The Duggars: In the Media and TLC

[Tabbygirl521]

Adding on to my thoughts about the Duggars using their show as a platform for their hateful agenda: I think that Jessa and Ben might be content to just keep doing their little instagram rants. Those rants are fine. Stupid as hell, but that's part of their entertainment value. What can I say, I think it's amusing to see Ben talk about how evolution is racist and how Catholics aren't Christians and OMG REPENT OR BURN IN HELL FOREVER, YOU WORTHLESS SINNER. As long as those two refrain from making any callous references to the Holocaust again, it might be okay. I guess I don't see Ben jumping into the political fray the way Josh did, so I don't have to worry about him using the show as a platform to take away my rights. I bet he does try to spin it into some sort of evangelism ministry, but... I have my doubts on whether he'll make that work. The boy is simply not a gifted public speaker. But at least his focus will most likely be primarily on abortion (and how we're all doing Christianity wrong) instead of homophobic animus, unlike Josh. Like I said, I'm okay with giving pro-lifers a platform, as long as they don't make any stupid comments about rape (sorry, I mean "legitimate rape"). Which Ben hasn't done, I think.

Jessa did minimize/dismiss abuse, but I don't think she's going to be making a platform/career out of it. If she does, then fuck her.

So I guess maybe it's not so much Ben and Jessa that are the problem - yes, they're assholes, but assholes are a dime a dozen - but I am worried that Jim Boob and Mechelle will find a way to latch on to the spin-off. Because that's how they roll.

I'm hopeful that all the negative publicity that ensued after Joshgate has allowed more and more people to wise up. So even though I am sure TLC will keep a tight rein on what gets on the air, I want to think that viewership won't be what TLC expects.

I mean, it won't even be fun to hate-watch now that we know what we know about the pain inflicted on Anna and the abused sisters. And there has been more publicity about the cult's general hatefulness (thanks, Ben and Jessa!). And even Gothard's insanity made it briefly into some expose articles.

I hope these specials reflect some sort of contractual loose ends and that maybe, maybe they will be The End.

[CherryMalotte]

I'm not too too ruffled - any specials they are having are probably just fullfulling contracts that they signed prior to Joshgate 2.0 - I remember Benessa taking loads of pics at the TLC headquarters if I'm not mistaken.  And anything that TLC airs, well that's all going to be even more closely scrutinized because of all the levels of bullshit that have been exposed as of recently.  There's a lot less people drinking that generic lemonade they dole out at their parties.  

[Churchhoney]

Nobody needs 14 dozen doughnuts.  That's just gluttony.

 

Isn't that one of those meaningless Catholic sins? lol

[Julia]

Isn't that one of those meaningless Catholic sins? lol

 

Only for men. 

[DangerousMinds]

Adding on to my thoughts about the Duggars using their show as a platform for their hateful agenda: I think that Jessa and Ben might be content to just keep doing their little instagram rants. Those rants are fine. Stupid as hell, but that's part of their entertainment value. What can I say, I think it's amusing to see Ben talk about how evolution is racist and how Catholics aren't Christians and OMG REPENT OR BURN IN HELL FOREVER, YOU WORTHLESS SINNER. As long as those two refrain from making any callous references to the Holocaust again, it might be okay. I guess I don't see Ben jumping into the political fray the way Josh did, so I don't have to worry about him using the show as a platform to take away my rights. I bet he does try to spin it into some sort of evangelism ministry, but... I have my doubts on whether he'll make that work. The boy is simply not a gifted public speaker. But at least his focus will most likely be primarily on abortion (and how we're all doing Christianity wrong) instead of homophobic animus, unlike Josh. Like I said, I'm okay with giving pro-lifers a platform, as long as they don't make any stupid comments about rape (sorry, I mean "legitimate rape"). Which Ben hasn't done, I think.

 

Jessa did minimize/dismiss abuse, but I don't think she's going to be making a platform/career out of it. If she does, then fuck her. 

