvania, thankfully, is not one of those States. There are, in fact, laws on the books to protect children in the entertainment industry. The question is, why in the case of the Gosselin Family have they not been enforced?

Special work permits are required by this State for all children under the age of Seven. Provisions for contract approval and even the definition of what constitutes the Employee-Employer relationship are on the books. It’s just too easy to excuse the working reality of television production by believing in the term “Reality Show.” These mislabeled productions are anything but reality. There are writers, producers, publicists and paid production crews. There are hand-crafted stories to tell and do-overs and 2nd takes.

And always…always…there is big money on the table. It is all too easy to forget about the special needs of the children involved in these entertainment products…and I’ll remind everyone that this is nothing new. The Dionne Quintuplets were exposed to this kind of public consumption seventy years ago. The Loud Family was ripped apart by participating in the PBS production of “The American Family.” Even under the best of circumstances the consequences of early fame can have devastating…lethal consequences.

I am painfully aware that the use of juveniles in so-called reality shows is a genie that has long since escaped the bottle. That fact should not prevent us from asking the hard questions or preparing ourselves to intervene when children are put up for sale by even the most well-meaning parent. Here are my concerns:

· What is the share of each child’s participation in these commercial productions?
· Who owns the money these children earn?
· What are the work rules when your home is the studio?
· What independent authority is present to halt production when the welfare of children becomes the issue?
· Is it in the State’s interest to insure that an independent advocate is assigned to protect the separate interests of the working child?

The good news is that we do not have to re-invent the wheel here today. Well tested models already exist. The better news is that with today’s hearing we have collectively recognized the potential for harm that always exist in an unregulated work place that utilizes Minors.

And finally, it is my fondest hope that we send a clear message to all of America’s children that no matter how unique your circumstances may be there will always be people who are prepared to help you prepare for your future with laws, counsel and loving advice. It is our solemn obligation to raise the next generation…to share with them what we know, the lessons we’ve learned, and the rewards of playing by the rules.

* * * * * *

End of Petersen's written testimony. This does not include the question-and-answer part of the testimony, which can be found here:

http://media2.pahousegop.com/Generator.asp?videoname=315465582.wmv

The Identified Patient

2010-04-14T19:42:00.000-04:00

In his testimony at Rep. Murt's hearings on child labor laws in PA, Kevin Kreider spoke of one particular child of eight who has gained a reputation for being difficult. In the field of psychology, counselors sometimes find there's one family member in particular who is treated as the crazy, annoying, or bratty one but who upon further examination is actually the healthiest member of the family. When we see this phenomenon, the scapegoated family member is called the Identified Patient.

In therapy, the identified patient is the one who protests, fights, argues and disagrees because they are unwilling to be phony or play the game. They're the therapy client who finally tells on that wacky uncle who everyone jokes is just a little bit off but who everyone really knows deep inside has been molesting the family's children for three generations. Or they're the one who gets sober and goes to AA and now the rest of the family calls them a dud and a party pooper because they're just no fun to be with anymore. Sometimes the family insists that this crazy family member get help, although usually the IP seeks counseling on their own because they can no longer tolerate the family denial. They may be the least popular family member, but from a mental health perspective they're the healthiest because they've got the integrity, mental health and courage to expose the family problems and try to get help.

Imagine that you are a child under ten on a "reality" TV show. You know you're doing something important for the family because it makes money for everyone you love the most (and you've heard so many times about how important money is) but you absolutely hate it. You have to go to boring places and keep your hair and clothes neat and perfect and pretend to be happy and having a good time when you'd rather be anywhere else. Strangers have taken over your home so that there is rarely a quiet family meal or other beloved private family time together. Cameras are permanently installed everywhere in your home including in your bedroom and your bathroom, so that even when there's no cameraman with you, the cameras may be being controlled remotely from outside the house. You're a petite girl, and adults who are new to you and are usually men are allowed to follow you alone into the woods behind your house, the little slanted playhouse you were told was just yours to play in, or any room in your home, with a camera, and tape everything you do. And through it all you must smile, smile, smile.

Imagine the burden living this way would put on even the most mature, stable and self-confident of adults. Then imagine how it would feel to be immature, confused, and wanting to be loved more than anything else in the world, which is what childhood is like.

So my message to you, Little One, is this: You keep yelling and screaming and doing whatever you have to do to let it be known that you want and need your own thoughts and feelings and privacy and family. You are not crazy, annoying or bratty, and there are people who care and understand.

The purpose of this entry is not to blame, shame or point the finger at anyone. We're all a product, to at least some little degree, of where we came from. Most times in these situations no one has intentionally set out to hurt anyone else. But it is what it is. And because it is, we need better child labor laws to protect children.

Today's Hearing on PA Child Labor Laws

2010-04-14T11:17:00.000-04:00

ADDED NOTE: Here's the link to watch the tape of the hearings online.

(original post)
15 Minutes has provided a good synopsis of Jodie Kreider's testimony at today's House Republican Policy Committee's hearings on Pennsylvania’s child labor laws as they relate to film and television production, which was streamed live today. I was only able to see Paul Petersen's testimony live and it was very informative as well as heartrending. I've received copies of his testimony as well as that of the Kreiders and the child psychologist R. Gullen and I'll be reviewing them this evening. Attorney Gloria Allred also testified but she did not provide a written copy of her testimony so I was unable to secure that. I've spoken with Representative Murt's office and there may be a way to access the hearings online for those of us who weren't able to watch the live feed. If that happens I'll let you know here. Meanwhile it's reassuring to know that some of our PA lawmakers are taking a look at this important issue.

Kate House-Hunting in Hollywood?

2010-04-13T09:06:00.000-04:00

Reader itsaboutthekids has sent this link stating Kate is now looking at homes in the Los Angeles area. Can placing the children in a cage and charging money to see them be far behind?

Advocating For The Gosselin Eight

2010-04-12T20:38:00.000-04:00

Anonymous (probably my most verbose commenter!) has provided a link about a hearing coming up Wed 4/14/10 in Horsham PA. The hearing is being held to consider the affect of reality TV shows like "Jon & Kate Plus 8" on child actors. Since PA has lax laws concerning the rights of child actors, this is wonderful news for all children in Pennsylvania who are involved in the entertainment industry as actors or participants in reality TV. Anything that draws attention to this issue is a step in the right direction.

Testifying will be the wonderful Paul Petersen of A Minor Consideration, fantastically ass-kicking attorney Gloria Allred, and Kevin and Jodi Krieder, the estranged brother and sister-in-law of Kate Gosselin who were once the Gosselin childrens' loving caregivers. The Gosselin eight and the children of PA could not have better advocates.

Comment Moderation Is Now On

2010-04-10T12:02:00.000-04:00

Comment moderation is now on. It may take a while for your comments to show up because I have to okay each one as it comes to me in email, and I'm gardening and doing things other than being on the computer today. Non-flamers, non-insulters and non-porn site linkers, I appreciate your patience.

Two Reasons 2 Not Watch TLC

2010-04-08T08:17:00.000-04:00

TLC has announced more details about Kate's new show, Kate Plus 8, features Kate and the children and is described as a series of eight specials, debuting in June.* Kate's second show, Twist of Kate, in which fan letters to Kate are used to profile women facing personal challenges, will be shown in twelve episodes starting in late summer.

The implication with Twist of Kate is that American women are inspired by our good ole' everyday normal mom Kate. Our small town Kate's a regular gal just like the rest of us. Kind of like Jenny from the 'hood, only Kate is much more of a diva than Jennifer Lopez.

Suggested episode: Kate goes to the home of Martha Stewart and demonstrates how to bitch-slap domestic workers into submission. (This episode spawns a TLC special comprised solely of outtakes showing the two women rolling around in the chicken coop while tearing each other's bottle blonde hair out, after Martha has the audacity to try to show Kate how to open an oven door.)

TLC will also be airing Sarah Palin's Alaska. Perhaps TLC could get Kate and Sarah together for a hunting episode in which Sarah stalks moose while Kate hunts for that perfect man.

*Could airing this show as a series of specials rather than as a regular show be a way of getting around Jon's insistance that they not film the children?

What A Way To Make A Living

2010-04-07T22:03:00.000-04:00

There were four Gosselin watchers at the Gosselin house this afternoon, no doubt because of Jon's announcement yesterday. This is unusual nowadays.

One of them was a photographer who I've spoken with before. (I mentioned previously that he had lunch with DWTS instructor Tony who he described as a real gentleman.) He sits in his little blue beach chair outside the property fence and waits for something to happen. He said the kids had a fun water gun fight on the front yard yesterday, so those pictures will no doubt be in the magazines any day now. I asked him if there was any truth to the rumor that Jon is living in an apartment over a bar in this area, and he said No. If Jon was, he would know about it.

The police are again allowing people to park on the side of the road very close to the front of the house, and have been for some time. Last summer, at the height of Jon's poor relationship choices, the traffic was so bad that you'd get a ticket if you slowed down to a full stop in front of the house, and the papparazi had to park at least a half mile away in either direction and then walk to the front of the house to avoid being ticketed. Lack of drama/news means the traffic isn't a problem, and there is often no one in front of the house. That's good news for this lone holdout because it means he's got no competition. While the other pros are off chasing Brangelina or this week's other poor tabloid victims, he sits and waits.

How Kate Can Win DWTS

2010-04-06T22:21:00.000-04:00

Kate got a reprieve on tonight's DWTS, coming in third instead of being voted off. She's been pretty stiff on the first three episodes, so maybe it would help if they chose a dance that comes more naturally to her. (Move your curser to start the video at 30 seconds to see the guy in the red shirt.) Imagine how much easier this would make Tony's job.

You're welcome, Tony.

Oh, That Obnoxious Papparazi!

2010-04-05T21:38:00.000-04:00

On DWTS tonight Kate said the Lady Gaga song Papparazi speaks to her because there are papparazi waiting for her outside her door every day. I don't know what door she's talking about but I live in Wernersville and hoards of papparazi outside her door hasn't been the case for some time. And what little paps do show up from time to time would go away if she would stop going on TV and talking about how awful it is to be in the press all the time. It's been said before and no doubt will be again: Stop feeding the sharks and they'll stop circling.

I also love how she talked about having to wear a happy mask because of the events of the past year. Obviously the past year has been hard on everyone in the family, but get a clue! The events of the past year were not the problem, they were the symptom. A family that pretends to be happy so the show can go on in order to make more money, while the parents have not actually been in a relationship for some time, has to be psychological hell on not only the adults but the kids. The healthiest thing that happened to this family in the past year was Jon coming out about the marriage and show being a sham and him pulling the kids out of the big phony mess. He had the kahoonies to tell the truth no matter how unpopular it made him.

One last note about Kate's hair and makeup on tonight's DWTS. Remember that old movie Whatever Happened To Baby Jane? Well, tonight we found our answer. . .

What Kate Could Get Paid If She Learns To Dance

2010-03-30T23:30:00.001-04:00

My blog reader mocha brought up the discussion of what the "stars" make on Dancing With The Stars. The general idea is the same with most reality TV shows: The longer you stay on, the more you make. On some shows, like the bachelor/bachelorette franchises, you only get paid if you're one of the final three or four (some reports state they don't get paid at all.) That means all those 15 - 20 single guys and gals who didn't find true love spent a lot of money of their own for nothing (imagine the clothes alone, not to mention travel, lost work time or even lost jobs, and more.) Meanwhile the producers make millions of dollars on these shows. So keep that in mind when you hear these salaries. These figures are just a drop in the bucket compared to the huge paydays generated by ad revenue for these shows.

This report from The Insider online says each DWTS star gets $200,000 for being on the show no matter how soon they're voted off, with bonuses if they stay in the show to the end, with the longest stayer getting the highest bonus.

WikiAnswers says all the professional dancers get paid $5,200 a week. The celebrities get paid about $250,000 if they stay all nine weeks.

Here's WikiAnswers statement on what Jon and Kate made per episode of J&K+8. If it's true (and I'm sure it's not) that they as a family made $22,500 per episdoe, TLC got one hell of a deal. J&K+8 was TLC's highest rated show ever, which means they made more commercial revenue during that show than any other. Considering the high commercial revenue and Kate's financial savvy and insistence on only the best, $50,000 - $75,000 per episide is a much more realistic figure. Hopefully the kids had their own salaries and that money has been put into trust for their futures. After all, without them there would have been no show.

