TLC fires Derick Dillard from Counting On over Jazz Jennings comments

We reported earlier today that Derick Dillard is continuing his criticism of fellow TLC reality star Jazz Jennings, and at roughly the same time that we were working on that post, TLC issued a statement revealing that Derick has been fired from Counting On and has not filmed for months!

Here is TLC’s full statement, as posted on Twitter hours ago:

We want to let our viewers know that Derick Dillard has not participated in Counting On for months and the network has no plans to feature him in the future. We want to reiterate that Derick’s personal statements do not reflect the views of the network. TLC is proud to share the story of Jazz Jennings and her family and will continue to do so.

In case you missed it, Derick first commented on Jazz a few months ago, in response to TLC promoting her show. “What an oxymoron… a ‘reality,’ show which follows a non-reality,” Derick tweeted. “‘Transgender’ is a myth. Gender is not fluid; it’s ordained by God.” TLC said in response at the time: “Derick Dillard‘s personal statement does not represent the views of TLC.” (Thus why they “reiterated” the same point in today’s statement.)

Derick doubled down on his criticism of Jazz and TLC’s decision to air her story in a series of defensive tweets on Thursday, including this quote:

(Click here for all of Derick’s most recent tweets about Jazz Jennings.)

Fans have been speculating about Derick and Jill’s departure for months as TLC has quietly removed them both from all of the promotional material for the current season. And in a report less than two weeks ago there was a source “close to production” that revealed that “execs at TLC are…less than thrilled to be putting out fire[s] surrounding yet another Duggar scandal.”

The lack of Derick’s involvement on the show over the last few months would also help explain why he continues to press fans for donations to help pay for his one-year missionary residency.

Derick joins disgraced brother-in-law Josh Duggar on the sidelines of the Duggar family’s reality show empire, and joins a growing list of disgraced TLC reality stars that includes Here Comes Honey Boo Boo matriarch Mama June Shannon and The Willis Family patriarch Toby Willis.

TLC has yet to issue a statement on the fate of Jill Duggar as far as Counting On goes. If she was not going to appear at all, then I believe that TLC would have said as much in their statement above. So, I think fans can expect to continue seeing Jill, and perhaps her children, at least for the foreseeable future.

Meanwhile, Jazz Jennings appears to have responded to the most recent comments made by Derick with this tweet:

In the face of constant ignorance and hatred I prefer to disregard negative opinions and continue moving forward with love?

— Jazz Jennings (@JazzJennings__) November 11, 2017

So what do you think about TLC drawing a line in the sand with Derick, especially given the network’s other roster of reality shows?