 

So I guess maybe it's not so much Ben and Jessa that are the problem - yes, they're assholes, but assholes are a dime a dozen - but I am worried that Jim Boob and Mechelle will find a way to latch on to the spin-off. Because that's how they roll.

"Pro-lifers" are also trying to take away our (women's) rights. I have a huge problem with Bin's rants, especially since he knows virtually nothing about women's health.

[anneofcleves]

I'm not too too ruffled - any specials they are having are probably just fullfulling contracts that they signed prior to Joshgate 2.0 - I remember Benessa taking loads of pics at the TLC headquarters if I'm not mistaken.  And anything that TLC airs, well that's all going to be even more closely scrutinized because of all the levels of bullshit that have been exposed as of recently.  There's a lot less people drinking that generic lemonade they dole out at their parties.  

I certainly hope you're right.  I'm already over Jill and Jessa and their blogging, selfies, and preachy postings.  Jessa, in particular, demonstrates such a high level of - not sure if this word is strong enough - conceit that is really hard to take given the Christian teachings they profess.  I cannot imagine how much her head would swell with her very own show (squee).

 

ETA:  I meant Jessa, not Jill.   I can't believe I confused the Dillard/Seewald women.  

Edited September 25, 2015 by anneofcleves

[Churchhoney]

Only for men. 

 

Ain't it the truth?

 

Misogyny, it's what's for dinner. (and lunch, and breakfast, and constantly in between)

[lulee]

Don't they know that spinoffs rarely work out? This is going to be halfway between Joanie Loves Chachi and Three's a Crowd.

Jillessa Loves Benrick, I guess.

[JoanArc]

Don't they know that spinoffs rarely work out? This is going to be halfway between Joanie Loves Chachi and Three's a Crowd.

Jillessa Loves Benrick, I guess.

AfterMASH (AfterJOSH)

Saved From The Hell: The Never-Going-To-College Years

Here Comes Another Boo Boo

[galax-arena]

"Pro-lifers" are also trying to take away our (women's) rights. I have a huge problem with Bin's rants, especially since he knows virtually nothing about women's health.

True, but Ben's not actually going into politics. He's just posting impotent rants on instagram. It's not like with Josh, who was actually using his fame to actively attempt to legislate away gay and abortion rights. Meanwhile, Ben is doing the equivalent of standing on a street corner and screaming that abortion is murder. At least he's not springboarding into protesting and harassing women at Planned Parenthood. #smallfavors

 

I do find his rants about Catholicism and evolution and general Christianity much more amusing than his abortion rants, though, that's true. His abortion rants are just tiresome. 

 

ETA: However, your comment did make me think further. I said upthread that I didn't mind giving a platform to pro-lifers; I'm as pro-choice as they come, but I get why some people feel uneasy about it. But that only applies if you actually have a working knowledge of sex ed and female anatomy. A lot of pro-lifers in the media have been disseminating flat-out false information about women's health and what does or does not qualify as an abortifacient. So yeah, if you don't know your vagina from your vulva from your uterus, or if you believe that "rape can shut that whole thing down", then you can STFU. No platform for you. 

Edited September 25, 2015 by galax-arena

[MarysWetBar]

I find this gaggle of Duggars subversively dangerous. I'm really disappointed that TLC did this but not surprised at all. If what they believe in is ok...then SHOW the world their belief system and lifestyle and general tomfuckery that their lifestyle is all about.

Don't hide it behind the cutesy THs about courting and hand holding and purity. You believe in it..preach it baby. .out in the open so everyone can see how vile and dank they truly are.

[Tabbygirl521]

I find this gaggle of Duggars subversively dangerous. I'm really disappointed that TLC did this but not surprised at all. If what they believe in is ok...then SHOW the world their belief system and lifestyle and general tomfuckery that their lifestyle is all about.

Don't hide it behind the cutesy THs about courting and hand holding and purity. You believe in it..preach it baby. .out in the open so everyone can see how vile and dank they truly are.