This link to Extra Online tells the salaries of several reality TV show stars. They report Jon and Kate made $75,000 per episode, which I believe to be accurate. J&K+8 became so popular that season three had 31 and season four had 41 episodes. When you compare the J&K+8 salaries of a half hour show taped in and around the convenience of your home (generating a total of anywhere from $400,000* to $3,075,000** per season) to an entire DWTS season of having to practice dancing for hours a day and the hassle and exhaustion of traveling 3,000 miles for weekly tapings for a grand total of $200,000 and maybe if you're lucky $250,000, which is really the better pay?

*based on minimum salary of 8 episodes at $50,000 per episode for season one

**based on maximum salary of 41 episodes at $75,000 episode in season four

Dancing With Klutzes

2010-03-29T23:03:00.000-04:00

I worked late tonight and haven't had time to see the tape of tonight's episode of Dancing With The Stars, but this article from US Magazine online from 40 minutes ago doesn't have much good to say about Kate's second performance. It's got to be very hard on can-do-Kate to receive reviews like this, and it once again proves that those who appear the most confident and in control of their lives can really be the most insecure. It's one thing to go on national talk shows and smile pretty and say you plan to win (not that it's easy to do even that) but to have to then actually live up to that kind of self-promotion has got to be incredibly stressful. Talk about setting yourself up to fail. As my readers know I'm not a huge Kate fan but on the other hand I don't like to see anyone humiliated in public either. I hope she is able to let go of her self-consciousness and let her partner lead her instead of having to be in control, and I hope she can start to have fun and not take it all too seriously. Sometimes you just have to say "screw it" and go with the flow.

What It Takes To Be Famous Today

2010-03-28T12:56:00.000-04:00

According to this article, Jon is no longer with his Utah girlfriend Morgan Christie. She's complained that he's a lazy bum and used her for friends instead of making his own (although that's kind of what happens when someone moves into a friend's home a thousand miles away, right?)

Hopefully she will quickly fade into oblivion and not try to hang onto her fifteen minutes the way Hailey seems determined to. According to Radar Online Hailey's planning to move to L.A. and has ambitions of legalizing marijuana. That fits perfectly since her Twitter page background shows a head shop with all sorts of drug paraphernalia. She's also reportedly been signed to her own reality show. Based on what? Having dated someone semi-famous for a few months, then complaining on Twitter about his deficits including how small his penis is?

Remember the good old days before reality TV when people had to actually do something admirable to be famous? Like stop a crime, create great works of art or walk on the moon? Remember when people did good things because it felt good to do them, not just to become famous? It seems like nowadays fame is confused with infamy, and it's the goal no matter what you have to do to get there.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

2010-03-25T22:33:00.000-04:00

He makes the real Jon Gosselin look like Cary Grant (okay, so I'm dating myself.)

You'd have to be really drunk to think he's really Jon.

You'd have to be even more drunk to actually sit next to this smarm and have your picture taken with his arm around you.

He pesters women and has been pursuing one woman in particular relentlessly for a few months now. What a jerk. Hopefully he'll step over the line and be arrested real soon.

Small Town Shopping Cart

2010-03-23T23:12:00.001-04:00

As the world knows by now, Kate didn't do very well her first night on DWTS. She got the third lowest score, ahead of only the actor Aiden Turner (hubba hubba) and astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who is this season's oldest contestant.

I have to admit to feeling sorry for Kate after weeks of hearing her brag about how she was in it to win it. The humble fall hard, but the narcissistic crash and burn the hardest. IMO she appeared defensive and uncomfortable in the clips shown of her getting feedback from her partner during the practice sessions, and doubly so during the live feedback. Maybe it was the editing, but I didn't get the sense that she's been practicing as much as former "stars" on the show, which surprised me because she's such a perfectionist. And speaking of stars, it was noted on the show that she was the only contestant in history who isn't officially one. (Bet that was news to her. :) But Melissa Rycroft isn't a star and I'm sure there have been others too.

The star performer was Pamela Anderson, whose picture is next to the phrase Red Hot Sexy Babe in the dictionary. Whooeee, she had me hot and I'm straight and not even looking for love. To me she epitimized what good entertainment dancing is about, technically correct or not ~ letting loose and having fun. Looking that damn good doesn't hurt either. I hope she lasts 'til the end and I look forward to seeing what tricks she'll be up to as the season goes on.

In an unrelated vein, what was it with Brooke Burke's girls? Her implants were so torturous that their vertical edges could clearly be seen cutting ridges inside her chest. Girlfriend, you were beautiful to begin with. You don't need fake tatas to look pretty and you sure don't need them to appear intelligent. I suggest taking those superficial man pleasers out and using them for floatation devices in your Hollywood swimming pool, where they'll serve some purpose other than distracting from your lovely face.

Lastly, kudos to Jon for wishing Kate the best on the show. Maybe he meant it or maybe it was spin control, but either way it was a gracious gesture.

The Untimely Death of Corey Haim

2010-03-10T18:17:00.000-05:00

Another former child star has died, this time of an apparent drug overdose. I used to think 38 was old but now that I'm older I can truly appreciate what a waste of a young life this is. The sad thing is that it's no surprise that Corey Haim is gone. He's struggled with drug addiction and trying to find his place in adulthood ever since he grew up and was abandoned by that seductive siren known as stardom.

Being thrust into the public eye is traumatic, even for adults who know who they are and have established successful careers and relationships. It is way too much of a burdon for many adults. It is certainly much harder on children.

Kate Gosselin, are you listening???

Kate's Plan to Conquer The World

2010-03-06T16:49:00.000-05:00

Kate has a plan for winning DWTS. The kind of plan a narcissist needs when she can't dance.

Can't you just hear her excuse once she flunks out? "A certain someone who I bullied into continuing our phony marriage for months on end because I wanted fame and money more than I wanted to be a healthy and honest role model for my children who will remain unnamed because I am too much of a class act to publicly throw my children's father under the bus made me lose."

This couldn't possibly be about wanting that DWTS winner bonus, could it?

Here's a novel idea, Kate: How about just practicing as hard as you can, performing to the best of your ability during the live shows, and then either being thankful you're safe for another week or accepting it gracefully if you're voted off, the way any reasonable, and mature adult would do?

Because if you win by soliciting oodles of telephone votes instead of actually winning by fair and honest competition, you haven't really won, just like we as honest and responsible role models teach our children, right?

Kate on Dancing With The Stars' New Season

2010-03-01T21:53:00.000-05:00

It's just been officially anounced on ABC-TV that Kate will be on this season's Dancing With The Stars. She was the last one named in the lineup and will be on with such stars as Shannon Doherty and NFL star Chad Ochocinco. One final dancer is yet to be announced for the tenth season of the show, which will debut March 22.

Kate will be Jimmie Kimmel Live tonight so that will probably be a good place to get the scoop on this one, right from the horse's mouth, so to speak.

Just announced: The final contestant on DWTS with be Jake Povelka, the bachelor in the season that ended tonight.

Kate's New Man

2010-02-24T11:11:00.000-05:00

No Drama Mama has kindly graced us with this link about Kate's new love.

Time will only tell, but this story strikes me as true because this man seems exactly like the type Kate would be attracted to. He's energetic, manly, and a big fish in a little bowl (although personally he looks to me like he'd fit right in with the guys from Jersey Shore.)

Wonder if he would be attracted to her if she didn't have a new show coming up on TLC? A woman recently divorced with eight children is not exactly a hot commodity here in Berks County. Sure hope he likes kids.

Too Much Information

2010-02-17T10:28:00.000-05:00

No news lately. The locals don't seem to talk about J&K much anymore. Most folks seem to be glad the press has dried up. The less we hear, the more the townsfolk of Wernersville seem to like it. Jon has always been pleasant and gracious when approached but Kate has not ingratiated herself with the locals, and neither of them has really been active in the neighborhood. If they hung around The Cone or The Trolley Stop and people got to know them as familiar faces that would be great, but everyone's had it with the papparazzi.

The witty Al Walentis had this entry about Jon's ex Hailey the other day. I've never understood people who share intimate information about former lovers, but in this case I think Hailey Glassman is really discrediting herself. At one point she was suspected in the case of Jon's NYC apartment burglary, and then Jon himself was suspected of having staged the whole thing for more publicity. While observing the chronological tabloid reports about their affair it seemed to me that Hailey was becoming another one of those people that begins to believe their own press. As our tabloid culture has grown over the past twenty years, and especially in the past ten, people, especially young people, seem to not understand the differences between notoriety, infamy, and fame. They seem to think if you're in the press, you're famous, and that's always a good thing. Then, when they start to fade out of the public eye, they start to feel like failures, not realizing that all the press they were a part of never meant they were successful in the first place.

Did you ever hear the expression, "all press is good press"? Well, guess what? That's just wrong. Helping a kitten down from a tree or returning someone's money-filled wallet = good press. Telling the world you think your former sweetie's penis was inadequate while posing like a desparate porn star when your fifteen minutes were clearly up some time ago = bad press. All I can say about the whole Jon/Hailey sordid affair is "tacky, tacky, tacky" and so is continuing it by Hailey's airing her opinion about Jon's wingwang. This is the kind of crap the Wernersvillagers are so very sick of.

More "Reality" To Look Forward To

2010-01-13T16:38:00.000-05:00

Confirmed.

So much for spending time with the kids, not drawing media attention to yourself, and staying close to home rather than traveling all over the country.

And on top of that, ewwww, the article refers to her as a "reality superstar." Talk about an oxymoron.

New Lives, New Loves?

2010-01-11T23:07:00.001-05:00

A reader asked me if it's true Kate is dating a Reading Royal. I was unable to confirm this tidbit, but I have to admit it sounds somewhat far-fetched. I mean, hometown team rah rah rah and all that, but would Kate really settle for a Reading Royal? No matter how big the fish, Berks County seems to be way too small of a fishbowl for her taste. (What with the phony blonde hair extensions and all, could wrangling tickets to red carpet events with Hollywood B-listers be far behind?)

I also heard that Jon is staying in Utah with his new girlfriend Morgan Christie, 25, and her wealthy family, since he's been padlocked out of his NYC apartment. Also heard - disappointing news if it's true - Jon is negotiating with TLC to give them permission to tape the kids again, in exchange for having his monthly $10,000 child support payments reduced.

I am unclear on how Jon's child support payments would be related to any contract he negotiates with TLC. Why would the court lower his payments based on his working or not working out a new contract with TLC? The court is a legal entity and TLC is a commercial entity. So remember to take into consideration that this is just what I heard.

From my understanding Jon was locked out of his NYC apartment due to being unable to pay his rent. I still can't understand why Jon is paying child support payments instead of Kate. After all, she's the co-author or author of a couple of books, has had many more speaking engagements than he has over the years, and in general has made more money than Jon has all along. Good lord, at speaking engagements she charged $20 a piece for autographed photos. Is that highway robbery, or what? Plus she had the financial advantage in the past year of knowing more about their finances than Jon did, since handling the family finances has traditionally been her duty.

Speaking of Jon's apartment, reports are that he is accusing ex-girlfriend Hailey Glassman of being behind the ransacking. I always thought it sounded like someone who knew Jon and had a vendetta against him - an ordinary burglar wouldn't have left anything so personal as the butcher knife calling card. You know what they say - hell hath no fury like an ex-soulmate-Ed-Hardy-wearing-globe-trotting-girlfriend scorned.

Just when we thought the dust was settling...

Guess Who Made JibJab's 2009 Windup?

2010-01-11T22:31:00.000-05:00

Jon and Kate - immortalized in 2009.

Kate's New Look

2010-01-06T22:05:00.000-05:00

Kate's new look. Vote ~ pro or con?

Kate on Leno Tonight

2009-12-18T20:02:00.000-05:00

Kate will be on Jay Leno tonight at 10 PM, EST. Be there or be squa...er...home with your kids caring about them first, foremost and always, like you said you are.

