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Jill and Jessa Duggar: 19 Kids & Counting Spinoff Shot Down For Surprising Reason

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

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Jill and Jessa Duggar: 19 Kids & Counting Spinoff Shot Down For Surprising Reason

Jana Duggar Speaks Out: My Mom is a Role Model!

Jana Duggar is certainly not the most outspoken member of the 19 Kids and Counting clan, so it’s no great surprise that she has yet to speak out on the Josh Duggar molestation scandal . Like most of her family, Jana has not only refrained from speaking publicly about her brother’s misdeeds, she’s remained completely silent – refusing requests to talk to the media and disappearing from social media altogether. While Jill and Jessa Duggar confirmed that they were molested by Josh in an interview that aired on Fox News, Jana has remained at home, helping to care for her many siblings, as usual. It’s unknown whether or not Jana was victimized by her brother, but there have been rumors that while her younger sisters married and got pregnant, Jana stayed home to protect her siblings from Josh’s abusive behavior.  In accordance with Duggar family courtship rules , Jana isn’t even allowed to have a social media account until she’s engaged, but she occasionally communicates with fans via her family’s official Facebook page. Earlier today Jana posted the above photo of herself and her mother with a caption reading: “Love spending time with this sweet lady. So thankful to have her as a role model, a friend and a mom! Always love my time with her.” While Jana doesn’t directly address the scandal that’s embroiled her entire family, the message seems to be her simple yet significant way of saying that she stands by her mother’s controversial decisions and will continue to support her regardless of public opinion. View Slideshow: Jana Duggar Photos: So Beautiful, So Maligned

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Jana Duggar Speaks Out: My Mom is a Role Model!

Jill and Jessa Duggar: We’re Victims … of a CONSPIRACY!

The most surprising and perhaps even noteworthy part of the Duggars' interview with Fox News Wednesday night came at the tail end: A sneak preview of Jill and Jessa Duggar speaking with Megyn Kelly about how Josh Duggar molested them when they were younger. For a brief but powerful moment, Jessa Seewald and Jill Dillard (both Duggar girls married in 2014) spoke out last night about Josh. They were two of the five underage girls molested by the eldest of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's 19 Kids & Counting as a teenager. The sisters told Kelly that they were overwhelmed when they learned that their story – long kept confidential by police had gone viral. “We are victims, they can't do this to us,” Jill, 24, said through tears of the attention focused on her and her family amid the scandal. Jessa, 22, added that “the system that was set up to protect kids” failed to do so, and they are paying a far, far greater price now. “Both those who make stupid mistakes or have problems like this and the ones that are affected by those choices. It's greatly failed.” Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar also told Fox News that the police were bribed to leak the scandal in a plot to expose and ruin the family. Clearly, it was their strategy going into the interview to reframe the discussion, but it is very much unclear how and why the file leaked. It has since been destroyed, but to Jessa and Jill, that's little consolation now, as they've had to “relive the horror” like never before. While Jessa admitted that what their brother did was “very wrong,” she decried people calling Josh a child molester, pedophile or rapist. “I'm like, that is so overboard and a lie really,” she said, emotionally. “I mean, people get mad at me for saying that but I can say this.” “Because,” she says, “I was one of the victims.”

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Jill and Jessa Duggar: We’re Victims … of a CONSPIRACY!

Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar: Police Took BRIBE to Leak Molestation File, Ruin Us!

In their bombshell interview with Fox News’ Megyn Kelly last night, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar made some surprising statements to say the least. Perhaps most controversially, the reality stars insinuated that police actually took bribes to leak Josh Duggar’s molestation file and sabotage their family. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar Interview, Part I Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar Interview, Part II Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar acknowledged the horrible actions of their first of their 19 children, Josh Duggar, who molested his sisters as a teenager. However, they also sought to downplay his behavior to an extent, insisting that he “improperly touched” Jessa and Jill Duggar for “just a few seconds.” Now married adults, Jessa and Jill Duggar were among the five molestation victims – four sisters and one babysitter – assaulted by Josh a decade ago. Awful and inexcusable as Michelle and Jim Bob admit this is, they insist that all of the girls either don’t remember it or didn’t understand it at the time. In turn, the backlash against them, or so they claim, has actually made this a whole lot worse for them than any pain Josh may have inflicted back then. Jim Bob defended his handling of the situation , and sought to turn the tables on the “public shame” instigated by someone with a “personal agenda.” “There’s an agenda,” Michelle told Megyn . “There’s people that are purposely trying to bring things out and twisting them to hurt and slander.” Taking that defense a step further, Jim Bob said the “attack” on the 19 Kids And Counting stars was led by Springdale, Ark., Police Chief Kathy O’Kelley. View Slideshow: 23 Biggest Duggar Family Scandals O’Kelley, he said, set out to “hurt” his family for a “bribe.” “She was getting ready to retire and said, ‘There’s a few things I want to do before I retire,’” he said, strongly implying she leaked the molestation file. “I think I was on her list.” The parents promise “justice will be served” because their girls “were victimized in these last couple of weeks more than they were 12 years ago.” Clearly, Michelle and Jim Bob came in with a strategy to cop to their actions (or inaction), but also to re-frame the Josh Duggar molestation scandal . Or as they might put it, the “improper touching” scandal. The Duggar patriarch maintains that the family “did the best that we could under the circumstances” and that Josh has long been a “changed person.” Moreover, they’re looking to shift the narrative to the fact that this file was illegally leaked a decade after the fact after all parties had moved on. Is it a fair argument? Will it work? Can it salvage their reputation and keep TLC from pulling the plug on 19 Kids and Counting? There’s a whole lot to discuss in the comments below … View Slideshow: 20 Controversial Duggar Family Quotes

