Five Families Who Are All Too Familiar, Thanks to TV

May 30, 2009 — -- The premiere episode of TLC's "Jon & Kate Plus 8" drew a record audience for the network, with 9.8 million viewers on Monday. But is the high price of reality TV success worth it? Kate and Jon Gosselin, whose show revolves around their lives with sextuplets and twins, have dominated tabloid headlines for weeks because of accusations of infidelity.

The Gosselins aren't the first reality TV family to run into troubles on or off camera. USA TODAY examines those hit by the reality TV curse.

Show: "Jon & Kate Plus 8," TLC (Monday, 9 ET/PT)

The clan: Dad Jon, 32, mom Kate, 34, 8-year-old twins Maddie and Cara, 5-year-old sextuplets Leah, Hannah, Alexis, Aaden, Joel and Collin

The plot: The show revolves around the lives of Jon, a network engineer, and Kate, a former nurse, and their family of multiples. His laid-back approach to caring for the children often conflicts with her more assertive/aggressive personality.

Show: Hogan Knows Best, VH1

The clan: Dad Hulk, 55, mom Linda, 49, daughter Brooke, 21, and son Nick, 18

The plot: The series, on from 2005 to 2007, focused on daughter Brooke's budding music career, son Nick's growing interest in car racing and the relationship between Hulk and Linda.

Dramatic turn: On Aug. 26, 2007, Nick was the driver when his car crashed into a palm tree in St. Petersburg, Fla. He survived, but his pal John Graziano was critically injured. Nick was sentenced to eight months in prison for causing a serious car crash. He served 166 days. Just three months after Nick's crash, Linda took Hulk by surprise and filed for divorce. (The couple wed in 1983.) More recently, Hulk has drawn attention for dating a younger Linda look-alike, and his ex gets her share of headlines for dating a much younger man, who is her daughter's pal.

Show: Meet the Barkers, MTV

The clan: Dad Travis Barker, 33, mom Shanna Moakler, 34, her daughter Atiana De La Hoya, 10, their son Landon, 5. Daughter Alabama Barker, 3, was born during filming.