This would be awesome. Let's see them have the courage of their convictions, out in the open. Use that show the way they seem to claim that God intended.

[Anne Elk]

I find this gaggle of Duggars subversively dangerous. I'm really disappointed that TLC did this but not surprised at all. If what they believe in is ok...then SHOW the world their belief system and lifestyle and general tomfuckery that their lifestyle is all about.

Don't hide it behind the cutesy THs about courting and hand holding and purity. You believe in it..preach it baby. .out in the open so everyone can see how vile and dank they truly are.

 

I really hope the ship has sailed on all the purity culture/courting garbage. Listening to them babble about that junk while ignoring the giant Josh-shaped elephant in the room would be truly disgusting and come across as hypocritical in the extreme. Not that I think it would stop the Duggars, but maybe there are some editors at TLC who still have some sense.

[flyingdi]

I, for one cannot wait to catch up with the latest season of American Horror Story on The FreakShow Network. Oh, wait.

But seriously, folks, my opinion in something like this is change the channel if you don't want to watch it. I do feel, however, that people have every right to protest it or write the sponsors if they are so inclined.

[Satchels of gold]

I find this gaggle of Duggars subversively dangerous. I'm really disappointed that TLC did this but not surprised at all. If what they believe in is ok...then SHOW the world their belief system and lifestyle and general tomfuckery that their lifestyle is all about.

Don't hide it behind the cutesy THs about courting and hand holding and purity. You believe in it..preach it baby. .out in the open so everyone can see how vile and dank they truly are.

Amen! I was shocked when I went on the Duggar fb page and saw my bff and another very close friend had liked the page. My Bff has a masters degree and is a VP over a gigantic healthcare system. She is also very very Catholic and has adopted a child.. The other friend has a masters in nursing and is a breast cancer specialist who's husband quit his job to be the stay at home parent. I'm confident that both of these women just see the Duggars as wholesome and had no clue what they really believe. In fact I think it's safe to assume they are no longer "fans" of the show since there beleifs have been outed. Edited September 25, 2015 by nc socialworker

[cmr2014]

I predict the specials will do well in the ratings. I think most of the people threatening to boycott weren't viewers of the show in the first place and TLC knows that. There's still enough leg humpers and snark-watchers to pull in decent numbers. I'll admit I plan on watching to see how they work the rest of the family into the show while trying to gloss over the Pink Elephant in the room known as Josh and his Fuckery.

 

I disagree -- but it could just be wishful thinking on my part.

 

I think that people will watch an episode about the birth of Jessa's baby, but I can't see much interest after that.

 

The Duggars have a multi-part audience: the humpers, the hate-watchers, and the casual watchers. The number of humpers has been eroded by the scandals, but will probably continue to watch. If you look, though, at shows like the Bates or the Willis families -- who are similar to the Duggars, but don't inspire hate-watching -- there just aren't the numbers to keep a show going.

 

None of these people are particularly likeable and they are all super-boring. For the most part TLC didn't show a lot about their religious beliefs -- we knew that they are religious, and that they "do things a little differently" -- but the extreme nature of their beliefs has been outed by the scandal. Jessa and Ben are all over social media with their fire and brimstone schtick, and Derick keeps shoving his own foot into his mouth with his social media accounts.

 

On an unrelated note, JB must be desperate. He didn't want them doing a show without him, and here it is. I also can't help but wonder how much of the salary will go to "Duggar Enterprises" rather than Benessa and Jerick.

Edited September 25, 2015 by cmr2014

[Buggin]

Most of the people I know IRL who seem to be Duggar fans are conservative Christians but I don't think most actually watched the show or knew much about Gothard. They just think Christians with a TV show = good, so they support them without knowing the depths of their fundamentalism.

 

Honestly, in all of this, I feel really bad for Anna. Any time these specials get brought up in the media, so will Josh and his scandals. I'm sure she won't be on camera at all, but there has to be a big part of her that just wants some peace for awhile. As long as any Duggars are news, people will be bringing up what Josh did.

