'19 Kids and Counting' Cancelled by TLC; Duggar Family Responds with Statement & Helps with Sexual Abuse Documentary

Josh Duggar
the Duggar family from the TLC show 19 Kids and Counting |

Following over two months of controversy and speculation, TLC has announced that '19 Kids and Counting', the hit show chronicling the daily lives of the Duggar family, is officially cancelled. The network will not be filming new episodes, nor will they air re-runs of the show. 

This was no doubt a very difficult decision for TLC, as '19 Kids and Counting' has been one of its most successful shows to date. However, the revelation that Josh Duggar had molested several underage girls, including some of his own sisters, as a teen, cast a shadow of disillusionment over the once squeaky clean family image. After going back and forth several times on what the future of the show would be, TLC ultimately decided that its advertisers and viewers will never be able to see the Duggar family in the same light again.

 

Duggars
(Photo : Screen grab)

The Duggar family has issued their own statement about the ending of their reality show. The no doubt carefully constructed statement addresses the issues that have haunted the family, saying, "With God's grace and help Josh, our daughters and our entire family overcame a terrible situation, found healing and a way forward. We are so pleased with the wonderful adults they have all become."

The statement continues to bring the Duggar's Christian faith to the forefront, saying, "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."

Viewers that have been critical of the decisions that the Duggars made once the truth of Josh's actions were revealed will certainly feel vindicated by TLC's decision.

However, television audiences will see the Duggars on TLC at least once more, as TLC will also be airing a documentary about sexual abuse later this year. This documentary will be an hour long, and features interviews with survivors of sexual abuse, including Jill and Jessa Duggar. Since Jill is currently on an overseas mission trip with husband Derick and baby Israel, it is likely that footage for this documentary has already been filmed and therefore this plan has been in the works for some time. 

TLC claims this is the first step of a "multi-platform initiative" that they are planning in conjunction with sexual abuse and victim advocacy organizations RAINN and From Darkness to Light. The Duggars said of the documentary, which will air commercial-free, "We look forward to working with TLC on this upcoming special documentary and hope that it is an encouragement to many."