TLC pulls ’19 Kids and Counting’ from schedule; is this the first sign of cancellation?

While the fate of “19 Kids and Counting” on TLC is far from being officially set in stone, we now do at least know that there is some trouble potentially on the horizon for the show.

As first reported by TMZ, the network has pulled all episodes from the series from the schedule, and this comes less than 24 hours after the eldest son of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar in Josh Duggar was reported to have molested several minors while he was still a teenager. He has apologized for his actions in a statement, and there are already claims and petitions calling for the show to end.

The report says that the network has not made a firm decision one way or another yet on the future of the show, though we personally feel like there is probably only one direction that this is going to go. A similar comparable here is what happened with TLC and “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo,” which was ultimately canceled amidst concerns about a man spending time with Mama June Shannon with a reported history of indiscretions. The longer the story lingers, and the more likely that the backlash is going to intensify.

Even if the show is canceled, though, we imagine that this is going to be far from the end of the story. The Duggar family is still to many religious and political groups, and they are still more than likely going to have some sort of a platform for themselves. This has just been their biggest venue for exposure, and at times it has also scored huge ratings for the network.

We posted a poll yesterday as to whether or not the show should continue, and 68% felt like it should. You can read more about that here, or sign up today to get some further TV news sent over to you via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: TLC.)