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{{short description|American reality television series}}
{{Refimprove|date=June 2008}}
{{redirect|The Gosselins|people|Gosselin}}
{{Infobox television {{Infobox television
| show_name = Jon & Kate Plus 8 | image = Kate plus 8 logo.svg
| image = Jon and Kate Plus 8 | alt_name = Kate Plus 8
| caption = | starring = The Gosselin family
| format = ] | genre = Reality
| composer = {{plainlist|
| picture_format =
*David Imhof
| runtime = approx. 27 minutes (30 with commercials); occasionally an hour
*Scott Pearson
| creator = Figure 8 Films
}}
| featuring = Jonathan, Kate, Cara, Madelyn, Alexis, Hannah, Aaden, Collin, Leah and Joel Gosselin
| country = {{USA}} | country = United States
| network = ] | language = English
| first_aired = ] ] -- Present | num_seasons = 11
| num_episodes = 174<!-- Do not include episodes that have not been televised yet. -->
| last_aired =
| list_episodes = List of Kate Plus 8 episodes
| num_episodes =
| executive_producer = ]
| list_episodes = ]
| imdb_id = 1124348 | producer = Jennifer Stocks
| editor = {{plainlist|
| website = http://health.discovery.com/convergence/gosselins/gosselins.html
*Joshua Steadman
| tv_com_id =
*Keith Shea
*Stacie Schwarz
}}
| runtime = 20{{ndash}}44 minutes<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0021PHH4E?ref_=aiv_dp_ |title=Jon & Kate Plus 8 5 Seasons 2007 |publisher=] |access-date=February 4, 2016}}</ref>
| company = {{plainlist|
*Figure 8 Films
*Advanced Medical Productions
}}
| channel = {{plainlist|
*{{nowrap|] <small>(2007–08)</small>}}
*] <small>(2008–2017)</small>
}}
| first_aired = {{Start date|2007|4|10}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2017|7|24}}
}} }}
'''''Jon & Kate Plus 8''''' is a show produced in the ] by Figure 8 Films about the Gosselin family, consisting of parents Jon and Kate and their eight children - a set of ]s (both girls), and a set of ]s (3 girls and 3 boys). The show follows the family through their daily lives, focusing on the challenges of raising multiple children. The show originally aired on ] but starting with Season 3, airs Mondays at 9:00pm ET/PT on ]. The family originally appeared in a one hour special titled ''Surviving Sextuplets and Twins''. It's also been reported that the show draws in an average of 2.5 million viewers per episode, making it one of the most-watched reality series on TV. The family lives in Central Pennsylvania.

==Story==
Kate Gosselin is one of five children.<ref>http://www.orato.com/arts-entertainment/2008/02/05/naptime-musings-jon-amp-kate-plus-8</ref> She has three sisters, Christen, Kendra and Clairissa, and a brother, Kevin. Kevin is often seen on the television series with his wife, Jodi, and their children Ashtyn, Braden, Alyssa, and Bennett. They were shown watching the Gosselin children during the "Mady's Day", "Cara's Day", "Leah's Day", "Hannah's Day", "Alexis' Day" and "Jon's Hair Raising Experience" episodes during season three.

Jonathan Gosselin is the middle child of three boys born to Thomas Gosselin and his Korean wife. His brothers are Thomas and Mark. His father, Thomas Gosselin, was a pediatric dentist who died on January 13, 2005, according to his obituary in the Reading Eagle, published on January 15, 2005.<ref>http://www.readingeaglearchives.com</ref> Jon and Kate have often referred to Dr. Gosselin as the only involved grandparent. The remaining grandparents "are not a part of their every day lives"<ref name="Our Story"/>

Jon and Kate Gosselin met on ] ] at a picnic. According to the "How It All Began" episode, Jon was working at a hotel and Kate had just graduated from her nursing program. According to Kate, "I never believed in 'love at first sight', but this came really close." They were married on ] ] in "a perfect garden wedding with equally perfect weather". In the "How It All Began" episode of season three, they also said they paid for the wedding themselves.

