TLC files breach-of-contract suit against Jon Gosselin

TLC has filed a breach-of-contract suit against Jon Gosselin, the co-star of its smash reality show "Jon & Kate Plus 8."

The suit, which was filed this morning in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County, Md., where TLC parent Discovery Communications is based, is the latest in an escalating battle between Gosselin and the cable network. Gosselin is also in the midst of a bitter split from his wife, Kate Gosselin. The suit charges that Jon Gosselin violated his contract by taking paying gigs from other television shows without permission including the CBS-syndicated shows "Entertainment Tonight" and "The Insider" while still under exclusive contract.

Furthermore, the suit alleges that Gosselin has made nonpaying media appearances without TLC's approval, which would also be in violation of his contract. The suit, which was filed on behalf of TLC by the powerful Washington law firm Williams & Connolly, says he has also harmed the show with his constant criticisms and, according to the suit, misstatements about being on the show and what goes on behind the scenes and revealing confidential information such as when he talked about his salary on CNN's "Larry King Live." The suit seeks to force Gosselin to abide by his contract and return the money he has made for appearing elsewhere.

In a statement, TLC said it has been trying "privately and patiently" for months to get Gosselin to honor his contract and "those efforts have been unsuccessful." Representatives for Gosselin could not immediately be reached for comment.

"Jon & Kate plus 8," which premiered in 2007, follows the lives of a western Pennsylvania couple and their eight children. It was a modest success that exploded in the ratings after Gosselin became fodder for the tabloids for being seen out with women who weren't his wife. In June, the show in which the couple revealed that their marriage was ending drew more than 10 million viewers.

Since then, the Gosselins have dueled each other in the tabloids and on television. Both often appear on "Larry King Live" and Kate Gosselin has popped up on NBC's "Today." Of the two, Kate Gosselin has tried to keep a lower or perhaps slightly more dignified profile while Jon Gosselin has moved to New York City and is often seen in the the company of various women. Jon Gosselin has also indicated that he's tired of the show.

Late last month, TLC said it would greatly reduce Jon Gosselin's role and renamed the show "Kate Plus 8" with new episodes set to premiere in November. Gosselin subsequently threatened to file a cease-and-desist order, which stopped production of the show, at least as far as filming the children was concerned. The suit says that Gosselin made this threat an hour after being informed that his role on the show was being reduced.

Regardless of how all this plays out, it appears that the show is definitely heading for the finish line. Kate Gosselin has been busy planning her TV future. She has been working on a pilot for a daytime talk show that would be produced and distributed by Warner Bros. TLC is also working on a project with her, and the cable network granted permission to Kate to pursue other ventures and her talk show and print interviews were also pre-approved. 

For TLC, the Gosselins have been a double-edged sword. Although the show became a huge hit, it also has become a lightning rod for critics and a magnet for controversy and led some to criticize TLC. There is also concern from some advertisers and Discovery executives that the turn in tone of the program is at odds with TLC's attempt to promote a wholesome brand. In a July interview with the Los Angeles Times, TLC President Eileen O'Neill said her first year as head of the network was "heaven and hell" in no small part because of the headaches surrounding the show.

-- Joe Flint

Related posts:

Production stopped on "Jon & Kate"

Jon & Kate not done yet

TLC going gangbusters under O'Neill

Photo: Jon Gosselin. Credit: Angela Weiss / Getty Images.

Comments

[Laurie]

Jon is a loser whose only interest is himself. He's not able to make a good enough living to support his children and he's going to deny Kate the ability to support their children as well. The fact that all income for both of them is going to stop doesn't occur to him. It's pretty obvious with the young company Jon keeps, he's about as mature as a young teenager.

[Julie]

I'm so glad TLC is going after him. This man is so stupid it's not even funny he's a sad example for his children.

[heather]

Kate--a low profile??? You have GOT to be kidding me.

