Customer Reviews

Jon & Kate Plus Ei8ht, Seasons One & Two

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I had read the other reviews here on Amazon and was concerned to read that some people thought the DVD set was incomplete. I ended up buying it anyway, since this was the only DVD set my local store had and I kind of needed it immediately. I've since watched it, written down the episode list, and compared it to the complete episode list available at IMDB. I thought I would put the information up here for other people considering this product, so they'll know exactly what's on this DVD and what's missing. So here's the list of the episodes which ARE on this DVD set!

Disc One:
- 10 Little Pumpkins
- Twins Turn 6
- Gosselins Go West
- Shopping for Ten
- Garage Makeover
- Housekeeper Hunt
- Pancakes & Potties
- Jon Turns 30
- Sextuplets Turn 3!
- Breakfast in Bed

Disc Two:
- Gosselins Go Dutch
- Sextuplets' First Dentist Visit
- Red, White, & Gosselin
- Sugar Rush
- A Cow Purchase
- Sara Snow Visits!
- Babies & Bedrooms Part One
- Babies & Bedrooms Part Two
- BONUS: Surviving Sextuplets & Twins One-Hour Special

Just so you know, season one is complete, but season two is missing a total of three episodes. And strangely, some of these episodes are presented out of order, which seems odd. But anyway, just so you know, here are the episodes that are missing from this DVD set.

The Missing Episodes Are:
- A Day At The Zoo (Season 2, Episode 10)
- Hit The Road (Season 2, Episode 11)
- How It All Began (Season 2, Episode 12)

I don't know yet if those three episodes are available on the individual season sets, because I haven't purchased those yet. But I like to know what I'm getting when I buy something, so at least now you'll know what's on this DVD set and what isn't. Personally, I still think it's a pretty good deal for what it is. However, I've removed one star from the rating simply because, in my opinion, the packaging should state clearly what's contained in the DVD set. I think it's disappointing that it doesn't explain that more clearly, so bad job, TLC! Other than that, though, the video quality is at least good, even if the DVD menus aren't anything particularly special.

That said, the show is *fantastic*! I couldn't recommend it more highly. It's so endlessly refreshing to see a family on TV that really honestly love each other and always strives to do what's right. Sure, they aren't perfect, but who is?
The show never fails to make me smile, it's so fun to watch the darling little kids, and it's honestly just a whole lot of happiness crammed into half-hour segments. It's great for families, adults, kids, whoever! Give this show a chance and I know you'll end up loving the Gosselins as much as I do!
Bottom line, 'Jon & Kate Plus 8' deserves five stars, but TLC deserves only 3 for not being clearer about the packaging. But hey, at least now you know!

I am a HUGE fan of the show Jon & Kate Plus 8 which is on TLC. I watch it every week and any time it's on or they have reruns. I was super excited to buy the seasons 1 & 2 on DVD but I couldn't find it in stores. I bought it here on Amazon and I immediately watched it and there's sooo much information missing and episodes missing. I don't understand why they didn't put more on it.
It's still a great show, but I feel like there's half missing from the very beginning. It was very disappointing to feel this way...

I love this show, but I never got to see the "Hit the Road" episode where they go to Disneyworld. I got this DVD set because according to many websites, including imdb.com, that episode is supposed to be included in season 2. However, once I put the DVDs in the player, I couldn't find that episode on the menu! Even though I like watching this show, I bought it mostly to see that one episode (because it's rarely on TV and it's the one episode I have missed). I'm very disappointed. I thought the DVD set was supposed to include ALL of the episodes from seasons 1 & 2.

