MAIN; Pop Culture Reality TV Jon and Kate Plus 8

How many perfect parents are out there? This couple admits to not being anywhere near it.

Then came the earth sharttering news that Jon and Kate were divorcing — with an official announcement that aired during a special episode on Monday, June 22, 2009.

While trying to raise 8 kids - accompanied by a reality TV crew week after week — was their divorce any surprise?

The cable hit that was Jon and Kate Plus 8 chronicled the lives of Jonathan "Jon" and Kate Gosselin, the proud mommy and daddy of eight beautiful children.

The first two, twins Cara Nicole and Madelyn Kate "Mady", who were born on October 8, 2000. Then come the sextuplets: Alexis Faith, Hannah Joy, Aaden Jonathan, Collin Thomas, Leah Hope, and Joel Jonathan born on May 10, 2004.

Every Monday night on TLC we got to watch this very busy family manage the details of daily living.

Jon and Kate spoke openly about the hardships having eight children can create. They narrated each episode with stories of the children's personalities, letting you in on each one of the little "angels."

It was clear that these parents knew and loved each child tremendously, making it doubly difficult to accept the fact that even the most tight-knit of families would wither under the glare of the media spotlight.

With a scandal that slowly leaked into tabloid gossip pages nationwide, it was soon revealed that Jon had been on unfaithful with Hailey Glassman, a daughter of one of the Gosselin children's doctors, She later severed her relationship with Jon after discovering that he also had had a relationship with Star tabloid reporter Kate Major.

Since their divorce (finalized on December 18, 2009) Jon and Kate Gosselin have gone their separate ways, although Kate remains at home in Pennsylvania caring for her kids. The final episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8 aired on November 23, 2009.

However, in March 2010, Kate was back in the spotlight as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars. Reportedly she will be allowed to rehearse in Pennsylvania to be near the children as much as possible until the show's May finale.

More about Jon & Kate Plus 8 around the Web:

Jon and Kate Plus 8 - TLC - The official site featuring photos, video clips, and the complete TV schedule.

The Gosselin Family - The official site of the Gosselin Family, featuring insider notes and personal favorites, kids corner, cute photos.

Wikipedia - Jon and Kate Plus 8 - Summary of Jonathan and Kate Gosselin's reality television show including recent press, interesting trivia and related resources.

Jon and Kate Plus 8 - TV.com - Episode recaps, current news articles, trivia, spoilers, rumors and recaps, and a busy fan forum.

also see in Pregnancy -> Twins, Triplets & Multiple Births

also see in Home Life -> Family Relationships

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