Doesn’t it seem like every week we see ads for a new reality show that has cameras following around families? Some of them feature celebrities (The Osbournes, Hogan Knows Best), others are about large families (18 and Counting, Table for 12) and some document unique families (The Little Couple, Little People, Big World, even American Chopper). But it all boils down to a family choosing to let cameras into their homes and putting their daily life out there for the nation to see.
Part of my job requires regularly talking about Care.com on TV or inviting the media into my home for an interview (like I did for this recent Cookie Magazine article—I just love that photo!), but that’s not the same as facing cameras, microphones, and producers 24/7.
With the Gosselin’s divorce filing becoming very prominent, public news this week, I couldn’t help but feel bad for their children. Any major shift can be hard on our kids—especially when they’re so young—but I couldn’t imagine how difficult, emotional, and confusing it must be for them to work these things out in the public eye.
However, you can also understand why these families (especially the larger ones) choose to do reality TV shows. By signing a lucrative contract, these parents can provide for their children. And with the extremely high costs of child care, it’s understandable that the extra money comes in handy.
For me and my family though, I don’t think we could do it. It’s nice to be on TV for a quick interview when I’m at my best—I can wear a new blouse, my make-up is done well, and I’m smiling. But there’s no way I’d want to have to air out every daily event for a national audience. We’re happy to just be a plain old, everyday family who’s far away from the spotlight.
What about you? Would you ever agree to do a reality TV program with your family? Do the pluses outweigh the minus? Let me know what you think!
I think that would be great to see a normal family on a reality TV show I have 2 boys 3 and 4 and 5 dogs 2 cats that would be a funny show
Posted by: Marylou Metz | June 30, 2009 at 08:51 AM
I think that I would...since I am already divorced and a single parent, I would do it to help take care of my kids. I have a daughter with special needs so in being on TV we could encourage families to not take for granted their everyday and maybe give to organizations like Make a Wish and Give Kids the World. They could realize the true ease of just getting your kids out the door and have them jump in the car so you could quick pop somewhere for an errand. That act of running errands or getting my son to baseball is just not the same. People need to wake up today and realize what they have instead of concentrating on what they want and don't have...
Posted by: Heather G | June 30, 2009 at 09:21 AM
We could put our family on reality tv. Everyday there is something new drama filled. always someone uspet always one happy. I am one of my mom's 9 daughters. I have 10 syblings, only one boy. Here is how the age goes...
28 Melissa
25 joesph
23 margorie
21 amanda
19 Me (tabitha)
16 jennifer
9 tamryn
TRIPLETS
they are 6 years old
danielle emily hope
My family is very interesting. everyone who sees our life says we could have a reality show. Its fun having a big family!
My parents are divorced.
Posted by: tabby | June 30, 2009 at 09:23 AM
I've watched and loved the Gosselins since they first appeared on Discovery Health TV and then TLC. I saw the writing on the wall about their marriage almost from the beginning. I knew when the babies first came home they'd have to work together to care for them, but the fact that Jon really didn't want more kids after the twins (although he loved them all), would make it more difficult when the kids all became more independent and didn't rely on their parents as much. Suddenly, Jon and Kate didn't need to be working together to care for them. Also, when the series first started, Jon really loved it (I think he enjoyed the other adults from the crew being around to see what really went on , and how Kate was towards him), but at the end of last season Jon wanted out, and Kate wanted the show to keep going. "The love of money is the root of all evil". I just wonder where their deeply Christian roots went to? I could never do a reality show. I lead an ordinary, normal life with the usual ups and downs. I do want to try to get Dr. Phil to help me learn to live with my constant, chronic pain from a work comp. accident that has left me permanently disabled. I also have a lot of anger because the work comp. system in Florida is terrible and they keep beating me down instead of trying to help me.
Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. The Duggars will be fine and I'll keep praying for the Gosselins (those poor children stuck in the middle. I'm glad they had the crew around them to help them throughout their lives.
Posted by: Bonnie Bergstein | June 30, 2009 at 09:46 AM
Yes, I think I would invite cameras into my home. People should see how challenging, yet rewarding, a child with Down syndrome can be in real life, not a scripted, made-up life.
Posted by: KELLY HUGHES | June 30, 2009 at 10:11 AM
I could not put my children on a reality tv show. I do understand Kate's point of view with trying to provide for the children, but she has many other ways to accomplish this. She has her books, tours, speaking engagments, which should provide a decent enough amount of income to help support the children. I would NEVER put my children out there on a tv show, I think that it is unfair and unhealthy for the childrens emotional development, plus I am very protective of my children, there are sooo many unstable people out there in the world and I think that you are just inviting something horrable to happen. Think about it, her children have grown up always having cameras in thier home, what kind of effect will this have on the children as they grow older. Also, as they grow older how will if effect them with thier peers knowing every single "growing pains" being displayed for all to see. I know when I was in my pre-teen years I would be mortified if the whole world watched me as I went through those difficult years. Parents need to put the needs of thier children FIRST not the needs of themselves. Just a thought.