Jon Gosselin Spotting

2009-12-17T23:55:00.000-05:00

Reading area opthalmologist Adam Altman sent me this picture tonight. It was taken earlier this evening when he ran into Jon Gosselin at Third & Spruce Cafe' in West Reading. Adam said Jon was sincere, gracious and friendly when asked to take the picture.

Adam is married to my friend Robin, who writes a hilarious blog. Read back through some of her entries and you are sure to at least giggle, if not fall on the floor painfully clutching your ribs. And if you like her humor be sure to buy her book, Shrink Rap: An Irreverent Take on Child Psychiatry. Robin is a child shrink, parent and standup comic, all of which qualify her to write a very funny (and really quite helpful) book on parenting.

Hmm...book on parenting. Wonder if a certain neighbor who lives on the other side of Penn Avenue, and who will be hitting the road with her very own talk show which will require her to spend lots of time away from her children in the spring, and to whom parenting comes first, foremost, and always, might like a copy?

Kate~A Most Fascinating Person~One of Ten!

2009-12-09T11:18:00.000-05:00

Kate Gosselin is one of Barbara Walter's Ten Most Fascinating People of 2009 on her annual special, tonight at 10PM EST on ABC-TV. Will this be another example of how Kate says she's taking the high road rather than embarrassing herself "like a certain someone" while she's embarrassing herself and taking the low road by making not-so-subtle stabs at her husband on national television? Or will this be another example of Kate being on national television like she was on the Ellen Degeneres Show taped in California, talking about how she's being a regular mom at home with her kids instead of jet-setting all over being on national television like a certain someone? Or will this be another calculated foot in the door toward her own talk show on national television, which if she gets she will have to do from the humble town of Wernersville PA if she plans to do it without jet setting all over the world while her children are home again with the nannies? One thing's for sure, Kate - if you want the attention to stop, stop feeding the beast. It will be interesting to see tonight's display of good mothering and taking the high road. Watch it and then come back to discuss.

Ding Dong, the Show is Dead!

2009-11-20T10:47:00.000-05:00

Ding dong, the show is dead.

This will give both Jon and Kate an opportunity to pursue whatever vocations they'd like to without involving the kids. Maybe Kate will get her own TV talk show. Who knows about Jon? Maybe he'll retreat into obscurity, where he's often wished he could escape back into. Or maybe he'll pursue some form of entertainment employment of his own (hopefully without collaborating with people like Michael Lohan ~ doesn't the fact that he is not a success and that his own very troubled daughter calls him a "scumbag" give you a clue?) Whatever. Now the kids have an opportunity for some privacy ~ and time and space for healing ~ during the rest of their childhoods.

The kids have never been old or mature enough to be capable of the level of informed consent their parents were. Later, in their adulthoods, if they want to go back into the entertainment business or even capitalize on the fame they once had as children, more power to them. But for now, let the kids be kids.

Good job Jon Gosselin!

Happy Holidays to Eight

2009-11-12T10:26:00.000-05:00

According to online news this morning, Jon and Kate will both be spending Christmas day with their little ones. Good job, both of you, for doing this for the kids. May you have a sweet-memory filled, acrimonious-free day.

And good for you, Jon, for coming out of the showbix fog you seem to have gotten lost in during the earlier part of this year. You are not only being a better father because of it, you're being a better person too.

Read the interview here.

Shame on TLC

2009-11-08T22:21:00.001-05:00

Here's the description of tomorrow night's hour-long episode. You'd never know the turmoil this family is going through from the promos TLC has been playing ad nauseum all weekend. It's all one big happy family, the Gosselins and TLC. Or Kate and TLC, that is:

"Jon & Kate Plus 8 Viewers' Top Moments: Kate takes a walk down memory lane as she looks back at viewers' favorite moments from Jon & Kate plus 8 and helps the audience countdown some of the best moments on the show." (Played to perky happy-wappy music, of course.)

Jon is suing TLC and TLC is suing Jon. Meanwhile TLC continues to squeeze more episodes (ie: more revenue) out of this family until they get all the legal details settled. What I wonder about both sides is, if you really care so much about the kids, why don't you call A Minor Consideration in to testify? Let the real experts ~ adults who have experienced being on television as children, as well as the real-life long term outcomes ~ tell it like it really is.

Is There a Doctor in The House?

2009-10-29T00:02:00.000-04:00

I've pondered the subject of Jon's father, Dr. Gosselin, for some time. Everything I've heard points toward Jon growing up in a good home. Jon came from a close, loving family. His father was a doctor and Jon went to high school in the wealthiest school district in Berks County. Jon's father role-modeled philanthropy in the community and beyond. How is it that Jon allowed himself to be swept up into a relationship with someone who not only demanded the best of every matchy-matchy thing for the kids but also managed, over time, to systematically cut every member of Jon's family (and some of her own) out of their lives and the lives of the children?

My dental hygienist worked for Dr. Gosselin, and she told me about one time when Jon and Kate brought the twins in for a checkup, back in the pre-sextuplets days. Some locals are open about their dislike of Kate, but this gal wasn't, and I got the feeling it was only because we were talking in an office setting in which I was having my teeth cleaned at the time. She had a way of couching her words to get the meaning across without crossing the line into unprofessionalism. She said that Jon was laid back and casual and Kate was...well, she didn't want to say demanding, but Kate knew what she wanted and she made it clear she expected to get it. Like many other locals I've asked about what Kate is really like, she confirmed that the real-life Kate is more blunt and less considerate than the Kate we've seen on the show.

Last week I was talking with someone else in the medical profession who knew Dr. Gosselin personally. According to her, Dr. Gosselin was hard-working, honest, and a good person. She told me that although Dr. Gosselin was retired, he re-opened his practice after Jon and Kate's sextuplets were born to help provide for his grandchildren financially. He died of a heart attack which some attribute to the stress of trying to help his son's family. [NOTE: A blog reader who was a patient of Dr. Gosselin challenges this story. Her words: "Jon's father did not retire and come back to practice after the tups were born. My kids were patients of his, and continue to be patients of Dr Gordos ( his partner).....he was practicing all along until he had a heart attack."]

During a recent visit to verify that one of my children didn't have swine flu, I asked our pediatrician what she thought of Jon and Kate. Like many locals, she was brimming with opinions. She told me that she knew Dr. Gosselin, Jon's father, and he was a fine man - kind, smart, classy. He was a pediatric dentist who was great with kids, cared about the quality of his work, and gave of his time and resources to help needy kids who couldn't afford dental work. (If I am correct he helped kids with cleft palates, but don't quote me on this.) She said Dr. Gosselin would have been horrified if he'd lived to see what's happened to his son's family. To quote her, "He would have taken Jon to the side a long time ago and put an end to all of this mess."

Now, there's always a chance that all of these impressions of Dr. Gosselin are incorrect. We all know about cases where the neighborhood icon turns out to be a pedophile/serial killer/polygamist/big fat old ratfink. But, considering the smarts of the women who told me that Dr. Gosselin was a great guy, I'm betting he was.

So what happened to Jon? How did he end up so codependent as to allow himself to be streamrolled over by Kate? And to the degree that she actually ended his relationships with the people he loved most? Forget the National Enquirer. Local inquiring minds want to know.

My Bad

2009-10-22T23:03:00.000-04:00

Like I said a couple of posts ago, sometimes I just can't help myself.

The next post will be more thoughtful. I promise.

Cutting Jon Slack, No Slack For Kate

2009-10-20T23:51:00.001-04:00

Those who have been reading this blog for some time may wonder why I seem to cut Jon more slack than I do Kate. Why do I defend him and not her? The reason is my years of work as a therapist with victims of PTSD caused by childhood abuse, domestic violence and other emotional trauma has led me to view Jon as a victim of emotional abuse.

I believe that Jon is a victim of domestic violence and that the violence started way before even the twins were born. Everyone I've talked to - and it's been several people - who worked with Kate at the hospital years before the kids came along have spoken about how high maintenence, demanding, and controlling she was. She's always been the same old Kate we've seen on the show, only more so, at least before she recently started putting some spin control on it and started acting (as opposed to being "reality") nice (or pitiable) when the cameras are on. And she's still the same old Kate when the camera's aren't on - demanding, narcisistic, and just plain mean. In short, abusive of whoever she wants to be abusive to, unless she wants something from them or she thinks they can further her "career."

It looks to me like Jon never stood a chance. When they met he was younger than Kate, naive, and malleable. The first time Kate saw him at a picnic and decided she wanted him, he was a goner, and she has proudly stated that it didn't even matter to her that he already had a girlfriend at the time. One doesn't have to look far to see her abuse of Jon because years of it are permanently recorded on the show, in episode after episode - putdowns, nasty jokes at his expense, slapping him. If she thought it was okay to treat him that way on camera, in full view of the world, imagine how she treated him in private, without anyone watching. Reports from locals who have been in their Wernersville home say that she screams, throws things and is nasty, mean and cruel, and I believe it. One person told me that a friend who was employed (I won't say what for but I will say it involved household work, not child care) by the Gosselins refused to work there when Kate was home because Kate was so abusive and horrible, but she loved working at the home when Jon was there because he was pleasant and kind. Kate behaves this way in front of the children, either unaware that she is role-modeling unhealthy adult relationship patterns in front of them, or not caring.

Imagine years of emotional abuse in the form of putdowns about everything that makes you you - your appearance, your humor, your thoughts and your feelings. Then imagine your partner being rewarded for abusing you, in the form of national attention and big paychecks. Attempts to assert yourself verbally are ignored or bulldozed over until you know it's no use even trying. Everyone sees her treating you that way and no one speaks up about it or acts as though it is unusual or unwarranted. In short, it is accepted as normal and if you don't like it, there's something wrong with you.

This is the world of the emotionally controlled and abused, and I believe this is the world of Jon Gosselin for all the years he was under the control of Kate. He said, after the public became aware that the relationship had been a sham for some time, that maybe he'd been too passive, and now it was time for him to assert himself. Well, Hell Yes, but by the time he did, it was too little and too late.

Underneath all the tabloid drama, I believe that Jon is basically a good person who waited too long to take control of his own life and has made some unfortunate social choices, but underneath it all, loves his children and has not intentionally hurt anyone. Unfortunately, even though I'm one who tries to be fair and give everyone the benefit of the doubt, I cannot say the same for Kate.

I realize I may be in the minority in the above beliefs, but this is my opinion. Your comments are welcome.

Jon & Kate, Give This Some Consideration!

2009-10-09T22:25:00.000-04:00

Love the new cover of O.K.! Magazine...

Only problem is, it's way too late.

A Minor Consideration should have been called in as a consultant to the show a couple of years ago. A lot of heartache could have been prevented.

But it's still not too late. TLC, Jon, and Kate, call Paul Petersen, the head of AMC, now! He's an expert on child performers as well as having been one himself, and he's a heck of a nice guy besides.

There's still time to save these kids from further trauma and psychological damage.

In twenty years, when your kids are thanking you for their loving childhoods instead of suing you and crying about you on their therapists' couches, you'll be glad you did.

Another Letter To Jon Gosselin From A Neighbor

2009-10-09T11:03:00.001-04:00

Dear Jon,

Great quote from you to E.T. online news on the Internet today:

"What she does on TV, that's her career. I'm happy for her career," the father of eight told "ET." "I hope she can be happy for my career [and] we can have a career on TV, kind of together, but our kids will come off."

C'mon Jon, make it true!

Hugs,
Your neighbor,
Polly

Faster Than a Speeding Kate Gosselin

2009-10-04T10:53:00.000-04:00

The story I heard was last Thursday night Jon was "flirting it up" with a server at Wyomissing's Viva, and then after the bar closed he took two (implied hot) girls out to breakfast at 2:30 AM. The following morning he was in Phila at 9 AM for a walk on autism. Then that afternoon he was back in the Reading area, where he "eyed up" the waitresses while having lunch at Hooters.

Here's what bothers me about these reports. What is "flirting it up?" What is "eyeing up?" What's wrong with meeting new people and going out to eat with them after the bars close? And although I am certainly far from a fan of Hooters, let's face it, it ain't about owls.

At this point I really question if Jon can go anywhere without people looking to see if he's trying to stick Mr. Happy somewhere it shouldn't be.

