Jon and Kate's Official Divorce Announcement

News of Jon and Kate Gosselin's decision to file for divorce comes as no surprise for some of us celebrity watchers. On Monday night's episode of Jon and Kate Plus 8 ("Houses and Big Changes"), Jon and Kate Gosselin publicly announce their official decision to divorce. Gosselin's drama has been long played out in the tabloids, and divorce filing comes after months of accusations and paparazzi photographs showing Jon and Kate living separate lives. The official news is that Jon and Kate have filed for divorce in Berks County, Pennsylvania and have taken the first step to being single parents of their children: two twin girls and sextuplets (three boys and three girls). So what brought on Jon and Kate Gosselin's divorce? Was it adultery, paparazzi following, tabloid lies or fame and greed? A little bit of everything would be the perfect answer.

Jon and Kate Plus 8: A Reality Show or Just a Charade?
Things have not been well in the Gosselin's household, at least not as perfect as the TLC episodes have been showing family relationships to be. Kate has long been known as a hard-lined individual, who insists on having things her way, or no way. Call it Obsessive Compulsive Disorders, but fans of Jon and Kate Plus Eight have long claimed that Kate is abusive towards Jon, and often disrespectful towards her husband during their infamous couch show interviews.

In the much talked about episode of Jon and Kate Plus 8 on Monday night, Kate makes a big deal out of Jon's decision where to place childrens' Crooked Houses. It is decisions and arguments such as this that seem to have torn Jon and Kate apart.

Jon makes a confession that Kate and Jon have not been communicating well, and that most things that they have done lately has just been done for the sake of their kids.

Kate claims that it is her "survival" skills kicking in, and that she will not "lay down and die". She may seem jaded, according to her, but it is her way of dealing with the situation and surviving through it.

The Monday night episode shows an honest glimpse into Jon and Kate's relationship, which also makes fans wonder if the show has been a charade for a long time. Has their relationship corrupted long before the paparazzi caught Jon out late at night with a different woman? Have we as fans been duped into thinking that Jon and Kate live a fairy tale life with their eight children, and are still madly in love? After all, their "wedding vow renewal" episode made us think this couple was still on a honeymoon, and living out something most of us would only dream of.

Jon Gosselin: The Hardest Episode Ever
Jon and Kate discuss how difficult the last few months have been, and Kate confesses to sometimes breaking down. Jon blames the paparazzi a lot, and says that their relationship is "their deal". He also admits that he was often passive, allowing Kate to run the show and he is finally standing up for himself.

Jon admits that him and Kate have "nothing" right now, not even a friendship. Kate struggles with "facing the music", and admits to sometimes sobbing but that by the time she woke up in the morning she had to "turn the page".

"I don't hate Kate," says teary eyed Jon, but says that he has to do what is best for him and his kids. Kate claims that she does not hate Jon. Both call the decision to divorce "necessary".

During this segment of showing old clips, and memorable moments, it is truly sad to see this family experiencing such a difficult tragedy. However, Jon seems liberated and happy to be away from Kate. He is finally standing up for himself, after years of being abused by Kate and constantly pushed by her demanding personality.

9:42PM into the episode "Houses and Big Changes": The Separation
Of course, TLC has to milk the viewer interest for all it is worth. Fourty two minutes into the episode "Houses and Big Changes" Jon and Kate announce their decision to legally separate. Kate will remain in the house, with the children as this is "their" house. Jon will come and go.

Jon calls it a "shame" and Kate calls it "difficult". Jon will not be around the children every day, but will have a schedule. Kate again claims that the show is for their kids, and a way to "provide" for them.

Should Jon and Kate Plus 8 Continue Filming?
According to their statements on Monday night, Jon and Kate have no interest in ending their contract with TLC or stopping to film the popular reality show. Despite their divorce decision, the show must go on.

Kate has long claimed that she uses Jon and Kate Plus 8 show to "provide" for her children. However, the family has long enjoyed free vacations or "working" vacations as they are referred to. The working vacations film the family and especially Gosselin's kids on whatever vacation adventures may bring. Jon and Kate have also enjoyed beauty perks such as free teeth whitening, and Kate has even received free plastic surgery. The children also have college trust funds, provided by the state of Pennsylvania and Governor Randell. The Gosselin family also receives $75,000 per episode to film Jon and Kate Plus 8. For this season alone, TLC has ordered additional 40 episodes due to the popularity of their show. That will pay the Gosselin's three million dollars, just for this season alone.

The family also does product placements, and advertisements for companies such as Juicy Juice. Not to mention, Kate has a blossoming writing career, and has already published several bestselling books.

Also, a little unknown fact to the Gosselin's fans is that Kate charges for autographs and pictures with the kids at her speaking engagements. Paid speaking engagements are often done at churches, whose parishioners are happy to pay for a signed picture with the Gosselin kids.

So what else is needed for Jon and Kate, or their children? They have already been provided with enough freebies, and have been well compensated for their completed work on the show.

They have accomplished everything necessary financially to provide a stable environment for their children, and trust funds to set them for many years to come. The money alone from the show should be enough for their children to "survive".

The reality show has obviously destroyed Jon and Kate's marriage, and the decision to divorce is only the first step to this family's tragedy. They have accomplished a lot financially through the show, and perhaps it is time to turn those cameras off.

Somewhere in this tragedy, and divorce scandal, the Gosselin children are completely lost. For their sake, the cameras should be turned off and this show should be stopped.

Kate has lost her husband, and many fans blame her for the divorce. Perhaps choosing love should be more important than money, fame and free vacations. It is time to turn off those TLC cameras, and end the reality show Jon and Kate Plus 8. It is time for this family to heal, put the pieces back together, be a family again and allow their children to be normal kids without a camera guy or a boom always nearby.

Sources:
Monday Night Episode "Houses and Big Changes" of Jon and Kate Plus 8

Jon Gosselin to File Divorce Papers