For those optimists out there holding out hope that Monday night's very special hour-long episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8 would find the beleaguered reality TV couple making a happy announcement along the lines of "we're stepping away from the cameras to work on our relationship" or "we're adopting a kitten!," we've got some bad news. Jon and Kate Gosselin's 10 year marriage is over.

In Monday's episode -- which had more padding than Paris Hilton's push-up bra and revolved around the kids getting new playhouses -- the couple made the much-anticipated announcement that they’ve initiated legal proceedings to dissolve their ten-year marriage.

"Kate and I have decided to separate," Jon told the camera during one of his confessionals. "It's just not good for our kids for us to be arguing in front of our kids. We can't be cordial with one another."

He added: "I was too passive. I just let her rule the roost and do whatever she wanted me to do and went along with everything and now I finally stood up on my own two feet and I'm proud of myself...I don't hate Kate, but I have to do what's best for me and my kids."

In the episode -- which is sure to be a ratings winner (because who doesn't love watching a relationship implode from the comfort of their living room?) -- Kate implied that her husband spearheaded the separation. Said the original Octo-Mom: "I'm not very fond of the idea personally, but I know it's necessary, because my goal is peace for the kids."

"It's very uncomfortable at this point because Jon has a lot of anger towards me and I would love to discuss it with him and he won't talk to me. So I'm kind of lost. He won't hold a discussion with me; he won't talk to me...I don't know that he knows what he wants still. I don't know he knows where he's going. I don't know if he realizes the repercussions of the decisions he's making today, what that's going to do down the line. I don't even know if this is really what he wants."

She added: "I had a half a day where I let myself fall apart and hyperventilate and sob harder than I've ever sobbed in my life, but by the time I woke up the next morning, I had decided I just need relief now and I need to turn the page."

The couple announced on Monday's episode that their eight children would remain in the house, with each parent rotating in and out based on their custody agreement. As for fans who were hoping the fractured family would finally kick the reality TV crew out of their lives, no such luck. The pair revealed that they would continue to tape separate segments with their children, while Kate dismissed talk that their TLC show contributed to their split.

"It's the next chapter - not a chapter that's been brought on by our show or that's being caused by our career choices," she said. "I believe that it's a chapter that probably would have played out had the world been watching or not."

It seems the world will indeed continue to watch this sad, sad saga. Stay tuned for possible spinoffs: Jon & Kate Plus Custody Hearings; Jon & Kate Plus Awkward Child Hand-offs; and what is sure to be a ratings winner: Jon & Kate Plus Meet Your New Mommy.

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