Kate plus eight — six years later. TLC announced Tuesday, March 18 that it will be bringing back the reality TV family — minus dad Jon Gosselin — on its network for a one-hour special slated to air this summer.
"In 2007, viewers first fell in love with one of the most talked about families in reality television history," the network shared of the Gosselin family in its press release. Indeed, the Pennsylvania-based family rapidly rose to fame as the popular series chronicled two parents raising eight kids — twins Cara and Mady, now 13, and sextuplets, Alexis, Hannah, Aaden, Collin, Leah, and Joel, age 9.
Jon & Kate Plus 8 ended in 2011, but the couple dominated headlines for their offscreen antics, particularly their bitter public divorce back in 2009.
The TLC special will get Jon & Kate fans "up to speed" on what has changed for the family since the show ended. The network also promises to reveal how much the kids have grown, and will also feature Kate's evolving life and career. Finally, TLC will take a "look back" at the most memorable and "poignant family moments" experienced by the Gosselin brood since 2011.
There was no mention of Jon Gosselin's name, nor did it say if the 36-year-old father of eight will be featured on the special. Since the show ended, Jon has firmly held his ground and spoken out against his children being on reality TV. He did, however, return to reality TV on his end back in January for VH1's Couples Therapy with girlfriend Liz Janetta.
Couples Therapy has shown the former TLC star embroiled in fiery conflicts with his ex-wife. In one episode, Gosselin unleashed an F-bomb laced rant about his "narcissistic" ex-wife, saying that "she can go and f—ing die." He added, "There's your honest depiction of Kate Gosselin." He also went on a rant following his twin girls' controversial Today show appearance back in January.
Kate will also make her return to reality TV in season 14 of Celebrity Apprentice. The upcoming season of the NBC boardroom-based reality show will film this spring, where she'll star opposite Brandi Glanville, Ludacris, and Atlanta Housewives star Kenya Moore.
The TLC special of the Gosselin family will air in June.
