The TLC reality show hit, Jon & Kate Plus Eight, follows the lives of the Gosselins, a middle-class couple from Pennsylvania who sought fertility treatment in response to Kate's diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome. The Gosselins ended up with more than they bargained for when their doctor first announced they would be having a set of twins (in 2000), followed four years later by the surprise news of sextuplets.

Every magical moment was caught on film. Jon and Kate Gosselin were first cast in two one-hour Discovery Channel specials entitled Surviving Sextuplets and Twins and Sextuplets and Twins: One Year Later. The specials were such a success that in 2007 the Gosselins were offered their own show.

Jon & Kate Plus Eight continued to grow in popularity season after season, hitting a record high for its season 5 premiere — a whopping 9.8 million viewers. Some of the winning factors included the modern and aesthetic appeal of the biracial couple, the humorous family dynamics, and the ability of viewers to relate to the financial hardships and disciplinary problems of an average American family.

But, fame has its price. Jon Gosselin repeatedly vocalized his unhappiness and discomfort living under the scrutiny of the public eye. He was videotaped accompanying several different women in the wee hours of the night, but denied all allegations of infidelity. Kate Gosselin didn't fare much better. She was rumored to be having an affair with her bodyguard. In June 2009, the couple officially filed for divorce leaving the fate of the show to a real life cliffhanger. Their divorce became final in December.

TLC expressed interest in renaming the show Kate plus Eight, but faced opposition from Jon Gosselin's lawyers. The producers of the show have said they may run a series of specials where Jon will make an appearance in the Gosselin household.

Last updated: January 25, 2010.

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