Here's what really offends me: Kate's driver going over 100 MPH to lose photogs the other day, with Kate and the kids in the vehicle. Guess what, Kate? You can't promote yourself all over America and then come home - even to little Wernersville PA - and expect to be invisible. What do you want? Do you want to be a brand, with the photographers and lack of privacy that lifestyle entails? Or do you want to be a regular citizen who can go places without being followed? By now you surely know you can't have it both ways. But whichever way you want it, don't endanger your kids' lives and the life of their mother by playing stupid games with your children inside four tons of steel hurtling at 105 miles per hour.

Free The Gosselin Eight!

2009-10-01T21:37:00.000-04:00

Jon's on Larry King Live right now and he's saying all the right things...the kids and family are a priority, his values got off track, etc. Yippee, Jon! Keep up the great work! If you stick to this, in twenty years you are going to be so glad you did, not only for your own sake, but more importantly, for the sake of your children.

A Note To Jon Gosselin

2009-10-01T15:38:00.001-04:00

Dear Jon,

I hope this isn't about you being squeezed out of J&K+8, having your income threatened, possibly losing the opportunity to do "fun" things like utilizing hookers in Vegas, or trying to finally show Kate once and for all who really wears the pants.

I hope this is about the welfare of your children.

I hope this is about you valuing the mental health of your children over money.

I hope this is about you wanting to get rid of the cameras and get back to human values that are most important...having fun together, quiet play time, sharing feelings, appreciation of nature, developing family traditions, being goofy just for the fun of it, role-modeling parents who may no longer be in love or even be married but who still treat each other with dignity and respect anyway, appreciating what you have instead of always having to have the best of every high end rich label thing, giving to others who are less fortunate than you, helping your children develop good human values, and settling in to enjoy the wonderful life this small community has to offer you, to name a few...all with no cameras.

I hope.

Sincerely,
Your Wernersville Neighbor

Kate Is Enough: The Kate Gosselin Story

2009-09-11T13:20:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I just can't help myself.

:)

Delaware Fan Interview at Gosselins~ August 30, 2009

2009-08-30T22:45:00.000-04:00

It was a busy day out on H------ Road, consider neither Kate nor Jon were at home. I don't know if the kids were inside with a nanny or not. The only signs of life were the dogs running around the lawn once in a while. A fan from Delaware was a good sport about answering my questions until a car came up behind me and forced me to drive on down the road. ( video was up temporarily but is no longer available) The Gosselins have the nicest fans.

There were no tabloid photogs today, unless they were well-concealed in the bushes. Sorry about the singing, it's a driving habit, and I also promise not to clear my throat next time. Question requests for the fans, anyone?

Why Not?!?

2009-08-27T17:59:00.000-04:00

http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=428392&GT1=28103

Why? Would there be something wrong with quitting? Don't you have enough money? Don't you want your children to go back to being themselves instead of going into ham mode whenever anyone's around? Don't you want the cameras, paparazi and critics to fade away? Don't you want to be able to go anywhere you want without people wanting something - autographs, pictures, scoops, fame - from you? Don't you want to be able to trust that your friends are really your friends and not just hanging around because you're (in)famous? Don't you want to be able to walk outside and relax without wondering if photogs are hiding in the bushes? Don't you want to have a life where your personal business is finally, once again, your own?

Why not?

Kate to Co-Host The View

2009-08-26T19:46:00.000-04:00

Kate is slated to co-host The View on two days in September, as part of a series of guest hosts who are replacing Elisabeth H who recently gave birth. Maybe the reports are true that Kate is trying to set herself up for her own talk show. Would you watch The Kate Gosselin Show if she gets her way?

http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=428261&GT1=28103
Should be interesting to see how she fares on The View. Just imagine the humorous comments standup veterans Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Bahar may come up with for their temporary co-host. My guess s that Whoopi will behave because she's probably never even seen J&K+8, but if Kate's challenged by Joy Bahar my money's on Joy.

Gosselin Fans Interview 8/23/09

2009-08-23T16:22:00.000-04:00

Yesterday there were no fans at the Gosselin property, at least when I drove by in the afternoon, but today there were several, standing in front on the road and walking in the field next to their spread. One group of fans declined to be interviewed but a couple from the Phila area was willing to talk with me. (video was on YouTube but is no longer available) I was going to end the interview with some silly questions including those submitted by my blog reader Fifth, but a car came up behind me and I had to skedaddle. The police weren't there today but when traffic starts to lag they come out and give tickets to get the vehicles moving. The top end of the property can be seen from a distance, but there's no visibility on the road from the lower end so cars parked around the curve can be a traffic hazard, especially with fans milling about the side of the road.

The negative things being said about J&K in the tabloids haven't caused a lag in fan attendance from what I've seen. Most of the fans seem to view Jon as a friendly, accessible guy who they'd enjoy having a chat with, and they're right. He sometimes comes down to say hello to the fans as well as the press congregating at the end of the driveway and along the road. As far as I know the only time Kate came down was once when she made a show of taking out the trash, and Jon has never brought any of the kids down. Sometimes you can see the kids playing up at the house but the impression I get is that both Jon and Kate try to create as much normalcy for them as possible when they are going about their daily lives at home. It's got to be incredibly difficult. How awful it must be to stop in at supermarkets and convenience stores and see your face on the cover with headlines like "He's A Dirtball." In my opinion that's the kind of personal invasion and attack that could cause trauma in the person being written about, not to mention his immature, defenseless children.

Jon Gosselin's Hanky Panky No Longer Newsworthy

2009-08-16T20:09:00.000-04:00

I finally have this blog set up, totally dedicated to J&K stuff. Please feel free to join in and add to the discussion.

It's a sad day when the subject of my last entry isn't even newsworthy anymore. The story behind my "blind" post was that Jon hooked up with babysitter Stephanie Santoro, who also bartended part time at Legends (I have to get over there and check this place out one of these days) and is an aspiring model (blah blah blah, who under the age of 25 isn't?) They entered his garage apartment at about 3 AM (this is what I heard anyway) thinking no photogs were around. But there was indeed one photog lurking in the bushes, and when the young woman stood in the door of Jon's apartment, you could hear Jon yelling at her from the background to get out of the doorway where she might be seen. The photog then tried to sell the picture for a great deal of money but only got $10,000.

When I posted about it, the photog was in negotiations to sell the picture of the babysitter in the doorway. My source thought it would go for a lot more than $10,000, and if that event had taken place a few months ago no doubt he would've been right. Now, unfortunately, the spectacle of Jon liberating Mr Happy is just no longer such a big deal.

Remember the good old days when a single shot of Jon leaving a bar with some unknown young chickipoo from Legends could yield $60,000? That's how much the photog reportedly got for the first picture of Jon in the car with Deanna Hummel, otherwise known as The Schoolteacher. Then Deanna's brother supposedly made a mint being interviewed about how he heard them having sex through the walls in the Reading PA apartment he shared with Deanna. Said brother even planned to sell the infamous supposedly seed-strewn mattress to the highest bidder on eBay (Ewwww. Insert nasty visual here.)

Since Kate filed for divorce, Jon's been making plenty of time with the ladies, if the tabs are to be believed. First Ms Hummel, then Hailey Glassman, the daughter of the plastic surgeon who did Kate's tummy tuck, then Star Magazine reporter Kate Major (aka Kate II,) who quit her job so as not to create a conflict of interest. Then Kate II attacked Jon when he publicly denied being romantically interested in her. Then there was the early morning sneaking into Jon's garage apartment with the babysitter/bartender/aspiring model from Legends.

Popular opinion here is that Jon was with all of them and has had to step quickly to cover his tracks. He denied his relationship with Deanna even though they dated for months and were even photographed vacationing together. (Wow Deanna, that had to hurt.) Then he hooked up with Hailey. He had to tell Kate II he was single in order to be with her. Then he had to say he wasn't with Kate II to preserve his relationship with Hailey. Then there was the early morning rendezvous with Stephanie. Then he denied being with Kate II or Stephanie and said Hailey is his one true love. And of course, since he's still legally married, he could be impacting his divorce settlement and custody agreement by being with any of them.

If Jon's actually been with all four of the women, that's a lot of juggling going on. Let's hope he's using protection. The last thing he needs is Jon & Kate Plus Eight Plus Another Baby Mama.

Not So Blind Gosselin Gossip Item ~ 8/2/09

2009-08-16T15:02:00.000-04:00

Sunday, August 2, 2009
A little birdie, but a totally credible little birdie, told me that a certain famous male neighbor did something really idiotic Saturday night*, without knowing a photographer was on a clandestine stakeout, catching it all on film. Now, like RIGHT NOW, the photog is trying to capitalize on the incriminating photos. Why? Because tomorrow, Sept 3, 2009, is the premiere of the sixth season of Jon & Kate + 8, and what the film depicts doesn't mesh with certain family values espoused by TLC, the network airing the show.

The photog has already been offered $10,000 for the pictures, but that's too low. Why, when a photo of Jon Gosselin leaving a bar with an unknown female (now known as "the schoolteacher") brings $80,000, and a photo of Kate slapping her child's behind brings $125,000, should he settle for just $10,000? C'mon, bloodthirsty tabloids, you can do better than that!

*This belongs in the "stupidest thing a celebrity ever did while knowing they were being watched 24/7" category, as well as the "I hate doing the show but can't man up to my overbearing wife or give up the perks like free trips to Europe for private rides on yachts of the rich and famous" category. It fits best in the category of "I hate the show but can't say No to it, so I'm going to do everything I can to screw it up so it has to go off the air."

Leah J. Utas said...
Oh, yes $10K is an insult.Say, doesn't this behaviour help with the ratings?
August 3, 2009 9:04:00 AM EDT

Werny Gal said...
Hi Dear Leah. Yes, it probably would. It seems the worse the situation gets, the more people have to slow down to see the accident. Now it's 10:20 in the morning the day of the season premiere, and the pictures and the exclusive scoop should be sold within the next half hour. If they go to the tabloids, everyone will see them. If they go to TLC, Jon, or someone invested in squashing them, they will disappear without a ripple. This is like watching a soap opera, at least here in Wernersville.
August 3, 2009 10:22:00 AM EDT

No Drama Mama said...
Isn't it ironic that the Gosselins do something stupid around the time of a much needed ratings boost? Gotta keep that gravy train chugging along......
August 3, 2009 11:48:00 AM EDT

Lynn W. said...
Wonder just how much TLC paid the photographer for the pictures? I sure haven't seen anything online or in any of the blogs. Can you give us any hints? Inquiring minds, you know. Keep up the Wernersville Watch.
August 4, 2009 5:16:00 PM EDT

Miranda said...
Lynn W. go to radaronline.comThere is just one pic, the woman is wearing a red shirt not a dress though.It actually IS in a few blogs, the only thing is...nothing Jon does is all that surprising anymore!!Even though Jon is acting rather immature; I still like him WAY more than Kate. Poor poor Kate. Having her kitchen remodeled (for free) is just so stressful, she has to go stay at the beach for two weeks (for free).Somehow, everything she does manages to be given to her for free, yet it still stresses her out. DRAMA queen, diva, child exploiter.If I had a nickel for each time she A) visits the spa -or- B) makes up a new word, I could retire in no time!
August 4, 2009 6:52:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
I went to radar online and that is indeed the story. What they didn't tell you was that Jon could be heard inside in the background, yelling for her to pull her head in because there might be photogs out there lurking in the bushes (and yes, there was. Just one. But that's all it took.)The National Inquirer bought the photo of her in the doorway for $10,000. They won't cop to it but it appears they own Radar too, because a few times when they've bought stories or photos they immediately put them on radar so no one could scoop them before their hard copy (the magazine) comes out. The full story will be in Friday's Inquirer.Gee, I hope they remember to mention that Jon was staggering drunk, according to my source. And let's not forget to add that he was driving at high rates of speed."The important thing is the kids." Hmmm, let's see...sex with bar pickups in your own home while the kids are sleeping and you know you're probably being photographed, driving drunk, breaking the speed limit while intoxicated, this helps the kids how...?About Kate. They bought the house from the doctor who delivered out first child. The doctor and his family are extremely nice, responsible people. Her comments about the house when she bought it were awful, and she neglected to mention that it had been vacant for several months before the Gosselins moved in. It's a country property, so of course it wasn't spotless. Dust and rodents do take over even in the city but esp in rural areas. Then last night Kate was at it again with her comments about the kitchen. You'd think five seasons of being on the air would have taught her some manners, but apparently not.
August 4, 2009 7:41:00 PM EDT

The Fifth Sparrow said...
Caught up on your older posts about the Gosselins. You are so lucky to live near them. Most people have to run away to join a circus.Came across this satire of Kate:http://tvmanonline.wordpress.com/2009/07/27/houston-tv-production-company-tvman-inc-bans-selling-stuff-for-your-kids/
August 5, 2009 1:17:00 AM EDT

Lynn W. said...
Thanks for the links. The 2 blogs I read don't have photos and I didn't read every message. Don't regularly check Radaronline either. Off I go.
August 5, 2009 2:29:00 AM EDT

Robin said...
I'm quitting my job and following Jon around all day. I hope he does bad stuff all the time.I've still never watched the show! I don't want anything to sully my revulsion.
August 9, 2009 9:48:00 PM EDT

Penny For Your Gosselin Thoughts ~ 7/3/0/09

2009-08-16T14:58:00.000-04:00

Thursday, July 30, 2009

My friend Al found this rare Gosselin artifact and listed it on eBay. God knows he needs to do something with his time while he's standing out on Heffner Road, waiting for Kate to either hit the kids in public or Jon to boink a young innocent schoolteacher on the lawn. Please bid, early and often. We must give Al a purpose in life.

