Jon & Kate Plus 8
Encyclopedia
Jon & Kate Plus 8, named Kate Plus 8 from the sixth season on, is an American reality television series airing on TLC. It is produced by Figure 8 Films about the Gosselin family, consisting of parents Jon
and Kate
and their eight children: fraternal twins (both girls) and sextuplets (three boys and three girls). The show follows the family through their daily lives, focusing on the challenges of raising multiple children. The show was one of the highest rated programs on TLC during its run, with the fifth season premiere seen by a record 9.8 million viewers, the most watched show of that evening including broadcast television, twice as many viewers as the show’s previous series high.
The family originally appeared in two one-hour specials titled Surviving Sextuplets and Twins and Sextuplets and Twins: One Year Later. The show originally aired on Discovery Health, but then aired on TLC from the third season on.
On September 29, 2009, following the Gosselins' separation, TLC announced that as of November 2, the program would undergo a name change, to Kate Plus 8, focusing on Kate as a divorced mother raising eight children with Jon appearing less frequently. However, filming was later suspended due to Jon's lawyers delivering letters to TLC demanding that they cease and desist production and barred production crews from the couple's Pennsylvania property on October 1, 2009. This led to putting the show's revamping on hold. TLC planned for "a series of specials" if the series did not go into production.
The final episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8 aired on November 23, 2009, announced by TLC three days earlier. The revamped Kate Plus Eight format premiered on June 6, 2010. The second season of Kate Plus 8 premiered on November 28, 2010. However, On August 15, 2011, TLC cancelled Kate Plus 8 and said that the show will end after it hits 150 episodes. The last episode was aired on September 12, 2011.
Twins - October 8, 2000 (age 11)
sextuplets - May 10, 2004 (age 7)
Criticism has been raised regarding Kate's intentions of continuing with the show, as well as whether or not the children are being exploited or may be under emotional distress. According to lawyer Gloria Allred
, "Every state does regulate to protect the health, the safety and welfare of little child performers
[...] And these little ones are only eight years old and five years old, they can’t protect themselves, so the state has to be sure that they are safe in their workplace." In the case of the show, the children's workplace is their home. At this point there are no clear laws in Pennsylvania (where the Gosselins reside) regarding a child's appearance on a reality show. However, Pennsylvania law permits kids who are at least seven years old to work in the entertainment industry, as long as certain guidelines are followed and a permit is obtained. For example, children may not work after 11:30 p.m. under most circumstances, or perform in any location that serves alcohol.
Kate says that the children are happy and healthy and are not in any danger. Jon has stated that they are "in talks" regarding ensuring the children's happiness, and that there is no truth to any reports that the children have been hurt by the series. TLC released a statement saying that the network "fully complies with all applicable laws and regulations" to produce the show. The statement also said that "for an extended period of time, we have been engaged in cooperative discussions and supplied all requested information to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry".
An investigation by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Labor Law Compliance found that "The activity being filmed was spontaneous. However, children introduced episodes of the television show and transitions. DVDs and other merchandise were sold involving the children's appearance. Lighting was placed in the home for the show and there was product placement in some episodes." Because of these reasons, the children were considered to be working on the show, and the show was required to obtain work permits for the children, which it did not do. An agreement was reached that no charges would be filed immediately as long as no further violations would occur.
Kate Gosselin has written three books: one called Multiple Blessings (co-authored with Beth Carson and Jon), which was released November 1, 2008, Eight Little Faces in April 2009, and I Just Want You to Know on April 13, 2010.
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Jon Gosselin
Jonathan Keith "Jon" Gosselin is an American television personality, known for his appearances with then-wife Kate Gosselin and their eight children on the American reality TV show Jon & Kate Plus 8.-Early life:...
and Kate
Kate Gosselin
Katie Irene "Kate" Gosselin is an American television personality. Gosselin achieved national recognition on the reality show Jon & Kate Plus 8, in which she and her then-husband Jon Gosselin are profiled as they raise their atypical family of sextuplets and twins.-Early life:Kate Gosselin was...
and their eight children: fraternal twins (both girls) and sextuplets (three boys and three girls). The show follows the family through their daily lives, focusing on the challenges of raising multiple children. The show was one of the highest rated programs on TLC during its run, with the fifth season premiere seen by a record 9.8 million viewers, the most watched show of that evening including broadcast television, twice as many viewers as the show’s previous series high.
The family originally appeared in two one-hour specials titled Surviving Sextuplets and Twins and Sextuplets and Twins: One Year Later. The show originally aired on Discovery Health, but then aired on TLC from the third season on.
On September 29, 2009, following the Gosselins' separation, TLC announced that as of November 2, the program would undergo a name change, to Kate Plus 8, focusing on Kate as a divorced mother raising eight children with Jon appearing less frequently. However, filming was later suspended due to Jon's lawyers delivering letters to TLC demanding that they cease and desist production and barred production crews from the couple's Pennsylvania property on October 1, 2009. This led to putting the show's revamping on hold. TLC planned for "a series of specials" if the series did not go into production.
