| Jon And Kate Plus 8 | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Jon & Kate Plus 8 (seasons 1-5) |
| Format | Reality television |
| Starring | The Gosselin family |
| Composer(s) | David Imhof Scott Pearson |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 5 |
| No. of episodes | 148 (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Bill Hayez |
| Producer(s) | Jennifer Stocks |
| Editor(s) | Joshua Steadman Keith Shea Stacie Schwarz |
| Location(s) | Pennsylvania, United States |
| Running time | 23 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Figure 8 Films Advanced Medical Productions |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Discovery Health (2007-2008) TLC (2008–2011) |
| Original run | April 10, 2007 – September 12, 2011 |
| External links | |
| Website | |
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,[1] 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.[2]
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,[3] focusing on Kate as a divorced mother raising eight children with Jon appearing less frequently.[3] 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.[4][5][6] 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.[6]
The final episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8 aired on November 23, 2009, announced by TLC three days earlier.[7][8] The revamped Kate Plus Eight format premiered on June 6, 2010.[9] 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. [10]
Contents |
Parents
Twins - October 8, 2000
Sextuplets - May 10, 2004
There were actually 7, but one died before its birth.
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.[12] 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."[12] 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.[13] 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.[13]
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,[12] and that there is no truth to any reports that the children have been hurt by the series.[14] 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".[13]
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."[15] 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.[15] An agreement was reached that no charges would be filed immediately as long as no further violations would occur.[15]
The Gosselins are managed by Media Motion International in Los Angeles.[16]
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.
| Title | Region 1 | Region 2 | Discs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jon & Kate Plus 8: Seasons 1 & 2 | September 9, 2008[17] | 2008 | 4 |
| Jon & Kate Plus 8: Season 3 | February 3, 2009[18] | 2009 | 4 |
| Jon & Kate Plus 8: Season 4, Volume 1 - The Wedding | May 5, 2009[19] | 2010 | 3[19] |
| Jon & Kate Plus 8: Season 4, Volume 2 - The Big Move | July 21, 2009[20] | 2010 | 2[20] |
| Jon & Kate Plus 8: Season 5 - Big Changes | January 12, 2010[21][22] | 2010 | 2[22] |
Episodes of the series are available for download from the iTunes Store, Amazon Instant Video, and Microsofts Zune Marketplace.
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