Kate wanted to have children right away. She had a feeling that she would not be able to conceive, so she underwent testing and was diagnosed with ]. So, they decided to turn to fertility treatments and to start trying immediately, in case it took a while. The specific treatment they used is called ] or IUI, where no embryos were left over from the procedure.<ref>{{cite web | last = Mosteller | first = Rachel | url=http://www.parentdish.com/2007/05/09/celebrity-dish-jon-and-kate-gosselin/ |title=Celebrity Dish: Jon and Kate Gosselin | publisher = ParentDish | accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref> By February, however, Kate was pregnant with ]. They were thrilled and even admitted to praying for twins because they were both baby crazy and feared they would fight over one baby. On ] ], Cara Nicole and Madelyn Kate were born, after a "rough" pregnancy.<ref name="Our Story"/>

When the girls turned one, Kate began to think about the possibility of having another child, while Jon was not so sure. On the couple's appearance on '']'' that aired on ] ], Kate admitted that she wanted to have another child because she wanted to know what it felt like to not have to split her time between two babies, while Jon was hesitant because he felt like the world is built for a family of four. According to Kate, a Korean infant became available while Kate was an obstetrics nurse. They decided not to adopt the baby boy, but instead returned to fertility treatment.<ref name="Our Story"/> After a lot of prayer Jon and Kate agreed to try again. By October, Kate was pregnant. Five weeks later,(after being hospitalized for over-stimulated ovaries) at the initial ultrasound, the doctor announced that there were seven sacs and began to count how many of these sacs had yolks, or babies, inside of them. According to Kate, "By ‘four’ I was pretty crazy, by ‘five’ I was sobbing. Then they found 'six' and 'seven'. (One baby didn’t develop on its own)". The doctor suggested ], but they were absolutely against doing so.


'''''Jon & Kate Plus 8''''', later known as '''''Kate Plus 8''''' (''8'' stylized as '''''Ei<span style="vertical-align: sub">8</span>ht'''''), is an American ] series starring ], ], and their eight children, which ran from April 4, 2007 to July 24, 2017.
As Kate describes it, "Your whole life flashes in front of your eyes...we had a house that was too small, we didn’t have a vehicle big enough, we didn’t have the income that would be required…there were just all these things flying at us. All those thoughts flooding through my mind equalled completely impossible".<ref name="orato video">{{cite web|url=http://www.orato.com/arts-entertainment/2008/02/05/naptime-musings-jon-amp-kate-plus-8 |title=Naptime Musings From Jon & Kate Plus 8|work=Orato.com|accessdate=2008-02-05}}</ref> After experiencing the "worst weekend of entire life", Jon took the girls to the family's ]. He asked if he should tell anyone about their situation, and Kate agreed that he should so that the ] could start praying for their family. As soon as ] was over, Jon and Kate received many calls of encouragement. According to Kate, "I began to feel like we could do this! With God's help, of course!"


==History==
In an article written for orato.com, Kate admitted that the video of her when she was pregnant with the sextuplets was actually three weeks before she gave birth. She added: "I remember lying in the hospital bed thinking, ‘No matter how far I get these babies, it’s never going to be far enough'. Getting to 32 weeks was my goal, but that would still be eight weeks premature, times six. Every day starting at about 23 weeks I had an ultrasound to make sure that all of them were still alive, and each and everyday was just as nerve wracking as the one before. There wasn’t an ounce of relief until they were all home. Not long after we had them home, Jon whirled around one day with complete frustration and exhaustion in his voice and said, 'Do you realize we have been walking on eggshells now for an entire year?' That was the honest truth".
]
After the success of two one-hour specials chronicling Kate Gosselin and her then-husband ], ''Surviving Sextuplets and Twins'' and ''One Year Later'', the series aired on the ] for the first two seasons before being moved to ]. During its run, the series was one of the network's highest-rated programs,<ref name="hightratings">{{cite magazine |url=http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/03/jon-and-kate-pl.html?iid=top25-%27Jon+%26+Kate+Plus+8%27+season+finale+scores+series-best+ratings/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505182739/http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/03/jon-and-kate-pl.html?iid=top25-%27Jon+&+Kate+Plus+8%27+season+finale+scores+series-best+ratings%2F |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-05-05 |title=''Jon & Kate Plus 8'' season finale scores series-best ratings |first=Lynette |last=Rice |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=2008-03-26}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/05/26/jon-kate-plus-8-premiere-hits-record/19414 |title=Jon & Kate Plus 8 Premiere Hits Record |work=tvbythenumbers.com |access-date=2009-05-26 |archive-date=2009-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090528210743/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/05/26/jon-kate-plus-8-premiere-hits-record/19414 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


