A lot is allegedly riding on the success of "Jill & Jessa: Counting On," despite fans clamoring for its boycott and other TLC shows. According to speculations, if this spinoff does well, the recently cancelled "19 Kids and Counting" would be revived and the family would be able to recover from a serious financial setback.
Five months following the cancellation of "19 Kids and Counting" because of Josh Duggar's scandals involving molestation and child sexual abuse, TLC announced "Jill and Jessa: Counting On." This spin-off would feature the two Duggar sisters, Jill Dillard and Jessa Seewald now that they are both married and have their families. The spinoff is only a three-part series but has already sparked a controversy for its impending airing.
While some viewers hate the fact that a spinoff is happening shortly after Josh's actions, The Hollywood Gossip reports that the pressure for "Jill and Jessa: Counting On" to do well is great. This is because if the show would prove to be a hit, TLC might offer the show to run a full a season.
Christian Post even speculated that if the spinoff does well, "19 Kids and Counting" might be revived. According to StarPulse.com, TLC lost almost $20 million by canceling "19 Kids and Counting." If money flows in from the new show, the network might gain back what it lost and also help the Duggar family recover from a serious financial setback.
Both Jessa and Jill, who were themselves the victims of Josh's sexually illicit actions, certainly still have fans that would like to know what is happening to them now.
Still, others are not so forgiving and forgetful of Josh's actions. A Facebook page called "Take the Pledge to Boycott All Discover Channels" has emerged, calling for the boycott of all TLC shows. According to those who supported the page, the spinoff implies that Josh's actions can be forgiven and that it is easy just to move on from child abuse cases. Some fans hated that Josh's wife, Anna would also be in the spinoff.
On Nov 23, the page asked people not to support the new show.
"Like this page to take the pledge on Dec 13, 20 and 27 2015 join us in boycotting all Discovery network channels for the one hour they are airing the TLC show Jill & Jessa Counting on 8/7 c This family minimized childhood sexual abuse showing victims they do not matter," the page reads.
So far, the network has ignored the page.