Posted by: michele | June 30, 2009 at 10:17 AM
I guess my husband and I would let a camera crew come into our home for a bit. We aren't exciting like the Gosselins but our lives are just as important even though it just consist of 2 children and me and my husband.
Posted by: Queen Reid | June 30, 2009 at 10:19 AM
I do not think that I could do that. I don't think there is enough money that anyone could play for me that would make me expose my kids that way... It is not healthy for them
Posted by: Sarah | June 30, 2009 at 10:29 AM
I could never do it. If I would make a mistake it would be all over the news even if it was a little one. they would make it seem wayy more seriouse than it has to be. Like the pictures of kate and jon seperated, well maybe at that time they were just wanting space but the media went ahead and said they are done when they werent. Its crazy. They get paid 79,000 dollers for each episode. Most people think they do it for the money. But after seeing how hectic it made me feel that I shouldn't ever do that with kids.
Posted by: Andie Eckstrum | June 30, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Never, I hate reality TV. It is so fake and not really what happens in a real family life.
Posted by: Delaniah Bringle | June 30, 2009 at 11:20 AM
I would not allow cameras inside my home. I value my privacy. The pluses, alot of money, presitge, the minuses, no privacy, the public knows about you, money sometimes brings in greed, selfishness...not worth it.
Posted by: Marie | June 30, 2009 at 12:13 PM
No, I live in Florida. The state would be up your butt in less than 10 seconds trying to say that you're a bad parent for exploiting your children. You'd loose your kids.
You're lucky to have your freedom in this state! No Lie
Why don't you do a story on how corrupt florida is, you'd most likely get an award or something. It desperately needs to be covered.
Especially Brevard County.
Posted by: barbara | June 30, 2009 at 12:24 PM
I don't like to anything to support reality TV, since it puts writers and actors out of work. So, no, I wouldn't put my family on a reality TV show. Plus, I'd have to keep the house clean, ad my husband is at work all the time, so he couldn't be around for taping. And too much judgement!!! I might lose weight though...
Posted by: Lisa | June 30, 2009 at 12:33 PM
I have twin boys who were born at 25 weeks. They are truely miracles but I have a hard time sharing them in the March of Dimes or any other event where they are in public. I do not have faith in people. I've found alot to be rude, intrusive,and selfish in comments they have said regarding twins in general. Then to say they were premature and spent 15 weeks in the hospital some things they say is very hurtful. So no I would not put my children in a show where people could be ugly to them.....NOR my personal life out there for everyone to stick their nose into.
Posted by: Florence Athens | June 30, 2009 at 02:03 PM
My family is so dysfunctional, we invented reality - therefore, we would be a great fit for reality TV. ;-p
Posted by: M | June 30, 2009 at 02:13 PM
I think what the Gosselins are doing (as well as others like them) is exploiting their children. Some of the reality show families at least have children old enough to have voiced an opinion (like the Roloffs)and limit and control the amount of coverage of their children. The Gosselins certainly have not. They have shown intimate details of their children's private lives that no one has the right to see outside of their family. I just don't quite understand the voyeuristic tendencies of the American public that continues to tune in to this obviously dysfunctional family's tragic situation.
I admit I watched it a few times myself as I was recovering from surgery this winter. I'm normally not much of a TV viewer simply because of time. I thought at first that the kids were cute but something kept nagging at me that this was creepy spying on kids' lives like this. Added to that was woman who constantly berates her husband on camera and in front of her kids. And then there's the husband who puts up with that for a while but seems passive aggressive. The kids who seem to genuinely enjoy being with Dad and seem frightened of Mom. And yet Mom's the one that everyone seems to think is some kind of Supermother and wonderful Christian.
No thanks. I'm a total feminist and probably, truth to be told, the dominant personality in my marriage. My husband is also a total feminist and is more passive but not at all passive aggressive. If he disagrees, he'll voice his opinion. If he has an idea about the way something ought to be done and says so out loud, it is a rare occurance so I stop and listen. We do not argue and fuss and fight. We rarely have a disagreement. Why? Because we respect one another. We have the same values and basically the same tastes. He's not a perfect man but he is a VERY GOOD man, the best I've ever met (on par with my dad). I think he's incredible and I'm willing to overlook his tiny little issues. The thing is, he feels the same way about me. He thinks that I'm the smartest and most beautiful woman in the world, with the kindest heart. Is it true? Only to him. But that is what marriage is supposed to be. He knows my flaws but they aren't that big to him. He is willing to let certain things go because he knows it is part of the package. I feel the same way. When something real is bothering us, we sit down like real adults and discuss it. We don't act like petulant children.
Reality TV never seems to capture adults acting like adults. Yes, human beings that live together are going to have conflicts sometimes. That is the nature of the beast. But one doesn't have to treat his/her partner badly. I guess what bothers me most about the Gosselin's show is that these children will have forever on video the recording of the announcement of the dissolution of their parents' marriage. I read that they had a recommitment ceremony just last year where they promised the kids they would be married forever. What does this do to these children?
