You might think you've seen the last of the Duggars on TV in the wake of multiple family scandals this summer, the ensuing media storm, and the cancellation of their reality show. But, according to the AP, just four months after TLC pulled the plug on their reality show 19 Kids and Counting, the network has elected to plow forward with two to three new TV specials featuring two of the Dillard daughters and their families. The first installment of the new specials, which are still untitled, is expected to air by the end of 2015.
19 Kids and Counting was cancelled in May after reports surfaced that son Josh, 27, had allegedly molested four of his young sisters as a teenager. Those sisters include Jill and Jessa, who will star in the upcoming specials. When the news broke over the summer, TLC released a statement: "We are deeply saddened and troubled by this heartbreaking situation, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and victims at this difficult time." Now TLC is moving forward with new Duggar content. "We know that our audience is really excited about what's been going on with Jill and Jessa as they move into young adulthood," executive VP Nancy Daniels told The Associated Press. "What we will be following in these specials is Jessa preparing for her first child, and we'll be watching Jill preparing to make a major move to Central America with her family." Jill, 24, is moving to El Salvador with her husband Derick, and their first child to pursue missionary work. Jessa, 22, is expecting a baby with husband Ben in November. "There's no doubt it's been a tough few months on the family, and we've obviously been in close contact with them as they've been going through it," Daniels said. According to an anonymous production source who spoke to The AP, their brother Josh will not join them on the show. He'll still be dealing with the fallout from his other massive and more recent scandal. In August, the Ashley Madison hack revealed that Josh Duggar had an account with the site. In his apology, he said he was a pornography addict. Shortly after, victim Jessa shared an ambiguous message of forgiveness by quoting the Bible in an Instagram post. (The Associated Press)
19 Kids and Counting was cancelled in May after reports surfaced that son Josh, 27, had allegedly molested four of his young sisters as a teenager. Those sisters include Jill and Jessa, who will star in the upcoming specials. When the news broke over the summer, TLC released a statement: "We are deeply saddened and troubled by this heartbreaking situation, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and victims at this difficult time." Now TLC is moving forward with new Duggar content. "We know that our audience is really excited about what's been going on with Jill and Jessa as they move into young adulthood," executive VP Nancy Daniels told The Associated Press. "What we will be following in these specials is Jessa preparing for her first child, and we'll be watching Jill preparing to make a major move to Central America with her family." Jill, 24, is moving to El Salvador with her husband Derick, and their first child to pursue missionary work. Jessa, 22, is expecting a baby with husband Ben in November. "There's no doubt it's been a tough few months on the family, and we've obviously been in close contact with them as they've been going through it," Daniels said. According to an anonymous production source who spoke to The AP, their brother Josh will not join them on the show. He'll still be dealing with the fallout from his other massive and more recent scandal. In August, the Ashley Madison hack revealed that Josh Duggar had an account with the site. In his apology, he said he was a pornography addict. Shortly after, victim Jessa shared an ambiguous message of forgiveness by quoting the Bible in an Instagram post. (The Associated Press)