Do you want Counting On to be cancelled...

[gameofunbeknowns]

@Cleopatra7 very true and a lot of what you bring up in your posts are things I’d honestly forgotten. I wish we had a pinned post detailing this on the front page because with all the chatter about babies and food the lead gets buried here fairly often.

I seem to remember seeing Gothard once on 19kac, on the episode where they showed Erin’s wedding, but he was in the background and I doubt casual viewers notice.

[Cleopatra7]

1 minute ago, gameofunbeknowns said:

@Cleopatra7 very true and a lot of what you bring up in your posts are things I’d honestly forgotten. I wish we had a pinned post detailing this on the front page because with all the chatter about babies and food the lead gets buried here fairly often.

I seem to remember seeing Gothard once on 19kac, on the episode where they showed Erin’s wedding, but he was in the background and I doubt casual viewers notice.

From what I recall, Gothard was definitely there, but his scenes ended up on the cutting room floor. The only way people knew he was there was because he appeared in pictures posted by the Bates. You’d think that the Duggars and the Bates would want publicity for Gothard, but even they must realize that he’s not well liked even by other conservative Christians. If the Duggars do have that level of awareness about the need for good optics, then how can they claim the show is a “ministry” when they can’t even show or mention the organization for which they’re trying to recruit? It would be like a show on EWTN not mentioning that everything is about Catholicism, even though the symbols and language of Catholicism are everywhere.

[FloraDoraDolly]

They could cancel the entire TLC network and I wouldn't care.

[Georgiana]

1 hour ago, Cleopatra7 said:

From what I recall, Gothard was definitely there, but his scenes ended up on the cutting room floor. The only way people knew he was there was because he appeared in pictures posted by the Bates. You’d think that the Duggars and the Bates would want publicity for Gothard, but even they must realize that he’s not well liked even by other conservative Christians. If the Duggars do have that level of awareness about the need for good optics, then how can they claim the show is a “ministry” when they can’t even show or mention the organization for which they’re trying to recruit? It would be like a show on EWTN not mentioning that everything is about Catholicism, even though the symbols and language of Catholicism are everywhere.

The Bates originally gave Gothard a bunch of acknowledgement on their blog, and I think the original intent WAS to publicize him a bit.

However, in between the wedding and the airing of the episode, Gothard's scandals broke.  And after Gothard was disgraced, the footage of him hit the cutting room floor and the Bates scrubbed the blog.  

If the episode had aired before the scandals broke, I think we would have seen both families promoting Gothard.  As it was, they were able to weasel out of it because neither they nor TLC wanted any connection with Gothard by the time the episode aired, so it was in the best interest of all sides to remove any suggestion of him from the episode entirely.  

[TheMustardCardigan]

1 hour ago, BlessingsVonFundiePants said:

Idle speculation bus!  I see them embraceing the YouTube and podcast world. Derick is totally heading in that direction IMO. I suspect he signed a time limited non-compete clause when he left counting on and as soon as that expires he’s going to be a hard core fundie vloger and podder. I suspect that’s why he is a deliberate fundie f*ckwit on Twitter - he’s keeping himself on the conservative social media radar until he can go off the chain. 

I agree! I could see the following:

 

Jessa: Youtube channel focusing on parenting/fundie lifestyle vlog

Jinger: A modesty-focused fashion Instagram account with sponsored posts from some clothing retailers, plus cutesy styled photography of her baby once it is born

Joy: A home renovation show with Austin, could be Youtube or maybe HGTV or a TLC spinoff if they pull the right strings

Jill: Still languishing with her Instagram posts that never achieve the vibe she's struggling for, meanwhile Derick gets a crazy ass podcast

[purjolok84]

I want CO and BUB over and done with - normalising extreme patriarchal beliefs and child abuse with pretty colours, repetitive themes and obedient, big-eyed kids doesn't cut it.