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Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar: Police Took BRIBE to Leak Molestation File, Ruin Us!

Michelle & Jim Bob Duggar to Open Up About Josh Duggar Molestation Scandal on Fox News

It’s been over a week since news of the Josh Duggar sexual abuse charges was made public, and the usually outspoken 19 Kids and Counting clan has been uncharacteristically quiet ever since. Both Josh and his parents issued public statements shortly after the accusations were revealed, but many of their fans and critics believe the responses were woefully inadequate. Josh admitted to acting “inexcusably,” but seemed more concerned with rescuing his public image than apologizing to his victims. Michelle and Jim Bob’s statement to People magazine  was regarded as similarly vague and self-serving, and many have called for the parents to be held accountable for their role in helping to bury the allegations for over a decade. Now it looks as though those critics may get their wish, as it was announced today that Michelle and Jim Bob will sit down with Fox News’ Megyn Kelly to offer their views on the scandal. In a press release issued this morning, Michelle Duggar stated that she and Jim Bob will appear on The Kelly File in order to “share our hearts with you about the pain that we walked through as a family twelve years ago, the tears we all shed and the forgiveness that was given.” Many are viewing the interview as part of a last-ditch effort by the Duggars to save the series that made their family famous. Many industry insiders have stated that they believe TLC will cancel 19 Kids and Counting , but no official announcement has been made as of yet. The first portion of Michelle and Jim Bob’s interview will air on June 3 at 9 pm, with “additional footage” filmed at the family’s Arkansas home scheduled for June 5. View Slideshow: 23 Biggest Duggar Family Scandals

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Michelle & Jim Bob Duggar to Open Up About Josh Duggar Molestation Scandal on Fox News

Jim Bob Duggar Claimed Josh Was Sent to Rehab For Porn, Punished Kids For Masturbation

In the wake of the Josh Duggar sexual abuse scandal , more and more uncomfortable truths about Josh and his family are coming to light. Somehow, they keep getting progressively more disturbing, too. We heard first-hand accounts of Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar child abuse in the form of using a “rod” to punish their kids for minor offenses. Shortly thereafter, we learned about the harsh nature of Michelle Duggar’s “blanket training” and other controversial parenting methods. The floodgates are officially open, and what a deluge it’s been. Everyone from former 19 Kids and Counting crew members to fellow residents of Tontitown, Ark., are coming forward with troubling Duggar tales. The latest? Gawker posted several shocking Duggar stories today, several of which involved Jim Bob and his stance on pre-marital sexual activity. His supposedly hard-line, yet often hypocritical stance. One fellow parishioner at the Duggars’ church recalls Josh’s return from “therapy” after Jim Bob sent him away, supposedly for being caught with pornographic materials: View Slideshow: 9 Things BANNED in the Duggar Family “Nobody told me he was guilty of sexual molestation. I do remember that he was caught for pornography and being sent away for rehabilitation when he was 17 or so.” “If people look back to when Josh was bald on the show, it was because he was being ‘rehabilitated.’ The head-shaving was part of the shaming process.” “When Josh returned from his ‘porn rehab,’ he was brought before the church.” “After Josh gave his ‘testimony,’ his sisters came up and hugged him and I remember seeing huge, confused tears streaming down their faces.” “I remember being confused about why they seemed to take it so personally … Now it makes more sense.” Like so many things about this scandal, it most disturbingly does. Another tipster says her “cousin’s husband” worked on the 19 Kids set and offered an alarming account of an incident in which Jim Bob caught one of his sons masturbating: “One of the older Duggar Boys was caught playing with himself.” View Slideshow: 20 Controversial Duggar Family Quotes “He said that one of his brothers had told on him for being in the bathroom for a few hours one night, worried that he was sick.” “Well to see if he really was, Jim Bob walked in.” “He caught him doing it, and on one of the day’s the cameras were filming. Jim bobs screams made the crew run to where they were filming.” “Immediately they asked him what was wrong. All Jim Could reply was, ‘Idle hands are the devil’s playthings.’ “Apparently, the whole next day he was supposed to do chores around the house. But, Jim Bob had tied his hands together so that doing anything was nearly impossible.” Tell us if you have a hard time picturing that. Obviously, there’s no excuse or explanation for Josh’s reprehensible actions, and there’s no one to blame except for Josh Duggar himself. That said, every new revelation about the Duggars’ bizarre approaches to child rearing and sexuality helps shed new light on the situation. Specifically, the troubling mentality of the authority figures who believed they could handle the situation themselves, and who convinced their children to keep revolting family secrets to themselves for over a decade.  View Slideshow: 23 Biggest Duggar Family Scandals

