The TV Column

Show shelved, Duggars to aid in anti-abuse push

Josh Duggar and his wife, Anna, are shown when they were expecting their first child in this 2009 file photo. The former reality show couple are now the parents of four.
Josh Duggar and his wife, Anna, are shown when they were expecting their first child in this 2009 file photo. The former reality show couple are now the parents of four.

For those who keep asking if TLC will renew 19 Kids and Counting once the dust has settled, the answer is no.

In a recent statement, TLC said, "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."

The "recent attention," in case you're out of the loop, is that in late May it was revealed that when he was 14 and 15 years old, eldest son Josh had fondled four of his sisters and a baby sitter.

Josh is 27 now, married and the father of four. He has never been arrested or charged.

Jim Bob and Michelle and the rest of the Duggar family rallied around Josh after he resigned as executive director of FRC Action, which is part of the conservative Christian group and lobbying organization Family Research Council in Washington. Josh and his wife, Anna, moved back to the Duggars' Tontitown/Springdale home base in time for the birth of their fourth child earlier this month.

19 Kids and Counting (which began as 17 Kids and Counting) debuted on Sept. 29, 2008, ran for 227 episodes, plus specials. By any measure, it was a huge success for TLC.

Before the last season began on Feb. 17, TLC was touting what to expect.

"The larger-than-life Duggar family is in for some exciting times this season. With new sons-in-law and new babies on the way, this supersized brood keeps on growing.

"The DC-based Duggars are also loving life on the East Coast. With Marcus almost 2-years-old, Josh and Anna are considering growing their family as well. And there is plenty of big family fun back in Arkansas as Jim Bob and Michelle cherish each moment with the 17 kids still at home."

The last episode aired May 19 and the series ended as TLC's most popular, averaging 3.2 million viewers per episode.

After Josh's revelation hit the fan, TLC responded quickly: "Effective immediately, TLC has pulled all episodes of 19 Kids and Counting currently from the air. 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."

Six weeks later, the plug was officially pulled.

"We spent the past month and a half in thoughtful consideration about what is the best way forward [from] here," Marjorie Kaplan, group president of TLC, Animal Planet and Velocity networks, told The Associated Press.

"It's no secret that 19 Kids and Counting was a really, really hit show. But we have some other great shows, both on the air and in the pipeline."

Kaplan quickly squeezed to make lemonade out of the lemons. She announced TLC has joined with two child-protection organizations -- Darkness to Light, and RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) -- for an ongoing campaign to raise awareness about child sexual abuse.

She said, "Our hope is to do more of that in a way that's thoughtful and respectful of the victims of child abuse -- in the Duggar family and across America.

"The goal is to take what has been a difficult and painful experience, and focus that attention on the really critical issue of child protection and child sexual abuse."

TLC has been snake bit lately. In October, Kaplan had to pull the plug on TLC's Here Comes Honey Boo Boo after published reports that family matriarch, June Shannon, was dating ex-boyfriend Mark McDaniel, who had just been released from prison where he served 10 years for molestation of an 8-year-old child.

It later came to light that the child was Anna Cardwell, June's eldest daughter. Ouch.

The TLC initiative will kick off with a one-hour, commercial-free documentary probably in late August. It will include the participation of Jill Duggar Dillard and Jessa Duggar Seewald, two of the sisters Josh "touched inappropriately," as well as other survivors and families affected by such abuse.

For the record, Jill and Jessa have said they weren't even aware the fondling had taken place until Josh confessed years later and their parents told them about it.

About their series being canceled, Jim Bob and Michelle said (in part) on their Facebook page:

"Our desire in opening our home to the world is to share Bible principles that are the answers for life's problems.

"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.

"We appreciate the love, support, prayers and kindness extended to us by many of you. You have deeply touched our hearts and encouraged us, during this time.

"We look forward to working with TLC on this upcoming special documentary and hope that it is an encouragement to many."

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Style on 07/26/2015

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