‘Counting On’: Derick Dillard Hinted the Duggar Family Show Could Be Canceled
The Duggar family is in the spotlight once again due to Josh Duggar’s recent arrest. In April 2021, Josh was arrested for allegedly obtaining child sexual abuse images — and it could certainly affect the family’s standing with TLC’s Counting On. And Jill Duggar’s husband, Derick Dillard, hinted the show could get the boot.
Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard stepped away from the Duggar family
Jill and Derick notoriously stepped away from the Duggar family and Counting On, and they’ve since talked about their experience with the show. In December 2019, fans asked Jill and Derick why they never attend Duggar holidays or events. And Derick noted Jill needs permission from Jim Bob Duggar before going to the huge family home. This sparked even more conversation, and eventually, Derick and Jill spoke about their experiences on YouTube and with the press.
“We left the show three years ago now because, basically, our family goals that we had for ourselves didn’t align with what we found out … we ended up finding out that we didn’t have as much control over our lives as it related to the show,” Jill said in a YouTube video.
Derick noted he and Jill were put “between a rock and a hard place” when it came to Counting On, too, as it forced them to compromise some of their own personal and family goals.
Why is Josh Duggar not on ‘Counting On’?
Jill and Derick aren’t the only Duggar family members to not appear on TLC’s Counting On. Josh also was never a regular on the show. And it’s all because of his 2015 scandal.
In 2015, the media alleged Josh molested a few of his younger sisters and a babysitter. Jim Bob and Michelle later talked about the situation. “He said he was just curious about girls and he had gone in and just basically touched them over their clothes while they were sleeping; they didn’t even know he had done it,” Jim Bob said.
Jill and Jessa were two of the Duggars directly affected by Josh’s actions. They spoke with the media about what occurred.
“In Josh’s case, he was a young boy in puberty a little too curious about girls,” Jessa told Megyn Kelly with Fox News. “And that got him into some trouble.”
This trouble also led to TLC canceling 19 Kids and Counting that year. But the family bounced back quickly with Counting On.
Is ‘Counting On’ coming back in 2021? Derick Dillard hints at cancellation
Fans of the Duggar family are eager to hear if TLC plans to bring back Counting On. So far, it doesn’t sound like TLC has any immediate plans to start filming. And Derick suggested to a fan on social media that the show might not return.
A fan on social media stated Counting On shouldn’t get canceled due to Josh’s arrest. “That’s my point, Josh and his parents have nothing to do with the other kids,” the fan wrote, according to Reddit. “Leave their show alone. Josh was already removed from the original show. Counting On doesn’t even talk about him.”
“It’s the parents’ show, you know that, right?” Derick responded.
“Josh is grown,” the original poster added. “He’s responsible for his actions, not his parents, siblings, anyone.”
“Then why was 19K&C canceled if it wasn’t related to them?” Derick doubled down.
Critics on Reddit agree that Counting On has to go. “It is infuriating to me that TLC repackaged 19KAC as CO and made it seem like they cut Jim Bob out,” a critic wrote. “Instead, they kept exploiting all the abused daughters for as long as possible while lining Jim Bob’s pockets.”
We’ll have to wait and see what TLC decides.
How to get help: If you or someone you know has been sexually abused, text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 for free and confidential support.
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