Lastly, what child should have to have all of their waking moments preserved on video for the world to watch? Just because your parents decided to have you as a litter of children does not mean that you should simply exist as a mealticket for said parents. These kids' entire existence pays for the luxuries that these two parents can now afford. Who is making sure that these kids' futures are being secured? Why aren't child labor laws being followed? They are being exploited and there is absolutely no way around that. If you take a look at the odds against young children who have found fame at an early age, you will find that their futures have a very good chance (regardless of their parents' extra troubles) of being riddled with problems. They need to be protected, taken out of the limelight, and allowed to fade back into obscurity in order to live normal lives and grow up into healthy young people. I wish someone would step in (maybe the divorce judge?) and give them that chance.
Posted by: Beth | June 30, 2009 at 02:40 PM
I think, to me, that's a disgrace to put my kids on TV so everybody knows your business. I'm a private person and I don't appreciate people getting in my life. That would traumatize the children in the long run.
That's my opinion.
Sincerely yours,
Diana R.
Posted by: diana | June 30, 2009 at 02:41 PM
I think it's all about money and publicity. That's all.
DIANA
Posted by: diana | June 30, 2009 at 02:44 PM
It's my understanding that the Gosselin's were being paid in the range of $75,000 per episode.
I don't blaim them for accepting the money. In their position I'm sure the needed it. The problems are what come with the fame that ensues.
I myself used to sing with a rock band about 25yrs. ago, and we did achieve some local fame in the SF Bay Area for about a year or so from radio airplay and live performances. It definitely did change the way I was treated by both friends and strangers (You suddenly acquire "friends" you never even knew you had) but also I got to see the sort of effects larger degrees of fame had on other the other rock musicians I met, and it was NOT pretty.
My friends who were much more "famous" than I ended up divorced, kids in rehab for drugs/alcohol, endless demands on them to perform more to make more money for all of their "hangers on".
Fame is NOT fun.
I finally decided that fame was not compatible with a healthy home/family life, and so I went back to being a reular person with a job at a bank, because NOTHING was worth more to me than than my own daughter's emotional wellbeing.
Posted by: Suzy | June 30, 2009 at 03:27 PM
I would love for my kids to have all the opportunities and special events that come with fame and fortune, but I would never sacrifice our privacy for such good fortune. I do not judge her for her glamorous wishes and desire to be known. She has a tough job with all those kids, but being on tv definitely brought it up a notch.
Posted by: Brenda | June 30, 2009 at 05:37 PM
Jon and Kate... What can be said. What an irony is life. That guy is a loser and that lady is a she-devil. I bet Jon was playing tetris in his head while the vows were being read while Kate was making up curse-words to herself about a bridesmade that arrived prettier than when at rehersal.
Posted by: thanxalot | June 30, 2009 at 07:48 PM
Still dont get how mature adults could do this and think its a good thing.A family has valueable quality of privacy and intermacy not something for public viewing and judgment.It seems that most are blaming Jon for his descent but my take is that he finally succumed to the constant critical treatment he constantly put up with.I am glad that he is finally standing up for himself,sad that it costs him his family.Amazing how so many women think it would be a good idea.Something's missing in there soul
Posted by: fred | June 30, 2009 at 10:58 PM
When Katrina hit my son was 2 and my daughter was 5 days old. The next year was VERY hard to say the least and money was a big part of that. When the doctor told me I was expecting twins I almost fainted. I cried more than a few times because I had no idea how we would cope. Our house was fine for 2 children (which was always the "plan") but when you added in my mother, who had lost everything - including her health in the storm, and a set of twins the pressure was intense. We needed another house and a van. Diapers, formula - everything was so expensive. We are doing fine now and were able to handle what came up but if someone had offered a show a year ago I would have had to hop on it.
I am sure it was the same with Jon & Kate. I don't see how they would have been able to turn down the chance for stability.
Posted by: Jaime | June 30, 2009 at 11:54 PM
I watch Jon & Kate Plus 8 often and I feel really sad for them. But I really believe that it wasn't fame that split them up. I think things happen for a reason and we become who we really are and it would have happened anyway. Would I do it, hmmm, probably not. But I understand that when you have eight kids you have to do what needs to be done to provide for them. I love my son alot and would give him the world.
Posted by: Tracy | July 01, 2009 at 09:05 AM
I think I would love to do it for a day! I would love for my two boys, 16 & 17 to have everything they ever wanted and not a worry in the world; however, FAME is not that great of a thing. You have seen in years past how many lives and families it has destroyed BECAUSE the fame takes over. I believe with everything in my being that is what happened with Jon & Kate. I have watched their show from the beginning! Kate stated that she believed this would have happened regardless of the show OR not. She may be married to him and it may be THEIR LIFE, but the show has DEFINITIELY changed her from the beginning. Look back to the beginning shows.....she has always been the Type A, controlling Kate; however, the past two or three seasons have really changed her!
Posted by: Stephanie B. | July 02, 2009 at 10:18 AM