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Jim Bob Duggar Claimed Josh Was Sent to Rehab For Porn, Punished Kids For Masturbation

9 Things BANNED in the Duggar Family: Rules to (Not) Live By

The Duggar family dating rules have been well documented. Here are nine things they specifically do not allow. 1. Dates Without Chaperones The Duggar parents often accompany their kids on dates in order to maintain “accountability” and “keep things from going in the wrong direction,” per Jim Bob. The girls are fine with this, as being alone with men puts them in grave “moral danger.” When the parents aren’t available, their older siblings will often tag along, making every date a group date and a family affair. 2. Non-Group Texts Even in the kids’ late teens and early 20s, mom and dad are creeping on their text messages. When Ben Seewald jokingly wrote to fiancee Jessa, “Give me a ring,” Jim Bob actually jumped in on the group text, writing “No ring yet.” With a smiley face emoticon. Seriously, he did that. Jim Bob needs his own Instagram so he can start posting screen shots of this stuff. 3. Hugs on the Chest This moment you see here between Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard would not have been permitted until the couple was married. Side hugs are the preferred method of PDA in order to prevent any further temptation or hanky panky, as has been well documented on 19 Kids and Counting. The Duggars love their side hugs so hard. Any touching beyond that? Save it for your wedding night. 4. Alcohol This is probably an obvious one if you know anything about the Duggars. The family does not smoke or drink. They do, however, enjoy the occasional sugary dessert or getting high on life and love. 5. Romance Novels Safe to say the Duggars are in the minority, having not read Fifty Shades of Grey (the movie adaptation of which they won’t be seeing either, we’re guessing). The Bible warns not to “think about gratifying the pleasure of the flesh,” so instead the family studies Christian text and not E.L. James’ erotic fiction. The Duggars’ option is probably better-written. 6. Modern Music and/or Dancing Avert your eyes, Michelle Duggar! The family matriarch feels that dancing encourages “sensual” feelings, while Jessa Duggar has said that she feels modern music promotes “sex, drugs, all that type of stuff.” Instead, the family chooses to play gospel music together. View Slideshow

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9 Things BANNED in the Duggar Family: Rules to (Not) Live By

Bette Midler Tweets Shade Over Josh Duggar Scandal: How Ironic!

Bette Midler is the latest celebrity to make her feelings on Josh Duggar public. The reality star and his family, of course, continue to experience fallout over Duggar’s admission that he sexually molested multiple young girls when he was a teenager. In the wake of this heinous bombshell, TLC has pulled 19 Kids and Counting from its schedule, while Josh Duggar has resigned  as Executive Director of FRC Action at the Family Research Council. Referencing this Christian nonprofit organization, whose agenda is partly to condemn the homosexual lifestyle as dangerous to children, Midler Tweeted on Monday: “Josh Duggar resigned from an anti-gay ‘family’ group due to molestation allegations. Kids, is there anything more delicious than irony?” Along with Midler, stars such Montel Williams and Ryan Reynolds have chimed in on the Duggar controversy, calling out the Duggars’ largely due to the family’s ongoing anti-gay agenda. Williams has blasted Duggar for being a scumbag, while Reynolds linked to an article online and essentially slammed the Duggars for acting as hypocrites . Ben Seewald’s father, however, has stood up for his son-in-law, claiming the media is simply out to get this Christian family. And, most recently, Amy Duggar posted about “peace” this past weekend, writing that word alongside a secluded, nature-filled image of trees surrounding a flowing stream of water. Do you think Josh Duggar deserves to get castigated for his actions? Do you think he has already repented and the world should move on? Do you think TLC should put 19 Kids and Counting back on the air? Or do you think it’s despicable that the network would allow a family who covers up a sexual molestation scandal to profit in any way, shape or form? So many questions. So many gross accusations. So many sordid controversies attached to this famous family… View Slideshow: 22 Biggest Duggar Family Scandals

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Bette Midler Tweets Shade Over Josh Duggar Scandal: How Ironic!

