Today's blog is going to be about a couple of different topics - mainly dealing with public celebrities, if you will.
News broke within the last few days about an alleged incident involving Jeff Archuleta, famous father of season seven American Idol runner-up David Archuleta, soliciting a prostitute working for a massage parlor in Utah back in January. Reportedly, Jeff sought these services through Craigslist and was caught in a police sting. He pleaded no contest to the charges and paid $582 in fines. Apparently the Jeff Archuleta camp is saying this is one big misunderstanding. However, it's obviously true if he pleaded no contest. I just can't understand what this man was thinking. He had the world at his feet, with a popular and very successful son doing well in the music industry. He has a gorgeous wife and a wonderful family. I am honestly dumbfounded that Jeff could've even resorted to such an activity. What is this world coming to?
During season seven of American Idol, Jeff Archuleta kind of became a controversial backstage figure on the show. We heard these horrible rumors about him being this terrible stage dad, shouting orders at his son, refusing to give his son water when thirsty, and fighting with directors/producers of the show to get advantages for his son on Idol. Those allegations were all deemed as false and once season seven concluded, many David Archuleta fans really learned more about the real Jeff Archuleta. He didn't seem to be as bad of a guy as the rumors have stated. But you have to wonder if some of those rumors actually were true? Obviously those ones about him refusing David water and bossing him around couldn't be right. But the ones about him being too involving in the decision making for David during his Idol run very well could be true. This latest incident involving Jeff and the prostitute really changes his public perception. Prior to these allegations, many Archie fans became to think highly of Jeff. Well, judging from a variety of comments on message boards, Jeff Archuleta is no longer a popular parent. His public image has been changed forever, and that's very unfortunate.
That leads me to another topic that I've been considering discussing for awhile. Prior to this year, how many Americans knew who Jon and Kate Gosselin were? The show had always managed decent ratings for TLC - but nothing like what it's brought in ratings-wise this season. Obviously a firestorm of media controversy has erupted over this couple ever since rumors of their separation and infidelity began. The season premiere of their show on Memorial Day of this year reaped in record ratings for the TLC cable channel. However, the ratings achievement was reached because of the controversy over this couple - not because of the show and their eight children. And the sad part is, the children are the innocent victims of their parents in-fighting. The show used to be about the kids and how the parents dealt with raising eight children in a household. Now they only play the backstory to the controversy involving Jon and Kate.
I had just started an interest in watching the show prior to the Jon and Kate drama that has played out in tabloids and celebrity blogs. I had sensed from watching earlier episodes that Kate could be a pretty demanding wife for Jon. So it's not really a huge surprise for me to see their marriage has crumbled. However, to see eight children tangled up in the midst of everything is a terrible thing. Obviously Jon and Kate will set up arrangements for visitation if the rumors are true that they will indeed seek a divorce. I just have to wonder how exactly the show will go on once the divorce becomes final. Will Jon no longer be part of it? I have strong suspicions that Kate will not give up the show and the money she gets paid for doing it. But Jon very well could drop out of the public eye - and I sense that's what he's wanted since this past year and the drama has evolved.
Showing posts with label divorce. Show all posts
Showing posts with label divorce. Show all posts
Friday, June 19, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Family Drama
I wish I could say I had a perfect family, but in recent days I've learned it's far from perfect. Since I am single, I have not yet started a family of my own, but I am hoping that eventually I will be able to. And maybe taking all of my life experiences into account up until this point will help in raising a family of my own. As I've watched over my parents relationship through the years, I've come to realize that marriage isn't all that it's cracked up to be. There's a lot of compromise to be had and if one side doesn't get their way regarding a certain thing, it could get ugly. My parents had a big fight earlier this week. Thankfully I was not around while it went on, otherwise I probably would've left. Not to get too descriptive as to what all went on (and only basing it from my mom's side of the story) - my dad uttered that terrible word that causes all marriages to cease existing - divorce. I couldn't believe it - in fact, I was shocked when my mom told me. And all the fight was about was my uncle and a satellite dish. But the thought of my parents possibly divorcing after 37 years of marriage was mind boggling. Sure, they had fights before - one instance I remember my mom yelling another word at my dad describing how she felt of him - hate. I never forgot about that - and yet, even though I was no where near their latest fight, I still can't get it out of my mind.
