TLC changes name of popular show
Not everyone is excited about the November premiere of "Kate Plus 8." Image from Wikimedia.
Ratings for “Jon & Kate Plus 8″ on TLC are down 80 percent from the season premier. Of course, it’s tough to top a much-anticipated, public divorce announcement. However, TLC has decided that because “Jon & Kate Plus 8″ is no longer bringing home the bacon, the network will start a new show.
It should be an easy one to launch. TLC’s new show is “Kate Plus 8,” and it will be exactly what it sounds like. However, The New York Daily News reports that TLC will maintain its “exclusive” relationship with Jon Gosselin. Does that mean Jon Gosselin can’t make extra cash appearing on other shows?
Details and divorced dads
All jokes about Jon Gosselin and “exclusive relationships” aside, what does this contract with TLC mean for Jon Gosselin’s career? Daily News says Jon Gosselin will still make appearances on the show, but he will have a much more limited role. This seems to indicate Jon will get paid less, one would think, especially because TLC is altering the title of the show specifically to omit his name.
A few months ago, rumors began circulating that there was a reality show in the works called “Divorced Dads Club,” which would feature Michael Lohan, Jose Canseco, possibly Dennis Rodman and of course Jon Gosselin. However, does Jon Gosselin’s “exclusive relationship” with TLC mean he can’t be on the show? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
TLC plus Kate
The Daily News wrote about TLC’s reasoning for kicking Jon — or at least his name — to the curb:
“Given the recent changes in the family dynamics, it only makes sense for us to refresh and recalibrate the program to keep pace with the family,” TLC president Eileen O’Neill said in a statement. “The family has evolved and we are attempting to evolve with it; we feel that Kate’s journey really resonates with our viewers.”
The statement also says “Kate Plus 8″ will focus on “Kate’s journey as a single mom.” Rumors are also flying about other TV opportunities for Kate. The Daily News says it’s developing another project with Kate for next year. There have also been rumors that Kate wants — and might get — her own talk show.
Nine minus Jon
I think most people familiar with the story knew that some big changes were on the way for the show after Jon and Kate announced during an episode that they’d filed for a divorce. I was hoping they’d come up with something a little more fun for the title, like “Jon and Kate Plus 8 Minus Jon,” but the journalist in me is glad they stuck with brevity, even if it’s not funny.
Now that the rumors about Jon Gosselin starting his own clothing line have been shot down and TLC is saying it still owns the rights to Jon Gosselin, I wonder what he will do? Even though he is only 32, some gossip sites are saying he’s going through a “public mid-life crisis.” So perhaps that will keep him busy for a while. When he runs out of money or loses all of it to Kate, I suppose he can go back to whatever he did before he started getting paid to be on reality TV shows. What was that, anyway?
“Kate Plus 8″ begins airing Nov. 2.
