TLC still hasn’t canceled ’19 Kids and Counting’
According to reports, in the wake of the Josh Duggar molestation revelation TLC pulled the ’19 Kids and Counting’ from the schedule saying:
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.
However, it is important to point out that there’s apparently a difference between pulled it form the schedule and cancelled.
A report from Variety says TLC hasn’t decided to cancel ’19 Kids and Counting’ yet and may decide to keep the show going, just without Josh.
The Discovery Communications-owned network has not canceled the program in the wake of the recent disclosure that Josh Duggar, one of the central figures in the show, admitted to molesting teenage girls 12 years ago.
The company has not yet decided whether the show should continue or be cancelled, according to a person familiar with the situation. If the program were to continue, this person added, it would have to do so without Josh Duggar and with an emphasis on other members of the Duggar family. The most recent cycle of the series concluded in mid-May, but Discovery has pulled it from TLC and the Web. [Variety]
TLC famously canceled ‘Here Comes Honey Boo Boo’ after allegations that “Mama June” was dating a convicted child molester. Since then, Mama June has threatened to sue TLC if they don’t cancel ’19 Kids and Counting’. So why is TLC holding back from canceling the show? Well, ’19 Kids and Counting has better ratings than Honey Boo Boo.
Advertiser support for the program appears to be wavering. General Mills, Choice Hotels Intl. and Payless Shoe Source have all indicated they are working to keep their ads separate from “19.” In most cases, advertisers put in place a larger deal with the network or even an array of outlets owned by Discovery, rather than buying a particular program. None of the advertisers said they were puling ads from TLC or Discovery in general. [Variety]
These reports suggest that TLC is pretty hypocritical when it comes to canceling shows.
“19 Kids and Counting” isn’t the first controversial program Discovery has had to scrutinize. In 2011, TLC launched “All-American Muslim,” a reality program that followed Muslim families in Dearborn, Mich. Lowe’s, the large home-improvement retailer, pulled its support of the show within weeks, after being contacted by an advocacy group known as the Florida Family Association. [Variety]
It is pretty much weird and creepy. But, when ratings are at an all-time high, when life hands you sex offenders, create spinoffs.
