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Jon Gosselin is going to be on Dr. Oz today and I’m covering the preview so that I don’t have to watch it. I reported on the Gosselin breakup at the time and came away team kids. While I think that Jon had better intentions for his kids overall, he was a mess of a person in a different, less mean way than his ex Kate. In the wake of that divorce John went through a string of girlfriends, partying and spending lavishly. So while I believe that he wanted what was best for his kids, I don’t think he would have been a more stable parent than Kate back then. In no way am I calling her a good or even a decent parent. I’m saying they’re both sh-tty in their own way. Plus it’s clear that John did not save his reality star money. According to a preview of that interview reported by People, Jon told Dr. Oz that he went bankrupt trying to fight with TLC’s lawyers and get his kids off TV. I’m sure that was part of it, but he was well on his way toward spending that money anyway. Here’s some of what he said on Dr. Oz:
I literally hung a sign on my gate saying, ‘If any crew members show up, I’ll have you arrested for trespassing. They sued me for breach of contract. I pretty much bankrupted myself. I did it for moral reasons obviously.
I’ve spent $1.7 million in lawyers fees from when TLC sued me and the divorce. TLC paid for [Kate’s] attorneys in the lawsuit and for her divorce. So I financed it by myself and she was financed by the network. Now I understand why. All she wanted was legal custody to film my kids to sustain her lifestyle and their lifestyle. That’s fame though.
Do you believe that Kate is an unfit mother?
Well I believe that her belief system is skewed. I believe her intentions in the beginning were good intentions, bringing these kids into the world, that she fought to have these kids. I think once fame and money got involved it twisted her belief system. I’ve been fighting to get my kids off TV forever.
[From YouTube clips posted on People.com]
I hope that if I ever get some windfall like the Gosselins I will be wise enough not to spend it all in one shot. Of course it’s hard to plan for crazy expensive legal fees, but at some point John could have cut bait. Kate Gosselin is a controlling mean piece of work but I think John is a passive aggressive a-hole. They both have the emotional maturity of a preteen. He’s the guy who bragged about his fame post divorce, made out with one girlfriend at Sundance, brought another one to the south of France on Christian Audigier’s yacht, dated a Star Magazine reporter and used to party with Michael Lohan. He cares deeply and definitely loves his kids. He’s not wrong about getting them off TV but what is he trying to accomplish by continuing to talk about it? He only recently got stable enough to provide a home for them. He was living in a one bedroom cabin and driving drunk with a reporter in his car in 2014. I’m glad he took in Colin especially but he’s painting himself as a martyr now and he’s been doing this for years. I clearly need more coffee and am sorry for covering this story that only annoys me.
Here are those videos:
Yeah, he only “fought to get the kids of television” after he was cut out of the profits after the divorce.
Those children’s lives and privacy have been sold for their parents’ enrichment. I feel so sorry for them. I hope Jon wins only to get those kids off tv. But yeah, they are both terrible people and parents.
yeah, it’s good to get them off TV but he’s really no better than Kate in a lot of ways. they’re both terrible parents who have done a lot of damage to those kids. I think at this point he has the edge on being the better parent, but that’s not saying tons because she’s so awful.
He’s the better parent because she’s such a jerk…she basically discarded Colin. Who does that? If he had gotten therapy after the divorce & would stop talking about Kate, he’d come off so much better. He is right on one thing…money did change her. I watched their show & I saw the change. I’m happy he stabilized because his kids do need that. Even in teenage years & into adulthood, kids need it. It’s not too late.
I feel so bad for Colin, she just tossed him into a facility and never talked about him or looked back. Jon has custody of one of the girls now too, she chose to go with him and Kate didn’t even show up to the court hearing if I remember correctly.
Money doesn’t change people it just gives them permission to to be their true selves without financial consequence. Kate IMO was awful from the very first episode. controlling, angry and downright small stepping abusive.
He’s the better parent because she is sadistic, evil and cruel to those children and should never have been allowed to raise them. He’s not great, but he did not physically hurt those children to get his way or because he could not control or relished his temper tantrums. She in no way deserves to be called a mother.
She is also the reason I found this site in the first place.
@Jess – I believe Hannah lives with him as well.
I remember when they were still married he was pushing her to get them off tv and saying he wanted to go back to how things were before the tv show, Kate was the one saying it was too late and they couldn’t go back. So I actually believe him, I also believe he went buck wild once they split and he enjoyed his sudden freedom. He’s always been the better parent, she’s always been controlling and obsessed with fame.
I totally agree with your take. He’s not perfect, but Jon and Kate are nowhere near the same amount of “bad”. They shouldn’t split the blame equally here.
He tried to protect his children, she tried to exploit their children. Those 2 positions are vastly different.
I just hope there’s some money left for all those kids to have therapy, because my goodness, they’re going to need it.
She bought a $1.2 million home shortly before the ’08 crash. I remember her on TV crying because her home was now worth $700K and her mortgage was still for $1.2mill. She was practically asking for donations to help cover her very unfair, I’m a single mother of eight, mortgage.
I used to think the kids could at least sue her and get the house from her, it was their money she spent buying it. It would give the eight of them a leg up on college costs if nothing else.
Most of the kids are adults and can decide for themselves.
the twins are adults, but the sextuplets are 15 or 16.
I think he’s talking about Kate because his gag order recently lifted and he’s trying to cash in on the interview circuit. On one hand, I don’t blame him, but on the other hand the kids would probably benefit from not having their (parent’s) private business aired out.
