Published July 17, 2024, 6:10 p.m. ET
TLC star Jon Gosselin had some sage advice to share with Academy Award winning actor Alec Baldwin, who will soon be joining the reality network with his own series, The Baldwins.
“I’d say, ‘Don’t do it,'” Gosselin told Entertainment Tonight, pointing out that Baldwin has no need to pivot to reality television.”Only because you’ve already made it, you’re like an amazing award-winning actor.”
He added, “I did it for the money in the beginning ’cause I didn’t know how I was gonna support my family.”
The Baldwins will offer an inside look at the actor’s life and the seven kids he shares with his wife, Hilaria Baldwin.
But Gosselin is one figure in reality television who knows a thing or two about thrusting your family into the spotlight. Gosselin’s family of nine was featured in the infamous TLC show Jon & Kate Plus 8 from 2007 to 2017, which chronicled the family’s hectic daily lives and, later, his contentious divorce from Kate in 2009.
The father of eight told Entertainment Tonight that he sometimes “regrets” signing his family up to do the show.
“They [the kids] didn’t sign a contract, I signed the contract,” he said.
The family has remained in the spotlight even after the show ended in 2017, amid Gosselin and Kate’s highly publicized divorce in 2009 and a custody battle in which both parents faced child abuse accusations. Now, Gosselin only has custody of two of his eight kids.
While offering advice to Baldwin, Gosselin said his family suffered a “nuclear fallout” after starring on the show.
“I feel like it was more on the network side and being taken advantage of versus the decisions we made because we feel like they forced us into those decisions,” he explained.
Much like Jon & Kate Plus 8, The Baldwins may feature some rather explosive moments from the actor’s private life, as well. According to recent reports, Baldwin’s new TLC show may feature his manslaughter trial, which was recently dismissed. The actor was facing involuntary manslaughter charges, which carries a sentence of up to 18 months in prison if he had been found guilty.
However, the actor is still facing other civil lawsuits connected to the Rust shooting.
The New York Post confirmed TLC was already filming during Baldwin’s trial.
“Alec and Hilaria were willing to open up their lives for the show, no matter where their lives lead,” a source familiar with production said. “If he’s convicted and spends time in jail, that will be part of the show. And if not, then his acquittal and the aftermath will be part of the show.”
A premiere date for The Baldwins has not yet been announced, though it is expected to premiere in 2025.