USA TODAY International Edition
Gosselin set to dive into ‘Kate Plus Date’
TV mom’s new show chronicles quest for love
PASADENA, Calif. – Kate Gosselin is moving from “Kate Plus 8” to “Kate Plus Date.”
The TLC star, who drew fame (and controversy) starting in 2007 as cameras followed her large family (and continued to after her split with husband Jon Gosselin), is ready to dive back into the dating pool. And naturally, TLC’s cameras are there to record the encounters.
“We’ve been nudging her to date for years,” says daughter Mady, 18, who is part of the show with her sister Cara. “She deserves to be happy. Everyone deserves to be happy.”
The series, premiering in June, films her sometimes uncomfortable dates, arranged by matchmakers.
“I knew what I wasn’t looking for, but I couldn’t articulate what I was looking for,” Gosselin, 43, told the Television Critics Association on Tuesday. “They were strictly blind dates, but I didn’t even know, really, their names, until minutes before. A lot of the awkwardness, uncomfortable terrified reactions came from the fact that they were hit or miss.”
But she was happy to live her life publicly, with a paycheck.
“I love to date on TV – the safety it provides – but I didn’t realize how awkward I’d feel,” she said. “It’s hard to watch, exciting, awkward, fun and really rewarding.”
“Kate Plus Date” travels a few hours from her Pennsylvania home to New York, after she says she exhausted the pool of available men.
But don’t expect “Bachelor”-style makeout sessions.
“It was important for me that my kids could watch the show and not feel cringe-y or uncomfortable,” she said. “I’m not a teenager, clearly.
“There’s no other mom dating show out there; I have five daughters and three sons, and they need to be able to watch a respectful … G-rated show. And it’s important for me to be an example to my kids.”
Does that example include essentially raising them while TV cameras tracked their every move?
“I am a very protective parent, as you probably know,” she told critics.
“It comes from a place of love. I care so deeply, I have been at times overzealous.”
But “judging based on my kids and how well adjusted and intelligent they are,” the exposure “more than anything has enriched their lives and … taught them a lot about people’s intentions, more so than other kids their age.”
“I love to date on TV – the safety it provides – but I didn’t realize how awkward I’d feel.” Kate Gosselin “Kate Plus Date”