[magpye29]

TLC - Totally Lacking Conscience.

 

You beat me to it, Defrauder!

[Churchhoney]

I really hope the ship has sailed on all the purity culture/courting garbage. Listening to them babble about that junk while ignoring the giant Josh-shaped elephant in the room would be truly disgusting and come across as hypocritical in the extreme. Not that I think it would stop the Duggars, but maybe there are some editors at TLC who still have some sense.

 

The thing is, though, that they seem to have so little to talk about. If they weren't rattling on about how wonderful their marriages are because they purposed not to hold hands until engagement (or whatever it was), what the heck would they talk about on the show? I don't think they'll have them saying very much about how Catholics must be obliterated and how they survived Roe v. Wade or whatever. And aside from their religious pronouncements and the "let me tell you about courtship!" stuff, what the heck is left? Football? Grocery shopping? Buying diapers? And none of those things can be easily talked about in terms of vague meaningless two- and three-syllable words that vaguely reference the spiritual. So can they actually even talk about these things?

 

Honestly, if they don't rehash their stupid courtships, I don't know what there will be left to say .I remain at a loss as to what these shows could actually be about, especially Jessa's and Ben's. They don't do anything. Also, it's hard for me to see how they'll avoid showing Jessa's birthing, because it's about the only actual event on their schedule. But is Mrs. I-Think-I'm-Hot Selfie going to actually allow her labor pains to be filmed? It's all pretty baffling to me. Labor pains get seriously in the way of tight dresses, elaborately coifed hair, duck lips and sultry glances, the last time I checked.

Edited September 25, 2015 by Churchhoney

[queenanne]

I'm so interested in the ratings for these trainwrecks of boredom.  I have a feeling that TLC wouldn't be doing this without having focus tested the idea;  I could be wrong.  Either way i don't see 19KAC coming back like a phoenix (or vampire!), but, you never know.  The editors will probably work overtime, that's for sure.

[JoanArc]

The slipshod nature of the announcement tells me there wasn't a lot of focus testing. I think what was done was all done pre scandal or in the month it took TLC to cancel 19kac. The show doesn't even have a name, or firm plot lines aside from the obvious.

[Wellfleet]

I disagree -- but it could just be wishful thinking on my part.

 

I think that people will watch an episode about the birth of Jessa's baby, but I can't see much interest after that.

 

The Duggars have a multi-part audience: the humpers, the hate-watchers, and the casual watchers. The number of humpers has been eroded by the scandals, but will probably continue to watch. If you look, though, at shows like the Bates or the Willis families -- who are similar to the Duggars, but don't inspire hate-watching -- there just aren't the numbers to keep a show going.

 

None of these people are particularly likeable and they are all super-boring. For the most part TLC didn't show a lot about their religious beliefs -- we knew that they are religious, and that they "do things a little differently" -- but the extreme nature of their beliefs has been outed by the scandal. Jessa and Ben are all over social media with their fire and brimstone schtick, and Derick keeps shoving his own foot into his mouth with his social media accounts.

 

On an unrelated note, JB must be desperate. He didn't want them doing a show without him, and here it is. I also can't help but wonder how much of the salary will go to "Duggar Enterprises" rather than Benessa and Jerick.

 

This is exactly what I was just about to write, but cmr2014 did it far better than I could. The resurrected TV "careers" of Jill, Jessa, Ben & Derick have a year to go, tops. Not one of this foursome is remotely interesting. Or likable. Or articulate. Four personalities with as much spark as a dead flashlight battery. Unless they plan to break away from Gothardism, go to [real] college, get jobs where you earn an income/not beg for one, limit the sizes of their families and see their children properly educated, I can't imagine what they could do or show that would be of interest to the non leg-humping population. More pathetic management by TLC. The Duggars were already coming to the end of their run. Even if there had been no Joshgate I and II, it was pretty clear that things were winding down for them. TLC is truly trying to squeeze blood from a stone. 

