Jon Gosselin Strikes Back... And It's Not Pretty

First we saw their marriage dissolve, then "Jon and Kate Plus 8" became "Kate Plus 8." What's next -- "8 Homeless Kids?"

Now the Gosselin clan is in further turmoil as its mumbling patriarch has served TLC network with a cease-and-desist order. TLC has responded by shutting down filming of the children "pending further conversations" between the Gosselins, according to the Associated Press. (Uhhh, have you seen the show? Jon and Kate aren't exactly on conversing terms). Filming not directly involving the kids continues, TLC said Thursday.

The AP further reports:

The Insider Web site reported Thursday that Gosselin demanded through his lawyers that the TLC production crew vacate the property of the family home in Pennsylvania.

In its statement, TLC said it remained "deeply disappointed at his continued erratic behavior. He and the family were shooting as recently as last Friday, without incident. ..."

"Despite Jon Gosselin's repeated self-destructive and unprofessional actions, he remains under an exclusive contract with TLC," the network said.

Gosselin’s lawyer, Mark Jay Heller, did not immediately return calls to The Associated Press.

The Gosselins, parents of twins and sextuplets, filed for divorce in June, after weeks of reports of marital discord.

On Monday, TLC announced that the weekly series would be renamed "Kate Plus Eight," with a reduced involvement by Jon Gosselin.

Longtime "Jon and Kate" viewer and Channel Surfing pinch hitter extraordinaire Kelly McBride has become increasingly disillusioned (and plain weirded out) by the turns the show has taken in recent months.

Here's her take on the latest in the Gosselin drama: "I can't say I'm at all broken up over this. "Jon and Kate" went from a sweet family show about the perils of raising eight young kids to a bizarre product-placement fest that has only gotten worse since its title characters decided to split. Both parents have become media hogs while simultaneously decrying the paparazzi and shedding crocodile tears for their precious privacy.

Meanwhile eight innocent kids are likely suffering irreparable harm, their parents' claims to the contrary notwithstanding. It's too soon to say whether the filming hiatus will become permanent — and something tells me "Kate Plus 8" will soldier on — but maybe turning the cameras off for good is the kids' last chance for a semi-normal adolescence.

Also, let's be honest — the show has become kind of stupid. If I have to see Kate celebrate one more time because she hammered a nail all by herself!!!!, I will lose it. I know it can't be easy to be a single mom — especially with 8 kids — but turning on the grill without help (or with the help of your camera crew) isn't exactly awe-inspiring.

As Roz pointed out in a previous post, the older girls — Mady and Cara — have become plain annoying. The little ones are still adorable but that awkward 'tween phase can't be too far off.
I'm sure TLC will keep beating this dead horse as long as possible, but I'm not sure how much more viewers — myself included — will be able to take.

--Kelly McBride, kmcbride@greenbaypressgazette.com