Lately, “Jon & Kate Plus 8” has added up to some ugly tabloid fodder.
We’re talking real train- wreck stuff, like infidelity allegations against both Jon and Kate Gosselin, and an investigation into child-labor violations regarding their twins and sextuplets.
So how could the family on TLC stay off the gossip site TMZ? By learning from other large famous families. Here are some light lessons worth noting from memorable TV and film families with big broods.
“The Brady Bunch” — We all know this story. A lovely lady, a man named Brady and their combined six kids cast a sunshiny glow on the blended household that’s lasted since the show’s ’70s heyday.
Lesson learned: Nothing lightens up a tense household quite like a laugh track. And a fake lawn. And a housekeeper with a thing for the butcher.
“Eight Is Enough” — Based on the family life of syndicated columnist Tom Braden, this classic dramedy chronicled the ups and downs of newspaper columnist Tom Bradford (Dick Van Patten), his wife and their eight children.
The show made the most of family fun, but also family tragedy when actress Diana Hyland (the original mom on the show) died after shooting just a handful of episodes for the first season. The next season saw Van Patten’s character as a widower who would remarry.
Lesson learned: No matter how a loved one leaves us, the show (so to speak) must go on.
“The Cosby Show” — Bill Cosby turned his comedic family observations into a mega-hit sitcom about obstetrician Heathcliff Huxtable (Cosby), his lovely attorney wife, Clair, and their five hip children. Upper middle-class life in a Brooklyn brownstone never looked so jazzy cool.
Lesson learned: Let a sense of humor — and some zany sweaters — be your umbrella against stormy family issues.
“Cheaper by the Dozen” — Frank and Lillian Gilbreth were pioneers in motion study. They also pioneered a family of 12 kids, which inspired a 1950 movie.
Steve Martin brought the family dynamic to the big screen with a silly 2003 film and a 2005 sequel.
Lesson learned: Never underestimate the applied science of old-timey values and modern slapstick.
“Yours, Mine and Ours” — Famous families don’t get much bigger than Frank and Helen Beardsley and their 20 children. Frank already had 10 kids and Helen eight when they met; together they had two more.
The original 1968 film about their blended family starred Henry Fonda, Lucille Ball and way too many child actors to list here. A 2005 remake starred Dennis Quaid and Rene Russo.
Lesson learned: If a couple with 20 kids can make it work, anybody can.