Robin said...

I find it hilarious that the first bid will be 2 cents. For a penny. Boy, he'll be raking it in! Hope he has a day job.July 30, 2009 10:31:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said... That's one way to look at it, Robin. The other is that he's doubling his money. And although it's against eBay policy, I also like to think he'll make some profit on the postage. :)

July 30, 2009 11:48:00 PM EDT

The Fifth Sparrow said... Hi, wandered over from Bag Lady's Blather.When I saw it was an authentic Gosselin artifact my eyes did an involuntary roll.You see, I used to be a fan. Back before the skunk hair, the freebie jeebies and the other insanity. I drove away from the train wreck some time ago, naively assuming my boycott of the show would result in its immediate cancellation by TLC. I still view the tabloid blurbs though...(Is there a Betty Ford Centre for Gosselin Addiction?)When I clicked the link, I laughed out loud. Al is a very, very funny man. Hope his auction makes at least as Kate does in an hour.

August 4, 2009 2:05:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...

Thanks for visiting, Fifth. If you wander back through my posts you'll see several devoted to that train wreck which is the Gosselins. It's very odd hearing so much about a family who basically have nothing to do with the locals. At least, Kate. Jon does go out and get his par-tay on, and this Friday's National Enquirer will have the scoop on some nautiness he was up to this past Sat night.

August 4, 2009 3:03:00 PM EDT

"The Talk Of The Town" ~ 7/16/09

2009-08-16T14:54:00.000-04:00

Thursday, July 16, 2009
Kate Gosselin has called her hair "the talk of the town" and claimed it's requested at salons across the country.

That

frickin'

Angelina

can

make

any

haircut

look

good.

Gwynneth?

Not

much.

For more fun photoshopped pix of celebs in The Kate, go here.

Discuss.

Robin said...
This just proves that Angelina is the most beautiful woman in the universe, in case there were any doubters.
July 16, 2009 8:44:00 PM EDT

Leah J. Utas said...
Don't watch so I have limited business commenting, but I must ask KG:How can anyone see your hairstyle when your head is so far up your ass?
July 17, 2009 8:33:00 AM EDT

Anonymous said...
I can see why you people don't think Kate Gosselin is attractive when you believe Angelina Jolie is the most beautiful woman in the universe. Yes, I'm a doubter. So is my husband. We're not fans of Jolie the Jezabel. She's a skank.Amusing photoshopping, though.
July 20, 2009 8:24:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
This is your fourth comment here, Anon, and not a pleasant one in the bunch. How about introducing yourself? Or do you prefer to just hit and run?
July 20, 2009 9:13:00 PM EDT

Why Do the Gosselins Never Learn? ~ 6/26/09

2009-08-16T14:50:00.000-04:00

Friday, June 26, 2009
Yesterday Jon Gosselin was spotted on his lawn, by a photog with a telephoto lens, smoking something that looked suspiciously like the evil weed. Although the papparazis weren't close enough to give it the smell test, it was a hand rolled smoke, and not his usual cigarette brand.

Kate was shopping at the Park City Mall in Lancaster. She was approached by a fan who wanted to take her picture in the parking lot, and her reaction was to scream, "Don't you dare touch my car!"

Jon has been caught with his girlfriend, caught getting blasted at the bars, and the road in front of his house is lined with papparazi from all over the US and the UK. He is now getting divorced and he and Kate are working out child custody details. Yet he still continues to take incredible risks. Kate has been called a bitch so many times her picture is now probably next to the word in the dictionary, and she has said Jon literally won't talk to her anymore. Kate says salons all over the country have customers asking for her haircut (I doubt it!) and she has been trying unsuccessfully to sell her talk show idea. Despite tons of feedback about her unearned sense of entitlement, her narcissism hasn't seemed to slow down one iota.

How totally self-defeating can two people get?

Leah J. Utas said...
This is a fascinating trainwreck. If one can shunt aside the terrible toll it must be taking on their children if not now, then certainly somewhere down the road. I haven't watched their abomination of a television show as I have no patience with contrived reality, but I cannot help but be interested in how low they will go.Yeah, it's sick.
June 26, 2009 12:22:00 PM EDT

Robin said...
I think they would squirm on the ground like worms and eat their own shit if it would get the show ratings. That's how low they would go, Guys.
June 28, 2009 9:55:00 PM EDT

Twice as Nice said...
Those two make my blood boil. Don't ya think they have made ENOUGH money already to take care of the kids? They love to say "I'm doing it for my kids, it's all for the kids." Sorry I don't buy that one. It is for KATE and JON. Kate loves the attention and money and Jon loves all the new "toys". Quit spending the college money. The kids were just fine in the old house. It was the parents that wanted the new house. It just drives me crazy that these two have gotten away with as much as they have. I was wondering why Kate said she had to file after seeing what Jon did over the weekend. Now I see it must of been the joint he was smoking in front of everyone that put her over the edge.Have a great week.
July 1, 2009 9:35:00 AM EDT

The Girl from the Ghetto said...
Did you hear their announcement this week, that they were no longer going to comment publically on what people were saying about them? LOL. No one has been talking about them because of MJ's death. So they had to make a media announcement basically just to get attention. Those two get kill me. No one cares about them anymore, and I love it.
July 2, 2009 2:13:00 PM EDT

Anonymous said...
Wow, how do you have the nerve to comment negatively on Kate's hair? Take a glimpse in the mirror at your own out-of-date appearance (from which decade did you purchase those glasses frames and aquire YOUR hairstyle?!). July 10, 2009 9:47:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
Wow Anon, you must be having a very bad day! I wasn't half as hard on Kate as you were on me. The difference between Kate and is, I don't go around calling my hair “the talk of the town” and claiming erroneously that my hair is being requested at salons all over the country. Glad you love her so much. She certainly needs someone on her side.
July 11, 2009 6:16:00 PM EDT

Robin said...
Anon, my friend Werny Gal is beautiful. And even better, she doesn't mooch off others, and go around bragging about herself. If you think Kate is stylish, you might need those early cataracts removed.
July 16, 2009 8:42:00 PM EDT

Anonymous said...
Robin, when you have kids added to your marriage equation, you will earn the right to comment about Kate's predicament. A moocher is someone who has the tendency to ask for help from others while making no effort to help themselves. Kate does not fall in this category. After the sextuplets were born, Jon could not hold a job. Yes, she took all the help offered to her, just like any mom wanting to provide for her children would do. You don't have children. You don't know what it can be like not to be able to come & go as you please and take whichever career opportunities you may come across when you have small children at home to care for. You can't just walk out the door and get any job shift you want. I have the feeling you'll be the type to pawn them off on your mom to provide care while you go to work. Or perhaps you'll drop them off at a daycare facility. At least Kate is assertive, knows what she wants, and is the primary caregiver for her children, which is a more difficult job than you realize. (So difficult, that Jon wanted out.)
July 20, 2009 8:16:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
Anon, you are being very presumptuous. Or should I call you "Kate"?
July 20, 2009 9:10:00 PM EDT

Anonymous said...
Well, yea, Werny Gal, it pisses me off that a "councelor" who claims to specialize in helping women with distorted body images and relationship problems would be so nasty to fellow women. Stop and think... you're putting down women in this blog for being assertive. It's very odd & sad. This is why women have self image problems and struggle with abusive relationships -- society calls them a bitch if they speak up for themselves.
July 20, 2009 11:40:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
Actually, I think I was making fun of one woman's fascination with her own hair. :)
July 21, 2009 6:02:00 AM EDT

ICExploitation said...
Anon - Kate did not accept anything she received. Yes, any Mother in that situation, should be grateful for anything she receives. Yet, Kate had the audacity to refuse things that were not to her liking. I cannot confirm any of these stories of ungratefulness, but I do now what I have seen. All of the first episodes from the specials show a nursery with 6 matching cribs. Have you ever seen any of the kids in "hand me downs"?
July 21, 2009 4:47:00 PM EDT

Robin said...
Anon, I have kids. Yet, I felt that after having 2 kids, perhaps I should stop so that I could continue to work, and my husband and I could give them the time and care they deserve. I never thought of having fertility treatments to have a whole litter of the little buggers, and then live off the situation! Brilliant! Werny Gal's not mocking Kate as an assertive woman. She's mocking the silliness of being so holier-than-thou and entitled.
August 9, 2009 9:58:00 PM EDT

Eight Minus Jon & Kate ~ 6/22/09

2009-08-16T14:41:00.000-04:00

Monday, June 22, 2009
8:57 PMTLC's been heavily promoting tonight's episode of J&K+8 all week, and then today there was a big spoiler. Divorce papers were filed in Bucks County, PA, for Jon & Kate Gosselin. I drove by their house yesterday and it was one big tranny mess of photogs, papparazi and rubberneckers dying to get a glimpse of some salacious activity, like maybe Jon doing a coed on the lawn or Kate beating the children with a wire hanger. No such luck. The garage door was open and once in a while a kid or two ran around the lawn a little.

Two minutes after my drive-by, Jon walked down the lawn and had an impromptu press conference with the pappas and r-neckers. They asked what tonight's big announcement would be, and he would only reply that they had to watch the show tonight. Why then were divorce papers filed today, rather than waiting until tomorrow when it wouldn't spoil the show they've been hawking all week? Who knows. No one ever said anything about the Gosselins made sense, right?

If I'd hung around and had a chance to ask Jon a question or two before I drove off, I would have asked him these:1) Why, if it's all about the kids, are you getting a one-bedroom apartment in New York City? How can your kids visit you in a one bedroom apartment? And why are you getting an apartment three hours from your kids?2) Why were you looking at a one bedroom apartment at Trump Plaza that rents for $3400 a month, when you could get Berks County's finest for probably a max of $1000, and be a half hour from your children?3) What financial renumeration are your children getting for having their lives and their psychological and emotional health invaded? California is the only state which has any laws regarding making sure the children are provided for financially when they grow up. You and Kate wouldn't even have the show if it wasn't for your eight little beauties. You both live opulent lives with a great house and property and cars and expensive surgeries and clothes and now expensive apartments. Are the kids getting eight-tenths of the money, being put away as investments for their futures? Or are you taking advantage of PA's lack of child protection regarding child actors and neglecting to provide for their futures?

Well, the show starts in three minutes. I'm going to go watch the announcement that the Gosselins are getting a divorce.

9:50 PM

The papers were filed in Montgomery County today, even though the Gosselins live in Berks County. My question was, why did they file today, when it spoiled the announcement on the show? But now I know, because it's 9:50 PM, ten minutes before the end of the show, and the announcement about the divorce paper being filed was just flashed on the screen. Obviously, they filed at the end of the day, in another county, to coincide with the text which was previously edited into the show to be aired tonight. So much for "reality" TV.