After the Gosselins' divorce in 2009, the final episode of ''Jon & Kate Plus 8'' aired on November 23, 2009, announced by TLC three days earlier.<ref name="nydn">{{cite web |url=http://www.usmagazine.com/moviestvmusic/news/what-to-expect-on-the-jon-and-kate-plus-eight-series-finale-20092011 |title=What to expect on the ''Jon and Kate Plus 8'' Series Finale |date=20 November 2009 |access-date=2009-11-20}}</ref><ref name="usam">{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2009/11/20/2009-11-20_series_finale_for_jon__kate_plus_8_set_to_air_nov_23_on_tlc.html |title=Series finale for ''Jon and Kate Plus 8'' set to air on Nov. 23 on TLC |access-date=2009-11-20 |location=New York |work=Daily News |date=2009-11-20}}</ref>
On ] ], Kate gave birth to three girls and three boys: Alexis Faith, Hannah Joy, Aaden Jonathan, Collin Thomas, Leah Hope and Joel Kevin.<ref name="Our Story">{{cite web |url=http://sixgosselins.com/Our_Story.html |title=FAQ |work=Sixgosselins.com |accessdate=2008-06-14}}</ref>


The series was later renamed ''Kate Plus 8'' on June 6, 2010,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2010/05/10/tlc-goes-kate-plus-8-on-june-6/8663/ |title=TLC GOES 'KATE PLUS 8' ON JUNE 6 |publisher=TheFutonCritic.com |date=2010-05-10 |access-date=2010-05-10}}</ref> focusing on Kate as a divorced mother raising the children, with Jon appearing less frequently.<ref name="New Name">{{cite news |title=TLC Introduces Kate Plus Eight |url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/TLC-Introduces-Kate-1010289.aspx |work=TV Guide |access-date=2009-09-29}}</ref> However, filming was later suspended due to Jon's lawyers delivering letters to TLC demanding that they ] production and barred production crews from the couple's Pennsylvania property on October 1, 2009.<ref name="lawyers">{{cite web |url=http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/jon-and-kate/tlc-responds-to-jon-gosselin.html |title=TLC Responds to Jon Gosselin |publisher=tlc.discovery.com |access-date=October 2, 2009}}</ref><ref name="order">{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jon-gosselin-trying-to-kill-kate-plus-8/ |title=Jon Gosselin Trying to Kill 'Kate Plus 8'? |publisher=CBS News |access-date=2009-10-01 |date=2009-10-01}}</ref><ref name="jhalt">{{cite magazine |url=http://news-briefs.ew.com/2009/10/01/tlc-halts-production-on-jon-and-kate-plus-8/ |title=TLC halts production on 'Jon and Kate Plus 8' |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=2009-10-01}}</ref> 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.<ref name="halt">{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/tlc-kate-plus-1010903/ |title=TLC: ''Kate Plus Eight'' Not Canceled |work=TV Guide |access-date=2019-11-24}}</ref>
==Controversy==


The second season of ''Kate Plus 8'' premiered on April 4, 2011, though on August 15, TLC announced that the series would be cancelled after it reached 150 episodes. The last episode aired on September 12, 2011.<ref></ref>
In 2005, Kate Gosselin appealed a Medicaid decision to no longer continue to provide a full time nurse for the sextuplets after the age of one year. Kate is quoted as saying, "I am urging them to see us as a rare situation, which we are," she said. "And I am begging them to make a special exception. They are six individuals. One mom cannot take care of them. "I might be able to meet their physical needs, but not the emotional needs. It is very difficult. I'm talking about time to talk about feelings, read books and the absolute bare necessities to get done. I cannot do it five days a week."<ref name="Vassilaros">{{cite web |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_334106.html |title=Eight is Enough |author=Vassilaros, Dimitri |date=2005-05-15 |accessdate=2008-06-19}}</ref>


