Jill Duggar and Jessa Duggar–along with husbands Derick Dillard and Ben Seewald–might not be leaving TLC after all. In light of the recent Josh Duggar sexual molestation scandal, TLC is in full-blown panic mode, trying to keep at least some of the 19 Kids and Counting family on TV, while omitting Josh Duggar for good.
One way they are thinking of pulling this off is via a 19 Kids and Counting spinoff. 2 Brides and Their Grooms will–if it comes to fruition–star Jill Duggar Dillard and husband Derick, along with Jessa Duggar Seewald and her husband Ben.
According to People magazine, Jill Duggar, her wedding, and the birth of baby Israel were big sellers for TLC. Jessa Duggar’s wedding drew huge numbers, too.
“The show had begun to focus more and more on the next generation of Duggars, anyway–mainly Jill and Jessa and their marriages and babies,” a source tells People. “That’s when the show got its highest ratings.”
The two-hour special that documented Jill Duggar’s dramatic, 70-hour delivery of her baby boy pulled in over 3.6 million viewers. Jessa Duggar is expecting her first baby on November 1st–one year from the day she married Ben Seewald.
Is a 19 Kids and Counting spinoff actually happening? http://t.co/3NzqOqfndN pic.twitter.com/nQ5Y31w5UV
— E! Online (@eonline) May 28, 2015
Advertisers are already pulling out of 19 Kids and Counting, so TLC needs to make a decision soon. Payless Shoe Source, General Mills, and Choice Hotels International have already withdrawn their advertising.
Would you watch a show starring Jill Duggar Dillard and Jessa Duggar Seewald if 2 Brides and Their Husbands comes to TLC?
TLC Might Be Working on a "19 Kids and Counting" Spinoff http://t.co/FOmAUw2kMa pic.twitter.com/02nS8H2RXZ
— Cosmopolitan (@Cosmopolitan) May 27, 2015
People magazine contacted TLC for comment, but received no reply.