Kate Gosselin

On November 2, hit reality show John & Kate Plus 8 will be renamed Kate Plus 8 due to the breakdown of the Gosselin marriage. Perhaps it was only fitting that she received custody of the reality show, since she’s now a single mother with 8 children age 8 and under. Jon has been busy with other things like travel and pursuing other career opportunities.

Eileen O’Neill, president of cable television channel TLC said recently, “Given the recent changes in the family dynamics, it only makes sense for us to refresh and recalibrate the program to keep pace with the family.” Jon will, however, show up occasionally on the show, according to TLC.

Jon’s newly single life is apparently costing him any good will he used to receive as husband and father of his brood. A source recently told People magazine, “Given Jon’s recent antics, there was no way the show could continue to portray him as a doting Dad, not while all this other crap was going on.”

The series made its debut in April 2007, and once it became clear that the Gosselin’s relationship was in trouble, the show experienced a ratings spike. In the latest season to air, the two announced that they would divorce. The fifth season debut attracted 9.8 million viewers, more viewers than any other show that night, cable or broadcast.

However, the August 3 episode only attracted about half that many, and less than 2 million watched last Monday’s show. Kate has been busy recently, filling in as a guest host on syndicated talk show The View while Elisabeth Hasselbeck is on maternity leave.