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The Duggars: In the Media and TLC

Null 302

By Null 302
in Counting On

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As a reminder, the site's Politics Policy remains in effect.  Yes, Jim Bob is apparently running for office again. That does not make it an acceptable topic of conversation in here - unless for some mysterious reason, TLC brings the show back and it is discussed on there. Even then, it would be limited to how it was discussed on the show.

If you have any questions, please PM the mods, @SCARLETT45 and myself.

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cmr2014
cmr2014

I was thinking about this and the idea that the girls weren't "harmed" and weren't "damaged goods" which led me to realize that ALL of the Duggar children are "damaged goods" and I think that's becomi

Churchhoney
Churchhoney

They put themselves on tv and have proclaimed over and over and over and over again that their way of life is the way to ensure that your children are totally safe from every evil of the world, and in

WhitneyWhit
WhitneyWhit

I don't know where to post this but I fucking met Michelle Duggar. Let me set the scene. So my cousin is getting married and we were at a shop looking at dresses here in Kentucky when the Duggars marc

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mbutterfly

mbutterfly

(edited)

Mark Morford makes an interesting argument for why pinning the "addiction" label on Josh's porniness and horniness may be just another Christian Right ploy to blame all of men's problems on women

http://blog.sfgate.com/morford/2015/09/04/sex-addiction-does-not-exist/?cmpid=NLmorford

 

"Look at it this way: If you truly believe sex, or porn, or masturbation – all just shorthand, by the way, for “women’s sexuality,” given how it’s almost always men who claim addiction – are truly dangerous, if you really believe that enjoying such things can result in a genuine medical condition bordering on psychosis, it’s no leap at all to demand that those forces – i.e.; women – be curtailed, shut down, defunded, the “drug” of their sexuality restricted and made forbidden, lest dumb, powerless, God-fearing men go “insane” with uncontrollable lust and… well, you know the rest.

"Right? It’s the same revolting message across the planet and since times biblical: Women’s sexuality is pure sin, a poison of devilish origin, the Serpent in disguise. If an innocent Christian – like poor little Josh Duggar – is “addicted” to sex, guess who’s to really to blame for enflaming and engorging his desires?"

I've been thinking along these lines too. Apparently there were only 3 zip codes in the U. S. that did not have an AM subscriber. If everyone treated it like the Duggars there would be tens of thousands of men in rehab. Perhaps some are, but mostly I'm thinking they're just taking their lumps and carrying on with virtually none of them attempting to blame their wives. I know Josh didn't apparently blame Anna, but their culture did. 

Edited by mbutterfly
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Julia

Julia

(edited)

 

I think that's a rehash of some earlier articles. I'm also pretty sure the Duggars never made a $25 million salary from their show, so I'd take that one with a grain of salt.

 

However - Patheos points out that the missionary organization the Duggars and the Dillards work with is primarily interested in converting Catholics. It seems like an odd choice to work to separate people from their support system and their community rather than trying to help people who have neither of those things.

Edited by Julia
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Wellfleet

Wellfleet

 

Wow. According to this article, Boob was earning $25 million a year. !!!  Where did this info come from? And someone who once worked with the same "mission" Jill & Derick are with currently commented that that outfit is a complete scam too! I'm no longer facetiously wondering what'll be next? Now I'm expecting more revelations about how-the-Duggars-were-not-what-they-said-they-were. Rubs hands together gleefully...

It's like we all woke up at 6AM and everyone else slept until noon.

 

That's exactly what happened. Great metaphor.

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sometimesy

sometimesy

People will probably come out with another warm and fuzzy article for the Duggars. One of the magazines did have a photo of Amy in her dress, then put Jill's and Jessa's up as well. Wish I had bookmarked that.

 

Would one of these magazines please investigate the rumours that JB has some skimming rights to the donations. I forget what it is called, but he is rumoured to have a company that collects the donations for the Dillards and he takes a percentage for that service. Thanks.

3 is enough

3 is enough

(edited)

I think the 25 million figure is not real.  TLC said they were losing 19 million by cancelling the show, so if they paid JB 25 million that means they would be losing 6 million just to have them on.  Doesn't make sense.

 

I remember reading about a figure of 25K per episode, which at 40 episodes per year would give him 1 million. Add on assorted freebies (catering on filming days, travel expenses, etc) and some extra money for "special episodes" and that sounds more realistic.