Edited September 25, 2015 by Wellfleet

[flyingdi]

There is one more group that qualifies as watchers of the Duggars besides hate watchers and fans. The gawkers, those who watch because even from the beginnings, they were waiting for the train to wreck. And there are plenty of people who will slow down to watch a wreck.

Edited September 25, 2015 by flyingdi

[Darknight]

I am going to go out on what is probably a very unpopular limb and say I'm not sure what everyone is so upset about. Reality TV is stupid and full of ego-maniacs. That's a given no matter what they put on. So if you put that argument to the side, why wouldn't TLC do specials on Jessa and Jill. They didn't do anything wrong in terms of the sexual abuse or the sexual misconduct. They were the victims. So either we believe victims are not to blame or we don't. If Jessa and Jill are off limits because they are part of a family in which they were abused then that's blaming them for what happened. If specials on Jessa and Jill were ok before, then they need to be ok now.

Didn't they downgrade the abuse? Imo that's dangerous especially when thumpers are watching

[Micks Picks]

And also, many of us (me, for one) just plain don't like them based on the character qualities they have shown.

[BitterApple]

Didn't they downgrade the abuse? Imo that's dangerous especially when thumpers are watching

Yes, they called it "inappropriate touching," said it was "no big deal," and claimed every other family they knew experienced something similar so why won't the ebil Lib'rals just get off their backs and go away already?

[Absolom]

The specials are not because of a contract issue.  TV contracts are written such that a network can cancel a show at any time at their discretion.  To make it all that much easier, 19 KAC was at the end of a season. 

 

However, TLC needs a good show right now.  They renewed more borderline shows than usual and haven't found a good hit in awhile.  They need some numbers.  While the Duggars have never hit the stratosphere for TLC, they've been a very solid show and the weddings did draw extra viewers.  That could easily have brought out some thinking that Jessa and Jill can carry more shows.  I can see Jessa births a baby doing well, but I can't see them carrying shows beyond a very few specials.  TLC may bring them out for sweeps in hopes of improving their overalls. 

[Darknight]

Yes, they called it "inappropriate touching," said it was "no big deal," and claimed every other family they knew experienced something similar so why won't the ebil Lib'rals just get off their backs and go away already?

So how are they victims? Well I consider them victims but Jessa and Jill don't see themselves as victims. They didn't do anything special and this spinoff will be boring as fuck.

[SometimesBites]

I don't think the Duggar family represents a viewpoint or a lifestyle that deserves to be celebrated. I'm not basing that on Jill and Jessa's history, just what they are now and what they support. I will grant that they're not any more repugnant than the romani fiancés or the polygamists or more delusional than the gay mormons are, but I don't think most of the people on TLC should be celebrated.

Agreed. Jill and Jessa absolutely CANNOT be plucked out of that stew of bullshit and featured as though they aren't part of CLAN DUGGAR. This isn't about their molestation. It's about the way the apple doesn't fall far from the family tree. It's about how they have been raised to be self-righteous, smug, bigots who use their pseudo-fame to spread a message of condemnation and dim-wittery. If this happens, it is just the same old bullshit with a fresh coat of paint. Sure...let's bring back honey boo boo's sisters, too.

[Purpose to defraud]

I mostly don't want them on screen because Jessa, Ben, Jill, and Derick are grifting famewhores who are hell-bent on shoving their toxic dogmatic brand of Christianity down people's throats.

 

But I also don't think it's that simple to say that people who don't want them on television due to the abuse cover-up are blaming Jessa and Jill. Jessa made some gross comments minimizing molestation on the special and presumed to speak for all the other victims. It'd have been one thing if she had simply been speaking for herself, but she wasn't. She doesn't get a pass on that just because she was also a victim; rocker Chrissie Hynde, who is a rape victim, deservedly got a lot of flak for saying that some girls are essentially asking to be raped. Being a victim doesn't give you a get-out-of-jail-free card for contributing to rape culture. The comments that Jessa made showed that she is just an asshole, period, regardless of her religious beliefs. If she weren't an asshole about Christianity, she'd be off being an asshole about something else.