On March 19, 2014, it was announced that Kate and her eight would return in a reunion special, scheduled to air in June.<ref name="reunion">{{cite web |first=Kate |last=Stanhope |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/kate-gosselin-tlc-special-1079498/ |title=Kate Gosselin and Her Children to Appear on New TLC Special |work=TV Guide |access-date=November 24, 2019}}</ref>
Their previous website includes many appeals to the public for things they wanted to be given. It started mostly with prayer requests and for financial contributions,<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20040507022419/www.sixgosselins.com/Help/</ref> but as the community began to generously meet their wants and needs, the requests became larger. They wanted someone to pay for their previously free baby nurse, Angie, financial help with the twins' preschool, and a 15 passenger van.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20050320030906/http://www.sixgosselins.com/</ref> In 2005, they did purchase a 2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500 passenger van on their own. <ref>http://sixgosselins.com/FAQ.html</ref>They also requested (through prayer) a bigger house <ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20060111185416/http://www.sixgosselins.com/</ref> The couple came under public scrutiny through the years <ref>http://www.koreamjournal.com/Magazine/index.php/kj/2008/may/cover_story/just_the_10_of_us</ref>, and questions regarding the graciousness and motivations of the young family were made public by the referenced columnist in the Reading Eagle. <ref>http://internetservices.readingeagle.com/blog/mother/archives/2005/05/count_your_bles_1.html</ref>


In August 2014, it was announced that ''Kate Plus 8'' would return for another season (its third, and first after an almost three-year hiatus) on January 13, 2015 on TLC.<ref name="January">{{cite web |url=http://hollywoodlife.com/2014/12/12/kate-plus-8-new-season-trailer-gosselin-family-back-on-tv/ |title='Kate Plus 8' Returns Again: Kate Is 'Overwhelmed' By Kids In First Look |work=hollywoodlife.com |access-date=December 12, 2014 |archive-date=December 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227212944/http://hollywoodlife.com/2014/12/12/kate-plus-8-new-season-trailer-gosselin-family-back-on-tv/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Despite their current website claiming there are no college funds,<ref>http://sixgosselins.com/FAQ.html</ref> the Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania did set up TAP funds for all eight children, as announced during the sextuplet's first birthday party. The press release is as follows:


Season 4 of ''Kate Plus 8'' started on December 8, 2015.<ref name="kfour">{{cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/kate-plus-8-season-4-premiere-date-released-watch-kate-go-date-first-promo-video-2181790 |title='Kate Plus 8' Season 4 Premiere Date Released; Watch Kate Go On A Date In First Promo Video |work=International Business Times |date=12 November 2015 |access-date=December 5, 2015}}</ref>
<blockquote>If you would like to make a contribution to the Gosselin Family’s TAP account, you can do so by making your check payable to “TAP 529,” writing “Gosselin” in the memo portion of the check, and sending your contributions to: Gosselin Sextuplets and Twins Accounts, TAP Bureau, 218 Finance Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120. More information on the Tuition Account Program can be obtained by calling 1-800-440-4000 or by visiting the Treasury website and clicking on Tuition Account Program.<ref>"Lt. Governor Knoll remarks on Gosselin Six Birthday" ()</ref></blockquote>


Season 5 of ''Kate Plus 8'' started on November 22, 2016.<ref name="five">{{cite web |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2016/10/31/kate-gosselin-celebrates-ten-years-on-tlc-with-a-new-season-of-kate-plus-8-057411/20161031tlc01/ |title=Kate Gosselin Celebrates Ten Years on TLC with a New Season of 'Kate Plus 8' |work=TheFutonCritic.com |access-date=November 7, 2016}}</ref>
Due to privacy issues, the amounts donated to these accounts is not known, and may or may not be substantial.