I discovered the Jon & Kate Plus 8 show after they were featured on Oprah in February, 2008. I quickly became addicted to watching it, and I would venture to say that most people who watch it have opinions about Jon, Kate and their kids. Another reviewer, 'Americanlife-American Dreams,' did an excellent job of describing the episodes in a nutshell. I have no idea how I would cope with the stress, financial burden, chaos, and confusion if I had twins and sextuplets. That being said, I'd like to offer my list of 'Best of' and 'Worst of' moments of the show:

Biggest Kate Meltdown: At Disneyworld, when the kids all got ice cream (in what was probably 80-90 degree heat) which started melting down (the ice cream didn't 'melt down' as fast as Kate did!) their clothes, Kate had a fit, took all the ice creams from the kids and told the kids they could have some if it were fed to them. I love what Jon said later in the interview chair, 'I would have just let them have it, let the ice cream get all over them!'

Second Biggest Kate Meltdown: On their skiing trip to Utah, Kate starts crying because their plane is diverted to Idaho because of bad weather.

Most Embarrassing Moment: When they are Christmas shopping with all the kids, and Kate berates Jon twice for being in the wrong place, saying he was, 'Playing with toys instead of doing his job.'

Best 'Way To Go, Jon' Moment: When Jon is loading up the van after the Christmas shopping trip, and he tells Kate how she made him feel in the store, he said, 'I felt like a fr**ken dog.' And later, during their interview, she did not even apologize, all she said was that 'I don't notice anyone when I'm in a store.'

Sweetest Moment: Leah and Joel, and Hannah and Collin holding hands in the dentist's chair during their first dentist appointment.

Weirdest Moment: Excited Kate taking a picture of one of the sextuplets (Leah or Alexis) with her first 'deposit' in the potty!

Biggest 'Oops' Moment: Kate gets badly sunburned on the surprise Florida vacation she planned for Jon's 30th Birthday present because she doesn't like the greasiness of sunblock!

Fastest Recovery From Altitude Sickness: The first morning in Utah, after Kate had been vomiting all night, and wasn't able to help Jon dress the kids that morning, it seems as if she and Beth went to the spa that same day, and Kate seemed just fine! (Just to give the benefit of a doubt, it could have been film editing that made it seem that the spa visit was the very same day as her being sick, I don't know for sure)

Meanest Mom Moment: Kate not allowing the kids to use markers when they went to the Crayola Factory. Kate says, 'They wear nice outfits when we go out, and if you have one kid getting marker stains on their clothes, it's not a big deal, but when you have 8, that's a whole day I get to spend in the laundry room, getting stains out.'

Bravest Moment: Kate showing the world her pre-tummy tuck 'jowls of the
dog, butt in the front' belly!

Biggest Germ-O-Phobe Moment: On the way to Disneyworld, when they stayed in a motel along the way, and Kate would not let the kids walk on the carpet without shoes!

Biggest Question: Although Jon has somewhat explained the absence of his parents in their life, (his dad is deceased and his mom has remarried, has a job, etc.) Kate's explanation of the absence of her parents in their life brings up more questions. Kate has said that the kids' grandparents are 'not a part of their everyday life, but they have others like, Nana Janet, who love their 8 kids.'

Kate's Favorite Word: To Jon, to get his attention, 'HELL--LOW!!'

I have to give Kate credit for doing the best she can with her job of being the stay at home mom of 8 kids, I give Jon credit for putting up with Kate, I give Aunt Jody credit for doing her best to help Kate, even though Aunt Jody has 4 kids herself. I think Kate's true nature can be seen at times when she laughs while she and Jon are in the interview chair, or when she and Jon are taking one of the kids out on that kid's special day. I also wish that Jon and Kate didn't play up to or talk to the camera so often, just let the events unfold naturally instead of commenting about it at the time, they can do that later in the interview chair.
All in all, I love watching the show, although Dr. Laura says once the cameras are in your home, it's no longer reality...

I discovered this show while trapped in a Motel 6 in Iowa City prior to the worst Graduate School interview I've had in my entire life.

TLC was running a marathon (which they often did and do, and I'm thrilled with the habit) and I tuned in because there wasn't really anything else on... and I was charmed. So very, very charmed.

