Jon - Kate

Is anyone besides me somewhat heartbroken over the entire Jon and Kate Plus 8 saga?

I just feel terrible for them. I can't imagine what kind of stress and pressure they are under. Raising 8 kids publicly has got to be hard enough but then add a crumbling marriage, tabloid allegations and, most recently family members (Uncle Kevin and Aunt Jody) speaking out against them saying they are exploiting their children.

I was never a die hard fan of the show. I've seen maybe 75% of all the episodes aired. It is a really cute show and they seem to be a great, loving family that has fun together....although I will admit that Kate's treatment of Jon did bother me at times. He seemed a little hen pecked. Now I can barely watch it because it is just so sad.

It isn't like a regular movie or TV drama or sitcom where you can just tell yourself, "Hey, it's just a show. Goose didn't really die when he hit the canopy. Anthony Edwards is still alive and now he's a doctor in Chicago." These are real people with a lot of real anger.....and a lot of real kids that are going to be hurt.....for real.

I don't know who is to blame for the whole mess. The network. The Gosselins. The paparazzi. Jon's alleged affair. Kate's alleged affair. Jon kind of being forced to be a stay-at-home dad. Kate kind of being forced to travel all the time. I'm sure it is a mixture of all of the above.

I'm not sure I can bear to watch the rest of the season if it is going to be like the season opener was. They didn't even sit on the couch together. The tension in the air is just too much. I feel like screaming, "Leave them alone. Give them a chance to work it out."

I know they invited this life on themselves and I understand why they did it. Who can fathom the tremendous financial strain of raising 8 kids. When faced with the simple option of allowing America to watch them do it, all of their worries were gone. The network pays for it all. Neither one of them have to work another job. They have a new beautiful home that has plenty of room for all of them. They get wonderful vacations in great locations all paid for. Their every need is met and they can have a secure financial future because they do this show. It almost seems like an offer too good to pass up. But has the personal cost been too high?

I don't know. My heart just breaks for them and I pray that they can get the help they need to heal emotionally and fix their marriage.

What do you think?