After the news broke out about Josh Duggar molesting children in the past, there have been so much talk on whether or not their reality show “19 Kids and Counting” will continue to be aired.
Even though the show has been successful, gaining millions of fans in the US, almost all of the advertisers backed out after learning of Josh’s sordid past.
Hulu just confirmed recently that it is pulling the plug on “19 Kids and Counting” but the streaming service representative simply said that the show’s contract with their service expired and nothing more.
TLC’s unsure stand
The show was also removed from TLC’s program schedule but there is no official announcement yet on whether the network is cancelling it or not. The network also did not announce if “19 Kids and Counting” will be coming back for another season.
It was reported that TLC’s executives are not sure yet as there are so many factors to be considered in this type of situation including the show’s audience, the Duggar family, and the overall business impact of keeping the show on air.
Right now, TLC has decided not to do any shooting with the family. There are no cameras following the Duggars or no production crew taking note of the family’s live reaction to issues. Because of the halt in production, the TLC executives are also taking their time to deliberate on the entire matter.
Nonetheless, it is highly probable that the show will be discontinued as it would really be difficult to look at the Duggar family in the same way again after the big revelation. They were seen as this happy family who is facing the challenges of the modern life and they are also known to be a strong Christian family so this news about Josh’s child molestation past was very surprising for everyone.
Next step for TLC
It is still very challenging for TLC to determine the fate of the show but there are so many advertisers and audiences who are asking to be disassociated with the show.
The company will relieve the pressure once they announce the official cancellation of the show.
This issue has definitely become a political one as there are those who disapprove of Josh’s actions and are asking further investigation on the matter. Others are even pushing for Josh to face time in prison as they said a mere confession would not be enough to pay for his crimes.
On the other hand, there are those evangelical viewers who would love for the show to stay on air. “19 Kids and Counting” is TLC’s highest-rated show to date and the network is also known to be a Christian company.
People on the other side of the coin accept Josh’s statement and are willing to go to the path of forgiveness.
Now that a few weeks have passed cooler heads should be allowed to prevail. So unless there is some agenda as the Duggars indicate, we should be able to look at this without shock but with some acceptance that it happened and those involved forgave Josh.
I believe those who watched the show would continue to watch it. Josh was not in it most of the time especially after he went to work in D.C.
It might be wise if renewed for the Duggars to keep their brand of Christianity inside their own home and family. I read the Dillards want to go back to Nepal as missionaries. Now I personally do not believe people should try to convert others of one religion to another religion by saying theirs is the true religion. I had thought that now in the 21st century we knew enough in the western world at least to know that no living person knows what the true religion is or if any of our religions are the true religion. I respect their desire to be missionaries though I do not necessarily condone their being that. It would not stop me from watching them and their efforts in Nepal.
It would be helpful if the parent Duggars did not get on a soapbox screaming that the LGBT community are sinners. I do not recall Jesus saying one word about gays. I think religion often has come a really long way from what Jesus said or didn’t say. If one wants to pick one can comment on the fact that Jesus spent a lot of time with a bunch of male apostles. Were the entire bunch asexual? So while I respect what the Duggars believe personally I do not respect them trying to affect our legal system by adding their voices to our moral problems as a nation. In truth I didn’t know they did this from watching the show. I learned it from reading on the web.
But by and large the family is likable on TV. They aren’t causing riots trying to get into a concert. They don’t disrespect the police. They believe in home and family. So they still have a lot to offer the viewing public, those who view their program.
I do not think it right for the girls to have been outed so that lots of people in the media could make a great deal of money with a scoop. I do not in any way condone Josh for what he did.
I do not think this show can be compared to Honey Boo Boo. Low class white trash is something TLC should not have had on TV at all, IMHO. I never watched that even On Demand. I did watch 19 Kids, etc. On Demand because I don’t do commercials. So I never watched in prime time.
However, actually how many more years could this show go on when you come to think about it? We already saw the weddings of 3 of the children. But if TLC wanted to take the chance they should put the show on once without sponsors, (Heavens, lose a few bucks on a gamble), and see what the ratings say.
Statistics do say that 9 times out of 10, Josh does not offend any longer now that he is a married man. Of course, that would not mean I wouldn’t watch him if I were his wife to make sure to protect my daughters. But probably he is a decent married man now. Perhaps it would be good if he said he would not keep sexual matters such a big secret from his own sons when the time comes. And he should get off the backs of the LGBT community.
I have no horse in this race. I write here on my own time. But if Josh is reformed and his sisters forgive him it would be horrendous if this continual condemnation of the man should lead to heaven forbid, a suicide attempt on his part. After more than 2 weeks of this he should be allowed to try to find out how to support his wife and soon to be 4 children. Even a past criminal deserves a break.
As to the parents and how they handled the situation, well who among us know exactly what we would do if God forbid we were faced with the same problem? Now really, would we run and go to the police with our child immediately or would we try to fix the situation inside of our home? Did the Duggar parents really commit the gravest of sins? As to their taking the chance to do a TV show, well, money makes the world go round and they went for the money and a chance to tout their brand of Christianity. Their brand may be alien to most of us but still it is their right- once again, inside their home, and not on a podium condemning others. I personally do not know any gay people but I am convinced nobody grows up wanting to become gay and therefore, I believe gays are born gay. So the Duggars surely should learn something from all of this. It seems that Jesus may have forgiven but Karma came back to bite them hard and I cannot help but feel sorry for the bunch.
May God be with the family, the devil is here to kill steal and destroy. Just trust in God and he will get you all through this, sorry that people are so mean.