Jon & Kate Suffer Ratings Drop

After a flurry of springtime overexposure that peaked with a record 9.8 million viewers watching the season-five premiere on Memorial Day, “Jon & Kate Plus 8” appears to be regressing to its previous status as just another cable reality show.

Monday’s installment, which included guest appearances by the stars of fellow TLC series “American Chopper,” drew about 2.9 million viewers, roughly what the show averaged before the flatlining Jon and Kate Gosselin marriage became a national story in March.

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In fact, since that May 25 premiere, which resulted in the biggest ratings ever for a TLC show, “Jon & Kate” has been losing steam with every episode, averaging only 4.3 million viewers June 8, for example.

Declining interest in the series can probably be tied to simple oversaturation, with news sites and celebrity magazines including “People” and “Us Weekly” focusing on the couple’s marital woes for weeks on end, not to mention that the show, once known for its cute and cuddly moments, is fast becoming a downer.

Further, with those outlets talking to every inlaw and production staffer that will pick up their phone calls, spoilers are everywhere, leaving little intrigue for the actual show.

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