Shipwrecks, Train Wrecks and Kate Gosselin

Kate Gosselin first gained nationwide notoriety in the reality TV series John & Kate Plus 8.

Ms Gosselin's somewhat controversial persona was further showcased in this season's ABC mega-hit series Dancing With The Stars. According to industry big-wigs, Kate's lack of dancing talent was more than compensated for by a ratings bonanza- helped along, they believe, by Kate's penchant for always being in the vicinity when " an emotional train wreck just happens to be taking place. "

Viewers' first taste of ballroom-backstage angst occurred when Gosselin, reacting to harsh criticism from the judges, was caught on- camera complaining to her professional coach and partner Tony Dovolani that " he wasn't teaching her right" . An indignant Dovolani declared he had had enough and was quitting the show. Cooler heads prevailed and the pair struggled until Gosselin was mercifully booted a little later on in the competition. Prior to Kate's departure there were rumors that behind the scenes- Kate's squabbles, grievances and demands were producing a "toxic tension" among the celebrity and professional performers. Other staffers including hair and makeup crew were reportedly nursing jangled nerves from a variety of Gosselin- induced intrigue. The controlling Gosselin is reportedly the only celebrity demanding an armed guard as escort.

Six hundred miles or so from this calamitous spectacle, our friend and business associate Jack Magne' (pronounced Monyea), of Treasure Sails, Inc., and his wife Stella were caught up in the drama; but safely tucked away in their tranquil mountain getaway in Northern California- immune (they thought), from the amusing spectacle unfolding on their super sized TV screen. Jack is an entrepreneur and one of the first marketers of the treasure from the 1622 shipwreck "Atocha" . The Ghost Galleon Collection is his most recent offering- The world's first combining of the Atocha treasure silver and copper bullion as separate and distinct components. The beauty and mystique of sunken treasure is captured in his authentic jewelry. An artist's grand obsession. The look of the contrasting metals is unique if not stunning, and the quality is unsurpassed. More about this later.

Over the years Jack has sold his jewelry nationwide, and occasionally he meets someone wearing one of his unique and authentic treasure designs- to hear Jack tell it, a most rewarding experience. A little spice is added when Jack occasionally spots, or thinks he sees one of his designs around the neck , or on the finger, or dangling from the ears of a famous celebrity.

This brings us back to Kate Gosselin, who in a still shot that Jack glanced online, seemed to be sporting one of Jack's most popular designs- the Atocha Ingot Ring. It was difficult to know for sure. The ring is cast entirely of Silver recovered from the famous 1622 shipwreck. The designs, inscriptions, mint mark, and ship's manifest number along with date clearly and authentically re-create an Atocha ingot artifact- as ring. The look is bold but with a statement of elegant antiquity. Jack was bound and determined, if not obsessed, with discovering if she would wear "his ring" on Dancing With The Stars.

Jack's wife Stella cannot abide Kate Gosselin. Kate's treatment of Tony Dovolani is part of it, but it goes deeper even than that. Stella says Kate's dance moves are wooden-like and uninspired. Devoid of joy or exuberance- she trots around, she says, like a sack of potatoes, or like a semi comatose zombie in search of a victim. It gets worse, but only when Jack defends Kate's courage in the face of what he calls mindless critics. Jack apparently respects Kate's dedication to her children and believes most of Kate's problems stem from Jon's selfishness. Stella says even Jack's prized cat "Lil Red" leaves the room when Kate is performing- an allegation that Jack denies vehemently.

It all came to a head when Jack insisted on stopping, and then running, and reversing and then re-running all Kate's performances in what seemed like endless loops during the shows. Stop action, then in reverse- then back again to see if she was wearing his beloved jewelry. This, according to Stella, destroyed the continuity of the show, made her regret ever having purchased TiVo, and charged that Kate was creating marital discord six -hundred miles away.

This story is far from over. ABC executives claim DWTS has lost 17 % of its viewers since Kate was sent packing. In an effort to re-coup ratings, the brass have overridden cast and crew and have invited Gosselin back to dance again for the grand finale.

Jack Magne' has been told by his wife to relinquish control of the remote or else.
Jim Fisher and Tim Osmondson of www.preciousmetaladvocates.com - the firm whose web site features Jack's entire Ghost Galleon Collection, has added grist to the mill by telling Jack that phone calls have been coming in from customers all over the nation, who swear Max Chmerkovskiy (another pro/coach) teamed with Erin Andrews, has been seen wearing his popular Ghost Pirate pendant on a TV promo touting the upcoming finale.

Jack Magne' is said to be in hiding at his quiet compound "the dog house" near his mountain retreat and is refusing to return phone calls.

To be continued.