After weeks of tumbling ratings and a never ending barrage of tabloid stories, TLC announced today that they have decided to take the show in a different direction – minus Jon!

“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,” TLC president Eileen O’Neill said in a statement. “The family has evolved and we are attempting to evolve with it; we feel that Kate’s journey really resonates with our viewers.”

Also in the works is a project with Kate for 2010, possibly the talk show we’ve heard rumors of?

“Kate Plus Eight” will continue to focus on the eight Gosselin children — 5 year-old sextuplets and 8 year-old twins — but now “include a deeper focus on Kate’s role…and her journey as a single mother.”

Last week, only 1.7 million viewers tuned in to “Jon & Kate,” nearly 80 percent down from the season premiere.

TLC also said that they would continue their “exclusive” relationship with Jon Gosselin and that he would continue to appear on the series but on a less regular basis.

“Kate Plus Eight” will premiere Nov. 22.

Will you watch?

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Tonight, for the first time since June 22 when the couple announced they were separating, Jon and Kate Plus 8 will air on TLC .

In that time, Jon has been to France with Hailey Glassman, dated Kate Major and moved to New York City.

This is definitely not the family we met 3 years ago. They use nannies when the other is not around and only appear to be having a good time when they’re filming.

TLC president Eileen O’Neill spoke last week about upcoming changes for the show.

“Jon and Kate have never said they were perfect, which has made them relatable and created an undeniable connection with the viewers. We will continue to capture this family’s journey in a respectful and sensitive way.”

“You’re still going to see two parents that love their kids, but you’ll be seeing them parenting separately,” she went on. “You’ll see what it’s like when Kate has to put up a tent for a backyard camping experience by herself. Or, you’ll see Jon trying to cook up a pizza for the kids.”

Viewers may even see Jon and Kate date, O’Neill said.

Added O’Neill, “As far as new people and places that may be cycling into Jon and Kate’s life, we are taking it on a case-by-case basis.”

I guess viewers will have to figure out why they fell in love with this family and see if the new format fits into their values.

I’m still not sure why the ’show must go on’.

Will you be watching?

{SPLASH}

Newly single dad of 8, Jon Gosselin surprised many when he turned up in St. Tropez yesterday with rumored girlfriend, Hailey Glassman, 23 (the daughter of Kate’s surgeon).

The pair spent the afternoon enjoying champagne and posing for photos aboard Christian Audigier’s yacht.

I feel bad for Kate. This is definitely not the family I fell in love with.

Even though they recently filed for divorce, Jon and Kate Gosselin showed a united front yesterday by celebrating the Fourth of July as a family.

The Jon and Kate plus 8 stars spent the day picking berries, playing games and light firecrackers.

People reports the couple agreed weeks ago to set aside their differences for the holiday.

“Jon pointed to the July 4 holiday and said, ‘What are we going to do about that?’” Kate told the mag in a recent cover story. “I absolutely cannot imagine not spending every single holiday with my kids. I don’t care what it takes. I will be there.”

{SPLASH & INFPHOTO.COM}

According to People.com Jon and Kate filed documents to initiate a legal split at the Bucks County Courthouse in Reading, Pa., this afternoon.

This will not come as a surprise to anyone who has watched the show. The pair, who long maintained a tense relationship, have recently been divided on whether or not to continue their TV show, with Jon wanting a less high-profile life, while Kate appeared to remain committed to staying in the public eye.

Today, Jon told RadarOnline.com that he has “no idea” when Kate would be coming home.

“I’ve been by myself for four days,” he said. But when asked if he’s happy she’s gone, he said: “No, because I’m down a person.”

He did say the kids were anxious for their mom to return, although when asked if he knew where she is and when she’d return to their $1.1-million estate, he answered “nope” to both.

Additionally, Jon gave another impromptu press conference to fans and reporters Sunday afternoon in fron of his property.

He told onlookers that he wasn’t speaking to Deanna Hummel — the school teacher with whom was reported to have had an affair with — “as much” since “the things went down.”

Very Sad. No one wants to see a family torn apart.

PHOTOCREDIT:SPLASH

The Gosselins are once again at the center of the media limelight, after Kate was seen allegedly spanking one of her eight children.

