I never watched the reality show Jon and Kate Plus 8 until the fifth season, when Jon and Kate announced they were separating. When they were a happy family, I found the show to be eternally boring. But when Jon and Kate sat on that couch and told the world they had problems with their marriage, I couldn’t stop watching. What does that say about me as a person, that I secretly enjoy watching the misery of others? At least I am not alone. That episode set a record high number of viewers for the series. I take comfort in knowing I’m not the only cold-hearted bitch out there. Although when I saw the episode with Kate crying about how she didn’t want to be alone, my heart did go out to her. Following that scene, I watched Jon’s smug face, seemingly ecstatic that he was leaving his wife, who, in his opinion, held him prisoner for so long.

Since I am a woman, it makes sense that I would side with the woman in a divorce. Despite the reports of her bitchiness and her bouts of being a control freak, I still pity her. If Jon was never man enough to stand up to her as an equal in the marriage, that’s his fault, not hers. So now I watch with utter disdain, but also fascination bordering on obsession, for his post-separation antics. I could have called this from the the first “I do”. Husband starts “hanging out” with his 23-year-old “friend”. Husband separates from wife. Husband goes crazy living the life he forgot to have before he got married.

To illustrate, let’s review Jon’s actions over the past few months:

1. Jon spends time with a 23-year-old female friend while still married.

2. Jon announces his separation from Kate.

3. Jon searches for a bachelor pad in New York City.

4. Jon begins spending time with another female friend in her early twenties. (What is it with the young ladies? Ok, they’re hot, wild, and bisexual. Obviously, it’s a rhetorical question.)

5. Jon plays the game called “Let’s live the lifestyle of the rich and famous”, which involves vacationing in Cannes, France, buying clothes at Gucci, and living it up on a yacht.

It’s all so nauseating. He is completely out of touch with reality. The truth is that he is a total dud, a real loser. I give him six months of hard partying, sleeping with 23-year-olds, and sunning himself in France before he goes running back to Wernersville, Pennsylvania.

If I never was a fan of the show, why am I so obsessed with the whereabouts of Jon? I think it’s because I am tired of watching men galavanting around while their wives are at home with the kids. This is just one example. (For another recent example, see South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford have his own mid-life crisis here.) The behavior is so typical that we can call it before it even happens, similar to watching a rerun where you already know the ending. Granted, Jon is getting a divorce, so he’s allowed to do what he wants. But have some decency, Jon. Tone it down out of respect for yourself and your wife. Ditch the attitude and the young hussies, because it’s embarrassing.

My heart goes out to you, Kate. Hang in there.

Tweet  Print This Post

Tags: television // 1 Comment »