 

That's still more money than most people can even dream of, but after taxes, and taking into account that there are 30 people being supported, including in-laws, grandkids, and grandma, it wouldn't go that far.  Just maintaining and insuring the fleet of vehicles ( and the plane!) they have would take a serious chunk of change. I can't imagine the rental incomes and cell tower bring in that much.  They really and truly must be in full panic mode right now.  And so, they beg for donations.

Edited by 3 is enough
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Loves2Dance

Loves2Dance

People will probably come out with another warm and fuzzy article for the Duggars. One of the magazines did have a photo of Amy in her dress, then put Jill's and Jessa's up as well. Wish I had bookmarked that.

 

Would one of these magazines please investigate the rumours that JB has some skimming rights to the donations. I forget what it is called, but he is rumoured to have a company that collects the donations for the Dillards and he takes a percentage for that service. Thanks.

I thought we already established that that was false. 

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JoanArc

JoanArc

(edited)

Ah, the wheels are really coming off the wagon. Better late than never.

 

They can't blame mean ol' Josh for this one. It's entirely on Jill and Derick (and their grifter parents), and is recent.

 

 

I hope the Dillards have enough sense to respond.

Of course, like this:

 

jill-duggar-768.jpg

Edited by JoanArc
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Julia

Julia

If I remember that conversation, the Dillards are using Cornerstone Payment Systems to process their donations. Cornerstone also provides "Christian" credit card processing services for businesses, and can arrange for a percentage of those receipts to go for the support of a particular religious ministry, kind of like having an Amazon link on your webpage. It's been around for about fifteen years, and I can't find any indication that the Duggars were involved. 

JenCarroll

JenCarroll

I think the 25 million figure is not real.  TLC said they were losing 19 million by cancelling the show, so if they paid JB 25 million that means they would be losing 6 million just to have them on.  Doesn't make sense.

 

I remember reading about a figure of 25K per episode, which at 40 episodes per year would give him 1 million. Add on assorted freebies (catering on filming days, travel expenses, etc) and some extra money for "special episodes" and that sounds more realistic.

I don't think they did anything like 40 episodes per year.

PityFree

PityFree

I hope the Dillards have enough sense to respond. Derick has an Accounting degree and he would look foolish not to explain their expenses. Part of me wonders that if SOS is a scam, maybe the Dillards were also scammed by them.

You reminded me of something that hit me the other day. Derrick might have an accounting degree, but very little actual accounting experience. Did he work during college? Did he do internships? Did he do any accounting while he was on his mission trip after college? He worked for less than a year at Walmart and now he does awful skits and interpretive dance for a living. I would not be surprised if he left Walmart because he wasn't that good at accounting. (If he goes back to accounting, he'll have to compete with people who have master's degrees or CPAs or, heck, anyone with a full year of work experience.) 

 

I am not sure Derrick *can* explain their expenses.  

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frenchtoast

frenchtoast

Let's make sure any remarks about the clerk in KY are in relation to the Duggars in the Media. Normally, politics and religion are topics not discussed on PTV. Discussion of the Duggars and politics is hard to avoid considering how they've involved themselves. However, we do not need wide ranging discussion of politics and the hot button issues in this forum.

 

Please PM us with any questions or clarification. 

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galax-arena

galax-arena

Have the Duggars kept silent regarding the Kentucky county clerk who wouldn't issue same-sex marriage licenses?

I think even the Duggars realize that speaking out about the Kentucky clerk would be a fool's errand now. They've lost whatever little credibility they've had as family values advocates, and they know it.

 

The one exception might be Jessa and Ben. I could see those two going off-script and yammering on about religious liberty. But their cause celebre seems to be abortion, not LGBT rights. The latter was more Josh's forte, and we know he ain't saying shit. Now, if he still had his job with the FRC, we'd definitely be hearing some self-important soundbites.

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Missy Vixen

Missy Vixen

Now, if he still had his job with the FRC, we'd definitely be hearing some self-important soundbites.

Oh, we'd be hearing more than soundbites. Smuggar would have been there yesterday. And one can only imagine the shoving match between him and Huckabee over who was standing on the platform for the festivities.