I think that’s exactly it. No way in hell is he the good parent.
TLC is exploitative. there were a lot rumors this weekend that the duggars are being investigated again, either because of josh or jim bob being in some financial shady shit!
…and once again the IRS takes down the bad guy
a friend is having triplets and having so many complications that are considered normal with that many kids in the womb. it has been really difficult on her emotionally and she is always scared that one or all of them will have severe developmental difficulties. they are identical and naturally conceived and her ultrasound found the triplets too late to do selective reduction. it makes me really side eye these insane people who choose to fertilize so many eggs with the singular purpose to be a reality tv side show. what if those babies would have tragically died or had awful deformities or debilitating developmental disabilities? that wouldn’t be as cute of a TV show. i just can’t believe a medical doctor would allow it and i can’t believe people would really put their children at risk knowing how dangerous a pregnancy with 6 children is.
Remember Octomom?
yes. there was a rash of these stunts in the early 00’s and they should all be sterilized and have their kids taken away…IMHO.
Octo’s children never stood a chance. They should have been taken from her at birth. Her and her doctor should have gone to prison for that stunt.
I remember that Kate was really rude to Jon. She was always putting him down, making fun of him, belittling him. After awhile that shit gets old. Do I think Jon’s perfect? Nope. I think he has a reputation of being a womanizer and floating around job wise. However, I do believe he loves his kids, I also believe that Kate has caused some parental alienation. I also believe she’s bad mouthed Jon to his kids. I never got the warm fuzzy feeling from them when their marriage was supposed to be good in the beginning. I also have a huge problem with any parent who can easily discard their child and label them ” difficult.” Jon isn’t a saint, but Kate isn’t either.
omg, it’s so funny that this story popped up today. I have been trying to remember the name of that cheesy brand that was popular with douches in the 00’s, and the mention of him hanging out with christian audigier helped me find the answer. Ed Hardy. Omg. Jon Gosselin used to wear this stuff like it was his job, which, maybe it was for a minute there. That stuff was great for letting me know who NOT to talk to while I was out with friends, ha!
Those poor kids. I can’t remember the make up but weren’t there two or three older girls? They seemed like maybe they had their heads on straight, but that was a while ago.
Yes! I remember the Ed Hardy fad, so lame. And the people who wore it, douche bags!!!!
Now he will go on television again to get a check to let everyone know he never wanted to get checks from television. Sigh.
They both need therapy. I think when he left kate he found a new freedom and made stupid choices with the fame and money but who knows , maybe he’s calmed down and is trying to make better decisions now. He’s send more stable but maybe it’s for tv
I think the only reason these kids are in this world is because these two were fameballs. Around the time they had gotten married, the media was absolutely bonkers about the McCaughey septuplets. These two looked at themselves – average looking, average intelligence, no discernable talent – and thought excessive procreation was their way to fame.
TLC disgusts me for supporting this entire charade for financial incentive. I honestly hope those kids manage to glean some of the profit made off their backs to get therapy and start their lives elsewhere, far away from these two jackasses.
I think it’s heartbreaking that Kate has turned most of the children against him. He is not a terrific father by any means, but he definitely should have access to all of his children. I hope some day, the 6 kids who won’t speak to him will understand what really happened.
Jon and Kate Plus 8 was the first reality TV show I ever watched and my family and I always commented on how she completely emasculated him at every turn. Jon has his problems, but Kate is a super nasty person and her children haven’t been spared from that. I don’t think money had to play much of a role in the way she ended up being, because she was always extremely mean-spirited and nasty.
What happened to Collin was a tragedy. It took years for Jon to figure out where he was, get visitation and transition him back home with daughter Hannah’s help. Kate dragged him to court over and over and then didn’t show up on the day of the actual custody hearing. Both kids are doing well with him.
His 10 year gag order is over so he can talk now. Plus, TLC put out an episode recently with his other minor children even though the PA courts denied filming permits for them as of 2018. Their court appointed guardian said that filming wasn’t in their best interest. TLC had to pull that episode.
I agree with everything you said, Celebitchy. Really good article. My husband once told me he could see me blowing through a windfall in M.C. Hammer time, like three months. I kinda believe I would, since the first purchase I’d make would be a hotel I liked in Hawaii.
Lol, my husband said similar to me…and he’s right! Lololol
My husband definitely has more faith in me than I do (I’d blow through it like water, but bless his heart for being so strengths based!) But we made an agreement if we ever win Powerball or anything like that he won’t tell me and we’ll just start getting reasonable things done with his “end of year bonus money”. I like thinking I might be a millionaire at any point lol…..but our new house addition is pretty big…..hmmm……and he did start the layout for a pool…..
I’m the opposite. I don’t like to spend money so he weirdo that hoards it and then starts collecting shoe boxes full of my nail clippings or something.
I’d like to think I’d be a suave philanthropist but probably would actually be the toe nail thing
OK, here is my opinion, parents/guardians of minor children in show biz should be required by law to have all the earnings put into a Trust. All of it.
My understanding of Trusts is that the assets placed in the Trust can have rules set in stone…
Ex: Trust will pay mortgage/costs on primary family home, with the child as the beneficiary when sold or at age 25, etc.
These kids were taken advantage of by their parents.
Kate seemed to me to have a temper with the kids, Jon seemed under her thumb and could do nothing right in her eyes. That alone is gonna give those kids problems.
Yes, I do think these kids are all gonna need therapy. I hope they will have some of the $$ for adulthood, and they move to someplace where they can live in peace.