Since I never identify with Kate Gosselin more than when someone invades the family’s domain to make a repair or do some renovating — all that mess! all that ceding control to outsiders! — last night’s special Jon & Kate Plus 8 Go Green! was highly satisfying. With the help of Steve Thomas, host of Renovation Nation and formerly of This Old House, the Gosselin clan had some energy-efficiency added to their new house. Solar panels, stuff attached to the roof to heat their water — I’m not going to pretend I understood much of it; I’m not a “handy” guy.
But the interaction between man-of-action Steve and woman-of-caution Kate was priceless. Coaxing her up into the “lift” to see the solar panels being installed, Steve seemed disappointed that Kate was (a) not “excited about seeing a solar panel” and (b) kind of afraid of heights. Me too, on both counts. When Steve extolled the virtues of eco-economics, Kate pointed out that his spiel was so dull, most of it would be edited out… and it was! She was right. “It’s more fun to mock you, to be honest,” Kate said. Honesty is her finest virtue. Her jokes are better, too. When Steve told Jon he was going to be the project’s “stud finder,” he actually seemed disappointed that Jon didn’t snicker at that old home-improvement chestnut.
For a special that could have been deadly dull, Go Green! was rendered fun by Kate’s skepticism and the kids’ reliable adorableness. Hearing little Leah singing to herself, eavesdropping as the kids called the cherrypicker in their driveway a “blueberry truck”: this is the stuff that Jon & Kate does best. The work Jon did alongside Steve Thomas’ crew didn’t look like easy stuff, either. All in all, it made me look forward to a season of new, “regular” episodes.
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I watched this as well. The more I watch this show, I love Kate and her “Clean” nature, and I love how laid back Jon is. I envy their new home.
All the naysayers of this program just shouldn’t watch. I agree with the author that the adorable factor of the kids are what makes this show a hit for me.
It seemed like the producers went out of their way to show Kate as an OCD, controlling shrew in this episode. I’m sure the Gosselins got all of this state-of-art green technology for free, and Kate couldn’t even fake any enthusiasm? No wonder there are rumors that Jon and Kate have split up.
Kate was as snotty and obnoxious as I have ever seen her. This was a miserable, boring hour of television and TLC should be embarrassed for airing it. It could have been informative and educational but instead it was “all about Kate”. She was not appreciative or interested.
Those of us who make sincere efforts to “go green” are disgusted.
Get this woman off the air.
Didn’t have the desire to watch as this family uses a gazillion paper plates instead of using the beautiful new energy star dish washer.
Going green- HA!
I love Jon & Kate & their adorable children. I was so excited to see this show as they have awesome huge opportunities to “go green”! Im proud of them & love their “roof jewelry” their solar pannels sure are prettier than “Eds” on Living with Ed (love that show too
So glad that they have NOT split up. That’s just a nasty rumor that jealous people are spreading. They’re normal people with normal problems. They are Christians, and are doing JUST FINE!
OOh a whole hour of watching Kate be her usual ungrateful self – how highly satisfying, priceless and fun! Ken Tucker, you’ve been watching waaay too much reality tv if you think this is how real people act. I’m so glad eight little children working under absolutely no labor restrictions can make you smile and earn you a living writing about them. Proud of yourself?
Oh my gosh!!! QUIT WATCHING if you hate the show so much!!! I have read so many rants about how awful this show is and how it should be taken off the air…..Just don’t watch it!
Really? Were we watching the same show? I have loved Jon and Kate from the beginning, but last night Kate was uncomfortably rude to Steve Thomas. I couldn’t stand to watch her going out of her way to let everyone know that she was NOT excited about ‘going green’ and really totally uninterested in everything about the project. Ungracious.
And going green? Please. Using styrofoam cups for the workers every day? Paper plates are one thing, but styrofoam cups? This should have just been called “installing solar panels and a few random other items that no one except steve thomas seem excited about. Don’t worry about making meaningful lifestyle choices to go green”.
