Monday, July 30, 2012

While cashing $50,000 checks and amassing $35,000 in freebies, Jon and Kate were still collecting 'love offerings' from churches

The Gosselins collecting love offerings and selling photos at a church speaking engagement
in PA, just 10 days before quietly signing an endorsement deal worth $60,000.

It's always been pretty obvious that long after they became very wealthy, Jon and Kate continued to unethically portray a couple with their hands full just struggling to get by. Just how much money was taken from innocent church goers and other people under the mistaken impression they needed their money just to eat and pay the bills may never be known. Today however, former US Weekly reporter  Robert Hoffman, who was assigned to the Gosselin beat for two years and has stated is a friend of Jon's, posted a revealing contract on his web site.
The contract with Lane furniture is dated September 23, 2008, and includes some of the following interesting information: 
  • The couple were paid $30,000 in cash and $30,000 in furniture, for a total of $60,000.
  • Lane was responsible for all the taxes that Jon and Kate would owe as a result of this exchange
  • Jon and Kate were to have final approval of the promotional video they were to shoot for Lane
A second contract dated November 14, 2008 provided for $20,000 payment in cash and $5,000 worth of Samsung electronics.
Around about this time, the Gosselins had several speaking engagements lined up, many at churches. (What appears to be a complete list can be found here.) One such example is Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Abington, located just down the road near Philadelphia. While they have removed any reference to the Gosselins from their web site, another Gosselin blog saved the information they posted: 
September 14, 2008
Jon and Kate Plus 8 Registration
We are excited to be hosting the cast of "Jon and Kate Plus 8" on Sunday, September 14 at 10:00 am. Completing the requested information below will pre-register you for this event. We are asking only those within a 15 mile radius of the church to pre-register and attend, as there is limited seating available. Thank you for understanding. This event is free, but please come prepared to give in a love offering toward the Gosselin’s. Due to the increased response for this event, we have rented Keswick Theatre, a local production theatre around the corner from the church in Glenside, Pa. This will provide much more seating. Children will be included in the service, sitting with their parents. Don’t worry, the service will be a fast paced, multi-media experience that will keep your kids’ attention.
We look forward to meeting you soon!

In addition, a fan posted a lengthy account of her encounter with Jon and Kate in Abington, reposted on a fan blog, which includes in part this: 

"We sat in the center of the theater, row G, so we were pretty close. I had a perfect view. We sang 2 worship songs. Then the pastor came out and talked about the church. We had to sit through a long video about the church. Then they had a raffle. The pastor then explained that there would be two offerings: one for the church to pay off their rent of the theater, and another for Jon and Kate.

Finally, he introduced Jon and Kate...  I'm going to be honest, they looked miserable at first. Kind of like they didn't want to be there. They didn't really smile or make eye contact with the crowd. I think they were more annoyed at the fact that everyone was cheering and screaming and clapping and they just see themselves as a "normal" family. At least that is what it seemed like to me. The interview started and they lighted up I guess you could say. ... 

Kate also does some kind of "online devotional" once a week. Since vrigg wanted to know more about their faith, I'll go into that a little bit more. Apparently there was this lady who had terminal ovarian cancer, who was Kate's age. Her last dying wish was to meet Kate and talk to her. (This was in March). So Jon and Kate went to visit her in the hospital, where Kate helped her accept God and death. She passed away shortly after that. The grandmother called Kate to tell her the woman's son was diagnosed with pediatric cancer, completely non related. He passed away this summer. Kate still keeps in touch with this family. I think this is why her charity of choice is pediatric cancer. They said it was things like these, bringing people closer to God, is what keeps them going. It was truly inspirational. I had no idea that the Gosselins were this spiritual. Jon mentioned prayer (praying TO God, not AT God) and having a relationship with Him. 

....Following the interview, the pastor asked us to be gracious with our love offerings for Jon and Kate for their being here, and something about the kids' babysitter. There was NO mention of any such college funds! I repeat! NO MENTION OF ANY COLLEGE FUND. The pastor said the money goes directly to the Gosselins. They set up the table and chair for Jon and Kate to greet and sign autographs on the photos. The photos were $20 each (I think Luna said it was $10 for one kid, or $20 for the whole family) but here it was $20 for the same picture. 

No, we did not purchase a picture, and no, we did not give a love offering. We did however, wait in line because I just wanted to see them up close (moreso Jon [[wink]] ). I made eye contact with Kate. Everyone was standing there gawking at them and snapping pictures as they were signing autographs. Then the security guards instructed them to not use their flash because it is distracting. We were allowed to take pictures though." 


Before grifting from blue collar church folk or anyone, is there a moral and ethical obligation to disclose just how well off you are doing financially? We certainly think so.

Friday, July 27, 2012

Dancing with the All-Stars

ABC makes the big announcement today, along with one slot for a vote-in candidate. Will the shopping Kart return or at least be on the ballot?

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Monday, July 16, 2012

Kate on local radio show Jackie and Scott


Listen to the full interview here. Kate dishes about the Chicago marathon and other upcoming running events, how eight kids are not allowed to each have their own schedule and have to stay shut away in their rooms in the morning with a video, how she's tapping out some books on her iPhone, and finally this guy .....




