14 DAY TRIAL // Following many weeks of speculation and ratings that kept going from bad to worse, TLC has made the only logical decision regarding its one-time winning reality show, “Jon & Kate Plus 8”: it cut Jon Gosselin loose. The show will now focus solely on Kate and her life as a mother of eight, while Jon will still continue to make appearances, but on a less regular basis, the New York Times informs.
The change in lineup had been coming a long time, with speculation about TLC not being happy with Jon beginning to make the rounds a couple of months ago. However, the official line with the network is that the show could simply not go on as before the two Gosselins announced their separation, since it was a reality show and changes in real life also had to be mirrored on TV.
“‘Kate Plus 8,’ which will adopt the new title on Nov. 2, amounts to an image makeover for Kate Gosselin, the Pennsylvania mother of eight. The retooled program will focus on ‘Kate’s role in the family and her journey as a single mother building the next chapter in her life,’ the cable channel said in a news release.” the NY Times says. That, of course, does not stop speculation that TLC is hoping to improve ratings by cutting Jon loose, as he was badly damaging for the reputation of the show with his clear disrespect for all things traditional, it is being said.
“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. The family has evolved, and we are attempting to evolve with it; we feel that Kate’s journey really resonates with our viewers.” Eileen O’Neill, president and general manager at TLC, says in a statement. On the same note, the “Kate Plus 8” show might not be renewed once the current season is over, since interest in it has taken a serious hit, as numbers clearly indicate.
Nevertheless, this is not the end for Kate Gosselin’s television career, as far as O’Neill is concerned. TLC will stick with Kate if she will have it, it is further said in the same statement: as a matter of fact, next year marks the beginning of something called “the Kate project,” the particulars of which are still to be made public.