I think the most STUNNING part of last night’s show was – -a Mention of Kate’s dad! WOW! And a slam at his lack of finishing project at that! Ohhhh how I’ve missed the Gosseling’s the past month so it was great to see them. Say what some might about Kate or their marriage, but those are some very happy kids who are so lucky to have that house ‘n property to grow up on. Speaking of Growing UP — they’re all saying “Awesome” now. Make the growing stop for a bit!! HAHA!
Is she going green with her big hunkering gas guzzing van? Who cares what this family does? Kate is the most obnoxious, rude person to invade reality TV.
I love watching all the little ones but will someone PLEEASSSEE do something about Kate and Maddy’s NASTINESS!!
Come on you people get off Kates case she,s a mother of eight, she,s doing great, you could,nt do any better:
Having 8 kids is not “going green”
The show definately lost it’s appeal for me..Kate continues to change and the noteriety and fame has gone to her head. She is totally unappreciative and seems like she is “owed” and I feel sorry for Jon and the kids.
Sorry, but the only interesting one on the show last night was Steve Thomas. He has class unlike Kate, talk about arrogant and rude, WOW.
I think TLC needs to change the show just 6, because Jon, Kate and the older girls just come across as nasty.
Glad to see Jon has bought himself some hair, now maybe Kate will stop mentioning his hair line.
I think Kate was rude and unappreciative on the show. I would love to have all that free work done on my home, helping the earth and saving me money!!
I thought Kate seemed a little more irritable than usual on the episode last night. Almost to the point that I was uncomfortable watching it. She seemed irritable and un-enthused the last couple episodes of the regular season too.
Does Kate even know what going green is? She got about 20K plus of freebies from people who believe in going green and then she gives the coffee in styrofoam cups? serves on paper plates?? and she was still inside using her non envirmentally friednly cleaners, serving the kids single serving plastic containers on paper plates?
I was glad Steve has tried to call out kate on her attitude. I know alot of people are getting sick of her(still like the kids, and feel a little bad for Jon) and boycotts on sponsors have started and have worked with a few and protests are coming.
I normally love this show and think people are too hard on them. However, I was shocked at how rude and nasty Kate was in this episode. She was downright mean at times.
This is what I have never understood about this show — susanp, if this show upsets you so, why would you watch it, or even READ about watching it? I’m amazed you can post about an article that you really shouldn’t have bothered reading. I don’t watch American Idol, which means I also dont’t read articles about it or, worse, comment on those articles about what a stupid show it is. Very crazy phenomenon with this show…
You realize just how much Kate screams at her children when you watch the Duggar family (18 Kids and Counting). Maybe they edit it all out, but I’ve only heard Michelle Duggar speak sweetly yet firmly and it gets the job done! So impressive.
She was rude and the show was boring, I will be happy when my daughter no longer wants to watch this show.
My sister is crazy about this show. I never checked it out.
http://tvdonewright.com/2009/04/20/tv-tonight-monday-april-20th-2009/
susanp Mon, Apr 20, 2009 at 09:11 AM EST wrote:
OOh a whole hour of watching Kate be her usual ungrateful self – how highly satisfying, priceless and fun! I’m so glad eight little children working under absolutely no labor restrictions can make you smile and earn you a living writing about them. Proud of yourself?
so what the heck are you talking about? Those children don’t work or do any “labor”! Are you crazy or do you just have the wrong show? I think you’re off your rocker…
Tucker what were you drinking while watching this stupid show? I can’t believe you found anything interesting about it! Do you do drugs? Just asking….
I thought the show was great fun. Kate was at her best. Not sure what susanp is talking about. These kids are loved and well taken care of. Jone and Kate do a great job.
Kate just gets meaner and snottier in every episode. Tucker, are you on TLC’s payroll or what? I can’t imagine any adult male thinking this is good television.
I flipped to it during commercials, but couldn’t stomach watching the whole show. I’m sorry, but you can’t do a show on “Going Green” when you use a minimum of 40 paper plates a day (2 per child, at each meal), plastic utensils and styrofoam cups. It’s all just a sham. Once again, it’s all about what they can get….take take take. Oh, and from what I’ve read, Kate was her usual nasty self. She doesn’t give a damn about the earth, just what she can get for herself.