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Vermicious Knid

Vermicious Knid

I've been assuming that $19 million is estimated ad revenue. And it's misleading because most of the advertisers will be moved to lower rated shows so they won't be getting as much, but it's not just evaporating.

 

TLC still can't imagine a future without fundamentalists, they renewed The Willis Family for a second season.

http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/08/31/the-willis-family-renewed-for-8-episode-season-2-by-tlc/455491/

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Sew Sumi

Sew Sumi

(edited)

I don't think they did anything like 40 episodes per year.

Their last three or four calendar years consisted of two 20-episode "seasons." So yeah, 40 episodes. eta: Hour episodes count as two, or $50k. The $25k number was for each 30 minute episode. 

 

Since then, I've heard they got closer to $40-50k/30 minute episode. I could see Boob renegotiating for that amount after Jill's wedding brought blockbuster ratings. But that means they only got the big numbers for a very short time, just the "Jessa" season of episodes. 

Edited by Sew Sumi
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kokapetl

kokapetl

(edited)

Jill and Jessa's courtships and weddings spanned three seasons over 14 months. I thought they were really boring, and the extra screen time didn't do Jill or Jessa any favors, but not only did they crack the 2 million viewer mark in those seasons, they averaged over 2 million when they used to be more like 1 million.

Edited by Kokapetl
  • Love 3
GeeGolly

GeeGolly

Their largest seasons were 3 - 6, with season 4 having the most episodes at 38. Seasons 7 - 10 averaged 20 episodes per season. Like Sew Sumi said if they had a pay increase it was on a lessor amount of episodes. According to poverty guidelines for 2015 the Duggars would have to make over $80,000 per year to be above the poverty threshold. So for a 10 year period, if the Duggars made 1 million dollars, that would put them in working class or lower middle class.

 

From my perspective, even considering many of their perks, they have spent a large amount of their income during their years on TV. Like I said earlier, IMHO, even if they invested 2 million, it won't last long with a family of their size.

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Gemma Violet

Gemma Violet

(edited)

 

TLC still can't imagine a future without fundamentalists, they renewed The Willis Family for a second season.

 

I was hoping this would happen.  My fantasy is that The Willis Family's ratings grow each season until they rival or surpass 19 Kids & Counting's at it's peak.  Then Jim Bob will be sitting on the sidelines watching another large religious family take "their" spotlight.  It would be too delicious.

Edited by Gemma Violet
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Julia

Julia

Aw. Amy retweeted her wedding picture from People (which they chopped off quite a bit about the, um, natural focal point of the image) and their picture of her hugbombing Anna. And after a month of relentless self-promotion, Amy's twitter followers have skyrocketed from 74.3k last month to, um, 75.7k. 

 

I think America has decided to pass on the Kings.

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Cherrio

Cherrio

The numbers batted around on the internet for these reality shows is almost always inflated and sometimes wildly inflated. 

I agree and I also do not think Jim Bob could negotiate at will. Reality participants are under limited (usually yearly) contracts and are "invited" back.   If there are negotiations at that time, TLC always has the upper hand.   The Duggars needed TLC , not the other way around.   Sure, TLC was making a bundle off them, but TLC could also see that the Duggars were spending foolishly putting themselves into a position of being dependent on the network.

            Also, TLC knew that they could easily offer the married couples their own shows or other who were 18 and over.  Jim Bob may have had the power to control his kids and said no to that, but then TLC walks away and finds another fundie family.     That is another losing hand for Jim Bob.

  • Love 1
Loves2Dance

Loves2Dance

I was hoping this would happen.  My fantasy is that The Willis Family's ratings grow each season until they rival or surpass 19 Kids & Counting's at it's peak.  Then Jim Bob will be sitting on the sidelines watching another large religious family take "their" spotlight.  It would be too delicious.

That'd be fun, if only the Willis' weren't on the same wavelength as the Duggar's. Though I imagine FB seethes over the Bates on Up. 

JenCarroll

JenCarroll

Their largest seasons were 3 - 6, with season 4 having the most episodes at 38. Seasons 7 - 10 averaged 20 episodes per season. Like Sew Sumi said if they had a pay increase it was on a lessor amount of episodes. According to poverty guidelines for 2015 the Duggars would have to make over $80,000 per year to be above the poverty threshold. So for a 10 year period, if the Duggars made 1 million dollars, that would put them in working class or lower middle class.

