TLC has canceled 19 Kids and Counting three months after it came out that Josh Duggar molested his sisters way back when the 27-year-old was a teenager. The network really had no choice but to jump ship here.
Reports Variety:
Discovery Communications’ TLC will cancel the controversial “19 Kids and Counting,” the popular program about the large Duggar clan that became a hot potato for the network once a member of the family disclosed he had molested teenage girls – including his sisters – several years ago.
TLC will not produce any more episodes of the series, according to a person familiar with the situation, which has been off the air for several months. The network intends to air a commercial-free one-hour special on child abuse in the fall, and has consulted with advocacy organizations like the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, in the production of the show. The program will feature the Duggar daughters who have acknowledged being victimized by their brother, this person said.
While TLC will no longer produce “19 Kids,” this person said, the network is open to the idea of launching a new program that could focus on some of the Duggar daughters and their families, this person said.
This morning, the family released a statement about the show getting cut, and the sexual abuse. “With God’s grace and help Josh, our daughters and our entire family overcame a terrible situation, found healing and a way forward. We are so pleased with the wonderful adults they have all become,” it reads in part. “It is our prayer that the painful situation our family went through many years ago can point people toward faith in God and help others who also have lived through similar dark situations to find help, hope and healing, as well.”
Towards the end, the Duggars thank their loyal fanbase, and remind us that it’s not over ’til it’s over. “We know Who holds the future and are confident that He will work all things together for good.”
In a Fox News interview last month, mom and pop (Jim Bob and Michelle), said that their son is a great guy, who happened to molest his sisters, and another girl, more than once. It was mostly touching “over the clothes.” Josh was sent away for a little while after the fact, and had to pay for his own counseling.
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Photo: TLC