Interviews with People, InTouch, talk show appearances and phone ins to Today, Rachel Ray, Larry King, The View . . . she has run her mouth of at every opportunity possible, slamming Jon all along the way

They are both idiots. I'm just not sure why the media continually gives Kate a free pass . . . . paid by TLC perhaps?!?!!?

Disgusting that TLC is making money off the divorce, which is a DIRECT RESULT of the show. Being paid, raking in millions of dollars for the public desctruction of a family.

Eileen O'Neill--sleeping well these days?!? Disgusting.

[Jon]

Shut up moron

[Kath Stevenson]

For a couple faced with the sudden expense of raising 8 children, the TLC show was initially a godsend. It enabled them to provide trust funds for the children's educations; the kids were treated to wonderful vacations and experiences; they were able to provide a larger home so that they weren't all stacked to the ceiling; and Jon & Kate were eventually able to quit working regular jobs.

No only that, but the show became a wonderful record of the children's lives. And although most would find a camera intrusive, I think that the kids are totally comfortable being filmed as this is all they have ever known.

TLC paid Jon & Kate more money per episode than many couples make annually. And while they were celebrities, the paparazzi wasn't a problem.

Then Jon had a mid-crisis. He destroys his marriage by visiting the bars while Kate is away on business and then having an affair with a teacher. Suddenly the paparazzi are in full force! Then there is Haley - the 22-year old daughter of the plastic surgeon who donated a tummy tuck to Kate; next comes Kate Major - a tabloid reporter of all things; then it's back to Haley; then it's the babysitter and the kids call Kate to report that "Dad is acting funny with the babysitter;" and then it's back to Haley again. Is it ANY wonder that the paparazzi are using this man as fodder??

Besides the "morality clause" that was included in the TLC Contract, it is hard to fathom that Jon could screw this up more - but then he goes on record to state that "he'd quit the show if he could." Hello??? Jon??? WHO is going to support your kids? But in the meantime, he's trying to get TLC to hire his mother and have her filmed too!

Is it any wonder that TLC decided to focus on Kate??? She may have been a little controlling, but I swear that Jon would often stand there like he didn't have a CLUE. Frankly, with 8 kids - SOMEONE had to take charge and it obviously wasn't going to be Jon. (Oh. And let's not forget that it should ALWAYS be the MAN who is the "leader" in the relationship!) Pleeeeease.

So WITHIN 1 HOUR of learning that TLC is renaming the show, Jon orders them off the premises "for the sake of the children."

I hope that TLC toasts Jon. He is a baboon in my opinion. I thought this throughout the show and his actions in the last 6 months have only confirmed my opinion.

[Noah]

These people are like a disease that was spread by TLC. Why do these television stations feel the need to hock this garbage TV show to the public. Stop it! It's not entertaining, and the people need to sue TLC for broadcasting and feeding garbage TV to the people.

[jackie w]

I can't believe how childish jon is being. He walks out on his family and then takes money away from there future because he got dumped. I hope he has to sell his cars to pay them back.

[Debbie]

It's becoming more clear every day that there was a reason that Kate had to stay on top of things and keep Jon in line. He is his own worst enemy.

[erica stephens]

What a creep! This guy is a stone loser,everything they have,the well adjusted children,the organization all because of Kate.I hope for hersake and the sake of the children,she gets a chance to continue on.

[syb]

Its about time. He has violated his contract repeatedly and publicly denounces the company that long paid his bills. Jon you have no 'future in television.'

He and his lawyer seemed so dejected after the courts told them to return the money.

A 5k/month apartment in NYC, luxury cars and NO JOB. Jon is toxic and it is of his own making.

[Bella]

Why is TLC suing one Gosselin for appearing on shows on "other networks" but not the other Gosselin? Both parties are guilty of this breech after all. While neither parent's behavior is admirable, it astonishes me that the mother gets media carte blanche and public sympathy, while the father gets persecuted and vilified. Somebody has a better advisement machine me thinks.

