Every once in a while, I'll flick on the television and find something absolutely mind-blowing, for better or for worse. TLC's hit show, Jon & Kate Plus 8 falls into the latter category. Why, I ask, why would anyone want to watch this show? Schadenfreude, perhaps?  I can see why some would find humor in watching two haggard, regretful adults chase a gaggle of screaming brats around a doctor's office. Surely no one enjoys the show for it's own sake, right?

It can't be the completely unattractive premise that makes people watch.  Each episode is basically an hour of eight loud-as-hell children torturing the living daylights out of their parents: Jon, a disengaged, miserable shell of a man; and Kate, an uptight, obsessive-compulsive barbie doll who squawks just as much as the kids.  Perhaps the more important question than who watches this crap is the question of who gave these people a show in the first place? And why is this on TLC? Those letters used to stand for "The Learning Channel." What can we learn from this program?

There is, perhaps, a glimmer of something we can take away from Jon & Kate Plus 8. I imagine it keeps the population from exploding. Seeing and hearing all those wailing banshees can certainly eliminate any desire a viewer might have to start a family. See, China? You no longer need that one-child-per-family law. Just show a few episodes of Jon & Kate in your movie theatres and your problems will be solved!

Jon & Kate Plus 8 airs Monday nights on TLC and 9/8c. Watch if you dare, but don't say I didn't warn you. Keep the remote nearby because you won't want to stay tuned for long.