14 DAY TRIAL // Just one day after it was rumored that Mama June was secretly dating a convicted child molester, TLC, the network airing the successful reality series Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, has decided to pull the plug on the production.
The decision isn't yet official, but TMZ claims to have spoken with people close to the matter at the network and they confirm that TLC has canceled the reality series. The main reason seems to be the fact that matriarch to the clan, Mama June, has been photographed in bed with Mark McDaniel, a man who has been convicted years ago of child molestation.
TLC pulls the plug on the reality series, despite the fact that everyone in the family denied the romance
McDaniel has served time for forcing himself on an 8-year-old boy, and today he is a registered offender, but that didn't stop Mama June, who has recently become single after her split from Sugar Bear, to date him in secret, sneaking off to see him whenever the cameras stopped rolling.
Mama June came forward yesterday to deny the story on her daughter's Facebook page, claiming that she hadn't seen or dated McDaniel in 10 years, a story that was backed by her daughter and even McDaniel's own son.
TLC decided to pull the plug on the show earlier today because they feel that she was putting her own children at risk with her actions.
The network is not going to air the recorded episodes anymore, but will keep helping the children
The network's decision comes right after the Thompson family had already finished shooting a whole new season, but that doesn't mean that TLC will be airing them anymore. Some have pointed out that the cancellation has less to do with the Mama June scandal and more to do with a significant drop in rating.
However, insiders claim that that is not the case. Though the show has lost many of its viewers, it is believed to still be “very profitable,” making the decision to pull that plug that much harder.
Sources from TLC claim that they will continue to help the children, “Supporting the health and welfare of these remarkable children is our only priority. TLC is faithfully committed to the children's ongoing comfort and well-being.”
That means that the network is going to continue to pay for the family, in the form of counselors and tutors for the kids. The media is still waiting for the official announcement at the moment from the TLC in the matter.