[repo4sale]

I estimate the Family has about $2-3m in cash earnings after taxes. Now they are bickering about $200k? How sick, no money for the kids. Both are at fault because I have experienced it as a paralegal & $$$$ investor. I have seen $35 million vanish in a divorce. I have seen 80% of my friends in So. California divorce and fight. Who takes a 20% bet with their entire "LIFE"? Like DUH? I have asked 3 good women to sign a pre-nuptial contract while we were dating. Yes, they said, until the relationship was getting "closer". As time went on, the "yes" changed to "no". If your an average "JOE" they don't care. If you have Millions, a woman only looks at a marriage as 50-50. She assumes a split! So all people should assume a "split" based on 20% long term success rate! Very sad... Show me a good woman, and I'll show you a Happy Multi-Millionaire in the top 1% of America! There are many top 1% men in So. California. They are wearing jeans, keeping a low profile, and have Millions in the bank. They are afraid to share it without a "contract", because most men have been burned, without or with a contract. So women with a good heart, sign that pre-nuptial contract, because most "GOOD RICH MEN" have assets that can keep you happy till the day you die. If you don't "mess up the relationship" while dating, you will get one of the Top 1% men in USA. Here are the numbers! 500,000 in California are in the top 1% of Americans. 3.8 million = 1%, and according to Forbes, 500,000 are in California. Of that 500,000 about 20% are single men under 55. That's 100,000 Single Men. Single women out there, just let that man date you for 3-5 dates, let him talk about his "achievements" IN BUSINESS AND EDUCATION. If he has many, like 10-20, then you know he is a winner with Assets. If he is a "looker aka model type", he is in the bottom 20% of Americans. The top 1% of Single American Mens have a cash balance of over $1million and over $3 million in net worth. Women out there, California 1% Men have $5-10 Mill. in Net worth, but will never tell you or show you. Only after 4-6 months of dating will they "show you their assets". When you ask for a "balance sheet" aka accounting of their assets, and the man shows you, you then know you have their trust. The magic number in California is not $1m but $5m.

[Judy]

What strikes me is that there would be NO SHOW whatsoever if not for the PLUS 8. It would seem to me that since supposedly the entire show was about the uniqueness of a family with sooo many children, twins and sextuplets ..that if for ANY reason whatsoever ...either parent for ANY reason wanted their children OFF that show, it should be SLAMMED SHUT immediately. For the children it's a sad thing they have to deal with the divorce of their parents at all...it's made even worse for them to have to PERFORM for the PUBLIC ....so that a network can MAKE MONEY from it...it's exploitation so extreme it's impossible for me to believe. I dont care about Jon or Kate or who's right or wrong or whatever..this is typical couple divorcing, blaming, doing all the things millions of couples do PRIVATELY during a divorce. Additionally, if the SHOW has decided to remove the name of one of the parents from the show and continue to EXPLOIT these 8 children, and now decides to hold one of them to a contract......where is a SMART JUDGE to HELP THESE CHILDREN take back the PRIVATE LIFE they deserve??????

[Alexis]

I am so sick and tired of both Jon and Kate. Jon is selfish and Kate is a money-hungry b!#$%. They both get what they deserve. I feel sorry for the kids. I refuse to watch and support their show on TLC. Maybe Kate should be like more than half of the moms in America and get a real job!!!

[Sergio]

Make both of them go away. The mullet mom's insincerity and lack of graciousness borders on comical while the Ed Hardy wearing dbag needs to stop doing interviews since he gets pwned every time he tries to speak for himself. What a train wreck. Maybe Madonna can adopt their kids.

[Seth]

Maybe this is moment we've all been waiting for: the death knell of reality TV!

Wheeeee!