 

Jill didn't really do that, so I wouldn't necessarily care so much if she had a special. But Derick's been annoying me with his condescending blog posts about their mission. Sorry, Jill. You seem like the most tolerable of them all, but you're hitched to Derick. 

 

I hope someone comes forward with allegations of a secret abortion or gay love affair.

We could start a new thread with possible scandal ideas, to cheer ourselves up. 

Secret love child (how pissed would Mechelle be if JB had 20 kids and she only had nineteen?)

A shoplifter in the family

A secret vegan, or Buddhist in the ranks

Grandma having a fling with the UPS driver

Maybe we'll hit on something true.

[Chai]

They can put the show back on tv but the damage has been done. I used to look up to that family. I USED to think they were more spiritual than I was. They arent. I used to watch their tv show and buy their books. I wouldnt watch them now if you paid me. The lowest most godless person in anyones life is Closer to God than they are. This family will eat its own turd if TLC tells them to. Anything for the almighty dollar. Sexual abuse and incest and covering it up and letting the abuse victims suffer and josh prosper is why they lost me forever. Biggest hypocrites in the world.

Edited September 25, 2015 by Chai

[lookeyloo]

Maybe TLC is creating one or two of their "adventures" for the individual couples to participate in.

[kandinski]

The flurry of massive interest the first shows will get will not last long.Uneducated, personality free, boring frumps trying to pad out a full hour.

[Ilovemylabs]

"Pro-lifers" are also trying to take away our (women's) rights. I have a huge problem with Bin's rants, especially since he knows virtually nothing about women's health.

Taking my reply to the prayer closet

[Fosca]

People will watch the specials, partly for train-wreck viewing and partly because a lot of people have been watching Jill and Jessa for so long that they're considered friends, if not members of their family.  They don't care about the scandal; after all, if it was their family, they'd like others to forgive.  A series, however, will likely do poorly after the first few episodes, unless they can whip up another engagement/marriage really quickly.

 

Also, it will indeed be interesting to see if TLC tries to get Benessa to censor their Twitter and facebook of all the fire-and-brimstone.  Or to see if Benessa decide to add the fire-and-brimstone to their specials, and if so if it gets shown.

[Churchhoney]

avoid showing Michelle in a birth episode though. I hope that they make her stay off camera.

 

On scale of difficulty, this would be sort of like creating a perpetual-motion machine, right?

[Churchhoney]

We could start a new thread with possible scandal ideas, to cheer ourselves up. 

Secret love child (how pissed would Mechelle be if JB had 20 kids and she only had nineteen?)

A shoplifter in the family

A secret vegan, or Buddhist in the ranks

Grandma having a fling with the UPS driver

Maybe we'll hit on something true.

 

Or, at the very least, get all of it covered in the tabs and on various online "news sites" as potentially true.

[Cherrio]

"Here Comes Another Boo Boo"

 

Love it !

[neural-plasticity]

I agree with most here that Jill and Jessa didn't do anything wrong with Joshgate I that would mean they couldn't keep their contract with TLC. If they want specials, good for them. But I won't be watching, and it sounds like many others feel the same way.

Honestly, I thought the last season was so boring. I didn't care about watching Jessa, after having just sat around all day, cool Bin dinner. I also was never interested in watching Jill look for baby furniture. They're so uninteresting. And Jessa is absolutely hateful. There's no way I would ever support them on television.

In addition, I'm quite sad for/disappointed in them. My whole thing about the show being canceled is that it's so important for these kids (including the married ones now) to realize they should NOT rely on making a living off of TLC. It's not realistic to have 19 kids and live as comfortably as they did. By having their own specials, TLC is just perpetuating their laziness.

[floridamom]

In my opinion, a planned, intentional inappropriate touching and carrying it out IS sexual molestation. How can this family have the nerve to use such creative language?

