For years, one of the biggest reality shows on cable was TLC's family-first series Jon & Kate Plus 8, which lasted five seasons from 2007-2009 before central couple Jon and Kate Gosselin split up. While the latter continued riding the reality show train without a patriarchal presence, Jon has had a rough go at it since falling out of the limelight. It's apparently all gotten better, though, depending on what your definition of better is, as the former reality star will soon become a male stripper in Atlantic City.
It's hard not to start at your screen questioningly, isn't it? There's a certain suspension of disbelief that goes along with hearing what any former reality star does next with his or her career, and Jon Gosselin popping his clothes off for applause and money might not be the most outlandish concept. He's been working as a DJ and promoter at Dusk Nightclub in Atlantic City, New Jersey, which has been pretty solid for him on the financial front, and his first night as a proper stripper will be on April 1. I would love to see the looks on people's faces that night when they think Gosselin's presence is all part of an April Fool's Day prank, as it'd be hard to consider this poster (as shared on Gosselin's Instagram page) the real deal.
Telling Entertainment Tonight that he never saw himself heading for a career in the stripping...industry?...Jon Gosselin says this job's top qualities don't just involve the money aspect, and that there's some emotional strengths involved as well. Here's what else he said aboutthe Untamed male revue.
I'm an integral part of the show. Being part of something is a blessing. Since I joined Senate DJ I've felt like I belong to something and I'm not just out there on my own -- I feel as if I'm part of a fraternity or brotherhood.
As far as descriptions go for groups of male strippers, one can do far worse than "fraternity" and "brotherhood." Power to Jon Gosselin for finding a modicum of comfort and release in his new occupation. (I avoided an x-rated pun right there, for everyone's sakes.) Past years have seen him in friendly-to-loathsome contact with ex-wife Kate Gosselin, and he apparently hasn't been in contact with all of his children since his time on the TLC series ended. (He might not even know where one of them is.) Not that his relationship with his kids is great even on the best of days, but still. News of Jon's stripper future will no doubt be a rainbow sticker on everyone's opinion of him.
We likely won't be seeing Jon Gosselin popping his shirt off on the small screen anytime soon, although I wouldn't put it past some network to turn this whole ordeal into a new reality show. In the meantime, head to our midseason premiere schedule and our summer TV schedule to see what primetime TV has to offer in the future.