[Grandma of Four]

Someone...anyone...should have had a serious talk with Jon about his TLC contract BEFORE he went on his recent media blitz to make sure he understood his contractual obligations with TLC!!! He has just put himself in a GIANT legal mess and he has NO ONE to blame but himself. I am not even sure he listens to his attorney(s). If his foolishness keeps up, he may well find himself without representation of any sort as he will have no money to pay them and will NOT SHUT UP! He has fast become a laughing stock. Kate for the most part does keep her mouth shut and I bet she managed to ask TLC for permission for her appearances...something Jon flat out refuses to do! And, have you read the carefully crafted statement about hacking? Suspicious use of the word "illegal"! UHG!

[CA]

The average family doesn't heavily rely on TV to make its living. These people had jobs and lives before this show - but they'll never go back to blue collar work now that they've seen how much they can make doing very little. They've raised their children from birth with a whole new set of values, including making a living exposing their personal lives for others enjoyment and judgment.

The film "The Truman Show" is living itself out with a whole new generation of Gosselins and Balloon families.

[Adams]

Jon may be a loser, but Kate and TLC picked him. It is highly inappropriate for TLC to take sides in what has turned out to be a messy divorce. They hired a family, and when that was no longer possible, they picked Kate, effectively destroying any chance for the family to come out of this situation with any grace and dignity. TLC (and the viewers who decided that Kate was a saint) should be ashamed of themselves. It takes two people to make or ruin a marriage. And motives not withstanding, Jon is right, its inappropriate to film children while their parents are in the midst of an ugly divorce. Jon and Kate BOTH need to get jobs (something other than exploiting their children) and concentrate on their children.

[shiloh]

First, the name of the firm Williams and Connolly as a powerful firm is a bunch of smoke and mirrors. People in this country are sick to death of the rich and powerful. There is truly little difference between one who knows the law by reading the law books and experience and a bunch of blue bloods who cash in on having worked in an administration or on the hill. Who cares? And it is very very stupid of TLC to hire such a law firm anyway. The argument for Jon Gosselin should be that the contract is invalid because it was a cohesive contract and TLC entered into it by using TLC's attorney team of 10 or more, and Jon and Kate had no benefit of legal advice. TLC made hundreds of millions off of the show such that TLC can afford to pay Williams and Connolly. And the money that TLC takes out of Jon Gosselin's pockets now takes money out of the happiness of those babies. How disgusting that Eileen O'Neil has taken this route. How thoroughly disgusting. The only hope that TLC had of maintaining viewers was to keep quiet and moving on. How disgusting!! Further, you guys have your facts wrong. Kate is not "working" on a pilot. She tried out for a job for a pilot with Paula Deen (period).

[shiloh]

AND YES, WHY DOES THE MEDIA GIVE KATE A FREE PASS? ANY HUMAN BEING WHO WATCHES THE SHOW JON AND KATE PLUS 8 FROM THE BEGINNING KNOWS WHAT A MONSTER THIS WOMAN IS. WHOEVER WROTE THIS ARTICLE SHOULD WATCH THE DAMN SHOW AND THEN WRITE AN ARTICLE ABOUT WHAT THEY THINK. SERIOUSLY... the show had a following of 1.4 million people. There are about 175 million people in the U.S. The majority of people, INCLUDING THE MEDIA, never watched the show and they are taking kate gosselin's side. Watch the show and you will see why Jon came out of this marriage nuttier than a fruitcake!!

[Martie]

He is just SO gross!

[Don't be an Idiot]

Anybody who watches this show is an idiot. Anybody who gets caught up in the lives of these people is an idiot. Why don't you go back to your own lives, stop trying to live vicariously through someone else's joys and misery, and quit with the fawning over celebrity. You are just tools for big business and are victimizing yourself in the process.

[Sick of Reality TV]

Jon is up there as the most hated TV reality star since Richard Hatch, who just got out of prison. Hope he suffers the same fate as Richard. TLC Network execs should do us all a favor a pull the show off the air - didn't they do something like that to the Smothers Brothers? I hope Reality TV shows end up in extinction like the Western.

[tony almonte]

ya know, as tired as I am of reading about this train wreck couple, I can't help but think that this has a long long way to go before it ends up really really badly for one or both of them.....