’19 Kids and Counting’ Pulled From TLC Schedule After Josh Duggar Child Molestation Claims
Reality star admitted Thursday that he “acted inexcusably” as a teen
Tim Kenneally | May 22, 2015 @ 10:52 AM
Last Updated: May 22, 2015 @ 4:01 PM
TLC
“19 Kids and Counting” has been removed from TLC’s schedule, as one of the show’s stars, Josh Duggar, finds himself mired in a child molestation scandal.
All episodes of the series have been removed from the network’s schedule.
TLC has offered no comment on the Duggar scandal or the fate of the series, one of the network’s most popular offerings.
As reported by Us Weekly, TLC had a seven-hour “19 Kids” marathon slated to run on Friday. That marathon is no longer listed among the scheduled programming on the network’s website.
The network drew criticism among Twitter users for airing “19 Kids” on Thursday, following news of Josh Duggar’s admission.
Following reports that he had been accused of molesting multiple underage girls, including some of his own sisters, Duggar issued a statement Thursday admitting, “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.”
Duggar added. “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.”
Duggar also resigned from his post with the Family Research Council, where he served as executive director of the organization’s legislative affiliate FRC Action.
In Touch Weekly initially reported on the allegations against Duggar on Tuesday, saying that his father had brought Josh to the Arkansas State Police when he learned his son had engaged in inappropriate behavior after catching him leaving a young girl’s bedroom; however, according to In Touch, prosecutors were prevented from completing their investigation due to a “bizarre turn of events.”
According to TMZ, Duggar, now 27, was accused of molesting five underage girls, including some of his sisters, in 2002 and 2003, allegedly fondling the girls’ genitals and breasts. The incidents were reported to police in 2006, and at this point the alleged acts fall outside the statute of limitations.
11 TV Shows Canceled by Controversy -- From 'Honey Boo Boo' to 'Politically Incorrect' (Photos)
Paula Deen’s Food Network shows - After admitting to using racial slurs, The Food Network severed their relationship with Deen and canceled her shows “Paula’s Home Cooking,” “Paula’s Best Dishes,” and “Paula’s Party.”
Food Network
“Politically Incorrect” – ABC pulled the plug on Bill Maher’s talk show after the host disagreed with President Bush calling the terrorists behind the September 11th attacks cowards. Maher asserted that the U.S. military response in the Middle East was cowardly, saying: “We have been the cowards, lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away. That's cowardly. Staying in the airplane when it hits the building, say what you want about it, it's not cowardly."
“Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” – TLC abruptly canceled the reality show after reports that June Shannon, mother to the young star of the series, was dating a convicted child molester.
TLC
“Ford Nation” – Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s talk show, co-hosted by his brother Doug, lasted only one episode. The program premiered on the same day the Toronto City Council voted to strip Ford of most of his powers and budget.
Getty Images
“The Good Life” – CeeLo Green’s reality show was canned by TBS days after the musician pleaded no contest to a felony charge of giving a woman the drug ecstasy. He then tweeted: “People who have really been raped REMEMBER!!!”
Getty Images
“7th Heaven,” in syndication – Reruns of The WB series were pulled from UP TV after audio tapes surfaced of the show’s patriarchal star Stephen Collins admitting to child molestation.
The WB
CNN’s Hillary Clinton documentary – Director Charles Ferguson pulled out of the project after Democrats, Republicans and the Clintons themselves criticized the film. CNN Films then canceled their plans to move forward with the documentary.
Getty Images
“All My Babies' Mamas” – Oxygen was in the midst of developing a special featuring rapper Shawty Lo and his family of 11 children from 10 different women. An online petition to cancel the show led the cable channel to shelve the project.
Oxygen
“Buckwild” – MTV suspended production on the reality series following the death of cast member Shain Gandee. The 21-year-old was found dead of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.
MTV
"Flip It Forward" – Twin brothers Jason and David Benham were set to star in their own HGTV series, but the network shut down those plans after learning about homophobic, anti-Muslim and anti-abortion statements they’d made in the past.
HGTV
1 of 11
All of these series had the plug pulled on them under less than ideal circumstances
Paula Deen’s Food Network shows - After admitting to using racial slurs, The Food Network severed their relationship with Deen and canceled her shows “Paula’s Home Cooking,” “Paula’s Best Dishes,” and “Paula’s Party.”