Jon & Kate Plus 8 Publicity Machine Ramps Up

Jon & Kate Plus 8 returns to TLC with new episodes August 3, and the cable net's president Eileen O'Neill is ramping up the publicity for the little show that became a ratings juggernaut by saving its stars' divorce announcement for TV.

Speaking to TV critics in Los Angeles on Thursay, O'Neill said: "The show comes back on Monday and most new episodes remain a work in progress. But I will tell you, the iconic couch is gone. Jon & Kate will now have separate chairs for their interviews. You're still going to see two parents that love their kids, but you'll be seeing them parenting separately.

"You'll see what it's like when Kate has to put a tent up for a backyard camping experience by herself. Or, see Jon trying to cook up a pizza for the kids.

"As far as new people and places that may be cycling into Jon and Kate's lives, we are taking it on a case-by-case basis. This is real life."

But as RadarOnline.com reported exclusively earlier Thursday, don't expect to see Jon's current love interests Hailey Glassman and/or Kate Major on the show. A source close to the production reaffirms they have not been filmed and there are no plans to do so.