Why I am Going to Watch Jon and Kate Plus 8

UPDATE: Jon and Kate filled for divorce.  I wonder if they tried counseling.  From the looks of the editing in the episode, Jon and Kate cannot come to an agreement.  It seems that ” trying to do the best thing for their kids” does not include trying to save their marriage.

I have resisted blogging about “Jon and Kate Plus 8“, which is the show about Jon and Kate Gosselin and their 8 children, because it has been the “hot” celebrity news item.  I try not to give any attention to “celebrity news” because it is not real news.   The Jon and Kate story is news worthy on this blog because they are professed Christians and their situation is putting Christianity to the test in the eyes of secular viewers.   Part of the show contains scenes of the family going to church, memorizing scripture, and reading Bible stories.    Recently, the couple has gone through a dark time in their relationship, which has made news in just about every news outlet.  Allegations of infidelity have plagued the show since the start of season 5.  Questions have been raised regarding  the couple  staying together.

Tonight’s episode is billed as TLC’s most shocking show announcement, which many think will include the couple divorcing or ending the show.   Many of my friends who are Christians have found themselves in conversation about Jon and Kate and wondering, “What would I do if I were in the situation.”   News outlets have also been talking about how America is watching this train wreck but cannot look away.  There have been reports that Jon has been looking for an apartment in NYC. This show has gone from entertainment to the guilty pleasure of watching a family being torn away from each other.  This family does not need to go through anymore drama, but that is what you sign up for when you do a reality show in your kitchen.  Their children will no doubt watch the show when they are older and be changed for it.

Many Christians jumped on the Jon and Kate bandwagon quickly with their unbridled support and viewership.  There seems to be a segment of the Christian population that is quick to vocally support anything that is Christian and in the media.  What many Christians are feeling now as they watch the latest drama unfold is the “how can this happen?” response.   When things go south, the faithful lose interest.   The story of Jon and Kate is not unusual of the American family: stressful relationship, unresolved conflict, new found success, demanding life, and kids.   About half of the marriages in this country end in divorce.  And Christians do not fare any better.  The question remains, why am I going to watch this horrible train wreck?

The reasons why I am going to watching Jon and Kate tonight:

1. In a sense, the beginning of the story of Jon and Kate  put them on a pedestal of what a good Christian marriage could look like.    Their story, before there was trouble, was billed as a healthy marriage because they were balancing a hectic life with 8 kids and still loving each other for it.  There will be a heavy fallout whatever the “announcement” will be.   The media will be quick to pass judgment on the couple.  Watching the episode will be historic for the cause of Christian marriage, whether good or bad.
2. My interest in the show is not to see them get divorced.  My interest is to see them reconcile their relationship.   If you know anything about the Bible it is the story of God’s reconciliation with people and people’s reconciliation with each other.    Reconciliation is one of the redeeming qualities that we have going for us.   This could be a story a story of grace.  It could teach people that there is another path instead of divorce.   That is something that America needs to learn.
3. The way TLC will respond to the announcement will set a standard of the ethical response to the the privacy and decency of the family unit.   If the show goes on, it will not go over well for the network.  If TLC does the right thing and cancels the show the public will be better for it.   TLC’s response will set the stage for future families who let TV cameras into their home.  TLC must draw the line between making money and letting a family heal.   This will draw the line for what is meant for reality TV and what is meant to be private.

It is my prayer that fenses will be mended and relationships will be restored.  The only real shock for me tonight would be if this is all a horrible hoax and a bad joke is on us.