Scoop: Expect Changes For “Jon & Kate Plus Dates”

Kate reportedly doesn't want Jon's dates to appear on her show

The first post-split episode of “Jon & Kate Plus 8” airs Monday night on TLC, and immediately, changes in the production will be apparent.

For starters, no more couch-side confessionals. Instead, the soon-to-be-divorced parents will be in separate chairs.

That’s mildly interesting, but the big burning question is whether Jon’s new girlfriend(s) will appear on the show.

"We are taking things on a case-by-case basis,” TLC network president Eileen O’Neill told press at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Pasadena, Calif.

A source close to the Gosselins said that Kate hopes that Jon’s dates don’t become show fodder: “It’s not out of jealousy at all,” the source said. “It’s for the kids. Enough of their life is played out on television. They don’t need to see their dad date on TV, too.”

Jon Hamm, the new Clooney
“Mad Men” leading man Jon Hamm didn’t take home any individual awards at the Television Critics Association Awards in Pasadena Aug. 1 (he lost to Bryan Cranston of “Breaking Bad” for individual achievement in a drama).

But by all accounts, he did win the most popular vote.

“Everyone has a crush on him at this point — men and women alike,” said one of the event’s organizers. “It’s like he’s the new, more fabulous — and taller — (George) Clooney. He couldn’t walk two feet without people either talking to him or whispering about him.”

Not that the TCA Awards are known for being especially sexy, but Hamm’s presence went a long way in upping the fabulous factor of the event. A sign of tight times: the ceremony was scaled back from previous years, and attendees noticed less food offered beforehand as well as a smaller ballroom for the event.

Weekend box office
The upshot to this weekend’s box office report is twofold: Talking guinea pigs (“G-Force”) did not win. And neither did talking aliens (“Aliens in the Attic”).

The bad news is I really thought the kid crowd and a G-rating would propel the latter to the top of the box office. How wrong of me: The film made a really disappointing $9.5 million, good enough only for fifth place.

Number one went to “Funny People,” the Adam Sandler/Judd Apatow dramedy.

However, the film’s $23.4 million take isn’t really much to brag about. It’s a really low opening for Sandler, and it’s further sign that the box office is really soft. 

Courtney Hazlett delivers the Scoop Monday through Friday on msnbc.com. Follow Scoop on Twitter: @ courtneyatmsnbc.

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