Season 6, with three episodes, started July 10, 2017.<ref name="july">{{cite web |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2017/06/15/tlcs-hit-series-kate-plus-8-returns-with-a-milestone-celebration-as-the-sextuplets-become-teenagers-519112/20170615tlc01/ |title=TLC's Hit Series "Kate Plus 8" Returns with a Milestone Celebration as the Sextuplets Become Teenagers |work=TLC.com |access-date=June 15, 2017}}</ref>
The Gosselins are currently in the fourth season of Jon and Kate Plus 8. In 2005, Jon worked in IT for the Governor's Office in Harrisburg.<ref name="Vassilaros"/>. On June 13, 2008, Jon commented that he is currently employed from home on ''The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet''.<ref>http://www.mandjshow.com/videos/it’s-“jon-and-kate-8”/</ref> Both Gosselins are currently doing public speaking about their experiences as the parents of twins and sextuplets.<ref>http://www.clanbroadus.com/mog_jonkate.html</ref><ref>http://www.elkcreekonline.com/jk8.htm</ref><ref>http://mtzionboulder.org/main_pages/jonkate.htm</ref> Some of these churches do cash love offerings for the couple,<ref>http://www.clanbroadus.com/mog_jonkate.html</ref>,and Jon and Kate also sell autographed photos. They currently charge $10 for individual pictures of the children and $20 for a larger picture with everyone. They make the claim that the money from the pictures is going to the kids' college funds.<ref name="facebook">{{cite web |url=http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30500426&op=6&o=all&view=all&subj=6672171198&aid=-1&oid=6672171198&id=85500087 |title=Jon & Kate plus 8 Facebook Group |work=Facebook.com |accessdate=2008-06-18}}</ref>


==Cast==
Kate mentioned in the original TLC special that "the two-year olds" had never had fast food, and that they try to prepare organic food as much as possible. On the TLC special ''Jon and Kate: Surviving Sextuplets and Twins'', a McDonald's cup can be seen on the bedstand when Mady wakes up Cara to help Kate fold clothes. Also, during "The Gosselins Go Skiing", Jon brings three of the sextuplets Happy Meals from McDonald's for their lunch break from ski school.
*] (b. 1975)
*] (b. 1977)


'''The twins'''
The Gosselins have also been scrutinized for product endorsement on their show and those products are also posted under "Our favorite businesses" on their website.<ref>http://sixgosselins.com/Our_Favorite_Businesses.html</ref> Recently, Jon received a free hair transplant from "The New Hair Institute" in Los Angeles. Jon blames his "stressful" family for his receding hairline. Also included is the plastic surgeon, Lawrence S. Glassman, who provided Kate with free liposuction and a tummy tuck. <ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/magazine/22wwln-medium-t.html?_r=3&ref=magazine&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin</ref>
* Cara Nicole Gosselin
* Madelyn "Mady" Kate Gosselin


'''The sextuplets'''
==Family==
* Alexis Faith Gosselin
===Parents===
* Hannah Joy Gosselin
* Jonathan "Jon" Gosselin (born {{birthdate and age|1977|4|1}}. Jon is half Korean (Korean mother, French/Welsh father), and used to work as an I.T. analyst. He now engages in public speaking.<ref>http://www.clanbroadus.com/mog_jonkate.html</ref><ref>http://www.elkcreekonline.com/jk8.htm</ref><ref>http://mtzionboulder.org/main_pages/jonkate.htm</ref>
* Aaden Jonathan Gosselin
* Katie "Kate" Gosselin (born {{birthdate and age |1975|3|28}}, used to be a registered nurse, but quit her job to take care of the children full-time. She also engages in public speaking events with her husband.<ref name="jobs">{{cite web |url=http://health.discovery.com/convergence/gosselins/meet.html |title=Meet the Gosselins |work=Health.Discovery.com |accessdate=2008-06-14}}{{dead link|date=June 2008}}</ref>
* Collin Thomas Gosselin
* Leah Hope Gosselin
* Joel Kevin Gosselin


===Twins=== ==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.
The twins were born on {{birthdate and age|2000|10|8}}. They are currently going into 2nd grade in the fall at a private school. They were born just six minutes apart. In birth order, they are Cara Nicole Gosselin and Madelyn "Mady" Kate Gosselin.


