Jon and Kate Plus 8: Huge drop in ratings, Kate's new book and clothing line in jeopardy

July 2, 10:13 AMNewark Reality TV ExaminerRobyn Gormish

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Jon and Kate Plus 8                                   Photo: Us Weekly

While TLC’s “Jon and Kate Plus 8” is on hiatus the network aired a one hour special retrospective outlining the last ten years of the Gosselin’s life together and they also presented fans with a preview at what is to come for the family.

The special one-hour retrospective about Jon and Kate Gosselin drew just 1.5 million viewers, compared with 10.4 million viewers for the June 22 episode that announced the couple's divorce.

Are fans starting to boycott the show?

Reportedly, TLC will now show each parent separately with their eight children. However, there are so-called strong doubts within the TV industry that such a format can draw viewers unless the show can find a new audience.

On Tuesday, Us Weekly stated Christian publisher Zondervan is delaying the debut date of Kate Gosselin's cook book. The book was to be published in November 2009, but need changes. Its selling point was: "inside look at one of America's most famous close-knit families."

The CEO of Zondervan, Maureen Girkins, stated it plans to "work with Kate to reassess the schedule for her next book."

Additionally it has been supposedly reported Kate Gosselin’s clothing line promotion deal with Healthex is up in the air. Her project is on hold while she focuses on her family," Healthtex rep Scott Pryzwansky told Radar online. While the fall clothing line is still available at Walmart, Gosselin’s involvement has come to a halt for the foreseeable future with no date for her return currently slated.

"I think TLC probably has to meet with advertisers to make them feel comfortable about staying in," says Shari Anne Brill, senior VP and director of programming and strategic audience analysis at ad-buying firm Carat. "They're taking a step back and figuring out what they're going to do next. Fundamentally, what that show was is not what it is now."

"It's a question of, if we keep shooting, what's going to happen?" says Andy Cohen, senior VP original programming and development at Bravo, which in 2007 was forced to confront the sudden death of trainer Doug Blasdell, star of its hit series "Work Out." "It's not worth exploiting something for a quick number if you're going to really wind up destroying someone's life."

Will you contine to watch Jon and Kate Plus 8?

Do you think TLC has a responsibility to the family to do what is in their best interest?

Jon & Kate Plus 8 The First 10 Years and the Future

 Related Articles:

• Jon and Kate Plus 8: A new chapter (spoilers and topics for discussion)
• Jon and Kate Plus 8: Kate speaks out about the divorce announcement, it was Jon's decision
• Jon and Kate Plus 8: TLC announces despite the divorce the show will go on

Source: TLC, Us Weekly, Radar online

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