'Jon & Kate': The Show that Won't Die!

Last week I speculated that the one hour “Viewers Ask Questions” interview with Kate Gosselin would be the final show of the “Jon & Kate Plus 8” saga.
Boy was I wrong. Unlike even some vampires (i.e. Godric on “True Blood”), this is a show that won't die. Desperate for ratings, I guess that TLC plans on squeezing every little drop of blood out of the Gosselin family. (And how ironic is it that “TLC” actually stands for “The Learning Channel?”)
So last night we were treated to another one hour interview with Kate; this time the interview was conducted by Natalie Morales of NBC News, supposedly to give the interview more credibility. Of course we all know that the “news” today is more fluff than substance. And full of fluff is the best way to describe the softball questions (with no follow-ups) that Ms. Morales tossed Kate's way.
Somehow I just can't picture Edward R. Murrow or Mike Wallace conducting the same interview.
So once again we got to hear how Kate loves her children, would do nothing that would ever harm them, and that she originally signed up to do a reality show, not to be a “tabloid staple.” Oh, and that her and the paparazzi have a “hate-hate” relationship.
While tears welled up in Kate's eyes as she paused to answer questions about Jon's infidelities, her middle of the night meltdowns, and the positive and negative lessons she has learned (I guess it is “The Learning Channel” after all), there were moments I had difficulty hearing what she was saying, because of the jangling of her jewelry while she wiped her eyes.
I also became distracted by her contrived speech patterns that I first noticed weeks ago during an interview with Larry King.
So do I believe that Kate only cares about her children's welfare? No I don't.
Do I watch too many Jon and Kate interviews? Absolutely.
Do I regret watching all of these interviews? Absolutely.
(Excuse me while I try and contain myself for a moment.)
Okay, here's what I thought was the most interesting aspect of last night's interview, and that involves the questions that Ms. Morales asked dealing with Kate's relationship with her parents and siblings.
First Kate mentioned that she was the middle of five children, and that she was “the forgotten child.” (Hmm, could this have anything to do with her decision to get on a reality show?)
When asked about her current relationship with her parents, Kate said that it was basically an email one, and that they do not talk. But what I found most telling is the fact that this split between Kate and her family (apparently only one sister now supports her) happened NOT in the past year, but long ago.
In fact Kate admitted that her falling out with her parents occurred after the sextuplets were born, but BEFORE the television series! Kate's explanation of the problems with her parents was “that was the beginning of me realizing everyone has an opinion and sometimes those opinions aren't my opinions….and at that time I felt like it was best just to step back and take a break.”
Wow! So she basically decided to confine her relationship with her parents (and the children's grandparents) to emails because of a difference of opinion! Can you imagine if all of us did that with parents and siblings?
Back to the most important subject: Kate's future in television. First I must mention that I thought Kate looked just “mahvelous” during this interview. Obviously it's just a matter of time until her talk show premiers.
Anyway, checking my channel guide, it appears that TLC will continue to come up with new shows from already filmed footage.
Next Monday we will be treated to an hour-long episode titled “Viewers' Top Moments,” and the following Monday there will be two half hour episodes, “Gymnastics & Basketball” and “Never Before Seen.”
So it appears that this “Jon & Kate” saga may truly be a “Never Ending Story,” at least as long as the ratings hold up.