'19 Kids and Counting' Pulled off TLC Schedule!!!

A masterpost on the controversy and drama surrounding the shocking Duggar family news.

19 Kids and Counting is a weird show. It’s oddly entertaining, and even when you want to throw your remote at the TV set you just can’t look away!! But now you’re going to have to. Josh Duggar (the eldest son of the 19 Duggar kids) allegedly admitted to sexually molesting minor girls, some of which include his sisters. The acts included fondeling the genitals and breasts of the girls while they were sleeping, reading books, and even during normal interactions between the siblings. This took place in 2002, when Josh was only 14.

Josh made a statement to People magazine, stating “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. I confessed this to my parents who took several steps to help me address the situation. 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.”

Well, there’s a possibility that the ‘counselling’ never even happened. Jim Bob, Josh’s dad, met with their church elders and agreed that Josh should be put in a treatment program. However in the police reports, mom Michelle Duggar said that said “treatment program” was actually just a guy remodelling a building that hold Josh to help him and partake in manual labor. Okay.

The issue wasn’t even reported until over a year after it took place. His statement to People magazine was the first to address the victims of Josh’s actions, and he barely acknowledged them. The public isn’t convinced that his “apology” is enough.

Even talk show host Montel Williams is ripping the Duggars apart!!!

What’s even crazier is that even Oprah triggered another investigation! In 2006, the family was set to appear on Oprah but she was tipped off about Josh’s past. She brought the situation to a hotline, which then resulted in a police investigation. Josh ended up avoiding the interrogation, the issue was kept hidden from the public, and TLC continued airing the show. Josh won’t face further interrogation because his statute of limitations has run out.

Since this news broke a few days ago, presidential candidate Mike Huckabee has actually stood by Josh. He argued that Josh was young and simply had “poor judgement”. Call me crazy but age (or any factor, really) is no excuse for molestation or harassment. Good luck with your ever so wise potential future leader, America.

TLC lost their marbles when they deliberately aired a marathon featuring Josh’s episodes after the controversy surfaced. Obviously that caused a HUGE scene, even sparking Mama June to speak out. She believes that TLC is wrong for pulling the plug on Honey Boo Boo but meanwhile praising the Duggars. I never thought I would say this but Mama June is right. TLC later sided with her and it’s been confirmed that the TV station has pulled ’19 Kids and Counting’ from their TV schedule. TLC just released this statement: “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.”

This has been an eventful week to say the least.

BLAKE&WYLDE

(Images via Duggar family/Facebook)