Apr 20 2009 09:17 AM ET

'Jon & Kate Plus 8' goes green: warm results

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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.

Comments (387 total) Add your comment
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  • Joe

    ——————————
    Search, View and Print All Your Court Record Files! http://lookuphistory.blogspot.com/

  • Kelly

    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.

  • LeslieJ

    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.

  • Scarlett

    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.

  • Denise

    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.

  • JRE

    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!

  • GODS GIRL

    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!

  • susanp

    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?

  • Lori

    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!

  • Katie

    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”.

  • thatswhatshesaid

    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!

  • Frank

    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.

  • P

    I love watching all the little ones but will someone PLEEASSSEE do something about Kate and Maddy’s NASTINESS!!

  • Pat

    Come on you people get off Kates case she,s a mother of eight, she,s doing great, you could,nt do any better:

  • htl

    Having 8 kids is not “going green”

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