 

On another note, as I see it, it is Anna, who is the "biggest loser" here. The blood Duggar clan comes through this relatively unscathed, gets more TV air time, and it is Anna who will be minus the TLC income in her household, whether it's with or without Joshy....I would think that all the credit goes to Papa Keller here...Way to go, daddy, for looking out for your girls! I think Mr. Keller had one of his "God antennas" crossed" when he prayed about Josh. Bad judgment for all of his daughters so far if you ask me.

 

TLC has cut other shows for far less than this mess, yet they bring this bigoted, women- suppressing, Christian- elitist family back on TV to highlight them in a false light of whitewashed goodness, purity and wholesomeness? I really don't understand it. I still would like to see a real documentary on their belief system, warts and all. Now that would be in keeping with the "learning" part of TLC.

I was also dumbfounded that this network edited Jill's labor and birth experience to heavily and Anna had her most intimate moments aired on national TV. How did that happen? Why was Jill's experience hidden from the cameras and her sister in law's weren't? I found that to be unfair to Anna. Since Jill is some type of midwife and was already in the program, somewhere, I would think that her experience, decision making would be of interest to the audience...to really see how she handled things for herself...You know what they say about lawyers representing themselves, they have fools for clients. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest guys.

[Wellfleet]

In my opinion, a planned, intentional inappropriate touching and carrying it out IS sexual molestation. How can this family have the nerve to use such creative language?

 

On another note, as I see it, it is Anna, who is the "biggest loser" here. The blood Duggar clan comes through this relatively unscathed, gets more TV air time, and it is Anna who will be minus the TLC income in her household, whether it's with or without Joshy....I would think that all the credit goes to Papa Keller here...Way to go, daddy, for looking out for your girls! I think Mr. Keller had one of his "God antennas" crossed" when he prayed about Josh. Bad judgment for all of his daughters so far if you ask me.

 

TLC has cut other shows for far less than this mess, yet they bring this bigoted, women- suppressing, Christian- elitist family back on TV to highlight them in a false light of whitewashed goodness, purity and wholesomeness? I really don't understand it. I still would like to see a real documentary on their belief system, warts and all. Now that would be in keeping with the "learning" part of TLC.

I was also dumbfounded that this network edited Jill's labor and birth experience to heavily and Anna had her most intimate moments aired on national TV. How did that happen? Why was Jill's experience hidden from the cameras and her sister in law's weren't? I found that to be unfair to Anna. Since Jill is some type of midwife and was already in the program, somewhere, I would think that her experience, decision making would be of interest to the audience...to really see how she handled things for herself...You know what they say about lawyers representing themselves, they have fools for clients. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest guys.

 

I've never had a baby but I'm guessing Jill's "birth experience" was heavily-edited because if it hadn't been, it would have been crystal-clear to a lot of viewers what poor decisions she was making regarding what to do - and when to do it. Also, from what I've read, it seems to have taken several days - !!! - from start to finish.

[Oldernowiser]

I'm at a loss as to how they make even one show out of this. Without the smug lecturing on "we're better Christians than anyone and here's why," it's just another episode of "A Baby Story," or whatever that show was called. I mostly just remember lots of pixelated body parts and sweaty women in agony. Of course, watching Jessa discover that reality might be watchable television...

[Churchhoney]

TLC has cut other shows for far less than this mess, yet they bring this bigoted, women- suppressing, Christian- elitist family back on TV to highlight them in a false light of whitewashed goodness, purity and wholesomeness? I really don't understand it. I still would like to see a real documentary on their belief system, warts and all. Now that would be in keeping with the "learning" part of TLC....

I was also dumbfounded that this network edited Jill's labor and birth experience to heavily and Anna had her most intimate moments aired on national TV. How did that happen? Why was Jill's experience hidden from the cameras and her sister in law's weren't? I found that to be unfair to Anna. Since Jill is some type of midwife and was already in the program, somewhere, I would think that her experience, decision making would be of interest to the audience...to really see how she handled things for herself...You know what they say about lawyers representing themselves, they have fools for clients. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest guys.