Leah J. Utas said...
Abomination. Divorce played for maximum ratings.But then, what would one expect?I have never bought into "reality" shows as I don't believe a real "reality" show would be allowed as it wouldn't be entertaining.You posed some good questions. I feel for those kids.
June 23, 2009 8:00:00 AM EDT

Werny Gal said...
I know, Leah, it's so crazy! Jon's comment was, "We interview separately, we'll film different things. Me and the kids, her and the kids."Kate's comment was, "How does the show go on? The show MUST go on!"Wouldn't it have been great if Jon and Kate had said "How can our family go on? The family MUST go on!" Too bad ending the show and saving their marriage and getting those poor kids back to a normal life wasn't their choice.
June 23, 2009 11:06:00 AM EDT

Kathi D said...
I see the show is on "hiatus" now. Let's hope it's permanent. Of course, the network stopped it, not the parents.I always wonder why, with all that property, they always seem to be playing on the driveway in front, in full view of cameras, etc.? (I don't really wonder. I know it's because they like being on the cover of magazines.)
June 23, 2009 2:58:00 PM EDT

BILLJ said...
The Gosselins should have had the courage to seek help from a therapist/counselor, even Dr. Phil, to keep this family a whole ten -- that is, if they really care about the kids more than themselves. The first advice they would have received is to get the children off a TV program. Instead we have Jon relishing a "new life" of freedom at 32 and Kate promising not to be alone for very long. It adds up to a very sad portrait of life among some of our totally self-absorbed fellow citizens.
June 23, 2009 10:05:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
Tonight it came out in the news that Jon and kate haven't been together as a couple for two years. The whole show has been a sham for at least that long, even their renewing their marriage vows in Hawiai. I hope the money is worth the heartache. And that they'll have plenty put aside for all the therapy and rehabs their eight children will need fifteen years from now. What a mess.
June 23, 2009 11:19:00 PM EDT

Robin said...
I'm shocked that they're getting divorced. They seem like such normal, down-to-earth people. Hahahaha! Oh, dear. That was a good one.
June 24, 2009 10:50:00 PM EDT

Letter To My Neighbors Jon & Kate Gosselin ~ 5/25/09

2009-08-16T14:31:00.001-04:00

Monday, May 25, 2009
Dear Jon & Kate,I decided to actually watch some Jon & Kate + 8 after receiving so many comments and emails after my last post on you, my famous neighbors. My desire to learn about the show has been more than satisfied with the J&K marathon that TLC’s been playing this weekend, obviously to boost ratings for tonight’s debut of Season 5.

I’ve been watching on and off all weekend and taping what I’ve missed, since I do have a life and can’t spend all of a three day holiday weekend watching you on TLC. I just finished watching the Season 5 debut and gawd help me, I’m actually somewhat enthralled. Your responses to the tabloid rumors were engrossing. Jon, I agree totally. No one has actually seen you boinking in public, so no one can prove it. Of course women and men can just be friends. And Kate, I was impressed with your addressing the rumors head-on. You go gal. And I have to admit, I love your kids. Your children are smart, loving, well behaved and adorable. A little loud, but adorable.

Jon, tonight you said you have a different kind of career than most people have, because this is your career and this is your life. That may be true, but since you’re not fulfilled, how about going back to having a regular job, like you did before? Better yet, since you don’t need the money, volunteer somewhere meaningful to you. Not everyone is fulfilled staying home with the kids all the time. I personally couldn’t do it either, and if I had to I probably would’ve burst an arteriole artery a long time ago. On the other hand, my husband would love nothing more than to pitter around the house all day, neatening up and organizing to his heart’s content. Since you can’t escape your fame, how about using it to benefit a local organization that serves children who aren’t as fortunate as yours? There are lots of great agencies and organizations in Berks County that would love your support.

Kate, you said that Jon doesn’t want to do everything at home, yet he doesn’t feel very good about you right now, so he likes it when you travel. You also acknowledged (and good for you, because you have to admit you have a problem before you can fix it, right?) that you’ve been very hard on him. Then you asked, rhetorically, what’s the solution? Well, how about while Jon goes out and does something more personally meaningful to him, you stay home? You don’t need to sell your books: They are selling themselves. Stay home and plan some fun things to do with your kids when the cameras aren’t around. May I suggest making mudpies or otherwise making a good old-fashioned mess, like most kids love to do? They won’t die of germs, you’ll get adorable pictures, and they’ll have happy memories forever, I promise. As a bonus, they won’t be OCD when they grow up, like a certain role model they clearly love and adore.Last of all,

Kate, about the bitchy thang. Tonight you really yelled at one of the boys, (I think it was Aaden,) more than we’ve heard before. My theory about most parents is that if they act badly in public (you know, like those awful parents who hit their kids in Wal-Mart) that it’s probably much worse in private, where they know no one can see them. One of the allegations the tabs have made against you is that while we see an extremely snippy Kate on the show, in real life you’re a totally out-of-control raving screaming Momster. If the report is true that it’s sometimes been hard for the TLC crew to film even twenty two minutes of airable material because of all the screaming and fighting going on in your home, you are not only in pain yourselves, but your children are being hurt by learning negative lessons about communication and adult relationships, not to mention the emotional confusion and skewed reality of having to pretend to be happy while the camera’s filming. Really, no one could handle all that’s on your plate without having occasional meltdowns, even those without television cameras in their faces three or four full days a week. Clinical depression can be caused by sleep deprivation and physical and emotional exhaustion even in someone who has no history of depression in their family. IMO, an anti-depressant might be a good idea, not only for you, but peripherally for your partner and children as well. Remember, a day without serenity is like a day without sunshine. Sometimes it's just the responsible thing to do. (Yes, I am a psychotherapist. I just don’t play one on TV.)

I would like to offer one more general piece of advice (not that you asked, but since I’m on a roll.) How about driving down to Penn Avenue and saying Hello to some of your neighbors? Stop in at the Cone and enjoy some ice cream. Browse Five & Divine and make chitchat with the locals. Take the kids up to the South Mountain park to play on the big jungle gym set or bat some tennis balls around (keys to the courts are available for only $5 up at the Township office.) And ~ here’s a novel idea ~ do it all without the TLC crew, or calling ahead to ensure freebies. You'll not only enjoy your new little town, but your fellow Wernersvillians will become more protective of you (and less gossipy about you!) when they have been given actual human beings to care about and become attached to. Remember, everything doesn't have to be an episode. Just pile into that big ugly blue van and Go! Just have fun together, just for the hell of it, like a real family.

See you at the supermarket, neighbors,

Werny Gal

Kathi D said...
You are so right about all of it. I feel a little silly to be so involved with this family, but it makes me sad that it's being treated as a "show" when it's actually their life. As a psychotherapist, do you see what I see, that Jon has been treated as the 9th child for so long that he is rebelling? I have a feeling that if Kate would treat him like a man and a husband, he wouldn't need to run away. The kids clearly want nothing more than their mom and dad and each other.
May 26, 2009 1:14:00 AM EDT

Leah J. Utas said...
I can't comment on the show, but I have to say I enjoyed your post.My guess is you've articulated what a lot of viewers think. They've put themselves out in the public eye and have become public figures. They are fair game.Has this family remained isolated from the townspeople? It sounds like it.Anyway, this was a good read and thoughtful.
May 26, 2009 8:27:00 AM EDT

Werny Gal said...
HI and Welcome, Kathy. Yes, Jon has been immasculated and infantalized. I do suspect that he's a little less mature than Kate anyway, but she doesn't help him step up to the plate by continually putting him down and telling him what to do. Hearing what an idiot your partner thinks you are several times a day for years would wear anyone down. If they didn't have kids I'd suggest they divorce, unless she learns how to utilize her wit (and she IS witty) without putting the other person down. She does it to the children, too, although not as badly (from what we're shown) and at least she balances it with affection with the kids. She could benefit from some communication skills counseling, and if her unhappiness stems from having learned her communication patterns in her early life (as I personally suspect it does, because of the estrangement from her parents - not that I'm blaming them because who knows the real story - and also because people who knew her and have worked with her say she was always this way, even before the kiddies came along) she could also benefit from working through some childhood issues that are impacting her negatively today. She would be happier, it would improve her relationship with Jon, and they would begin to model a more positive, loving adult relationship for the kids.I agree about Jon rebelling like a 9th child. If you want someone to betray you, treat them as untrustworthy. Eventually they will meet your expectations. Geez, aren't you glad you asked? ;)
May 26, 2009 10:19:00 AM EDT

Werny Gal said...
Yes, dear Leah, they do not mix. They are pretty isolated in their big house, although Kate does go to Target and Jon buys gas at the little Hess gas station in Wernersville. It would help if they stepped out for a pizza or ice cream. In about two weeks the town is having our annual Trolley Day, where cute little old fashioned trolleys drive around town and the shops have open houses. They could go - sans cameras - and say Hi and smile at people and just be part of the experience. They could take a friend or two (if they still have any that are unconnected to the show) to help with the kids and just have fun. You know, like us normal folks.
May 26, 2009 10:24:00 AM EDT

Robin said...
I refuse to ever watch it. You can't make me. Waaaah!
May 26, 2009 11:48:00 AM EDT

Werny Gal said...
That's what you think, Robin, heh heh heh. I'll get you my pretty, and your big husband and your two little sons too...(insert visual of flying monkeys and long green fingernails here)
May 26, 2009 4:03:00 PM EDT

Queen of the Road said...
I'm with Robin. I can't understand therapists watching this. Don't we deal with this stuff enough all day? Now maybe, if someone paid me to watch the show...
May 29, 2009 5:28:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
HI Doreen, thanks for dropping by. I atually find the public response to the show and the whole tabloid experience to be more fascinating that the actual Gosselins. At what point does "reality" become Reality? What is the line when someone signs up to be the subject of reality TV? How much is true and how much is tabloid fiction? How much privacy can one really exopcet when they sign up for these things? How come some reality TV subjects are able to maintain their dignity while others totally lose theirs? Can you have a reality show about regular people, since once you have a show about them they're no longer regular people anymore? And why do so many people care so much? It's all one big tranny mess and I find it very interesting, from a pop culture perspective.
May 31, 2009 7:25:00 PM EDT

TVsnarkalot said...
I love your blog and this letter.But I must say, your LINKS are OFF THE HOOK!!!
June 2, 2009 1:02:00 AM EDT

maureen said...
What do you think of the effect will be of these children growing up on camera? I have watched tolieting, tantrums, their mother making fun of them and other private moments that have been recorded for TV viewing and on DVD. I worry that most children may have unpleasant or uncomfortable moments but normally they would forget them, but here they are available for viewing over and over, not to mention available for classmates and strangers to view and comment on. What are your thoughts on this?
June 2, 2009 8:27:00 AM EDT

Werny Gal said...
TVSnark, that video on J&K is hilarious! There's so much material to work with, isn't there? It would make a great comedy film. I picture Reese Witherspoon as Kate. Thanks for visiting and glad you like my links!Maureen, you wouldn't believe the things I hear from people who have first-hand experience with them. At this point I am feeling very badly for those kids. I think the whole show is a complete sham, mostly propelled by Kate but of course agreed upon by TLC, just to keep the money rolling in. You have the house, the teeth, the surgically-induced flat belly, the new boobs, the tons of freebies, the fame and the millions now, Kate, isn't that enough?The kids are going to have this following them for the rest of their lives. And they had no choice.I wish the Gosselins would move away and the Roloffs would move in. I love me some Roloffs. They have managed to remain nice people throughout all of their seasons on TLC.
June 2, 2009 11:18:00 AM EDT

