Hollywood abounds with child stars whose lives went off the rails, but the boom in reality TV raises new ethical questions that have come to a head in the case of Jon and Kate Gosselin and their eight children. US celebrity magazines, blogs and tabloids are in a frenzy about the new season of reality show “Jon & Kate Plus 8,” in which the parents of sextuplets and twins appear to be barely speaking to each other and contemplating divorce. The season premiere on Monday, when both parents brushed off rumors of infidelity, drew in nearly 10 million people. The episode was ostensibly about a fifth birthday party for the sextuplets, but that was overshadowed by the drama of the parents' disintegrating marriage. On Wednesday, Kate's brother and sister-in-law, Kevin and Jodi Kreider, appeared on CBS News' “The Early Show” to appeal to the couple to stop exploiting their children. “They're being viewed as a commodity,” Kevin Kreider said. Jodi Kreider said the children were aware of the cameras and uncomfortable having them present on every vacation. The Gosselins have said they are motivated by the need to feed and educate the children. The New York Times cited reports the parents are paid $25,000 to $50,000 for each episode. Paul Petersen, a former child star on “The Donna Reed Show,” which aired on ABC between 1958 and 1966, said childhood and adolescence were hard enough without fame. “Where are those 10 million viewers going to be in 10 years when these kids have a train wreck?” Petersen said.
