Ho, Ho, Uh-Oh: Kate Gosselin's Bro Shows No Cheer for "Reality" Show Lies

Kevin Kreider takes stand in child-labor hearing; says family deceived kids into thinking it was Christmas in order to get "genuine reactions" among other psychologically damaging exploits

By Gina Serpe Apr 14, 2010 5:44 PMTags
Kate Gosselin, Jon Gosselin, Gosselin FamilyTLC/Michael Pilla

Here's the good news: Jon and Kate Gosselin, TLC and Jon & Kate Plus 8's producers will not be facing any legal action as a result of the probe into whether they had valid child-labor permits while filming the octobrood last year.

Here's the bad news: There's pretty much no chance that those kids haven't been scarred as a result of being filmed.

A Pennsylvania representative's legislative hearing into the state's child-labor laws continued today, with Kate's brother and sister-in-law taking the stand to discuss the inevitable psychological ramifications of kids being subjected to appearing in a reality show.

Need an example? Good, 'cause they've got a doozy:

"One very vivid example comes to mind," Kate's (very estranged) brother, Kevin Kreider, testified. "The children were told it was Christmas morning. It was so the camera crew could get the genuine reaction of the children. It wasn't until after, until later, that they were told it was not Christmas morning; they just did it for the show. Can you imagine how confused eight little kids were that morning?"

Some reality. Well, we know two people who can expect coal next year.

Kreider also raised concerns about the boundaries, or lack thereof, that took place during filming, saying the kids' rooms were stuffed full of production equipment and that the kids' potty training sessions, which were of course filmed and made available online, took place without either parent present.

Though to be clear, the only impropriety he is alleging is irresponsibility on Jon and Kate's part.

As for Kate, her attorney denies the implication of bad parenting, telling E! News, "Kate has consistently said that the TLC crew was warm, affectionate and just wonderful with the Gosselin children. I know that she believes that and will always maintain that."

Jodi Kreider, aka "Aunt Jodi," was next up on the stand and said that she believed no children should ever be part of a reality show under any circumstances.

Both Kreiders also expressed concern over the kids' exposure as a result of the show, saying they had been on the receiving end of "disturbing and threatening comments posted on newspaper blogs or TV social media formats."

Also there to fill this week's quota of camera time offer up testimony was Gloria Allred, who said she did not think children should be banned from appearing in what passes for unscripted television, simply that all minors should first join the Screen Actors Guild, so that representatives would be made to be on set, enforce union rules (and shooting schedules), help maintain safe working conditions, ensure fair pay and generally mind the kids' best interests.

You know, like their parents are supposed to.

Meanwhile, also during the hearing, a letter from the Department of Labor & Industry outlining the results of its probe into Jon & Kate's lack of child-labor permits was made public. No legal action will be pursued, though any future filming—like, say, for the forthcoming Kate Plus 8—will require child-labor permits. The Gosselins will also be required to set aside a portion of their pay and place it into a trust fund for the kids.

Despite how it seems, Pennsylvania legislators say the hearing is not intended to be a Gosselin witch hunt, but is simply using their family as an example to illustrate the larger problem in the state. Testimony is expected to continue throughout the day.

—Additional reporting by Whitney English

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