Criticisms were raised regarding Kate's intentions of continuing with the show, as well as whether or not the children were being exploited or were under ].<ref name="CBSnews"/> According to lawyer ], "Every state does regulate to ] 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."<ref name="CBSnews"/> 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.<ref name="Ynews">{{cite web |publisher=Yahoo! News |title=Pa. labor officials probing ''Jon & Kate'' complaint |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090529/ap_en_tv/us_tv_jon___kate_investigation |access-date=2009-05-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611233304/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090529/ap_en_tv/us_tv_jon___kate_investigation |archive-date=June 11, 2009}}</ref> However, Pennsylvania law permits children 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&nbsp;p.m. under most circumstances, or perform in any location that serves alcohol.<ref name="Ynews"/>
===Sextuplets===
The sextuplets were born on {{Birth date and age|2004|5|10}} at ] in ]. All six children were delivered within a span of three minutes with more than fifty doctors, nurses and other specialists involved. Since the sextuplets were born in Hershey, they are called "Hershey Kisses" by the nurses and doctors who delivered them.


]
In birth order they are:
Kate says that the children were happy and healthy and were never in any danger from doing the show. Jon stated they were "in talks" regarding ensuring the children's happiness,<ref name="CBSnews">{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jon-and-kate-8-being-exploited/ |title="Jon And Kate" 8 Being Exploited? |publisher=CBS News |access-date=2009-05-21}} </ref> and that there is no truth to any reports that the children have been hurt by the series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090603/ap_en_tv/us_tv_jon___kate |title=Report: Jon Gosselin says his 8 kids are happy |publisher=Yahoo! News |access-date=2009-06-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611194017/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090603/ap_en_tv/us_tv_jon___kate |archive-date=June 11, 2009}}</ref> 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 ]".<ref name="Ynews"/>
* Alexis Faith Gosselin - 2 lb 11.5 oz, 15 inches long (also called "Lexi" and "Sassy", the oldest of the six)
* Hannah Joy Gosselin - 2 lb 11 oz, 13.8 inches long (also called "Hannie" and is a mommy's girl)
* Aaden Jonathan Gosselin - 2 lb 7.5 oz, 13 inches long (also called "Ay-day" only child that wears glasses, smallest of all six and called "the professor")
* Collin Thomas Gosselin - 3 lb 0.5 oz, 15 inches long (also called "Coggy" or "Collie" the biggest of the six)
* Leah Hope Gosselin - 2 lb 14.8 oz, 15.4 inches long (also known as a little "princess" smallest of the girls)
* Joel Kevin Gosselin - 2 lb 9.7 oz, 15.4 inches long (also called "Joelie" the youngest of the six)


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 ] in some episodes."<ref name=CNN>{{cite news |title=State: 'Jon & Kate' broke child labor law, but no charges |first=Alan |last=Duke |publisher=CNN |date=April 14, 2010 |access-date=April 21, 2010 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/14/gosselin.kids.labor/index.htmL}}</ref> 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.<ref name=CNN/> An agreement was reached that no charges would be filed immediately as long as no further violations would occur.<ref name=CNN/>
When picking the kids' names, Jon and Kate selected names they liked for first names, but the middle names were more meaningful: Aaden after Jon, Collin after Jon's late father, and Joel after Kate's brother. The girls are all named for fruits of the spirit, taken from Galatians 5:22-23 in the Bible,according to Jon. However, hope is not referenced in that bible passage.<ref>http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+5:22-23</ref>


==Seasons== ==Multimedia==
Currently, there are three seasons of ''Jon and Kate Plus 8''. Usually one or two new episodes air on Monday nights. Two episodes aired during the ] while one episode tends to air now. Occasionally an episode will be 1 hour long.


===Books===
==Videos and books==
The Gosselins were managed by Media Motion International in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mediamotionintl.com/ |title=Welcome to Media Motion International |work=mediamotionintl.com |access-date=2008-07-03}}</ref>
* Jon, Kate, and family friend, Beth Carson, have written a book called Multiple Blessings, to be released November 1, 2008. Originally ,the book was listed with Kate Gosselin and Beth Carson as the authors;<ref>http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product/815071198?item_no=289020&netp_id=524244&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW&view=details</ref>Jon was added as an author after the initial press release,but before publication.<ref>http://shop.campusi.com/book_title_Multiple_Blessings_by_author_Gosselin.htm</ref>
* Seasons 1 and 2 of ''Jon and Kate Plus 8'' will be available on DVD as of July 16, 2008, which will only be distributed online by Discovery.<ref name"first dvd">{{cite web|url=http://shopping.discovery.com/product-71335.html|title=Jon & Kate Plus 8: Seasons 1 & 2 DVD Set|work=Shopping.Discovery.com|accessdate=2008-06-03}}</ref>
* Jon and Kate are managed by Media Motion International in Los Angeles. <ref>http://mediamotionintl.com/</ref>