In pictures obtained by In Touch Magazine, The mom of 8 is seen grabbing her daughter, Leah, by the arm and smacked her rear end before walking away from the crying child.

The photos show Kate holding her squirming child by the arm, and the next image of Leah crying and holding her rear. The photos do not actually reveal her hand touching her daughter.

According to the magazine, Leah had been asked to stop blowing a whistle and was not listening.

“The girl was screaming and crying. Kate just pushed her away and walked off with her coffee,” a witness told the magazine. “Her older sisters were trying to make Leah feel better.”

In response to the recent controversy, Gosselin is defending her actions.

“Whether the paparazzi are there or not, I am a mother first,” Gosselin told Life & Style Weekly. “I love my children and when they misbehave, I discipline them as I deem appropriate for the situation.”

As a mom, I know that it can be very frustrating when one of your children won’t listen, especially when the others kids are watching.

I guess for most people, its just uncomfortable to see someone punish their child whether they scream at them or tap them on the butt. This is something that she should have dealt with privately.

One thing that Kate needs to remember is that because she allowed cameras into her home for the last 3 years, the world is now watching all of the time – and scrutinizing everything she does.

This may be the cost of Reality TV…

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The saga of Jon and Kate Gosselin of Jon and Kate plus 8 rolls on…

In an exclusive interview with People Magazine Kate Gosselin admits that she and Jon ‘have been privately struggling for months’.

Here are some highlights:

On first hearing Deanna Hummel’s name:

“I don’t know that we’re in the same place anymore, that we want the same thing,” she says quietly. “I’ve been struggling with the question of ‘Who is this person?’ for a while. I remember where I was the first time I heard her name. It’s one of those things where you can try to make it go away, but there’s blaring, red flashing lights.”

On a possible split:

For Kate, who has referred to her husband as “my balance, my strength and my stability,” to now consider a future apart has been heartbreaking but not impossible. “You can’t imagine yourself in a certain position when all this first happens, but you can do it over some months,” she says.

“It’s a lot like when I was first pregnant with the babies, and it was pure shock and denial. But over time I imagined six cribs in my house, and six car seats. When your mind is ready to go there, you can accept any number of scenarios.”

Kate does have hope, however, that her marriage can be saved. “I will never give up hope that every member of our family can be absolutely happy again,” she says.

This really is a shame. I hope for the kids sake that Jon and Kate and get back on track.

I wonder if any of this will appear in the season premier next week…

Kate Gosselin spoke to the Today’s Show host Meredith Vieira this morning about the new affair allegations and her hesitancy to believe that Jon cheated on her.

The mother of the eight tiny stars of “Jon & Kate Plus 8” vowed Thursday to survive the tabloid firestorm that has erupted after US Magazine published photos of her husband and another woman.

“We just need to weather this storm, just like all the other storms that we’ve been through,” Kate told Meredith. The tabloid attention and paparazzi have come as something of a surprise to her, she added.

“It is so public. It’s one of the things we did not envision when we started our show. It’s one of the things that comes with it — the tabloid stuff. To be very honest, I’m very hesitant to believe any of it. It comes with the territory. We’re dealing with it just like everybody else does.”

Kate was originally scheduled on the show to talk about her new best-selling book “Eight Little Faces,” but she spent much of her airtime talking about the allegations. Jon and the eight kids had been scheduled to appear with her, but as controversy continued to swirl, the family decided Wednesday that it would be better if Jon stayed at home with the children.

Instead, Jon sent a statement to Today denying the charges that he had an affair with 23-year-old Deanna Hummel, whom he met in January in a Reading, Pa., bar. Hummel also denies that the two are anything but friends.

“These allegations are false and just plain hurtful,” Jon said in his statement. “As I adjust to the attention that comes from being in the public eye, I need to be more careful and aware of who I am associating with and where I am spending my time. But the bottom line is, I did not cheat on Kate. I am sorry for putting my family in this awkward position, given some poor decisions and bad judgments I’ve made recently. I am working through this difficult time with my family. My family is my top priority.”

When asked about the current story in US Magazine Kate told Meredith she was taking it all with a ‘grain of salt’.

“Tabloids pay thousands of dollars for stories. The juicier the story, the more the payment. When you pick up those sort of magazines, is it believable? Ask yourself. People are being paid to talk.”