The final episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8 aired on November 23, 2009, announced by TLC three days earlier. The revamped Kate Plus Eight format premiered on June 6, 2010. The second season of Kate Plus 8 premiered on November 28, 2010. However, On August 15, 2011, TLC cancelled Kate Plus 8 and said that the show will end after it hits 150 episodes. The last episode was aired on September 12, 2011.
Family
Parents- Katie "Kate" Irene (née Kreider)Kate GosselinKatie Irene "Kate" Gosselin is an American television personality. Gosselin achieved national recognition on the reality show Jon & Kate Plus 8, in which she and her then-husband Jon Gosselin are profiled as they raise their atypical family of sextuplets and twins.-Early life:Kate Gosselin was...
- March 28, 1975 (age 36) - Jonathan "Jon" KeithJon GosselinJonathan Keith "Jon" Gosselin is an American television personality, known for his appearances with then-wife Kate Gosselin and their eight children on the American reality TV show Jon & Kate Plus 8.-Early life:...
- April 01, 1977 (age 34)
Twins - October 8, 2000 (age 11)
- Cara Nicole
- Madelyn "Mady" Kate
sextuplets - May 10, 2004 (age 7)
- Alexis Faith
- Hannah Joy
- Aaden Jonathan
- Collin Thomas
- Leah Hope
- Joel Kevin
Production
Between the specials and the series, permanent light fixtures were installed in the Gosselins' second home to make filming easier and prevent the kids from tripping over the wires and cables from temporary lighting. Jon & Kate Plus 8 filmed three days per week, with one day used for interview sessions where Jon, Kate and occasionally the children, discussed events occurring in each episode. In the family's first house, the "interview corner" was located in the basement, and was transformed from the playroom when needed. It was painted green, unlike the rest of the playroom. In their new house, the interview set was reproduced in an unfinished area of the basement. At season four's finale, Jon and Kate said they would make a new set for season five.Criticism has been raised regarding Kate's intentions of continuing with the show, as well as whether or not the children are being exploited or may be under emotional distress. According to lawyer Gloria Allred
Gloria Allred
Gloria Rachel Allred is an American lawyer noted for taking high-profile and often controversial cases, particulary those involving the protection of women's rights.-Early life:...
, "Every state does regulate to protect the health, the safety and welfare of little child performers
Child labor laws in the United States
Child labor laws in the United States include numerous statutes and rules regulating the employment of minors. According to the United States Department of Labor, child labor laws affect those under the age of 18 in a variety of occupations....
[...] And these little ones are only eight years old and five years old, they can’t protect themselves, so the state has to be sure that they are safe in their workplace." In the case of the show, the children's workplace is their home. At this point there are no clear laws in Pennsylvania (where the Gosselins reside) regarding a child's appearance on a reality show. However, Pennsylvania law permits kids who are at least seven years old to work in the entertainment industry, as long as certain guidelines are followed and a permit is obtained. For example, children may not work after 11:30 p.m. under most circumstances, or perform in any location that serves alcohol.
Kate says that the children are happy and healthy and are not in any danger. Jon has stated that they are "in talks" regarding ensuring the children's happiness, and that there is no truth to any reports that the children have been hurt by the series. TLC released a statement saying that the network "fully complies with all applicable laws and regulations" to produce the show. The statement also said that "for an extended period of time, we have been engaged in cooperative discussions and supplied all requested information to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry".
An investigation by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Labor Law Compliance found that "The activity being filmed was spontaneous. However, children introduced episodes of the television show and transitions. DVDs and other merchandise were sold involving the children's appearance. Lighting was placed in the home for the show and there was product placement in some episodes." Because of these reasons, the children were considered to be working on the show, and the show was required to obtain work permits for the children, which it did not do. An agreement was reached that no charges would be filed immediately as long as no further violations would occur.
Books
The Gosselins are managed by Media Motion International in Los Angeles.Kate Gosselin has written three books: one called Multiple Blessings (co-authored with Beth Carson and Jon), which was released November 1, 2008, Eight Little Faces in April 2009, and I Just Want You to Know on April 13, 2010.
DVDs
| Title | Region 1 | Region 2 | Discs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jon & Kate Plus 8: Seasons 1 & 2 | September 9, 2008 | 2008 | 4 |
| Jon & Kate Plus 8: Season 3 | February 3, 2009 | 2009 | 4 |
| Jon & Kate Plus 8: Season 4, Volume 1 - The Wedding | May 5, 2009 | 2010 | 3 |
| Jon & Kate Plus 8: Season 4, Volume 2 - The Big Move | July 21, 2009 | 2010 | 2 |
| Jon & Kate Plus 8: Season 5 - Big Changes | January 12, 2010 | 2010 | 2 |
Online releases
Episodes of the series are available for download from the iTunes StoreITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
, Amazon Instant Video, and Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
s Zune
Zune
Zune is a digital media brand owned by Microsoft which includes a line of portable media players, a digital media player software for Windows machines, a music subscription service known as a 'Zune Music Pass', music and video streaming for the Xbox 360 via the Zune Software, music, TV and movie...
Marketplace.