After seven years as the most popular show on the TLC network, the American reality TV series “19 Kids and Counting” has been officially cancelled on July 16, 2015. The network announced that it would no longer resume production or film any episode of the show.
On May 22, 2015, TLC suspended the airing of the TV series after Josh Duggar, the eldest son of Jim Bob and Michelle, publicly apologized for his inexcusable acts while he was still a teenager.
The apology stemmed from reports that he molested five girls including some of his sisters, by fondling them, when he was about 14 to 15 years old. The timeline placed the misdeeds to have transpired from 2002 to 2003 or about five to six years before the show started on TLC.
As a reality show that focuses on the life of the Duggar family and touches on the values of purity, modesty, and faith in God, the controversy on Josh Duggar was too damning for the show that it actually cost TLC and the Duggars loss of advertisement, speaking engagements, and book deals, estimated to be worth $25 million a year.
Grateful appreciation
Following the official cancellation of “19 Kids and Counting” this month, Jim Bob and Michelle issued a statement on Facebook stating how they felt about their TV show’s untimely demise, notes WishTV.com.
The couple said that when they were presented the opportunity several years ago for a one-hour documentary about the logistics of raising 14 children, they took it as an opportunity to share with the world that children are blessings from God.
They expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the film crew for showing up at their house for over a decade every year. They said that they have considered them as almost members of their family as well. Jim Bob and Michelle lauded how the film crew invested time and energy into their family’s lives.
They likewise expressed their appreciation to those who religiously followed their show right from the onset, saying that they were happy to open their home to the world to share Bible principles that are often answers to life’s problems.
Jim Bob and Michelle also referred to the controversy about Josh as a painful situation for the family, but they were able to overcome it nonetheless because of their faith in God. They hope that others who are in similar dark situations will also find their way out, hope, and healing too.
They ended their message by committing to God all their difficulties and successes, good times or bad and promising to continue honoring God by staying true to their faith and being one as a family.
Jim Bob and Michelle mentioned that the film crew was over their home for more than a decade although “19 Kids and Counting” only run for seven seasons because the show used to be called “17 Kids and Counting” when it premiered on TLC back in 2008.
It subsequently became “18 Kids and Counting” in 2009 with the birth of another child into the family before settling with “19 Kids and Counting” another year later. The film crew was already doing a documentary of the family several years before the airing of the show in 2008 which is why Jim Bob and Michelle said that the film crew have been shooting at their home for over a decade.
The Duggars are devout Independent Baptists and avoid birth control, saying that they have decided to allow God to determine the number of children they shall have. All of their children are also home-schooled, and access to entertainment is limited.
Really upset
Despite their official pronouncement on Facebook, the Duggars are said to be really upset over the decision of the network to cancel their show.
Apparently, the family is using the show as their platform to propagate Christian beliefs and that they really wanted to return to TV following the suspension of their show in May, details Design & Trend.
The family believes that their show was part of God’s plan for them to spread the word about their faith so when they got word about the decision of the network to cancel their show, they were really heartbroken for losing their platform.
I feel pity for all underage children in the Duggar houses.
There is no way I would ever watch anything with any of the Duggars in it. They lied and the girls stuck up for them, because that is what they were told to do.
Good. Don’t watch it then. Where do you get you information? Television? Move on man. Not your business. Go watch five wives. That’s probably your speed.
Whats wrong?
Josh did indeed sexually molested four of his sisters for two years with his parents knowing that their son was committing a crime against five underage girls and Jim Bod didn’t anything at time becausehe was running office and Donna right te girls were told forgive their brother because he a man and the girls must obeybthe mn in their live because that what the quiverfull movement and Jim Bob taught this daughters
Good! Stop telling other people how to live their lives! You must be a fundy, screaming about the rape of children, while you’re raping children…
Not your business either. How many kids have you molested “OVER THEIR CLOTHES”?
Most of what they said made sense. I liked their views on taking relationships slowly and not getting intimate until after marriage.
i bet Joshua and his wife won’t be having any more kids,now that all that money won’t be coming in.She’ll have to get a job??
I guess anna duggar will have to get a job
Anna Duggar not allowed to get a job and she must obey her husband who a child molester.
Anyone that doesn’t like the Duggars what other shows do you like.
Woman are not allowed to work in that religion
Somehow I suspect the Duggars are more upset about losing all their $$$ than anything else! Do any of them have “real” jobs?
I admire Anna Duggar. She is a class act. Josh Duggar confessed his sin, faced his victims, faced law enforcement, and got a lot of counseling. For the haters out there Josh and Anna no longer owes anyone anything. She doesn’t look unhappy to me. I believe the hates are just jealous.