... her police escort to the station this morning! Currently on the Y102 roof with a sniper rifle.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Em Tanner designs iPhone cover for Realitytvkids.com

When Kate hands you a knock down drag out, stick it to her.



Em Tanner, the lovely and talented small business owner from Tennessee, has designed for us this swagnificent iPhone cover you see above. That's my iPhone, and this heavy duty but light cover really works. Smooth too! If you'd like to order one, give them a buzz. (All profits go to Em Tanner, not us)

And another one bites the dust.
What started all this? The complete story can be read here. The short story is back when Jon and Kate Plus 8 first started, Em sent Kate loads of goodies from her collection, including a calendar that she gave to Kate for freeEm named the calendar "Kate's calendar," and put it up for sale on her web site. In March, Kate accused Em of marketing the calendar without her consent, and said that it's "sad when people use your name for gain without permission!" 

Em Tanner responded that she gave lots of things to Kate for free, she doesn't want Kate's name on a thing and she gets lots of hate mail about her and therefore would not use Kate as a marketing tool.

Kate responded that her name being used is "not legal" and the Em was "confronted" but she "ignored." Em replied that that's "not how it went and we both know. Good luck to you." She told Kate "I'm so sorry you lost your way, I really am," and left it at that. 

And the winner of this knock-down drag-out is, without a doubt, Em Tanner! 

Em Tanner for the win

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Kate's Style Guide

The classic look is always in vogue  clean, simple and perfect for the workplace and your television personality career. Here's how to get it from head to toe. 

A parody of Kate's tips for saving money on clothing and accessories.

Engineer's hat ...


The must-have accessory to conduct the train wreck that is your life:

Courtesy of Fade2Black

Oversized sunglasses ...


To hide the crocodile tears you cry as you watch old episodes of your canceled show over and over:



Slutty strapless dress and Princess Kate pumps (Winnie the Pooh tattoo optional but recommended) ... 



Ideal for pumping gas, or turning over tables: 





Daisy Dukes, paired with Dorothy red hooker heels and a wife beater ... 



The ideal summer go-to uniform to pick up all your fan mail:





And of course no classic look is complete with out this little Italian number, circa A.D. 82, Roma ....



For all those days when you find yourself dragon slaying:



So go out there and find your inner Jackie O. and Princess Kate and Julia Roberts and try out your new wardrobe. 

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Parental alienation may soon be classified as a mental health syndrome

The American Psychiatric Association is debating whether to include parental alienation as a mental health syndrome in its 2013 revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders




Much like last year, Kate, who said she didn't have the kids for the holiday, spent her July Fourth parental alienating Jon, and organizing her desk. (Last year, Kate accused Jon of not taking the kids to church even though she asked him to, while in the same breath admitting she slept in that Sunday, and also retweeted a fan's tweet that "Jon ruined that family but she healed it," and thanked her.) One of her most disturbing and alienating tweets, tweeted on July 4 in the evening (in response to someone remarking how she was happy the kids were with Jon), is this one:


"me too. The fact that he asked, always is worth my loneliness.I'm happy for them even if it's somehow hard for both me&kids"


Perhaps Kate's behavior, and the behavior of other parents like her who hate their ex's more than they love their children, will soon be recognized for what it is, a mental health problem. 


Thanks to Kate's own Reading Eagle for keeping this important topic in the news.



Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Ron Howard: Andy Griffith believed in 'respect'




Ron Howard, one of Hollywood's greatest child actor success stories, wrote a moving tribute to his co-star and T.V. dad Andy Griffith, who passed away today in North Carolina at age 86. Said Howard: "Respect. At every turn he demonstrated his honest respect for people and he never seemed to expect theirs in return, but wanted to earn it." 

Perhaps the respect Ron Howard felt on set, even at age seven, played a major role in Howard turning out so well. (Howard also credits good parenting: "I always felt loved. I never felt that my parents' love or affection depended in any way, shape, or form on how I was doing at the set.") Ron also was commited to giving his own child, Bryce, born in 1981, a normal childhood. Said Bryce of her growing up years: "I feel like I almost didn't grow up in the business, because my parents worked so hard at sheltering us from that. I was raised in Connecticut. And I honestly wasn't aware that my dad was a celebrity until I moved to Los Angeles a year ago."

You did right by the child on your set--rest in peace now, Andy. 

Sunday, July 1, 2012

A Day at the Beach

What are your favorite memories of the beach? (An easy, economical way to spend time with the ones you love.)

Growing up I spent a lot of time at the Great Lakes. My grandparents lived a mile from the shore. We loved to go hiking, visit the lighthouse, which had been turned into a museum, go boating and fishing with our uncles, get ice cream (fireball ice cream!), popcorn, and go see a drive-in movie.

We relived all those memories this past weekend, and I captured this gorgeous sunset as our family young and old gathered at the quiet shoreline and skipped rocks. Our family is changing and growing and welcoming new spouses and babies to share in all this, but peaceful sunsets at the lake will forever be a constant. Happy summer and Fourth of July week.