Two months ago, InTouchWeekly published a 2006 police report regarding allocations that Josh Duggar had fondled several girls and that his parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, took more than a year to report the abuse to the police.
Following the report, TLC pulled the Duggar’s popular reality show 19 Kids & Counting from their schedule and issued this statement: “We are deeply saddened and troubled by this heartbreaking situation, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and victims at this difficult time.”
Today, the cable channel has cancelled the series after 10 seasons and multiple specials. The most recent season of the show wrapped in May. Here’s their statement:
An Official Statement From TLC
After thoughtful consideration, TLC and the Duggar family have decided to not move forward with 19 Kids and Counting. The show will no longer appear on the air.
The recent attention around the Duggars has sparked a critical and important conversation about child protection.
Over these past weeks, TLC has consulted regularly with leading victims’ rights and advocacy organizations in the U.S., including RAINN and Darkness to Light, to discuss how to use this moment to address the issue and make a positive impact. Unfortunately, child sexual abuse is not an isolated issue; it affects many children and families around the world. To that end, we are partnering with both organizations on a multi-platform campaign to raise awareness and educate parents and families about the issue. In the first phase of this initiative, TLC will work closely with both groups and with the Duggar family on a one-hour documentary that will include Jill and Jessa and other survivors and families that have been affected by abuse.
TLC has been especially concerned for the victims in this situation, including the Duggar family, and it is our hope that this effort will help those in need learn where to turn for information and help. The documentary will be commercial free, and we anticipate it will air later this summer
What do you think? Do you like the 19 Kids & Counting TV show? Do you agree with the cancellation? Should it have come sooner?
hallelujah!!!! Cancelled 19 kids & counting!
Dear reader, my name is Alicia Sims and I have tried finding my brother years ago, and my mother was ecstatic once she learned this. Well needless to say she has passed away, but to honor her wishes and my DETERMINATION to make this happen I’m now searching again and will NOT stop until I find him. All I can tell him is that moma loved us all, and how amazing she was, given her situation. She had a heart of gold and if given the opportunity to meet OUR brother we would love to, there’s the oldest child Kim,… Read more »
Haven’t you people heard of birth control? When you use your children as a paycheck, how can you control them and why did you wait a year? You are not very good people. How many lives have you let your son ruin?
Yes, they surprisingly DO believe in birth control, Duggar mom and dad had actually aborted their first baby!!! I think the show was happily watched by people who would like to believe there is a perfect family out there, I personally don’t know why, this show scratched at my instincts when I watch some episodes. I am glad their dirty laundry was put out into the world. I was one of the Mom’s watching the first shows, dying inside, because just when I felt I had done a pretty good job raising my children, flaws, mistakes and all, here come… Read more »
I personally would like to see how this is handled I don’t think they should to cancel the show. I myself am a survivor of child abuse and sexual abuse. With saying that I believe strongly that we should watch and see how this is handled within the family and outside of the family they’re showing us that not every family is as perfect as they seem and even in the best of circumstances with the best of parents something like this can happen to your child.
Velvet, I TOTALLY AGREE! I did not watch this show when it 1st aired. I never watch LIVE TV. I use a DVR (records shows while you watch others for anyone that does not know). Watching other shows on TLC I occasionally saw this show advertised, when I forgot to skip commercials. So, it caught my interest & I began to record 19 Kids plus. At first it was a filler for when I needed something less dramatic. Occasionally I would delete it after reading Program Info. When I got hooked I still never watched every show. Josh/Anna turned me… Read more »