Needless to say, my mom is not a fan of my uncle - which would be my dad's brother. As long as I can remember, she has disliked the man, but maybe moreso in recent years. She claims he's never treated my dad right from the time my mom and dad met. She thinks my dad gets treated like a little kid by my uncle, even to this day. And I would have to say my dad tends to worship his brother - probably a little too much. There are many times during random conversation where his name gets brought up and my mom makes a face. My dad claims he always gets stuff from his brother and he does a lot of work for him. But more often than not, my dad also has to do a lot of the work before his brother steps in to help. It's kind of a complicated situation and I don't want to delve into it too much in case someone from my family happens upon this blog and reads what I have to say. But this family dynamic has existed for years and it finally came to a head this past week.
I don't have anything against my uncle; he's been nothing but nice and helpful to me throughout the years. I stayed over at his place many times during the summer while me and my cousins were growing up. All those experiences are fond memories now. My cousins and I never get together like we used to as we're all on separate paths. I just choose to stay out of either side of the issue that seems to divide my parents. My mom has been willing to compromise and be more accepting of my uncle in light of recent events. Obviously she wants her marriage to continue, however, she's not able to forget what my dad said to her about wanting a divorce. And their marriage may never be the same because of it. Like my mom said, if he actually said it, certainly he must mean it. And I feel bad for my dad, too. He was so distraught and angry over the whole situation, he started crying. I've never seen my dad cry other than at his own father's funeral. That image continues to haunt me. And I wasn't even there! Ugh, it's such an unpleasant situation.
Since then, my mom and dad have temporarily mended fences. They've gotten over fights in the past and I've got a pretty good feeling they will get over this one, too. But my mom is hurt by the things my dad said, no question about it. It's going to take her a long time to get over this situation. But heck, they've gone through 37 years of marriage already. I find it hard to believe that they're willing to end it all over something like this. And I just can't fathom my mom and dad ever being apart. If that day happens to come, it'll take a long, long time before I'll be able to accept it.
UPDATE: I am happy to say that things appear to be going very well for my parents since this incident took place. I spent a few days with them this past week and although my mom is still very hurt by the things my dad said, she is not letting that stop her from going forward.
Needless to say, my mom is not a fan of my uncle - which would be my dad's brother. As long as I can remember, she has disliked the man, but maybe moreso in recent years. She claims he's never treated my dad right from the time my mom and dad met. She thinks my dad gets treated like a little kid by my uncle, even to this day. And I would have to say my dad tends to worship his brother - probably a little too much. There are many times during random conversation where his name gets brought up and my mom makes a face. My dad claims he always gets stuff from his brother and he does a lot of work for him. But more often than not, my dad also has to do a lot of the work before his brother steps in to help. It's kind of a complicated situation and I don't want to delve into it too much in case someone from my family happens upon this blog and reads what I have to say. But this family dynamic has existed for years and it finally came to a head this past week.
I don't have anything against my uncle; he's been nothing but nice and helpful to me throughout the years. I stayed over at his place many times during the summer while me and my cousins were growing up. All those experiences are fond memories now. My cousins and I never get together like we used to as we're all on separate paths. I just choose to stay out of either side of the issue that seems to divide my parents. My mom has been willing to compromise and be more accepting of my uncle in light of recent events. Obviously she wants her marriage to continue, however, she's not able to forget what my dad said to her about wanting a divorce. And their marriage may never be the same because of it. Like my mom said, if he actually said it, certainly he must mean it. And I feel bad for my dad, too. He was so distraught and angry over the whole situation, he started crying. I've never seen my dad cry other than at his own father's funeral. That image continues to haunt me. And I wasn't even there! Ugh, it's such an unpleasant situation.
Since then, my mom and dad have temporarily mended fences. They've gotten over fights in the past and I've got a pretty good feeling they will get over this one, too. But my mom is hurt by the things my dad said, no question about it. It's going to take her a long time to get over this situation. But heck, they've gone through 37 years of marriage already. I find it hard to believe that they're willing to end it all over something like this. And I just can't fathom my mom and dad ever being apart. If that day happens to come, it'll take a long, long time before I'll be able to accept it.
UPDATE: I am happy to say that things appear to be going very well for my parents since this incident took place. I spent a few days with them this past week and although my mom is still very hurt by the things my dad said, she is not letting that stop her from going forward.
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