Duggar News: Will Josh Duggar’s Arrest Finally End the Duggar Family’s Reality TV Career?
The Duggar family has weathered multiple scandals during their time in the public eye. Still, somehow, they remain on the air. Duggar family critics have spent years calling for the cancelation of the family’s reality TV shows, but those protests have not culminated in a cancelation. That could all change now. The most recent family scandal involving Joshua Duggar, Jim Bob, and Michelle Duggar’s eldest son is especially heinous. Could it finally lead to the cancellation of the family’s reality TV show?
Josh Duggar was arrested on child pornography charges
On April 29, Josh surrendered himself to authorities. The father of six and former reality TV star’s arrest came after a nearly two-year-long investigation by the Department of Homeland Security. The federal agency executed a raid on a business owned by Josh in November 2019. The department confirmed that they were investigating the company but did not comment further on the reason for the activity until Josh’s arrest.
Josh, 33, has been charged with two counts stemming from the download of child sexual abuse images. In a bond hearing on May 5, Josh was released into the supervision of a third-party custodian. According to the terms of his release, he may not have contact with minor children and can only leave his home for specified activities. The stipulations of his bond also prohibits him from accessing the internet. The courts will track Josh via a GPS device. He can have contact with his own six children, but only if Anna Duggar supervises it. Josh and Anna are currently expecting their seventh child in the fall.
TLC released a statement regarding Josh Duggar’s arrest
The day after Josh’s arrest, TLC released a statement to People. The statement attempted to distance the network from Josh and his illegal activity. The statement first said that the network was saddened to learn the news. It went on to say, “19 Kids and Counting has not aired since 2015. TLC canceled the show on the heels of prior allegations against Josh Duggar, and he has not appeared on-air since then.”
Duggar family followers have been highly critical of TLC’s actions regarding the Duggar family. Pressure for further action is continuing to mount. TLC has chosen not to comment further on the legal situation or their plans for the Duggars’ future with the network.
Will the Duggar family scandal finally end their reality TV career?
TLC doesn’t appear to have plans to cancel the family’s reality TV show at this time. As of May 8, the network continues to upload clips from the show to their YouTube channels. The current activity on the network’s YouTube channels suggests that it has no plans to remove the family from its platforms. TLC did not respond to requests for comment.
The Duggar family has worked closely with TLC for nearly two decades. The family’s first special aired in the early 2000s, and their first reality TV show ran from 2008 until 2015. In 2015, the network canceled 19 Kids and Counting amid Josh’s first two scandals. The show returned in a rebranded version several months later and has occupied prime programming real estate ever since.
Considering the recent events, Duggar family critics have started a petition to have Counting On, the family’s current show, canceled. As of May 8, the petition has more than 20,000 signatures. The petition requests that TLC cancel Counting On and remove all Duggar content from their platforms.
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.
