TLC Channel Toxicity

Just for the record, I don't watch this stuff outside of Dr. Pimple Popper. The TLC channel used to have meaning. When it came to reality shows, it wasn't all trash or toxic. I will speak my thoughts on mostly the Duggars and the issue with the channel and quick thoughts as why them and Discovery find themselves in trouble with people they choose for shows. Beginning with the Duggars, they have been a mainstay for TLC for over a decade. It began with X Kids and Counting. I remember the first incident in 2015 involving the eldest son, Josh. Stories of molesting a few of his own sisters and other vile things led to its cancellation. Not too long after that came the spin-off, Counting On. 

Now, Josh has found himself in trouble again. This time, for child porn and was arrested a few weeks ago. The guy is not involved with Counting On according to various news sites, but it has created a lot of backlash. We're talking that a person on Change.org made a petition to remove everything relating to the Duggars. No streaming of their shows, no reruns, no nothing. TLC has stayed mum on it outside of being "saddened", and that's not the best way of handling it. When the first incident occurred and the spin-off came about, I'd figured it had to do with money. It's both these sides' meal ticket. There's also stories about the profits and money going to the parents, Jim Bob and Michelle. Some of the kids have left over the course of these last six years.

The fact that this happened a second time should be a very obvious red flag. I don't care if he isn't on the show, TLC needs to wake up. Potential consequences can happen, and that could include a lengthy prison sentence if Josh is found guilty. The Duggars are a fake family that hides behind religious values. I'm not going to say all of them are fake, but they send a bad image to these types and allowing bad things to happen. Some of those younger kids are going to have to endure a lot of pain of the stories that come up and for the molested sisters, repressed memories if it hasn't happened already.  Whether they get cancelled or not, I'm not sure. 

TLC has had a very bad track record with shows involving families. Something bad occurs like a divorce, behind the scenes stuff. There's an article on cafemom.com that mentioned another TLC show's star saying the Duggars should be canned and supposedly he got sexually abused during the time on his show.  The closest thing to any major incidents of families for Discovery's line of channels is HGTV's Flip or Flop, but despite divorce, both of their stars did still continue to make episodes together.

This needs to be a wake up call. Cable is fractured compared to prime time television, but canning anything Duggar related would be a wise move for the time being. Anything with a guilty verdict, permanently canned. TLC can't keep promoting a false family.