Jon and Kate plus Hate

First of all, it's entirely possible that everyone else in the world has already jumbled up the name of this show and called it what I used as this post title. But I don't care, because it makes me feel clever.)

(And duh, that's the whole premise behind this blog of mine, so I'm just going to go with it.)

(On with the show.)

Even if you never watched Jon & Kate Plus Eight, you might be living under a rock if you haven't seen them splashed all over the tabloids as of late.

J&K+8 was a show about a young couple who have a set of twins and a set of sextuplets, just trying to cope with life in the big bad world and having it all taped for us couch-lounging, freedom-having, highchair-free-zoned people relaxing in our lazy households and never spending one minute worrying about how much it costs to buy eight pairs of sneakers every month.

If you watched the show, you've seen Kate stressed to the max, trying to keep her brood in line and her easy-going hubby Jon focused. You've also seen her go completely batshit crazy when he forgot to use a coupon, take out the trash, or expediently dress a toddler.

(And when I say "batshit crazy", I mean "you'd better hide under a table because her head might literally explode.")

Now, the point of this post is not to judge her. (well maybe just a little.) Seriously. I cannot imagine what it is like to raise double the amount of children I already have, not to mention the fact that I've never had a camera crew in my home documenting all of my shame and distributing it to the masses.

(Hey Hubs, if we had a reality show, would you stop leaving your clothes on the floor of our bedroom? No? So that means I don't have to take my pajamas off before 5pm? Sweet.)

I didn't watch the show that much. For the most part, I thought it was a little redundant. Although, the sextuplets are adorable and I love them. I appreciate Jon and Kate's constant fighting and believe it makes for some good reality TV, but since the show does not include midgets or dope fiends, I have other shows to watch. Better ones.

But, and here is the clincher. Life is a little different these days for JK+8 since their show skyrocketed in popularity. They're very exposed, but they've been able to offer their children TONS of opportunities that they'd never have access to if they didn't have their show.

The drawback to all of this is the haters. There are ALWAYS complete strangers willing to tell you exactly what you're doing wrong in your life and offer their completely unsolicited helpful suggestions.

Was Kate uptight? Sure. Does Jon need to get with the program? Probably. Should Kate have belittled him on national television? No. Is Jon treated unfairly? Sometimes.

Really, though, that's none of our business, and even though it was a common thread throughout the show, it was really supposed to be about the KIDS.

Now they are divorced. The cheating rumors ran rampant. Kate was supposedly sleeping with her bodyguard. Jon had an affair with a young elementary school teacher. Are these things true? Maybe, maybe not. The bottom line is: it is not easy to be married. It is not easy to raise a family. Even with all of the money in the world.

They have a reality show, so some people say they asked for it. The attention. The whole "there's no bad publicity" thing. You have to be prepared for whatever comes. Ignore it, don't take it personally, weather the storm.

I don't know what will happen with Jon & Kate. I feel sorry for them, and their kids, if there was no truth to the rumors that became the downfall of this family. And even sorrier if there is.

If we've learned anything from Brangelina, it's that it's REALLY EFFING HARD to have a foreshadowed and extremely public breakup. And if we've learned anything from Mel Gibson or Christian Bale, it's that you should never let a camera record you completely losing your mind.

(Also, I've learned from P!nk that I'm still a rock star and Christina Aguilera taught me that I am beautiful no matter what they say. But those are stories for another day.)

(Not to mention that Tyra taught me I was dead inside unless I could smile with my eyes. Still, another day.)

If they had lived closer to me I would have offered to babysit their kids one day so they could have "alone time." They probably needed it.

(And when I say "offer to babysit", I mean hire a professional and then accompany him/her and bestow ice cream and kisses to the children like a fairy godmother while she/he had to do all of the effort-y stuff like disciplining.)

Ah, who am I kidding? If I lived closer to them I'd send Hubs over there to observe and then when he came back I'd be like "SEE HOW EASY YOUR LIFE IS?"