Kate Gosselin has written four books: ''Multiple Blessings'' (co-authored with Beth Carson and Jon), which was released November 1, 2008, ''Eight Little Faces'' in April 2009, ''I Just Want You to Know'' on April 13, 2010 and ''Love Is in the Mix'', a cookbook, on September 13, 2013.
==Episodes==
{{see|List of Jon & Kate Plus 8 episodes}}


===DVDs===
==Special guest appearances==
{| class="wikitable" width=75%
!Title
!Region 1
!Region 2
!Discs
|-
| Jon & Kate Plus 8: Seasons 1 & 2
| align="center"|September 9, 2008
| align="center"|2008
| 2
|-
| Jon & Kate Plus 8: Season 3
| align="center"|February 3, 2009
| align="center"|2009
| 4
|-
| Jon & Kate Plus 8: Season 4, Volume 1 - The Wedding
| align="center"|May 5, 2009
|rowspan=3 align="center"|2010
| 3
|-
| Jon & Kate Plus 8: Season 4, Volume 2 - The Big Move
| align="center"| July 21, 2009
|rowspan=2| 2
|-
| Jon & Kate Plus 8: Season 5 - Big Changes
| align="center"|January 12, 2010
|-
|}


===Online releases===
* '']'' (October 2005)
Episodes of the series are available for download from the ], ],
* '']'' (April 2007)
], and ] ] Marketplace. Every episode is also available on Discovery+ and MAX.
*'']'' (June 13, 2007)
* '']'' (October 2, 2007)
* '']'' (October 16, 2007)
* '']'' (October 22, 2007)
* '']'' (February 22, 2008)
* '']'' (June 12, 2008)
* '']'' (June 13, 2008)


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist}} {{reflist|2}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{commons category|Jon & Kate + 8}}
*
* on Wayback Machine, captured February 1, 2015
* (family's official site)
* , Figure 8 Films *
*{{IMDb title|1124348|Jon & Kate Plus 8}}
* {{TV.com|JonandKatePlus8}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/jon-kate-plus-8/287169 |title=List of ''Jon & Kate Plus 8'' episodes |work=TV Guide}}
* ''Pacific Citizen'' feature article.


{{DEFAULTSORT:Jon and Kate Plus 8}}
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Latest revision as of 14:09, 29 November 2024

American reality television series "The Gosselins" redirects here. For people, see Gosselin.
Jon & Kate Plus 8
Also known asKate Plus 8
GenreReality
StarringThe Gosselin family
Composers
  • David Imhof
  • Scott Pearson
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons11
No. of episodes174 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerBill Hayes
ProducerJennifer Stocks
Editors
  • Joshua Steadman
  • Keith Shea
  • Stacie Schwarz
Running time20–44 minutes
Production companies
  • Figure 8 Films
  • Advanced Medical Productions
Original release
Network
ReleaseApril 10, 2007 (2007-04-10) –
July 24, 2017 (2017-07-24)

Jon & Kate Plus 8, later known as Kate Plus 8 (8 stylized as Ei8ht), is an American reality television series starring Kate Gosselin, Jon Gosselin, and their eight children, which ran from April 4, 2007 to July 24, 2017.

History

Former logo of the show, from before 2010

After the success of two one-hour specials chronicling Kate Gosselin and her then-husband Jon, Surviving Sextuplets and Twins and One Year Later, the series aired on the Discovery Health Channel for the first two seasons before being moved to TLC. During its run, the series was one of the network's highest-rated programs, 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.

After the Gosselins' divorce in 2009, the final episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8 aired on November 23, 2009, announced by TLC three days earlier.

The series was later renamed Kate Plus 8 on June 6, 2010, focusing on Kate as a divorced mother raising the 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 second season of Kate Plus 8 premiered on April 4, 2011, though on August 15, TLC announced that the series would be cancelled after it reached 150 episodes. The last episode aired on September 12, 2011.

On March 19, 2014, it was announced that Kate and her eight would return in a reunion special, scheduled to air in June.

