'19 Kids and Counting' Spinoff Cast Rumors, Jill and Jessa Duggar Update: Will TLC Cancel The Show?

By Komfie Manalo
Jessa Duggar
Jessa, 22, and Ben, 19, announced they were expecting their first child earlier in April, and also revealed the due date to be November 1st, which doubles as their wedding anniversary.  Facebook/JessaDuggar

Television network TLC has not made official plan whether to cancel the faith and family oriented reality TV show 19 Kids and Counting or not, after the much-publicized sex scandal involving one of the show's stars, Josh Duggar. But rumors of a spin off to focus on the lives of Jill and Jessa Duggar continues to spread like wildfire.

However, the recent decision of Jill and husband Derick Dillard to fly to the earthquake-ravished city of Kathmandu in Nepal together with their infant Israel David, is seen to jeopardize the planned 19 Kids And Counting spinoff.

Inquisitr cited a source by the Mail that the couple decided to visit Nepal, which was hit by magnitude-7.9 earthquake on April 25, 2015 upon hearing news that aid and relief are lacking in the region, leaving thousands of survivors fighting over limited food and supplies.

Nepal plays an important place for Jill and Derrick. It was in that country where Derrick asked Jill to start their courtship.

Earlier, we reported that TLC still has promotional materials on the network's web site. You can still look and see snippets from episodes, which means that even though TLC immediately pulled all episodes of 19 Kids and Counting after Josh Duggar's investigation for child molestation in 2006, the 19 Kids brand is still being kept alive on TLC.

The spinoff is seen to rebrand the Duggar family in order to move farther away from Josh's sex scandal which happened 12 years ago when he was still 14 years old. Since the controversy broke out, Josh has admitted and apologized for his improper behavior as a teen, wherein he confessed of touching five younger girls, including four of her siblings, inappropriately.

The new show will focus on newlyweds like Jill and Derick Dillard as well as Jessa and Ben Seewald. Considering the show had begun to shift its focus away from the next generation of Duggars, specifically Jill and Jessa and their marriages and children, that would make sense. The show achieved its highest ratings during that time of focus, according to Hollywood Take.

In an interview with Fox News' Megyn Kelly, Jessa Duggar kept mum on the rumored spinoff as the future of 19 Kids and Counting remain uncertain. She said during the interview, "Life goes on, really. We're not a TV family; we're a family who just happened to be on TV."

In the same interview, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar defended how they handled Josh's sexual molestation action when they learned about it more than 10 years ago. Michelle also said the family will accept whatever decision TLC will make on the show, even if the network cancels the show completely and added, "[we are] "at peace," regardless of the show's future."

Jim Bob added, "We are fine whether they film us or not."

  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • Discipleship and Evangelism: Walking the Path of the Great Commission

    Like an ever-flowing spring, the gospel refreshes dry, parched lands and needs our unwavering passion and steadfast faith to transform lives and bring renewal. The "flame in our hearts" calls Christians to keep their faith and love for the Lord ablaze, representing the work and power of the Holy Spirit, driving us to proclaim God's glory boldly.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo