A veteran 19 Kids and Counting staff member was arrested for possession of sick child pornography and sent to prison, according to a new report. Before the Josh Duggar molestation scandal broke and ultimately led to the TLC show’s demise, William Blankinship, 60, was arrested. He was charged with 10 felony counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a child in 2011, and Radar has the revolting details . Blankinship, who worked on the disgraced Duggar family’s series, took a plea deal to serve 2-3 years and prison plus probation. He was also ordered to complete a sex offender program, register as a sex offender, and avoid children under the age of 16. Blankinship worked closely on other TLC reality shows involving children, such as Jon & Kate Plus 8 , during its ratings heyday. He also briefly worked as an editor on former TLC series Table For 12 , featuring a family of sextuplets and two sets of twins. Josh Duggar was accused in police reports of fondling five minor females, including four of his younger sisters, in 2002-03. TLC canceled 19 Kids and Counting two months after the secret reports leaked, as the family’s image never recovered.
The oft-discussed Jill and Jessa Duggar spinoff of 19 Kids and Counting was shot down, as we know, but for a most surprising reason. Last week’s news that TLC canceled 19 Kids and Counting was not surprising, given the scandal that had left it in limbo for two months. Josh Duggar molested five underage girls a decade ago. Four of the victims were his own sisters. This story only came to light in May. From then on, the Duggars’ fall was as abrupt as it was ugly. Given the religious family’s strong views on sexuality, Josh’s actions and his family’s efforts to hide them left a bad taste with many fans. Moreover, patriarch Jim Bob – always seen as an upstanding figure, if a polarizing one – came under fire for mishandling the situation. Nevertheless, there was talk that the TV show would shift from Jim Bob’s family to his married adult daughters Jill and Jessa Duggar. Given that this was sort of happening anyway, with the Duggar daughters getting more and more screen time, spinoff chatter began. At TLC, a Jill and Jessa spinoff was indeed discussed during the “near-constant” and “intense” conversations about the show’s future. A source who has worked closely with the family says many people loved the idea, but one key figure in particular was not on board. None other than Jim Bob Duggar was not a fan of the Jill and Jessa spin-off idea, and his implicit objection effectively left it DOA. “He absolutely wanted to be back on TV and was never thrilled about the show suddenly shifting focus,” the source says of Jim Bob. The shocking revelation comes amid talk that Jim Bob Duggar is planning the show’s return already via a multi-pronged PR offensive. Guess he wasn’t ready to cede the spotlight to his offspring? Perhaps sensing the unlikelihood of an imminent spinoff, Jill and husband Derick took their newborn baby son to Central America. “And with that, one half of any potential new show was gone,” the source adds, noting that it officially died with their mission trip. As for the pregnant Jessa, she “is clearly [one of the stars] in the family: beautiful, smart, strong-willed,” says the insider. However: “She may be slightly more free-spirited than your average Duggar, but she is firmly, centrally a part of the family , as is her husband.” Even though their series has been canceled and there are no confirmed spin-offs on the horizon, the Duggars aren’t going away. We know they will return to the network that made them stars at least once in the near future as part of a documentary feature. “They’re happy to show that this did not scar them permanently,” the source says of the TLC special about child abuse survivors. View Slideshow: Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald Photos
Last week, we learned that Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard will be leaving the US in order to perform missionary work in an undisclosed foreign nation. Yesterday, Jill was accused of faking a mission trip photo and falsely leading her Instagram followers to believe that she and Derick had already set out on their journey. Now, it looks as though Jill, Derick and Baby Israel have indeed left the States and simply posted a photo from an earlier trip in order to keep their destination secret. Before leaving, however, the newlyweds made one last visit to the Duggar compound, and patriarch Jim Bob posted the following video in which the whole family bids the Dillards a fond farewell: Jill Duggar, Derick Dillard Say Goodbye to Duggar Clan The family never addresses the Josh Duggar sexual assault scandal directly in the video, but Jim Bob does preach about the power of forgiveness and personal transformation: “To share the gospel of Jesus Christ,” Jim Bob prays at one point. “How people can be forgiven for what they have done wrong, and in you they can become new creatures.” The video is a sort of mini-episode of the reality show that made the Duggars famous, and it even features an emotional scene in which Jim Bob asks Derick about his father’s premature death. Could this be a way of reminding fans what they’ll miss out on if 19 Kids and Counting gets canceled ? We don’t know, but it certainly seems to be another small step toward the Duggars rebuilding their battered public image.
Even though nude photos of Kim Kardashian are pretty much everywhere on the Internet, the reality star star still likes to exercise control over where and when she shows off her bits. So it makes sense that Kim is reportedly royally pissed about photos obtained by some paparazzi who allegedly snapped some naked pics of her while she was skinny-dipping in her backyard pool. Sources say the paps – who were working for LA-based photo agency X17 – flew over the Kardashian-Wests’ house in Hidden Hills, CA and took photos from a helicopter. Obviously, that’s not kosher from a legal standpoint, and insiders say X17 violated the law a second time when they attempted to sell the pics to a number of tabloids and websites. Earlier today, Kim’s high-powered attorney Marty Singer fired off a letter to the company, and the pics were removed from the X17 website moments ago. That may be too little, too late to save them legal action, however, as insiders say Kim is furious over the violation of her privacy. She’s reportedly told friends that the situation is particularly infuriating, as she wasn’t even naked in the photos, but was actually wearing a blue bikini. Obviously, Kim got famous from a sex tape , and she’s posed nude for dozens of magazines and photographers over the years, so it may not seem like some candid bikini pics would be such a big deal. However, it’s important to remember that the paparazzi are bound by strict laws when it comes to photographing people on private property. In Kim’s case, they’re not only stealing photos; they’re threatening her livelihood, as well. Sure, Kim shows off her boobs on an almost daily basis, but as they say, when you’re good at something, never do it for free.
Well, that was fast. Jill Duggar, her husband Derick Dillard, and their baby son, Israel David, boarded a plane on Sunday, taking them to their new home abroad. Jill’s younger sister Jessa Duggar posted a sweet photo via Instagram of the threesome heading off for missionary work in parts unknown … “So excited for @jillmdillard & @derickdillard!” Jessa captioned the pic. “They’ve been praying about and working towards this transition.” The parents of baby Israel Dillard are “excited to finally be heading to the mission field! Please continue to pray for them,” Jessa adds. “Be sure to check out their blog at www.dillardfamily (dot) com. ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.’ Mark 16:15.” Nice plug there, Jess. The duo announced their intention to travel to an undisclosed location for a lengthy mission trip late last month via their personal blog. As we also reported, Jill and Derick founded their own ministry , or at least filed the necessary documents to make that their occupation. The couple wrote: “It has always been our goal that Jesus Christ might be glorified as we serve others through family ministry, by whatever means that might be.” “We have a deep love and care for all of the world and [a passion for all] nations, as many have even seen in the early stages of our relationship.” “Our hope is that all peoples of the world would come to repentance and put their hope in the Lord, Jesus Christ.” The family of three did not note how long they would be gone, or where, but said it would be “longer than the typical short-term mission trip.” Who knew the photo of Duggar kissing Dillard with their baby boy looking on turned out to be their kiss goodbye … to America at least. Their departure comes after a period of turmoil for the 19 Kids and Counting stars after the Josh Duggar molestation scandal broke. Jill and Jessa both came forward as victims of Josh when he was a teenager; two other sisters and one babysitter were also molested. We wish them the best, wherever they may go, as we relive some of the Dillards’ sweetest moments in the galleries above and below.
After three weeks on the run, escaped murderer Richard Matt has been shot and killed by police. His accomplice, David Sweat, is reportedly desperately fleeing from authorities who are hot on his trail. Matt and Sweat escaped from Clinton Correctional Facility in Upstate New York on June 6. After a several week manhunt, police picked up on clues that Matt and Sweat left behind in a hunting lodge. Moments ago, Matt was spotted by authorities in Franklin County, NY, where he was shot dead just one day after his 49th birthday. 34-year-old Sweat is still at large, but is expected to be apprehended sometime today.
Plenty of celebrities are out and proud . Plenty of others are supportive of this. Not all of them, though. Here are some stars whose anti-gay views and comments have caused a stir. We can only imagine how they feel about the fact that gay marriage is now legal in all 50 states, courtesy of the Supreme Court deciding so in June of 2015. 1. The Duggar Family We can’t separate any of these reality stars out. Nearly all members of this family have made anti-gay remarks or even been paid to give anti-gay speeches. 2. Kirk Cameron Few celebrities are as vocally opposed to same sex marriage as former Growing Pains star Kirk Cameron. 3. Phil Robertson Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson ignited a national controversy with his comments to GQ about gays and gay sex. 4. Isaiah Washington Isaiah Washington got the boot from Grey’s Anatomy, and pretty much derailed his own career, by referring to then co-star T.R. Knight by a gay slur … then doing it again whilst insisting he didn’t do it. 5. Chris Brown Chris Brown has dropped more gay slurs over the course of his many scandals than we can even remember. 6. Alec Baldwin The actor got into hot water with homophobic tweets towards writer George Stark, then in a separate incident, called a photographer a “c–ks–king f–got” which he somehow said was not a gay slur. View Slideshow
Last night on Marriage Boot Camp Season 3 Episode 5, the embattled couples’ skills were put to the test by way of a blindfolded canoe race. Watch Marriage Boot Camp Season 3 Episode 5 Online When Marriage Boot Camp Season 3 Episode 5 , entitled “Troubled Waters,” got underway, Aubrey and Travis were forced to clean the stables. As punishment for breaking a promise not to argue, natch. Fortunately, they had a chance to cool off – although things also got more heated – during the canoe race that the couples had to take part in. Petrified of water, Tami bailed on the drill and stormed back to the house before she even left the dock, while Jeff’s temper left Jordan in tears. Amid the furious paddling, confusion and chaos, and unbeknownst to the couples, the race was to be decided on communication, not speed. The duos were shocked at who actually won, and the results left the group even more divided. But the worst was yet to come on this night. Taking part in a role reversal exercise and reenacting a typical fight between them put the spotlight back on Kendra Wilkinson once again. Kendra’s denial and Hank’s resistance regarding the great Ava London Half Relief Scandal of ’14 drove home a trio of intertwining points: These two characters are seriously pieces of work You can’t believe anything on TV isn’t staged They may well milk this scandal for years You gotta watch Marriage Boot Camp online to truly appreciate the ridiculousness of which we speak, but that does sum it up well. View Slideshow: 23 Biggest Douchebags on Reality TV
When Derick Dillard quit his job at Wal-Mart earlier this month, there was much speculation regarding why a newlywed first-time father would leave a comfortable position in the career field of his choice. Some guessed that Derick was preparing for a role on the long-rumored Jill and Jessa Duggar spinoff series. Others assumed his departure was part of the family’s effort to keep a low profile in the wake of the Josh sexual abuse scandal . Now, the reason for Derick’s career change has become clear, and many are taking it as a sign that 19 Kids and Counting will never return to the airwaves. “God has put a desire in our hearts to serve Him internationally for longer than the typical short-term mission trip, but we didn’t know yet how God would fulfill that desire in us,” Derick and wife Jill Dillard wrote on their personal blog. “Earlier this year God brought about an opportunity much earlier than either of us was expecting. Several months ago a new opportunity arose for us to serve God on the mission field. “After much prayer and seeking Godly counsel, we realized that taking this opportunity and moving overseas in order to serve is the best option for our family…We are currently preparing to leave the US and begin our new endeavor in July.” Derick and Jill did not disclose the location or duration of their missionary work, but it sounds as though they intend to be out of the country for at least several months. Some fans are speculating that the couple reached its decision in response to news that TLC plans to cancel 19 Kids and Counting View Slideshow: Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard Photos!
As you’ve probably heard, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of nationwide gay marriage yesterday in a landmark decision that’s being celebrated in all 50 states. Countless celebrities have spoken out in favor of the SCOTUS decision , and president Obama hailed the ruling as a ” victory for America .” But not all public figures are pleased with yesterday’s developments. Just moments after the decision was announced, members of the famously conservative Duggar family made their feelings known with a Bible quote posted on their official Facebook page: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways,” the message reads. “Then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” While the family has not addressed the court’s ruling directly, the timing and content of the above message leaves little doubt that this is the Duggars’ way of admonishing the justices who voted in favor of gay marriage and chastising the nation for its “wicked” ways. Many of the commenters on the Duggars’ post expressed support for the family and its views, while others accused the 19 Kids and Counting clan of hypocrisy for commenting on the sexual preferences so soon after news of the Josh Duggar molestation scandal went public. View Slideshow: Gay Marriage Gets Legalized; Celebrities React!