Josh Duggar Admits to Acting "Inexcusably," Apologizes for Alleged Molestation

A day after  Josh Duggar was named by police as an alleged offender in a sexual molestation case, the reality star and his family have issued a statement. In response to this heinous scandal, they are not denying the charges. “Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret,” Josh tells People . “I hurt others, including my family and close friends … 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,” added Josh, who did not elaborate on what the road entailed. TMZ was a lot less vague today, reporting that a decade ago, Duggar was investigated for multiple counts of sexual molestation as a teenager. Sources told police he fondled the genitals of five girls back in 2002. Included among the molestation victims were Josh’s own sisters . View Slideshow: Josh and Anna Duggar Photos: Through the Years Duggar has now resigned from his position at the Family Research Council as a result of the accusations becoming a matter of public record. Jim Bob and Michelle, in their own statement, acknowledged having gone through “one of the most difficult times” of their lives 12 years ago. “When Josh was a young teenager, he made some very bad mistakes, and we were shocked,” the patriarch and matriarch said Thursday. “We had tried to teach him right from wrong,” they said, in the aftermath. “That dark and difficult time caused us to seek God like never before.”  Jim Bob Duggar turned him in , reportedly to local church members who agreed that Josh should be put in some kind of treatment program. It remains unclear just what this entailed. For her part, Josh’s wife and the mother of his three children, Anna, says her husband told her about his ugly past two years before he proposed. View Slideshow: 21 Biggest Duggar Family Scandals “[I know] who Josh really is … someone who had gone down a wrong path and had humbled himself before God and those whom he had offended,” she says. Someone, she adds of the oldest of 19 Duggar siblings, “who had received the help needed to change the direction of his life and do what is right.” The statute of limitations has expired so Josh Duggar will not be prosecuted. But you can bet public pressure will be applied to fire his entire family. Will TLC cancel 19 Kids and Counting in the wake of this scandal? All we can do is stay tuned there, but Josh, 27, insists he is a changed man. “I would do anything to go back to those teen years and take different actions,” says Josh. “I sought forgiveness from those I had wronged.” “I asked Christ to forgive me and come into my life. In my life today, I am so very thankful for God’s grace, mercy and redemption.” Think he’ll get it? From a higher power and/or TLC viewers? View Slideshow: 17 Controversial Duggar Family Quotes

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Josh Duggar Admits to Acting "Inexcusably," Apologizes for Alleged Molestation

Josh Duggar Admits to Acting "Inexcusably," Apologizes for Alleged Molestation

A day after  Josh Duggar was named by police as an alleged offender in a sexual molestation case, the reality star and his family have issued a statement. In response to this heinous scandal, they are not denying the charges. “Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret,” Josh tells People . “I hurt others, including my family and close friends … 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,” added Josh, who did not elaborate on what the road entailed. TMZ was a lot less vague today, reporting that a decade ago, Duggar was investigated for multiple counts of sexual molestation as a teenager. Sources told police he fondled the genitals of five girls back in 2002. Included among the molestation victims were Josh’s own sisters . View Slideshow: Josh and Anna Duggar Photos: Through the Years Duggar has now resigned from his position at the Family Research Council as a result of the accusations becoming a matter of public record. Jim Bob and Michelle, in their own statement, acknowledged having gone through “one of the most difficult times” of their lives 12 years ago. “When Josh was a young teenager, he made some very bad mistakes, and we were shocked,” the patriarch and matriarch said Thursday. “We had tried to teach him right from wrong,” they said, in the aftermath. “That dark and difficult time caused us to seek God like never before.”  Jim Bob Duggar turned him in , reportedly to local church members who agreed that Josh should be put in some kind of treatment program. It remains unclear just what this entailed. For her part, Josh’s wife and the mother of his three children, Anna, says her husband told her about his ugly past two years before he proposed. View Slideshow: 21 Biggest Duggar Family Scandals “[I know] who Josh really is … someone who had gone down a wrong path and had humbled himself before God and those whom he had offended,” she says. Someone, she adds of the oldest of 19 Duggar siblings, “who had received the help needed to change the direction of his life and do what is right.” The statute of limitations has expired so Josh Duggar will not be prosecuted. But you can bet public pressure will be applied to fire his entire family. Will TLC cancel 19 Kids and Counting in the wake of this scandal? All we can do is stay tuned there, but Josh, 27, insists he is a changed man. “I would do anything to go back to those teen years and take different actions,” says Josh. “I sought forgiveness from those I had wronged.” “I asked Christ to forgive me and come into my life. In my life today, I am so very thankful for God’s grace, mercy and redemption.” Think he’ll get it? From a higher power and/or TLC viewers? View Slideshow: 17 Controversial Duggar Family Quotes

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Josh Duggar Admits to Acting "Inexcusably," Apologizes for Alleged Molestation