Meredith asked the busy mom if the allegations are going to be part of the show.

“We’re dealing with it privately. It’s kind of ironic to say that, because we do have a reality show. People see the good, the bad and the ugly. But there are those things that we keep to ourselves. And we’re working through it together, and that’s the important thing,” Gosselin replied.

Kate admits she understands the tabloid fascination with her family, she says it’s not pleasant.

“I’m not going to sit here and say I enjoy it,” she said. “I tend to be very thick-skinned. We all know that. It’s hurtful for the sake of my children, looking through their eyes, seeing the things that are out there. It’s absolutely not a bit enjoyable. But we’re learning as we go along. I’m really focusing on our kids. Everything I do is for them.”

She said her second book, “Eight Little Faces,” was written for her 8-year-old twins and 5-year-old sextuplets. The book features two-page picture spreads of the children. Each spread is accompanied by some words from Kate and a relevant Bible verse.

“I honestly don’t care if either one ever sells one copy,” she said. “I’m flattered and thrilled that they both hit the New York Times best-seller list, but certainly that was not my goal or my focus. I want my kids to have in writing how I feel about them, and how I may not have planned for them, but they are so the best eight things in the whole world.”

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According to US Magazine, the Jon Gosselin cheating allegations have been confirmed by five people close to the situation – including two relatives of the other woman.

Yesterday Deanna Hummel(the other woman) told People Magazine that she and Jon were just friends.

“It’s absurd that anyone would think otherwise. We just talk and socialize, the normal things you do when you see friends.”

Today, Deanna’s older brother Jason gives US Magazine blow-by-blow details of the pair’s relationship. He says he is speaking out now to set the record straight and to protect his naive sister.

“She’s a nice girl, not a homewrecker,” Jason told the mag. “He is a bad liar. This isn’t healthy for her. But she is refusing to help herself, so here I am trying to help her myself. I hope this clears the air.”

After Jon and Deanna met in mid-January at Chill Lounge in Reading, Pennsylvania (they sent each other $3 shots), Jason says Jon began relentlessly pursuing his sister. By mid-February, he was coming over to their Reading house.

On April 26 – while his wife Kate was traveling – Jon had Deanna over to sunbathe in his family’s front lawn (see photo, left). This was just seven days after they had first been photographed together at Legends Lounge at 2 a.m. in pictures that show he is not wearing his wedding band.

At the Hummel house, Jason says Deanna and Jon would

“pretty much stay locked away like two teenagers. It was weird. He’s a grown man.”

He also adds,

“A lot of the time, it was pretty, um, gross listening to her, you know, um — how do I say this? The walls are thin. Let’s just say that. I mean, no one wants to hear his sister having sex, let alone with a married dude who’s, like, almost twice her age and who has eight kids and a maybe-crazy wife. Ick. Nast.”

I feel like money is causing this brother’s conscience to clear. I’m not sure what to think…

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Reality star Jon Gosselin is firing back at new reports that he was cheating while his wife Kate was across the country promoting her new book.

The latest controversy came after the busy dad was seen leaving a bar at 2 a.m. with a mystery woman and without his wedding band.

“Like most people, I have male and female friends and I’m not going to end my friendships just because I’m on TV,” he says in a statement. “However, being out with them late at night showed poor judgment on my part. What makes me sick is that my careless behavior has put my family in this uncomfortable position. My family is the most important thing in my life and it kills me that these allegations have hurt them.”

The Gosselins, who are raising 8-year-old twins and 4-year-old sextuplets, have dealt with similar allegations in the past. In February, Jon was spotted hanging out with a couple of female college students from Juniata College, located near his hometown in Pennsylvania.

While the world condemned him, a College student who was at the bar defended Jon by saying,

“He was very well-behaved, a gentleman. He talked more about his wife than his kids. He was very friendly, very approachable.”

Shortly after the controversy, the couple admitted that raising their children in public has been stressful for their marriage.

“Kate’s career is taking off and I’m a bit lost,” Jon admitted. “This struggle has definitely put some tension in our marriage.”

I feel bad for Jon because he’s the one that is always getting a tough rap. Everyone goes out sometimes and has a few drinks. Chances are his friend pool has gotten smaller since the kids arrived and the show started.

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