TLC announced Thursday morning it was officially pulling the plug on its long-running reality show “19 Kids and Counting” in the wake of a child molestation scandal involving one of its stars.
Josh Duggar, eldest son of the TV-famous family, quit his job as head of the Family Research Council’s lobbying arm earlier this year following an explosive report that he had allegedly sexually molested a number of underage girls as a teenager, including his sisters.
{mosads}“After thoughtful consideration, TLC and the Duggar family have decided to not move forward with 19 Kids and Counting,” TLC said in a statement. “The show will no longer appear on the air.”
The family values-oriented series, which aired for 10 seasons, followed the home life of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and their ever-expanding clan of kids.
In addition to canceling the show, TLC has also announced that it will be partnering with child-protection organizations for a one-hour special on child molestation that will feature two of the Duggar sisters.
“TLC has been especially concerned for the victims in this situation, including the Duggar family,” the network’s statement continued, “and it is our hope that this effort will help those in need learn where to turn for information and help.”