Are Jessa Seewald and Jill Dillard getting a spinoff with their husbands?
Instead of 19 Kids and Counting, what about Two Kids and Counting, featuring sisters Jessa Seewald and Jill Dillard and their spouses? That’s reportedly one option TLC is considering in the wake of revelations about Josh Duggar’s past.
“They’ve invested a lot of time in developing these story lines and the last thing they want to do is to throw it all away,” an insider told Us Weekly.
The option is just one of many being thrown around after last week’s news that Josh was accused of molesting five girls, reportedly including some of his sisters. Other possibilities include the popular idea of canceling the show entirely, or of simply carrying on without Josh. It seems TLC cannot go on with business as usual, considering a growing number of advertisers — including General Mills, Jimmy Dean, Pure Leaf Iced Tea, Ace Hardware, David’s Bridal, ConAgra Foods, Party City, Behr, CVS, H&R Block, Ricola and Keurig — have all announced they would not advertise with 19 Kids if TLC returns the show to the schedule.
Because Jim Bob and Michelle Duggars’ reputations have also been seriously tarnished by the revelations about their actions, turning the complete attention to their married children may be the best way to salvage the show. It’s also a very feasible, potentially bankable route, considering there were rumors about a married daughters spinoff as long ago as last summer. Now that Jill’s had a baby and Jessa is expecting, there is even more interest in the couple and their lives. (See the slew of magazine covers just featuring them as proof.)
While their TV futures are getting sorted out, sources told People Jim Bob and Michelle are worrying about other things. “Right now they’re just focused on their faith – and each other,” the insider said, explaining the pair is “devastated” Josh’s police report was exposed. “They know that they did the best they could, but it doesn’t mean they’re not filled with regret.”
In the network’s only official statement on the matter, TLC executives said last week they were pulling all 19 Kids and Counting episodes currently on the air. They added, “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.”
