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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