For a while I worried for the childrens' welfare if a cancellation was ever in the cards - remembering Michelle hissing in a child's ear and that child reacting immediately made me go cold - but in all honesty the manner in which they behave with their kids is probably still there. Just muted for the tv audience. But they have added neglect to the table. Scruffy hair. Dirty, unwashed, slept-in clothes. Everyone is pale and grimy unless they have an older kid who's fully checked in. More than inadequate schooling. Michelle and JB are like any abusive, neglectful parents who don't take of their kids and teach them self-care. Or anything of self-worth. But they have religion, heaps of money, lots of food in that stupid pantry - they would never be taken seriously if someone reported them to CPS. These kids fall through the cracks - but they have a roof over their heads and food in their house and someone I have to accept that's good enough?

Fuck.

[jumpingjill]

I would love to see the show canceled because it is the same boring thing over and over again; however, I have liked the interior design stuff with Jana. I think an interior design show with just her might be interesting.

[MamaJunebug]

Absolutely. Next question?

[ChickenettiLuvr]

Oh absolutely hell yes!!

Let these arrogant, smug, judgey, little attention whores crawl back under their respective rocks and don frumpers again. (Yes, I'm cranky about this.)

They ALL need to figure out how to work hard at real jobs, earning their own real money, in obscurity. They've become quite entitled. I'd pay serious $$ to watch the TLC gravy train screech to an abrupt halt.

[Beermeet]

JimBob was a member of the House of Representatives, right?  Late 90's to very early 2000's, I think.   Does that mean he gets the continuing salary for life like some politicians do?  

28 minutes ago, ChickenettiLuvr said:

Oh absolutely hell yes!!

Let these arrogant, smug, judgey, little attention whores crawl back under their respective rocks and don frumpers again. (Yes, I'm cranky about this.)

They ALL need to figure out how to work hard at real jobs, earning their own real money, in obscurity. They've become quite entitled. I'd pay serious $$ to watch the TLC gravy train screech to an abrupt halt.

I can't give more than 1 reaction. So, I need the "I agree", "love", " and "Rufus bless" to convey my feelings on this statement as well!

[MarblesMom]

@Beermeet I don't think he still gets a check.... but I am off, please correct me.

https://ballotpedia.org/Arkansas_state_government_salary

[JillRodsEyeliner]

19 hours ago, TheMustardCardigan said:

Jill: Still languishing with her Instagram posts that never achieve the vibe she's struggling for, meanwhile Derick gets a crazy ass podcast

You're just jealous of Jilly Muffin's awesome Instagram posts! You know you want Derrick as your lock screen picture and chocolate milk. 

 

Spoiler

 

 

Spoiler

 

[Coconut Flan]

13 hours ago, Beermeet said:

JimBob was a member of the House of Representatives, right?  Late 90's to very early 2000's, I think.   Does that mean he gets the continuing salary for life like some politicians do?  

No, he gets no benefits from his time in state legislature.  That's another Duggar rumor.

[Beermeet]

20 minutes ago, Coconut Flan said:

No, he gets no benefits from his time in state legislature.  That's another Duggar rumor.

Thanks!  I had no idea it was a rumor.  Just occurred to me he might.  So glad he doesn't. 

[melon]

I have heard that maybe because of JimBob's commercial rental property and maybe some investments ,that JImBob is worth millions.I have not seen his bank account or check book...lol.Maybe another Duggar rumor?

Not sure if I want it cancelled or not.I have mixed feelings.If it is cancelled,I feel certain it could be resurrected.Like other TLC shows."Mackyzie Duggar gets married" etc. etc etc.

[Sky with diamonds]

17 hours ago, ChickenettiLuvr said:

Oh absolutely hell yes!!

Let these arrogant, smug, judgey, little attention whores crawl back under their respective rocks and don frumpers again. (Yes, I'm cranky about this.)

They ALL need to figure out how to work hard at real jobs, earning their own real money, in obscurity. They've become quite entitled. I'd pay serious $$ to watch the TLC gravy train screech to an abrupt halt.

No pun intended? But they all need a reality check. Then again, if the Josh scandals didn't do it, what will? 

15 hours ago, JillRodsEyeliner said:

You're just jealous of Jilly Muffin's awesome Instagram posts! You know you want Derrick as your lock screen picture and chocolate milk. 

 

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Oh my goodness...that picture of Derick...is he going for the fundie heart throb status? 