I don't like reality shows. That's not a hardline rule, but I'm deeply pressed to think of a single 'reality show' that I'll watch more than an episode or ten minutes of. I sat through four hours of this show, straight out the door, and look forward to new episodes. Why? Because of this show's sweetness. Moreover, of how it isn't glammed up or white-washed or scripted. It's, basically, a bunch of home videos of eight wonderful children and the two parents that are doing their best to make it work.

Honestly, the kids are adorable and funny and loud and just plain kids. They have melt downs and get dirty and silly and have moments that make me want to cry with the aching sweetness. This is their childhood laid out for people to watch and enjoy, but it's also so, so honest. None of the kids (or the parents) are perfect. They each deal with stressful situations the best they can, but at the end of the day - like the opening says - there's love and care and I think there are a lot of families who could learn a lesson from that.

I DO NOT like reality shows, but this show has me mesmerized. When I can finally sit down for the day, the first thing I do is check TLC to see if this program is on. Thus, the reason I finally bought it on DVD. I can't imagine what it's like to raise 8 small children, 24 hours a day, then alone with cameras in my face watching my every move and hearing my every word. The children are well behaved (or as well behaved as children can be), Jon and Kate's personalities compliment each other, (she's extremely organized and he takes life as it comes along) and I thoroughly enjoy this program. When Season 3 is released in November, I'll be buying that as well.

This show is great. It does show the reality of dealing with life with kids, albeit more kids than any of us know. Yes Kate can be demaning, however when you are dealing with that many kids and keeping a household running things get pretty hectic. Organization is a must! Kate does a great job of it.

Here's my problem with people who like to slam this show and Kate:

first do they EVER get frusterated with their significant other? Aparently not because they are just above it. I only have one child and boy can things frusterate me. Maybe they have time to pull aside their significant other and talk it out, but when you have eight kids pulling at your attention it would be difficult. Bottom line, I nor the majority of people out there know what it is like to be in their situation. So to take a lesson from my Mother...Never judge a man until you have walked in his or her shoes.

Secondly so they are getting freebies. Does it really necessitate them taking everything they get? Here's the thing that some people OBVIOUSLY don't take into consideration. The volume of freebies. I nor anyone else probably gets the amount of freebies they get. Wouldn't you take the pick of the litter? I would and I am not ashamed to admit it. ALSO Their name is going to be attached to the product, like the bibs the kids wear, Dura Bib. I certainly would not want my name attached to something that is substandard or second rate. But I guess people do not think that way.

Lastly on Kate not letting the kids do certain things. I've read people slamming her for not letting the kids use markers at the Crayola factory. Here's my response, did no one see how fast Aaden put the play doh in his mouth? Kate has her reasons for doing what she does, but so does every mother out there. I'm sure that every mother out there has let her kid do exactly what he or she wanted at all times. Right?!?!?! Not on your life. and if they are that explains the state of things.

To summerize, I can not believe the amount of people negativly judging this family for being who they are. And for all the perfect mommies out there that do everything right at just the right time, please stand up because just maybe they should make a show about you and then watch everyone slam you.

I absolutely love this show. I have watched every episode since it begain with the special. My 5 year old and 3 year old daughters love it too. We watch it every week. I completely understand Kate with all her little things people complain about. I would be the same way if not worse. I only have 3 kids and my house is just a crazy. She is an amazing mom to those beautiful children. I just wish that every single episode would be on the dvd's. My kids would be in heaven to watch them whenever they wanted. And some of my favorite episodes were when the younger kids were still young. I recommend this show to anybody who like family programming.

This DVD collection of the first season of the Learning Channel Reality Show of the Gosselin family - of twins and sextuplets is a delight. The little ones are adorable and Kate, although controlling and moody is to be admired for her unbelievable organizational skills. The interaction with Jon, the long-suffering dad is priceless. Love, love, love watching the sweet babies - too darned cute!!

This is a wonderful show my kids 3 & 7 and I love it. It's just good clean fun in a world of television shows that are full of foul language and questionable morals this is something we can enjoy as a family. I really hate the Kate bashing, I think she is a great mom and I challenge anybody to go through a day in her life without losing it completely.