 

From my perspective, even considering many of their perks, they have spent a large amount of their income during their years on TV. Like I said earlier, IMHO, even if they invested 2 million, it won't last long with a family of their size.

Out of curiosity (and because doing my own math is apparently way too hard), would that count the adult un-marrieds as dependents? Or just Joy on down? I'm wondering about the economic feasibility of maintaining all those SAHD's. And SAHS's, maybe. Either way, clearly when you can't rise out of poverty on less than $80,000 a year, you've had way too many children.

But yeah, that does put it in perspective; an income of $1,000,000 just gets them by, especially given that the adult children all seem to be dependent to one degree or another; the interest on even three times that amount (around $120,000 -- that math I can do in my head) would have them barely getting by.

  • Love 2
graefin

graefin

Their last three or four calendar years consisted of two 20-episode "seasons." So yeah, 40 episodes. eta: Hour episodes count as two, or $50k. The $25k number was for each 30 minute episode. 

 

Since then, I've heard they got closer to $40-50k/30 minute episode. I could see Boob renegotiating for that amount after Jill's wedding brought blockbuster ratings. But that means they only got the big numbers for a very short time, just the "Jessa" season of episodes. 

I could believe this, but even (J&)K&8 was bringing in only $22,500 per ep at the height of its popularity. Or would the Duggars automatically earn more because there are more family members involved? Interestingly, the figures for double-length eps of (J&)K&8 were paid out at the same rate as the single ones (at least according to the book that was published with the contract information).

 

Still, the Duggars are far from poor.

kokapetl

kokapetl

(edited)

TLC dared show Gothard on camera three times? The claim that JimChelle didn't inform law enforcement is incorrect, the statute of limitations expired in 2006 because they did inform law enforcement previously. And being tight lipped and selective about who they informed about Josh's actions isn't an IBLP thing, it's what the average person does.

Edited by Kokapetl
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Churchhoney

Churchhoney

(edited)

An excellent overview of the Duggars, Gothard, and the scandals. Very long!

 

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/theslice/duggars-bill-gothard-iblp

 

Great article. The details about cleaning IBLP headquarters are something I don't remember hearing before and make ATI sound even more like the "Christian" version of Scientology.

 

And then there's this: 'And IBLP used the Duggars’ fame to promote its teachings. The Duggars, said Leigh, were Gothard’s “model ATI family,” and were “held up as ideal in the IBLP world.” Though IBLP hasn’t rebounded to its glory days, many recent enrollments were loyal viewers who’d been inspired by the show, according to Leigh, who has discussed the matter with recent staffers at IBLP headquarters. As depicted by TLC, the Duggars were a loving, virtuous family—and their biggest fans wanted to know their secret.

 

'"People weren’t joining ATI in the past five years because of Bill Gothard,” said John Cornish, spokesman for the website Recovering Grace, which gathers and publishes former ATI members’ accounts of abuse by Gothard. “They were joining because they had seen the Duggars on TV and wanted to live like them.”'

 

As I've always thought, the show was absolutely about their cult. In the most underhanded possible way. Thanks for nothing, TLC.

Edited by Churchhoney
  • Love 15
kokapetl

kokapetl

Great article. The details about cleaning IBLP headquarters are something I don't remember hearing before and make ATI sound even more like the "Christian" version of Scientology.

And then there's this: 'And IBLP used the Duggars’ fame to promote its teachings. The Duggars, said Leigh, were Gothard’s “model ATI family,” and were “held up as ideal in the IBLP world.” Though IBLP hasn’t rebounded to its glory days, many recent enrollments were loyal viewers who’d been inspired by the show, according to Leigh, who has discussed the matter with recent staffers at IBLP headquarters. As depicted by TLC, the Duggars were a loving, virtuous family—and their biggest fans wanted to know their secret.

'People weren’t joining ATI in the past five years because of Bill Gothard,” said John Cornish, spokesman for the website Recovering Grace, which gathers and publishes former ATI members’ accounts of abuse by Gothard. “They were joining because they had seen the Duggars on TV and wanted to live like them.”'

As I've always thought, the show was absolutely about their cult. In the most underhanded possible way. Thanks for nothing, TLC.

