TLC blasts Jon Gosselin, suspends 'Plus 8' filming

Jon and Kate Gosselin in happier times

Credit: TLC

Normally, we choose to ignore the off-camera behavior of Jon (and even Kate) Gosselin in the interest of concentrating on harder news. Unfortunately, when the behavior leads to the suspension of production on TLC's most popular show, we can't look away.

If you've forgotten the background, on Tuesday, TLC announced that the show formerly known as "Jon & Kate Plus 8" would return in November as a rebranded "Kate Plus 8," the story of a single mother raising eight kids, with occasional visits from their dad. 

Jon Gosselin promptly went to the media and said he was backing down from the divorce and hoping to reconcile with Kate (and, thus, get his screentime back). In addition, though, Jon Gosselin put out a cease and desist order to prevent TLC from filming on his property, which is complicated because pre-divorce, Jon and Kate co-own the primary locations for the series. [Read much more about it at The Insider.]

On Thursday morning, TLC issued as contemptuous a press release as you're ever likely to see from a television networks directed at one of its most popular stars.

"We are aware of Jon Gosselin's recent statements, and remain deeply disappointed at his continued erratic behavior," TLC says. "He and the family were shooting as recently as last Friday, without incident, and his latest comments are grossly inaccurate, without merit and are clearly opportunistic. Despite Jon Gosselin's repeated self destructive and unprofessional actions, he remains under an exclusive contract with TLC.  Direct filming of the children has been currently suspended, pending further conversations between both parents."

The emphasis on the cessation of "direct filming of the children" presumably means that post-production is ongoing, as well as perhaps some production -- HitFix asked TLC for additional clarification, with no immediate response -- meaning that the Nov. 2 premiere date for "Kate Plus 8" remains intact. For now.

We hate to say this, but ... Stay tuned for more details.