TLC’s ’19 Kids And Counting’ Canceled: Network Axes Duggar Show, Family Thanks Fans For Support

After a couple of months of speculation, TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting is canceled. The show had been moving ahead until details emerged in May regarding Josh’s past incidents of molesting five young girls, some of whom were his sisters. The show was pulled from the network soon after the reports emerged, but until now, TLC had not made any official determinations about the future of the show.

Now, the Associated Press reports that TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting is canceled, and will “no longer appear on the air.” Jim and Michelle Duggar and their children had been featured on 10 previous seasons, and the series was a central show for the network. Many had speculated that the network might try to bring the show back without Josh, or that they might create a spinoff focusing on Derick and Jill Dillard, along with Ben and Jessa Seewald.

Now, however, it seems that the Duggar family will be off of TLC for good. Fans already know that Derick, Jill, and baby Israel David have left Arkansas to go do missionary work elsewhere, said to be in El Salvador. Ben and Jessa are expecting their first child together in November.

Many 19 Kids and Counting fans were hoping that a new show would be created that would follow Jill, Derick, Ben, Jessa, and the new babies as they forge ahead with their new families. At this point, though, it seems the network has decided not to pursue that route.

Shortly after the news regarding the molestation incidents came out, Jim Bob, Michelle, Jessa, and Jill did interviews with Fox News about it all. Those who viewed the interviews had a variety of reactions, with some fans still supporting the family and show, as others felt that the interviews missed the mark. Aside from the Fox interviews, the family has laid fairly low since the scandal emerged.

TVLine confirms the TLC 19 Kids and Counting cancellation, though few other details have emerged at this point. The Associated Press report notes that TLC has detailed a campaign they’ve put together, alongside two child-protection organizations that will work to raise awareness about child sexual abuse.

There will be a one-hour documentary coming later this summer, likely toward the end of August, that will address child sexual abuse. The network indicates that the documentary will be aired commercial-free.

The Duggar family has released a statement on their blog about TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting cancellation. They thank their fans for their support over the years, and they indicate that they are looking forward to working with TLC on the documentary coming up later this summer.

Naturally, many fans will wonder if the show could be picked up elsewhere, perhaps on UP TV, where Bringing Up Bates is currently airing. Or, some wonder if after a bit of a break, another network might bring the Duggar family back. In the meantime, several family members have still been in demand for appearances at various conservative gatherings.

Is TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting cancellation the right move? Will anybody else bring the Duggar family back to television, despite the scandal?

[Photo by Brendan Hoffman / Getty Images]