It wasn't about a cult, it was about the Duggars. TLC clearly chose not to highlight the religion. I understand people who were in similar religious sects found the Duggars unpleasantly reminiscent of things they'd rather forget, but the average viewer didn't have a clue, they were just mockable freaks on TV.
Cherrio

Cherrio

Great article. The details about cleaning IBLP headquarters are something I don't remember hearing before and make ATI sound even more like the "Christian" version of Scientology.

 

And then there's this: 'And IBLP used the Duggars’ fame to promote its teachings. The Duggars, said Leigh, were Gothard’s “model ATI family,” and were “held up as ideal in the IBLP world.” Though IBLP hasn’t rebounded to its glory days, many recent enrollments were loyal viewers who’d been inspired by the show, according to Leigh, who has discussed the matter with recent staffers at IBLP headquarters. As depicted by TLC, the Duggars were a loving, virtuous family—and their biggest fans wanted to know their secret.

 

'"People weren’t joining ATI in the past five years because of Bill Gothard,” said John Cornish, spokesman for the website Recovering Grace, which gathers and publishes former ATI members’ accounts of abuse by Gothard. “They were joining because they had seen the Duggars on TV and wanted to live like them.”'

 

As I've always thought, the show was absolutely about their cult. In the most underhanded possible way. Thanks for nothing, TLC.

Thanks for the article Joanarc and Churchhoney, I agree about the cult.

  • Love 7
Lemur

Lemur

(edited)

Thanks for the article Joanarc and Churchhoney, I agree about the cult.

 

Seconded, heartily.  Also:

 

“'As we commit the work of buying a toothbrush to Him,' one Wisdom Book advises, 'He has promised to make His will known to us.'"

 

Clearly God laid it on my heart to own a Crest Spinbrush. 

Edited by Lemur
  • Love 15
Featherhat

Featherhat

(edited)

I think anyone that joined ATI/IBLP via the Duggars was probably already leaning heavily that way. Most of the people I know who watched it as actual fans seemed more into the "bless their hearts, apple pie, lovely well behaved kids, good to see some people being Godly" types who appreciate it in other people but would never commit to the fundie lifestyle themselves. Though maybe there was an increase in fans attending Big Sandy or fundie churches they spoke at. You actually do have to do some (basic) googling to find out about Gothardism from the Duggars (or even the Bates)they may be stealth recruiting but watching the show gives you very little idea about what their sect actually is, they are just random "very conservative Christians" as far as TLC showed.

Does anyone remember if the Jill/Jessa spin off was talked about pre Joshgate 1.0? Because the aftermath of that was when I first heard about, but there have been several articles when it seemed talk of a "married Duggar girls" spin off was already in the works when it broke. Just interested because it adds a slightly different perspective to their public interviews/behaviour. If it was a mooted for a couple of weeks as a maybe test flag after it became clear that the 19 kids format would have to change, that's a hope that was quickly quashed, if it was already in the works then the scandals destroyed two TV shows, and the two young couples stood to gain a lot of extra money and publicity, which might explain certain things.

Edited by Featherhat
  • Love 5
Vaysh

Vaysh

Just a year before the abuse revelations broke, Josh Duggar spoke at a May 2014 ATI conference, extolling the importance of living “a life of holiness” for the sake of one’s children. His siblings, he said, looked up to him as the oldest: “I had a greater influence on my younger siblings than my parents did in so many ways,” he said.

This part literally made the hairs on my neck and arms stand up in revulsion. You had "greater influence" on your younger siblings than your parents did, Josh? Well, that's probably true in a lot of ways but it's not really something I'd publically brag about if I were you. Eugh.

 

He hinted vaguely at his past, saying that when he was 15 his father “got me connected with some people who were really solid that would spiritually guide me” toward a “path of righteousness.”

Ok, this actually makes me wonder if Josh is an actual sociopath or if he is just extremely good at compartmentalising different parts of his life and morals. I just don't get how a person can stand up in public and claim righteousness all the while they are using cheating websites and bonking porn stars.

  • Love 15
Guest

As a reminder, the site's Politics Policy remains in effect.  Yes, Jim Bob is apparently running for office again. That does not make it an acceptable topic of conversation in here - unless for some mysterious reason, TLC brings the show back and it is discussed on there. Even then, it would be limited to how it was discussed on the show.

If you have any questions, please PM the mods, @SCARLETT45 and myself.

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