In August 2014, it was announced that Kate Plus 8 would return for another season (its third, and first after an almost three-year hiatus) on January 13, 2015 on TLC.

Season 4 of Kate Plus 8 started on December 8, 2015.

Season 5 of Kate Plus 8 started on November 22, 2016.

Season 6, with three episodes, started July 10, 2017.

Cast

The twins

  • Cara Nicole Gosselin
  • Madelyn "Mady" Kate Gosselin

The sextuplets

  • Alexis Faith Gosselin
  • Hannah Joy Gosselin
  • Aaden Jonathan Gosselin
  • Collin Thomas Gosselin
  • Leah Hope Gosselin
  • Joel Kevin Gosselin

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.

Criticisms were raised regarding Kate's intentions of continuing with the show, as well as whether or not the children were being exploited or were 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 children 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 and Jon Gosselin in 2008

Kate says that the children were happy and healthy and were never in any danger from doing the show. Jon stated they were "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.

Multimedia

Books

The Gosselins were managed by Media Motion International in Los Angeles.

Kate Gosselin has written four books: Multiple Blessings (co-authored with Beth Carson and Jon), which was released November 1, 2008, Eight Little Faces in April 2009, I Just Want You to Know on April 13, 2010 and Love Is in the Mix, a cookbook, on September 13, 2013.

DVDs

Title Region 1 Region 2 Discs
Jon & Kate Plus 8: Seasons 1 & 2 September 9, 2008 2008 2
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 2
Jon & Kate Plus 8: Season 5 - Big Changes January 12, 2010

Online releases

Episodes of the series are available for download from the iTunes Store, Google Play, Amazon Video, and Microsoft Zune Marketplace. Every episode is also available on Discovery+ and MAX.

References

  1. "Jon & Kate Plus 8 5 Seasons 2007". Amazon.com. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  2. Rice, Lynette. "Jon & Kate Plus 8 season finale scores series-best ratings". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2009-05-05. Retrieved 2008-03-26.
  3. "Jon & Kate Plus 8 Premiere Hits Record". tvbythenumbers.com. Archived from the original on 2009-05-28. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
  4. "What to expect on the Jon and Kate Plus 8 Series Finale". 20 November 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
  5. "Series finale for Jon and Kate Plus 8 set to air on Nov. 23 on TLC". Daily News. New York. 2009-11-20. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
  6. "TLC GOES 'KATE PLUS 8' ON JUNE 6". TheFutonCritic.com. 2010-05-10. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  7. "TLC Introduces Kate Plus Eight". TV Guide. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
  8. "TLC Responds to Jon Gosselin". tlc.discovery.com. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
  9. "Jon Gosselin Trying to Kill 'Kate Plus 8'?". CBS News. 2009-10-01. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
  10. "TLC halts production on 'Jon and Kate Plus 8'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
  11. "TLC: Kate Plus Eight Not Canceled". TV Guide. Retrieved 2019-11-24.
  12. tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com
  13. Stanhope, Kate. "Kate Gosselin and Her Children to Appear on New TLC Special". TV Guide. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  14. "'Kate Plus 8' Returns Again: Kate Is 'Overwhelmed' By Kids In First Look". hollywoodlife.com. Archived from the original on December 27, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  15. "'Kate Plus 8' Season 4 Premiere Date Released; Watch Kate Go On A Date In First Promo Video". International Business Times. 12 November 2015. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  16. "Kate Gosselin Celebrates Ten Years on TLC with a New Season of 'Kate Plus 8'". TheFutonCritic.com. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  17. "TLC's Hit Series "Kate Plus 8" Returns with a Milestone Celebration as the Sextuplets Become Teenagers". TLC.com. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  18. ^ ""Jon And Kate" 8 Being Exploited?". CBS News. Retrieved 2009-05-21.
  19. ^ "Pa. labor officials probing Jon & Kate complaint". Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on June 11, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  20. "Report: Jon Gosselin says his 8 kids are happy". Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on June 11, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-23.
  21. ^ Duke, Alan (April 14, 2010). "State: 'Jon & Kate' broke child labor law, but no charges". CNN. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
  22. "Welcome to Media Motion International". mediamotionintl.com. Retrieved 2008-07-03.

External links

Categories: