Amid Josh Duggar molestation claims, TLC has yanked its immensely popular Duggar family reality show, 19 Kids and Counting.
The Christian clan’s eldest son, now 27, has admitted to historic sexual abuse of his siblings and of other minors as well, and the scandal appears to have instantly rendered the series unfit for public consumption.
“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,” TLC explained in a carefully worded statement.
The semi-cancellation concludes 10 successful seasons, and follows public apologies by the “remorseful” perpetrator that did little to save his own name, let alone his family’s or the show that made the Duggars so rich and famous.
“Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret," Josh Duggar posted this week on the Facebook fan page. “I hurt others, including my family and close friends.”
Duggar also resigned in shame from his position at the Family Research Council, a powerful Christian lobby headquartered in the nation’s capitol.
The controversy and instant backlash stems from an In Touch disclosure of documents from the Springdale Police Department in Arkansas which revealed multiple abuse allegations levied against Josh Duggar when he was only a teenager.
No arrest was ever made on those troubling accusations, so, from a legal standpoint, it’s a mystery why the file wasn’t either sealed, redacted or destroyed, considering that the alleged sex offender was himself also a child.
Regardless though, those dated accusations clearly bore some weight, judging by their present negative impact and the public confessions and apologies the accused man is making.
However, in that effort to shoulder his burdensome guilt as a “good Christian” is required, Duggar and his family’s previously spotless reputation is sinking like a stone now.
And with TLC’s sudden decision to can 19 Kids and Counting, it’s a rapid fall from grace that even recent statements of support by Arkansas’ former governor and ultra-conservative presidential hopeful, Mike Huckabee, can’t seem to break.
