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?
This show was true to who they are and what they represent. This issue with older son happened year’s ago. It was dealt with and forgiveness was given. They dealt with it internally. That,s the past and the family, those affected and the older son has his own family now.. When will the show mentioned above to appear later this summer. When is the specific date and time? The show should not have been cancelled. Good family shows that deal with real life learning situations seem to be a target for groups who don’t want shows that are wholesome on… Read more »
A criminal act should never have been dealt with ” internally” What is the matter with you? Family show my backside. The whole family seems like a cult to me and I am glad to see them go.
it was dealt with in the courts. it was sealed court records that were leaked illegally. and do you feel the same way about Hollywood types who do “inappropriate” things or only Christians? and what other shows do you want canceled because the actors did something wrong in the past? yeah, zero, that’s what I thought.
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This is a family that hatches children like chickens, passes them off to the older chicks to raise, then has parents makes statements like “incest should be punishable by death”. But when their oldest chick acts incestuously with their own young chicks? They hide and deny and try to defend. Lead by example. Walk your talk. Teach what you preach. What the hen and rooster did was to devise a strategy that was the least damaging to their family image. Many of us might have done the same, however, most of us did not set ourselves up as the moral… Read more »
Kate,
I so agree with you and you are spot on with your remarks. I have never respected this family and even less now. They have set a horrible example.
I am sadden as I loved this show. Once this came out instead of cancelling they should have looked at how they have overcome this terrible act. And moved on. I am a sexual abuse, domestic abuse, child abuse and pittbull and animal abuse adovacate I am a sexual abuse as well as domestic abuse survivor. Had I had family behind me to support me I would have taken a completely different path in life. I would hope my story has helped many but this show reached millions and they already stated in US that is was a very wide… Read more »
What a rambling missive!!! I read it twice and it still does not make sense. The fact that the parents hid what their son did to his own sisters, is appalling and was totally uncalled for. They did the young man no favors by sweeping the events under the rug. I too, am a sexual abuse survivor and I wish someone would have stood up for me. For all their so called Christianity, they are a bunch of hypocrites and I am glad they have been cancelled.
Crystal, I immediately identified with you & totally support your statement. Also I think this show should give us, the AUDIENCE, the end of this story. Not just drop it. Deal with what happened with as much or as little actual truth. Don’t pretend it did not happen. Don’t paint a pretty picture but at least address the issues, do it without graphics (it was/is a family show) & tell us what they are going to do going forward & say goodbye. Not just drop it!
How can you write a comment without bashing insulting…whatever a rapist of family members??
Should have cancelled the show from the start, what person has 19 kids, answer a sick person, that,s who.
This show was a good show. My dad was 1 0f 8 kids. My aunt had 16 kids.
this show was crap from day 1 and should have been dumped a freaking dam long time ago just like honey doo doo that crap and duck dynasty is a waste of time too.BILLY MASSIE ALEXANDRIA,VA. 22314
I agree with you on all counts. No use for any of those shows!!!!
This was a good show. So was honey boo boo. I don’t now why you have to make remarks about these good show it was better then the show they were showing on CBS’s NBC’ABC.
Things “learned” from this show…1) blanket training…2) how to get away with crimes…3) how to be a hypocrite…
4) tax evasion…
We all have a choice to watch what we want. Hopefully R did not watch a lot of it. Wonder what skeletons are in her closet? or in the the actors shows she did like? We loved the show, the family and gained a lot of knowledge on how to raise responsible, selfless children without hollering at them all the time. We really enjoyed watching how a family lovingly let’s go and sends their married children into the world. We were amazed at the unconditional love the entire family had for each other and other people in their community. We… Read more »
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I agree with what you said Karen. Some people can be so mean,
It saddens me that TLC, which was formerly The Learning Channel, actually had worthwhile programming in the past. Now it’s become the freak show channel. I was shocked when the cancelled Honey Boo Boo because having the mother involved with a pedophile seemed to be right in their wheelhouse. I’m sure the ultimate show the programmers at this channel would love to produce would be Psychic, Amish Polygamist Dwarfs with dozens of kids.
The mother from Honey Boo Boo took a Lie Dec tito test and it prove she was not with a pedophile. It was a set up.
I am really sad that this show has been cancelled. I did not agree with much of their beliefs but found the show enjoyable and the people likable. As usual money and a bunch of hypocritical haters have won the day. Makes me happy I am not American!
10 YEARS IT’S BEEN ON — There are hundreds of tv shows that never make it to Season 2, let alone Season 11. So, I agree with you Shaz about it being an interesting show, with likable people as you mentioned.
First of all, to Shaz… I’m glad you’re not an American, too! It took a magazine to finally put a spotlight on what was really going on in that over crowded house. It’s sad that the kids were also stuck in that spotlight. But when you think about it, TLC has by far the crappiest shows on TV! Total mindless junk. Why? Cuz it’s cheap that’s why. I can proudly say I never saw a single 19 Kids & counting episode. They’d get more viewer if they showed old movies or kid’s educational type shows. Take a hint about your… Read more »
I agree totally!!! Too many children to supervise and teach properly. Seems like the parents spend all their time making more kids!!! Not a very good example.The girls are just breeding stock.
No, they were singled out because they profess to be upstanding Christians and they are just a bunch of hypocrites.
Let any person who is without wrong-doing, throw the 1st stone at others. Every one of us has done bad things in our lives — many are illegal — that we hide from our family, friends, & the public. Yes, even Christians make mistakes — No person on earth is perfect. Only God is.
That is all true, but we aren’t all making a bunch of money doing it! I stand by my observation that they are a bunch of hypocrites.
Actually, your god is not perfect. He allows children to be molested.
People have FREE WILL. they are not God controlled robots. And it looks like your “god” let it happen as well.
Christians are sinners just like everyone else, this attitude that people have the Christians are some how supposed to perfect is crazy. Christians are human beings just like everyone else with human frailties like everyone else.
Good Riddance! Such a show shoulda never aired! There’s NO glory in having too many children to raise properly, crammed together, without the resources for the individual attention every child should have. And God expects mus to practice COMMON SENSE in many things! While He says He will protect us, He expects us to protect ourselves to some degree, by not committing dangerous acts, such as not deliberately stepping onto a street fulla traffic, or play Russian Roulette. And that extends to other things too, such as having more children than one can afford, or raise properly. Assigning an older… Read more »
10 Seasons shows that they had a huge following of people who enjoyed the show. Sadly, what occurred in their family, occurs in millions of families thru relatives, close friends, etc. It’s just not reported in all the magazines because it’s not a well-known family. Duggars are just being singled out because of their religious beliefs.
they’d rater have He/she stuff on count me out lol I won’t be giving that any ratings TLC I have a change channel button
Better than having shows about criminals.
Should have been cancelled as soon as the information became public. I never liked the show and like the family even less.
Meh. Irresponsible breeding. They have nothing to be proud of.
I think they are pretty disgusting myself and don’t understand that mindset.