Discussion Thread: 'Kate Gosselin: How She Fooled the World,' Chapters 8-10

'I know without a doubt that we did the right thing.'

We will do a “book club” style discussion of a few chapters at a time as we read the book together. You are free to read with the group or skip ahead. You are also free to discuss whatever you like, however if you want to partake in the book club discussion, this thread is here to discuss the designated chapters. Robert Hoffman’s book “Kate Gosselin: How She Fooled the World” was available on Amazon for Kindle, but has been suspended with an unknown date when it will be available again. The Kindle app is free for multiple platforms, including PCs.

8. Show Me the Money!!!!! Part 1 

Kate has been marketing the sextuplets even before they were born. She invited dozens of media to their first birthday party. She requested a 15-passenger van and that people give Target gift cards in lieu of sending gifts.

Kate was extremely paranoid that other families with multiples could steal her thunder. Betty Hayes, a New Jersey mother of sextuplets and two sets of twins, called Kate asking about their first special and about being paid and receiving freebies. Kate writes that she is “mad” that the Hayes are getting another special, and “I am merely trying to provide for my family and rely on the Lord to do so! He is in control and I HATE this competition pressure I am forced to deal with!

After the first Discovery special aired and did well, talks commenced for a second special and a 20-episode contract. Discovery agreed to pay the family $2,000 an episode, with many things comped including Disney World and the grocery shopping trip to Giant. Kate was involved in a lot of back and forth e-mails with producer Jen Stocks about episode ideas and money. As time went on, Kate grew more demanding about what things Discovery would comp. She also continued to take checks and cash from fans, friends and relatives, sometimes checks for several hundred dollars or more.

In October 2006, Kate’s grandmother died. Kate wrote this about the funeral: “Her service was nice except that our mother tried to preach to us children through her tribute to grandma… none of us appreciated that!!!”

In March 2007, Kate called Discovery’s treatment of them “wining and dining”  and refers to it as a “magical time.” For season two, Jon and Kate wanted $6,000 an episode. Discovery negotiated them down to $5,000.

Kate obsessively tried to line up other money making opportunities, for example commercials. She accused Discovery of “sucking the life” out of deals after there was concern a commercial she wanted to do for Fridgidaire might compete with some of their other advertisers. Kate had visions of filming even when she was “old and gray.” In one email she writes: “I also want to secure a 'foreverness' for our family (house, college etc) that goes beyond our show so that when I look back when I am old and gray (and probably STILL filming- ha ha) I know without a doubt that we did the right thing.”

9. Show Me the Money!!!!! Part 2

The Gosselins made less money per episode than some sources have reported. Season one they made $2,000 an episode. Season two and three they made $5,000 an episode. Season four was $9,000 per episode, which was later re-negotiated to $22,500. Season five stayed at $22,500 per episode.

Kate hired a new manager, Julie Carson May, in April 2008. May was heavily involved in contract negotiations. She fought to try to limit the family’s commitment to the show to an average of three days a week, that each season include at least 35 episodes, and that the family would be compensated for episodes even if they used old footage from previous seasons (i.e. flashback episodes), for first class travel and “overages” of $600 a day per family member and $75 per diem per day per family member. She proposed a ghost writer to write TLC’s Jon and Kate blog because Kate didn’t have time. Tax obligations were flagged as something to be discussed. She wanted the family to have input and approval over merchandising.

The list of freebies Kate was able to get Discovery and others to pay for or at least offer to her is astounding. Landscaping, fences, Gymboree, ski clothes for Cara, a condo near Cancun, a beach house in North Carolina, an offer for filming a breast augmentation in San Diego and subsequent recovery at a resort called The Hideaway  [Admin note: My source says Kate ultimately chose Dr. Glassman to do her breasts, without filming. In the book she indeed says she has a choice between Glassman (but no filming) or San Diego (filming), though doesn’t say which one she ended up choosing. One wonders if some kind of executive decision was made to keep the boob job secret for image reasons, even though they had an offer to film it.], at least $500 a week at Ann Taylor, make-up, Olay daily facials, Crest whitestrips, camping equipment, furniture, Charmin toilet paper, invisible fence for the dogs, and a trip to Niagara Falls. Kate responded to an offer from a doctor to give just Jon Lasik surgery that she wanted it for both of them. Kate frequently follows up with those who gave her free things, straight out asking for more and claiming how much she talks about how great their products are.

Kate once shamelessly skipped out on a scheduled weekly conference call with Discovery to go to the spa. There were also discussions about a deal for Cara and Mady to “write” a series of children’s books. Perhaps most disturbing of all, there was discussion about designing an iPhone game around the children. Part of the game description includes: “The game starts with the player taking on the roll of Kate on Monday morning.   The player must get through 7 day/night cycles to win the games first level.   Each level will not only be separated by days, but each day will also be separated in sections breakfast time, lunch and dinner time, with bedtime being the goal the player trying to reach each day. The first week is an example of basic daily life, from getting the oldest kids ready for school to getting the rest of the kids ready for their meals, in this case breakfast. Each of the kids run of different timers, where they will get antsy, crying or even have a full tantrum depending on how long they are left alone or not given what they need.”

Kate and Beth received a $100,000 advance for their book Multiple Blessings. A deal with Kmart for their holiday campaign that only required three-days of work paid $158,000 plus up to $5,000 for a security team of Kate’s choosing. There was also a $25,000 Proctor and Gamble deal.

10. A Family Under (Discovery's) Control 

Discovery maintained a frightening amount of control over the family contractually, including where they would travel, what they wore and even how they styled their hair. Discovery also had several provisions limiting their liability and obligations to the family. They specifically prohibited the Gosselins from subjecting their contracts to union rules such as SAG. [Admin note: Huge red flag they were taking advantage of the family and actively trying to circumvent any built in protections in the entertainment industry’s unions.] The contract also included a provision that the Gosselins would “guarantee” the children’s “performance” and “obligations.” Discovery released themselves of all responsibility in the event of an accident or even death. They also had a provision excluding them from any worker’s compensation claims. Any personal photos and video the family took in the course of the show was the property of Discovery. Discovery could terminate the contract at any time for any reason without owing the Gosselins a cent.  It was the Gosselin’s obligation to secure any necessary work permits and travel documents. They also wrote in the right to sue should any member of the family breach any of their obligations. In other words, Discovery could bail on the family at any time without consequence, but there would be hell to pay if any member of the family ever tried the same thing (and as we all saw, there was).