Miranda said...
Wow, thanks for the inside scoop!I was very surprised with Jon & Kate bought their new house and property. Kate loves warm weather, tanning, and sending the kids outside to play so they leave her alone. Kate belongs in California. She acts like a spoiled Beverly Hills wanna-be, she might as well live for real...It is kind of sad to see how she's so dismissive of her children. It's like she wanted 'babies' but doesn't want to be a mother when it's inconvenient for her.In a way, it's good for me to watch her. I feel constant pressure from family to have children, but I don't want them. I'm easily tired out (but unlike Kate I have an excuse, I'm on meds for Epilepsy). If I had kids, I'd probably be telling them to leave me alone, I'm exhausted! There is so much pressure to have a "normal" life with a husband and children, no one ever talks about the upsides of being single and childless. I have a great life, lots of freedom!Well, thanks for letting me ramble on and ON! LOVE your blog!
June 2, 2009 6:51:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
Welcome, and thanks, Miranda. Parenthood is definitely not for everyone, and some people just shouldn't have kids. (I'm not saying Kate shouldn't have, I'm just saying some people aren't well equipped to be parents. That's why we have so much abuse and related problems in our culture.) I agree, society does expect adults, especially women, to have babies in order to be fulfilled. If you don't want kids or it wouldn't fit your lifestyle for whatever reason, I say don't bow to the pressure! There are real advantages to remaining childless, like having more disposable income, free for trips and vacations, more time to focus on your relationship with your partner, etc. In my case it's way too late, since hubby and I have two bouncing teenage boys, but in your case...Enjoy!
June 2, 2009 8:14:00 PM EDT

TLCexploitsChildren said...
If they would only read and heed your spot on advice. So many folks have recently asking her to re-evaluate her behavior and what she's doing to her family. I agree about Jon rebelling like a 9th child. If you want someone to betray you, treat them as untrustworthy. Eventually they will meet your expectations.So true. She says such horrid things to her husband and children and it's no wonder how they behave with that sort of reinforcement.
June 2, 2009 10:46:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
I agree, TLCExploitsChildren, it is pretty sad. I think all this crap coming out is maybe the best thing that could happen for that family. Maybe it's time to give up the sham and get out of the spotlight, and try to get back to normal, if they ever even knew what that was. Thanks for visiting.
June 2, 2009 11:25:00 PM EDT

ShisoandRice said...
Interesting that as a therapist you completely ignore the huge elephant in the room that is Kate's Narcissistic Personality Disorder.It is the overwhelming cause of all the issues in that family and household.
June 3, 2009 11:50:00 AM EDT

Werny Gal said...
Hi Shiso and thanks for visiting. Believe me, I do have lots of opinions and thoughts that I haven't expressed here. Although I did suggest that antidepressant meds might help in my opinion, I wouldn't clinically diagnose anyone on my blog. I can't say I disagree with you tho! ;)
June 3, 2009 12:04:00 PM EDT

Anonymous said...
Free the Gosselin 8 - their kids are miserable, whiny, nervous, anxious, tantrum throwing, etc., and Kate Gosselin could care less -she has sacrificed their innocence at the altar of financial gain. she is a horrible, hateful, manipulative shrew and he is a lazy, spoiled pimp! They are scum of the earth trash
June 3, 2009 12:15:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
Thanks for visiting, Anon, next time I hope you'll tell us how you REALLY feel!Hey, if you lived there, wouldn't you be miserable, whiny, nervous, anxious, tantrum throwing, etc too? I know I would. Hell, I'm that way just from reading the tabloids!
June 3, 2009 12:33:00 PM EDT

Nancy/PA said...
Excellent post. As I've been watching J&K over the years, I just knew he wouldn't be able to put up with her constant emasculation forever. He is a man, after all -- yes, immature, but a man nonetheless. Kate went after him when he was young and stupid, solely for the fact she wanted an Asian BF. What Kate wants, Kate gets.
June 3, 2009 6:13:00 PM EDT

GG in Pa said...
I really enjoyed your letter! As a professional, do you think that these 8 kids will ever be able to lead "normal" lives? Even if the plug was pulled on their show soon? I just wonder if the damage is already done...
June 3, 2009 6:50:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
Howdy and Welcome, Nancy and GG.Nancy, I did think Kate's comment about how Jon's former girlfriend was gone the day after he met her (at the picnic) was interesting. Did you happen to catch that one? It was like she had no regard for him being in a relationship. She just thought he was hot, and that was that. And she sounded so braggy. What was up with that?GG, in my opinion it depends on the personality of the child, as well as many other circumstances. I always compare them to the Roloffs, who seem so well- adjusted. They have managed to become rich and famous thru their reality TV experience, yet they are still good, real people. It appears to me that the outcome depends largely on the behaviors and views of the adults in charge. I'm sure some of them will be more hurt than others. And the same with J&K. I have a feeling Jon could quit the show tomorrow and go about his merry life and be back to normal in a year. Kate, on the other hand, is going to be dealing with this big whole mess for some time to come, IMO. What do you think?
June 3, 2009 7:25:00 PM EDT

miblue1 said...
Kates verbal abuse is hard to watch- those children cringe and flinch--like they know in advance the wrath of their mother..I feel so sorry for them.If their father can not bear the stress how does anyone expect those children to bear up under all this stress..and Kate if you think those tups have no idea what is going on---think again.Children know more then we give them credit for...if this is what we see on tv WHAT are they hiding behind closed doors?I hope Paul Peterson keeps dogging them he might be their only warrior in this fight to free them from the gravy train that these two greedy parents have sent racing down the track.
June 3, 2009 10:46:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
HI Mi, I LOVE Paul Peterson. The show is very hard for me to watch for exactly the reason you are stating. I still haven't seen all the episodes. It is painful. And aren't those kids just the best - so smart, thoughtful and loving?
June 3, 2009 10:54:00 PM EDT

thegirlfromtheghetto said...
I know you already know how I feel. I'm ready for it to be over, so those kids can get some peace. If mommy needs to keep marketing herself, that is fine, but I am not longer watching this show, because it is simply no longer entertaining in any way.
June 6, 2009 2:47:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
I understand, Girl. I couldn't believe it when I went to the store today and there were SEVEN rags with stories about them on the front covers. I thought last week was bad but I think this week's number of covers breaks all previous records. If I were a parent splayed out on a tabloid like that, I wouldn't take my kids to the store for fear of running into the awful stories. The twins can read, but the six little ones aren't stupid either. What a sad and sordid mess.
June 6, 2009 5:52:00 PM EDT

Stalking Jon & Kate Gosselin the Small Town Way ~ 4/19/09

2009-08-16T14:24:00.000-04:00

Sunday, April 19, 2009
A couple of posts ago I wrote about our Wernersville Neighbors, Jon and Kate Gosselin. They and their sizable brood live a couple of miles from us on a beautiful property they bought, coincidentally, from the obstetrician who delivered our first son. Last week my friend Amy visited from Ohio and I took her out to see J&Ks house. She's a huge J&K fan, has seen every episode, and knows everyone who's ever been on the show. (This is compared to me, who has seen maybe a total of three episodes and just doesn't get what the fuss is all about.) Before embarking on our journey to the home we stopped in at a couple of local establishments to query within about any recent Gosselin Gossip I may have missed on my daily errand-runnings. Here are some of the hot tidbits we picked up.

J&K have not yet been spotted at one local business, although the producers did stop in and say they might be coming by and if so, cameras would be following closely behind. (I guess because the business is public property because it's partially funded through the govenment, so the cameras can enter any time they wish.) One employee there, who shall remain nameless, stated that if the cameras come in the front door she's going out the back. It was generally hoped that if the producers do plan on following the Gosselins into said establishment, the least they can do is provide a preliminary phone call the day previous to the visit so the employees have an opportunity to dress nicely for the occasion.

Another person (who I'll call Pat. Okay, that's her real name) said that she went to a yard sale held by J&K when they lived in Wyomissing, prior to the move to Elizabethtown (previous to their most recent move to Wernersville.) The yard saler said that Kate, who was (wo)manning the yardsale tables, had her undies all in a bundle because Jon refused to sweep the sidewalk, which Jon was understandably reluctant to do as there was a yard sale in progress. (This was before they were famous, so Pat just thought Kate was somewhat bossy.) At one point Pat complimented Kate on a state-of-the-art snuggly for sale, to which Kate whined that someone had given it to her, but had only given her one, whereas she had six babies, and what was she to do with only one lousy snuggly? [Pat's comment to me was that while Kate complained about the brazen inconsideracy of the stingy snuggly-giver, Pat wondered what Kate would ever be able to do with six snugglies anyway: Wear two on her chest, two on her back, and one on each ankle?]*

In one establishment we ran into someone who used to be close to Kate and babysat the six when they were babies. She said she doesn't know why Kate stopped calling her for help but she said she grew to love the babies (now four yrs old) and still misses them. She says things (well, okay, Kate) changed after television cameras entered the Gosselin's lives.**

Amy and I were all aglow with our luck at running into actual human beings who had had real interactions with our famous yet elusive subjects. We continued on our journey two miles out of town and both drew our breath when we rounded the corner and saw the property. It is truly beautiful, idyllic really.

***
We stopped the car to enjoy the view and take a couple of pictures when I noticed another car had pulled up behind us and was doing the same rude rubbernecking we were so deliciously guilty of. There was a white van which looked like it belonged to something like a security company parked at the end of the driveway and a man got out and was looking through the tall metal gate. At that point there was a flurry of activity coming down the yard and Amy and I both broke into shrieks of inane hysterical laughter as we saw Jon zooming toward us on a pimped out golf cart. I put the car into drive and we pretended to not give a rat's ass about seeing Jon in person as we drove by hopefully appearing nonchalant but secretly clutching each other's hands while shrieking under our breath, "Didyouseethat? OhmygawdwasthatJon? OhmygawdthatwasJon! Jezezwashepissed! HaHahahahahaha!"

For those of you who have propagated or spread the rumors that Jon is gonadless, let me set you straight. The man has some fire in him as evidenced by his face which gets very red when he is furious. I don't know if he was pissed at the white truck in his driveway, at us, or at the car behind us, but in any case it sure wasn't pretty.

That was so much fun that after Amy and I drove by, we turned around and drove slowly in front of the house again, back toward my home. By that time Jon was talking with the white-van guy at the end of the driveway inside the gate. Then, after Amy and I went back into town and had Thai for lunch, we drove back out to the house for more! (Don't worry, we changed vehicles so as to not appear to be stalkers. I mean, driving by slowly taking pictures gawking and giggling uncontrollably the same day in the same vehicle twice? Well now, that would be just plain rude.)

My friend Amy's hands taking pictures. By this time the white truck had been allowed inside the property. The guy on the right with the black knit hat on is Jon.

When we drove to the house in the second vehicle, Jon and all of the kids were outside playing in the driveway. The children were all wearing different colored coats and some of them were riding little trikes and bikes around and around. I have to say they were adorable, kind of like multicolored spinning muchkins only not creepy, and although I have no idea who was who, Amy could be heard next to me gasping, "Oh, that's Mady! Oh look, there's Joel! That's Alexis!" ****

I'm sure I'll have more news for you the next time I take another J&K fanatic out to see their house. Meanwhile I'll try working on those pictures tomorrow. Maybe Blogger will be feeling a little more amenable to our insatiable tabloidish desires by then.

*I realize the potential for J&K rumors is ginormous and so I assure you that "Pat" is a real person and she and I have been friends for years.
**I heard this first person from the former babysitter, who is someone I have had many conversations with and whom I have no reason to believe would make this up.
***Click on each image to see it blown up. If you're really OCD for J&K you can print them out, blow them up, and make a living room mural out of them.
****Blogger is being a pain in the ass and refuses to let me post all of the pictures I risked my reputation as a classy, considerate and sensitive person to take just for you.