 

Darned good questions. .... I suppose that the answer to both could be "ratings." (like the answer to most everything on tv, I guess)..... 19 Kids was TLC's highest-rated show, so they get favored over all other shows, no matter what..... And Jill's wedding-related shows were the biggest (???) ratings-derby winner, so anything that might have shown her in a bad or uncomfortable light gets censored -- cause she's a stah while poor old Anna's just an expendable member of the company. Pretty awful.

[Wellfleet]

We could start a new thread with possible scandal ideas, to cheer ourselves up. 

Secret love child (how pissed would Mechelle be if JB had 20 kids and she only had nineteen?)

A shoplifter in the family

A secret vegan, or Buddhist in the ranks

Grandma having a fling with the UPS driver

Maybe we'll hit on something true.

 

Yep, I think this is what it will actually take for the Duggars, any or all of them, to stay on TV. Real change - or additional scandal - in their lives. It's over, TLC. How dim are the Powers That Be in your organization that after 4 months, you STILL can't recognize and accept this?

[Defrauder]

TLC has always, and now apparently will continue to, portray the Duggars in the light of how they want them to be seen and not how they really are.  TLC has no courage to show it like it is.  As in - do you think gay people are going to hell and are you against gay rights?  Do you feel you have the right to discriminate against people you feel are not following your gospel?  Do you use the rod on your children?  Do you enforce 'blanket training'?  Do you believe your adult female children should remain at home and under your authority until they are married?  Do you think it was a mistake to let Josh get that 'stern' lecture from someone who is now incarcerated for child pornography?  Do you follow Bill Gothard's teaching and do you believe he is innocent of the allegations against him?  Do you feel it is healthy to sleep 10 children mixed in with adults in one bedroom?  

 

Why doesn't TLC have the courage to show the Duggars as they truly are instead of sugar coating this horrible family all of the time?

[kandinski]

Yeah we need an undercover fundie expose,possibly from someone who was on the inside.Its been mentioned a few times on different sites,there is much more on the Duggars,if so I hope its Jim Bob or in my opinion the worst of the bunch Michelle.

Edited September 25, 2015 by kandinski

[galax-arena]

On the plus side, at least there is no way that any casual viewers [who don't live on the Internet] will be as fooled as they used to be. Before the child abuse and Ashley Madison scandals, it was possible to just see the Duggars as a nice albeit kooky/eccentric Christian family. Now I don't see how that's possible unless you really were living under a rock.

[Defrauder]

Don't they know that spinoffs rarely work out? This is going to be halfway between Joanie Loves Chachi and Three's a Crowd.

Jillessa Loves Benrick, I guess.

LOL at Joanie Loves Chachi.  

[Satchels of gold]

TLC has always, and now apparently will continue to, portray the Duggars in the light of how they want them to be seen and not how they really are. TLC has no courage to show it like it is. As in - do you think gay people are going to hell and are you against gay rights? Do you feel you have the right to discriminate against people you feel are not following your gospel? Do you use the rod on your children? Do you enforce 'blanket training'? Do you believe your adult female children should remain at home and under your authority until they are married? Do you think it was a mistake to let Josh get that 'stern' lecture from someone who is now incarcerated for child pornography? Do you follow Bill Gothard's teaching and do you believe he is innocent of the allegations against him? Do you feel it is healthy to sleep 10 children mixed in with adults in one bedroom?

Why doesn't TLC have the courage to show the Duggars as they truly are instead of sugar coating this horrible family all of the time?

This post to the tenth power

Edited September 25, 2015 by nc socialworker

[Julia]

Well, I think after Amy's delightful display of disloyal venality in the run-up to her wedding and the charming social media shots she and Jessa took at each other afterwards, there's a pretty good chance that beta Duggar doesn't have a great shot at a TLC show. Maybe she'll write a book. 

 

OK, maybe someone else will write a book and she'll sign it, but I wouldn't bet against an Amy book, is what I'm getting at.