14 DAY TRIAL // In May this year, news broke that Josh Duggar, the eldest son of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, stars of TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting reality show, had been investigated for molesting 5 minor girls, 2 of whom were his sisters. Almost 2 months later, the network is canceling the reality series.
Since then, the Duggars have tried a variety of ways of managing the scandal, including an interview and a special on Fox News, and several other interviews to stress that Josh was no child molester. Even the sisters he molested stepped up to identify themselves as victims and say that his actions had been the honest mistake of a confused teenager.
That didn’t stop advertisers from dropping out of the series, which explains the cancelation.
TLC drops the Duggars, but not really
TLC stood by the Duggars for much longer than it stood by Honey Boo Boo’s family, its other high-rated brand. When Mama June got busted and exposed in the media for sleeping with the convicted pedophile who had molested her own daughter, the network canceled the series the next day.
With the Duggars, even though more details on the case came out to light every new day and despite the controversy online, TLC didn’t back down. As much as Mama June tried to cause a stink in the press by comparing the 2 situations, they were different: the Duggars are a deeply religious family with a loyal fanbase. Honey Boo Boo’s family was only popular because they were eccentric, occasionally funny and admittedly relatable.
Still, no network can stand behind a brand if said brand is lacking advertisers. After all, TLC is in the business of television, and it can’t make money off a series which, though it may have a strong viewership, has no sponsors.
This explains the cancelation of 19 Kids and Counting. There is a major catch, though: the Duggars remain TLC property, which means that fans will get to see them again. It just won’t be as frequently as before, that’s the only thing that changes.
A Duggars documentary is coming
In a statement posted to the Duggars official website, which you can find in full below, matriarch Michelle confirms the cancelation and expresses her regret at not being able to share their life with the rest of the world anymore.
She also assures fans that they will be OK even without the show and despite the online backlash, as they have put their faith in God. They might not have a TV series anymore, but they’re still very much part of the TV landscape, she reveals.
“God’s faithfulness and goodness to us, along with His abundant grace have given us strength and joy even in the most difficult days. We have committed to Him that in all things - difficulties or success, good times or bad - we will purpose to bring Him honor by staying true to our faith and our family,” she writes. “We look forward to working with TLC on this upcoming special documentary and hope that it is an encouragement to many” (emphasis ours).
As of the time of writing, there is no estimated release date for said documentary or any other details. Considering the most recent developments in the Duggars’ life, it’s a safe bet to think it will document the way in which the family has dealt privately with said scandal.