While watching last night’s very special one-hour episode, we couldn’t help but agree with Kate Gosselin: the show and it’s publicity did not cause this couple’s problems. It may have sped up the process of a total break down in communication, but it also gave the family the means to survive. Maybe Jon wouldn’t have had to quit his job if he had to support the family, but he probably would have grown to resent his wife for something else instead. And without the show, Jon certainly wouldn’t have been able to afford those pretty diamond earrings he was wearing last night, not to mention the hair plugs and the exciting life he now leads. Do you think a 32-year-old, balding man with eight kids would be able to attract 20-something girlfriends without the allure of reality show fame?

Regardless of what the inner workings of Jon and Kate’s relationship might be — before or after the cameras began to capture their every move — what’s at stake is a brand and empire that they have spent the last few years building. It seems that neither one of them wants to let all that hard work go to waste, so both Jon and Kate said last night that filming of the show will continue, even as they try to figure out custody, alimony and all of those lovely things that come with the splitting of assets.

Did you watch “Jon & Kate + 8″ last night?(polls)

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WebNewser: “Jon & Kate + 8″ is a ratings hit and an online sensation. Its Web site drew a 12.6 percent share of all cable TV websites last week – almost three times as much as the second most popular site.

TVNewser: WebNewser blogger Steve Krakauer isn’t the only Mediabistro blogger getting involved with reality TV. FishbowlDC’s Christine Delargy and Matt Dornic may be the subject of a reality show on Bravo. (Also vote for Steve!)

Beat the Press: Newsroom emails reveal serious tension in the Boston Globe newsroom.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.