Updated on May 22 at 7 p.m.: Discovery Communications, which owns TLC, has released a statement to the media. Per Deadline, it reads: "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"
Updated on May 22 at 2:30 p.m.: The Hollywood Reporter wrote that as of this afternoon, 19 Kids and Counting no longer appears on TLC's schedule. The network has yet to issue an official comment on the situation, instead tweeting a link to People's article, with statements from the Duggar family. We've reached out to them for comment.
The following post was published on May 22, 2015, at 11 a.m.:
Americans are demanding that TLC pull 19 Kids and Counting from the air, following the scandal that erupted after In Touch magazine released its reportage on sexual abuse allegations against Josh Duggar. According to a police report, the 27-year-old father of three molested five underage girls during his teen years. On Tuesday, the family released a statement on the matter to People magazine. "Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends," Duggar told the publication. In the police report, the complainants were described as the children of Michelle and Jim Bob, indicating that at least a few of the victims were Josh Duggar's sisters. He apparently fondled the breasts and genitals of the five girls, some of whom were sleeping. "I confessed this to my parents who took several steps to help me address the situation," he went on. We spoke with the authorities where I confessed my wrongdoing, and my parents arranged for me, and those affected by my actions, to receive counseling. I understood that if I continued down this wrong road that I would end up ruining my life." According to Josh's wife, he admitted to these indiscretions two years before the couple got engaged. "I was surprised at his openness and humility and at the same time didn't know why he was sharing it. For Josh, he wanted not just me but my parents to know who he really was – even very difficult past mistakes," she told People. TLC has not yet issued any kind of response on the subject, though the network thoughtlessly aired a three-hour marathon of the show featuring Josh Duggar in the wake of his statements to People. Outraged audiences are demanding that 19 Kids and Counting get cancelled immediately, and not even a day after the family's statement, #CancelTheDuggars is trending on Twitter. We've included some of the most impassioned tweets below, and will continue to follow the story as it unfolds.
Americans are demanding that TLC pull 19 Kids and Counting from the air, following the scandal that erupted after In Touch magazine released its reportage on sexual abuse allegations against Josh Duggar. According to a police report, the 27-year-old father of three molested five underage girls during his teen years. On Tuesday, the family released a statement on the matter to People magazine. "Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends," Duggar told the publication. In the police report, the complainants were described as the children of Michelle and Jim Bob, indicating that at least a few of the victims were Josh Duggar's sisters. He apparently fondled the breasts and genitals of the five girls, some of whom were sleeping. "I confessed this to my parents who took several steps to help me address the situation," he went on. We spoke with the authorities where I confessed my wrongdoing, and my parents arranged for me, and those affected by my actions, to receive counseling. I understood that if I continued down this wrong road that I would end up ruining my life." According to Josh's wife, he admitted to these indiscretions two years before the couple got engaged. "I was surprised at his openness and humility and at the same time didn't know why he was sharing it. For Josh, he wanted not just me but my parents to know who he really was – even very difficult past mistakes," she told People. TLC has not yet issued any kind of response on the subject, though the network thoughtlessly aired a three-hour marathon of the show featuring Josh Duggar in the wake of his statements to People. Outraged audiences are demanding that 19 Kids and Counting get cancelled immediately, and not even a day after the family's statement, #CancelTheDuggars is trending on Twitter. We've included some of the most impassioned tweets below, and will continue to follow the story as it unfolds.
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The Duggars: a family where kissing before marriage is a sin but molesting young girls is a juvenile mistake #CancelTheDuggars
— jade (@expressionalx) May 22, 2015Most concerning? #JoshDuggar molested children & never received consequence or treatment. He now HAS children. Dangerous #CancelTheDuggars
— Dabney Porte (@DabneyPorte) May 22, 2015The Duggars: We put so little value in our girls that we're okay with them being molested by their brother #CancelTheDuggars #FamilyValues
— Midwest Curls (@MidwestCurls) May 22, 2015Not only did #JoshDuggar molest children but he told his family who covered it up that should be reason enough for @TLC to #CancelTheDuggars
— Captain Queerbeard (@deadhead1991) May 21, 2015Oh my God, catching up on the Duggar molestation news and cover-up, and @TLC is AIRING A 19 KIDS AND COUNTING MARATHON RIGHT NOW
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) May 22, 2015