Leah J. Utas said...
An entertaining post. I know nothing of these people, but I got a kick out of your quest.
April 19, 2009 11:45:00 AM EDT

MCarey65 said...
OMG! What a hoot! You changed vehicles, way to think ahead, must be in the "stalker 101" course. Sounds like fun. Make a living room mural, good one. Not for me, I am not a fan of these people but I love your commentary on them. Thanks for the laugh!
April 19, 2009 1:58:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
Thanks gals. I'm still not privy to what the fuss is all about, but I do get a giggle out of people's reactions when I show them the property. So far I've shown it to four or five fans and/or haters and they have all oohed and ahhed quite gratifyingly. Maybe I should start thinking like Kate and charge for tours...woohoo, retirement here I come! :^) MCarey, now that's I've passed Stalking 101 maybe it's time to move on to 102: Different hats, wigs, sunglasses...this could get expensive. Definitely time to start charging.
April 19, 2009 3:20:00 PM EDT

iluvobx said...
Thank you for the wonderful laugh that I had. The pictures are great! Please we must have more of your delicious sense of humor. How much would you charge? Would being chased by Jon on a pimped up golf cart be extra$$?
April 19, 2009 4:49:00 PM EDT

Robin said...
You crack me up!!! I love the car changing. Next, you and Amy should go to Afghanistan and search for terrorists.As you know, I despise this entitled, sanctimonious, creepy couple. News flash for Jon - the reason you're able to afford a zillion dollar estate you've done nothing to earn, is that people care enough to look at your stupid house. Duh.
April 19, 2009 6:04:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
Oh dear, Robin, that makes me an accomplice to their lazyass lifestyle. Shit. Guilty as charged. Well, a gal's got to do something to keep busy in a small town. Whaddaya want?Iluvobx, I'll post more pictures soon. Glad I gave you a giggle. I find the whole thing hilarious myself. (p.s if that's "I love the Outer Banks" I'm with you on that.)
April 19, 2009 6:29:00 PM EDT

ThePaginator said...
I posted under the wrong post. Sorry.Thanks for sharing. You are funny and sound like a great person to "hang" with.
April 19, 2009 6:43:00 PM EDT

iluvobx said... You are correct. Ocracoke to be exact. I love that island. About the only place I have ever been where the sign on the door says:No dripping bathing suits and you can go barefoot in the restaurants.
April 19, 2009 7:36:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
iLuv, I looked up Ocracoke and it looks very cool. Paginator, your blog is hilarious. That image of Octamom makes me want to hurl. What is it with her lips? They must be plastic surged onto her face, which is rather odd considering she has no money and is on welfare. Is she already working deals like J&K (for lasik eye surgery, hair plugs, spa treatments, etc)? It concerns me that more sad women might see this sort of thing and decide to have litters. Let's hope not, right?
April 19, 2009 8:22:00 PM EDT

mamaholly said...
thanks for this amusing look at life in Wernersville! It's great to know that there are people who are out there who would do EXACTLY the same thing that I would do, without really ever admitting that I would!
April 20, 2009 5:05:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
Thanks for stopping by, MamaHolly. I am ALL about the guilty pleasures...Reality shows on Bravo TV, once in a great while a trashy Lifetime movie, and the occasional J&K stalkings. A gal's got to have fun, right?
April 20, 2009 5:13:00 PM EDT

ThePaginator said...
Thanks but that's not my blog, just one I'm linked to!
April 20, 2009 9:42:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
Ohhhhh, I'm glad you told me, I didn't realize it worked that way. Whenever I saw a link like that, I just assumed it was always the person's blog.
April 21, 2009 8:13:00 AM EDT

Sharla said...
Thanks so much for the pictures and the stories. I love that one about the snugglie and how Kate expected six.
April 22, 2009 7:23:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
Thanks for visiting, Sharla. I've had a lot of fun bloging about J&K and will probably do so again, since I hear so much about them and readers seem to like it too.
April 23, 2009 10:14:00 AM EDT

lindahoyt said...
THAT was just so hilarious! Thank you so much for writing it...sadly, I would totally do the same thing, if I were a neighbor! I loved your descriptions! You are so funny!
April 25, 2009 6:08:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
Thanks for visiting, Linda. I'll let y'all know when I've got more hot scoop. :^)
April 25, 2009 7:40:00 PM EDT

makita579 said...
Haha! Love your little adventure! Really, if it's possible, could you let me know what road this compound is on? I'm in Wyomissing area, and would love to take a Sunday drive. LOL! Thanks!
April 25, 2009 11:46:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
HI makita, thanks for dropping by. I don't want to put the address here so please email me.
April 26, 2009 12:02:00 AM EDT

Stephanie said...
Thanks for sharing your adventure! I totally would spy on them, but I don't know if I would be able to admit it. Lol. I love hearing Jon and Kate gossip.
April 26, 2009 5:06:00 PM EDT

ThirtyWhat said...
HOW FUN! I have to go to Pennsylvania in September to be Maid of Honor in a wedding ... and I'm thinking I might need to drive past the Gosselin Compound. Although, I'll only have one vehicle ... so I'll have to make sure to get a good picture the first time around! LOL
April 27, 2009 4:26:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
That's funny, 30what. I'm sure you'd have fun and it's a beautiful property. You wouldn't believe all the emails I've gotten, including one from US magazine, about my blog post. And guess what?!? I didn't even tell HALF the stuff I know about them because I'm trying to maintain SOME sense of dignity and decorum! What a hoot!
April 27, 2009 4:51:00 PM EDT

CarolS461 said...
Great post! THANKS! Good thinking to drive by in a different car, too.Being a counselor yourself, maybe you could offer them some complimentary sessions? What do you think about their whole dysfunctional set up? A lot of people say Mady is a brat. I feel sorry for her because her behavior is NOT her fault. She is being raised by two clueless people. YES, she has issues that need to be professionally addressed, rather than being beaten with a red plastic spoon! Have you seen the video with Jon carrying the red spoon? Or the one where Kate asks Hannah if she "needs to get the red spoon?"Keep up informed about what's going on there, OK? LOVE the pictures of the property, too!
April 29, 2009 12:42:00 PM EDT

thegirlfromtheghetto said...
I love that you guys did this, and i'm so sad I wasn't tagging along. Isn't their house just gorgeous? Wow, I mean, wow, no wonder they aren't shooting it fromt he front.
May 3, 2009 12:03:00 PM EDT

Anonymous said...
A mental health councelor gawking at a family in peril -- how disturbing and pathetic?! What a horrible role model you are for your clients.
July 10, 2009 9:19:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
Thanks for stopping by, Anon. If you've read my posts, you'd know that I am aware this family is in peril, and I am concerned, esp for the children. As for the role model thing...who are you?
July 11, 2009 6:10:00 PM EDT

Small Town Jon & Kate Gosselin ~ 3/20/09

2009-08-16T14:14:00.000-04:00

March 20, 2009
Jon and Kate and their Eight are the talk of the town. They bought a house about two miles from me, from the obstetrician who delivered our firstborn. Sure, they have a long private gated driveway and according to their neighbors they keep them themselves, but they're still here.

Now, granted, talk of the town doesn't amount to much around here. Wernersville is about three blocks long, with one convenience store with gas pumps, a bakery, the library and the post office. Oh, and a really great gift shop that supports local crafters and artisans. We do boast three pizza shops, which are kept in the black by the developments which have sprung up around us thanks to influx from Phildelphia and other nearby cities. But generally speaking, this ain't no metropolis.

There are lots of tidbits about J&K on the Internet, including tons of haters. In fact there seem to be more haters than fans. Everybody has an opinion about the Gosselins, J&K's relationship, and their parenting. There are lots of online rumors. Jon and Kate are getting divorced. Jon and Kate are money hungry lazy bums. Jon and Kate plan to exploit their kids by making them into actors. Jon and Kate are exploiting their kids by having them grow up on camera. Kate's a bitch and Jon's whipped.Funny how we never hear positive rumors, isn't it? Just for once I'd like to hear "Jon and Kate have pledged to give half of their income to Big Brothers of America." "Kate does all her own housework." "Jon and Kate are big tippers." What is it about us that makes us so entranced with the dirt and so bored by the good stuff?

So far I haven't had a J&K spotting of my very own, but it's probably only a matter of time. We share the same post office and they have to gas up their cars somewhere. They must be hard to miss since they have cameras following them everywhere and everyone in camera shots has to sign permission slips to not be gray-blobbed out of the show. I'll keep you posted.

Blair said...
I think that the reason there are so many "haters" is that the rumors became so loud and great in number that it became hard to deny that something with that family isn't right. This is corroborated by their behavior on the show. I would love to hear a positive rumor, though. I truly hope and pray that the state of that family is not as it appears on screen.
March 20, 2009 8:07:00 PM EDT

Robin said...
You wanted to hear me rant and go all psycho, didn't you? Just admit it. I'm going to foil your evil plans, though. I'm going to be a real lady, and not go off on how the hell could insurance pay for infertility treatments for a couple who already have 2 kids, or how incredibly entitled they are, practically demanding help from everyone because they chose to have a bunch of kids. Lastly, I'll never ever point out that they were two losers going nowhere, and the only thing they have going for them is having a bunch of fetuses at the same time. Oh, man, am I nice.
March 20, 2009 11:29:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
When I hear a positive rumor I'll let you know. But so far, although I've heard things from several people in my community who have had various direct contacts with them, it's all nasty. Maybe some people have actually had pleasant contacts with them, and just choose to not share about them? (I'm a hopeless optimist, can't you tell? :)
March 20, 2009 11:32:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
Thanks Robin, I knew I could count on you to be a lady! We have to have breakfast so I can tell you all the shit that's been flyin'. We can trade horror stories.In all fairness, I don't watch the show, because I saw a couple in the beginning and thought they were boring. (I like all the dramatic women and gays over at Bravo. Now THAT'S good television, imo.) I guess I'm going to have to bite the bullet and actually watch some Jon and Kate for myself.
March 20, 2009 11:37:00 PM EDT

Wendy said...
I haven't seen the show yet. There is a family of 18?? or so that has a show near where I live in AR. I can't even imagine.Have you seen Small Town Snapshot Sunday? You might like that since you're living in a small town like me!
March 22, 2009 12:38:00 PM EDT

Deb said...
I have watched the show, and there is nothing positive to say about Jon and Kate...I would love to say that they have donated to different organizations, or charities, but the truth is they haven't....I would love to say Kate cleans her house, but, she doesn't, as a matter of fact she lies about the help she does have and get.IMHO, this show is based on lies...Oh wait, I do have something to say nice about Jon, he looks like a very good, and loving father, he takes time with his children, and he lets them be kids....which is really nice to see, as the boys are afraid to get dirty, what kid hates to get dirty let alone 3 boys??I am sorry Polly, the only reason why you have not heard anything positive about Kate, cause there is nothing positive to say about her...But this is just a tip, if I were her, I would be afraid, Easter is coming, and she looks like one big orange carrot, I wouldn't buy any bunnies for the kids if I were her!!!!
March 22, 2009 7:07:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
OMG Deb, that is hilarious! According to the locals, Kate manipulates to get everything fro free. A trustworthy source who works for the newspaper told me they were offered $100,000 to use Graco strollers for one season on the show but they turned it down because they got a better offer. She gets money for everything. it's all about product placement. So maybe she got free tanning from a local salon?A friend is coming to visit from ohio and we're going to go take ridiculous pictures of ourselves in front of their driveway. Come back the second week in April for the silliness. Maybe we'll get run off the property and start a riot...woohoooo!
March 22, 2009 7:53:00 PM EDT

Deb said... You are going into my favorites....I can't wait to see the pics...According to what I have heard, you just may be run off the property, You rebel.... Miss Katie Irene does nothing unless there is some monetary value attached to it....And it will go to the highest bidder, including her children (Now that is what I call a pimp)...She is one greedy something or other....If you ever watch the show, or reruns, you will hear the lies first hand, she and Jon must not speak often, of coarse I try not to speak to anyone that has taken my donuts and held them captive until I yelled uncle either....Jon obviously hasn't screamed uncle in terror long enough for her.However, Jon makes statements to the press, that does not coordinate with what Katie has to say, I am sure he gets in loads of trouble for that...LOLAnd now we know why his donuts are still being held hostage....And Kate wonders why Jon has to go out and get loaded and tell all the tales of living with Kate...It is either that or go to the nuthouse, and what is the press going to say about that??I can't wait to see the pics...I don't know if you figured it out or not, but, I have a little rebel in me also......
March 22, 2009 9:00:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
Deb, you heathen you! You guys all definitely bring out the devil in me. And I'm a likin' it!
March 22, 2009 9:51:00 PM EDT

Deb said...
LOL....My bad!!!!!Deb
March 22, 2009 10:05:00 PM EDT

Doreen Orion said...
I must say, I'm terribly proud of myself as I've never heard of them.
March 24, 2009 7:21:00 PM EDT

Werny Gal said...
HI Doreen, you're not missing anything, believe me. It's GREAT to hear from you! I haven't been very inspired in BlogLand lately, but I have to pop over and say hi at your blog, and hear of your latest adventures.
March 28, 2009 1:03:00 PM EDT