Jon and Kate Plus Eight: Good Housekeeping Photo Shoot

A recent episode of the wildly-popular Jon and Kate Plus Eight features the family in a Good Housekeeping magazine photo shoot. Just what do the pictures reveal?

First things first. Let's start at the beginning of the episode. Jon and Kate are sitting on the ever-present sofa, discussing their delight at being featured on the cover of Good Housekeeping, which Kate terms "a very reputable magazine". I guess their previous articles in National Enquirer and US Weekly weren't deemed to be so reputable, huh? She goes on to state that the article and photo will be great exposure "for the show, and for our family". I don't know about you, but I don't generally look for more exposure for my family. Hmmmm ...

We learn that the Good Housekeeping photo staff of 23 will be visiting the Gosselins' house for the first part of the shoot. "No, this is not something we enjoy," Kate tells us, just before she is shown with makeup artists who have set up a studio in her home and will be styling her hair and makeup. They also ask about the children's hair and we learn that Mady and Cara, the 7-year-olds, will need blow-outs.

We see Jon having his makeup applied as well, and he tells us, "I'm not comfortable with it either, but it's the way it has to be." Apparently someone is holding guns to Jon and Kate's heads, because the last time I heard, no one can force you to do a photo shoot or do a reality TV show based on your family.

The family heads out to their back deck, dressed in beautiful fall clothing. Jon informs us that it is 93 degrees, but that the crew has brought leaves, pumpkins and other decor to make the deck look more fall-like. The photographer begins shooting, shouting out encouragements such as, "Mom, you look GORGEOUS!" Jon and Kate can apparently hold smiles forever, but the kids are less enthusiastic. Most of them are shown melting down at one time or another, and saddest of all is Cara, the quiet twin. The family later discovers that she is looking sad in most every photo. Clearly, she knows something is wrong with this whole set-up. Dressing for fall in the summer heat? Decorating our deck to look like October in the middle of July? That's got to create some major cognitive dissonance in little minds.

The dissonance continues inside, where we head for more photos. We learn that the crew is decorating the house for fall, and Jon tells us that they all "pretend to do an art project" for some great photo shots. Think: how odd would you find it if you were 4 years old and your parent told you that you would be pretending to do a project so that a bunch of strangers could take photos of you? Hmmm ....

The day ends, but unfortunately we're not done with the photo shoot. No, the next day the family is driven in a bus to the Good Housekeeping studio for another shoot. Jon tells us that "The most important thing is that the kids get comfortable with the crew so they act natural." Hmmmm ... I would think the most important thing might be trying to ensure that the kids have fun, or learn something, but I guess I'm just being naive.

The kids do proceed to act natural, if by that you mean fussing, crying, and being temperamental during the shoot. Jon and Kate smile away, but the photographers have a heck of a time getting the kids to all cooperate. Finally some joy ensues when a crew member brings out a dog to play with the kids, as a pre-arranged treat. They do seem to love the dog, and Kate tells us that despite all evidence to the contrary, the kids "consider these days fun ... different people to play with, rewards ..." I guess they prefer adult crews over children their own age to play with? Hmmmm ....

We end the program with the final cover shot, which does capture most of the kids looking at least relatively happy. Not bad for two days' worth of shots, huh? The backstage glimpses are far more revealing.