[ADoyle90815]

I thought the Josh scandals should have stopped the TLC gravy train in the first place, so I think this show should be cancelled. Personally, I've never watched this particular show, and quit watching Kids and Counting after the orchestra pit incident.

[CaricatureQualities]

Spoiler

 

I learned about Monochorionic twins last summer. Well I think I did. I was visiting friends and got to meet their 2yo identical twin daughters. I found our they were a rare sort of twin...I'm not sure (can't remember) if they are mo-mo (meaning they shared a placenta and and amniotic sac and occurs in 1-2% of identical twins) or di-di identical twins (meaning they shared neither, which occurs in about a quarter of identical twins). I think they are mo-mo twins.  We were on the beach and my friend drew a lot of diagrams in the sand with a stick and said a lot about amniotic sacs but it was a day at the beach and I mostly understood but the science behind it all (even with the sand diagrams) went over my head and into the ocean mostly. I've consulted wikipedia for info and I'm pretty sure they are monochorionic/monoamniotic.

Anyway, when my friends met with the main specialist at the beginning of the pregnancy, the first thing the doctor did was look at them and say "I don't know if you have any illusions about having a home-birth but you will be having these babies in a hospital." End of story. They were not the type to go for a home-birth anyway but with the myriad of complications that could take place with the delivery they certainly wanted to be in a hospital surrounded by doctors... which is good because there were reportedly 20 people in that delivery room aside from the mom and dad and they were all medical specialists with a certain job, or to watch and record because it is a somewhat rare medical opportunity to learn from.

 

 

 

Oh no! I just posted this in the wrong thread! How did that happen? It is about monochorionic/monoamniotic twins and it's not supposed to be here!.. lol. Oh deer Rufus (pun intended). Sorry!

[WiseGirl]

@melon online searches suggest he is worth 3.5 to 3.6 million. 

https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/jim-bob-duggar-net-worth/

 

[victoriasponge]

From an entertainment perspective, I'd like the show to actually be... well... entertaining. Look into the tougher parts of their lives, the way the second gen is having to make decisions about their lives. How do they decide where to work? Whether to continue with an education? The pants debate, how did that go down and what do older family members think? Have their beliefs changed or morphed as they've moved or gone to different churches? How do they cope with the difficulties of being known for being so conservative and how has this affected them?

Still show the babies and whatever, but it doesn't have to be so adorable all the time, discuss the struggles that come along with this lifestyle of just having babies, talk to the courting couples about what they really need to expect. Actual interviews with Jim Bob and Michelle discussing the new difficulties now their kids are growing up - affording weddings and houses and helping them out. Having more guests from other families, showing the wider community they're in and how they fit into it now.

From an ending fundie perspective - cancel the thing entirely. The leghumpers would still find a way to defend them to the grave even if they showed the more difficult parts of their lives.

[Beermeet]

@victoriasponge. Yes to all that!  You made me think, I wonder if the Duggars are now trying to copy the Bates.  The Batesesesss are squeaky clean.  Instagram perfect even.  Compared to Duggars?!  Pfftt, all day son.

[snickers34]

2 hours ago, victoriasponge said:

Still show the babies and whatever, but it doesn't have to be so adorable all the time, discuss the struggles that come along with this lifestyle of just having babies, talk to the courting couples about what they really need to expect.

I totally agree with your whole post. I think it comes down to what Amy recently said in one of her interviews, that they're actually a very private family. I don't think they want to put themselves out there in any real way, which would be significantly more interesting.

Regarding the conversation about whether spreading Gothardism is the main reason behind doing the show....I don't think it is at all. It's always been about abortion, about showing people what a blessing children are. They said it themselves when the show ended. I think it's easy to forget or underestimate how insanely obsessed these people are with murdered babies- don't forget that they literally equate the fucking Holocaust to abortion.

When Jim Bob was in the legislature, he would like insert anti-abortion legislation into stuff that had nothing to do with it - he was crazed.

[mollysmom]

So, I know I'm in the minority here & that's fine. I don't have cable anymore so I can't watch but when I did have cable tv, this show was one of my guilty pleasures. I'm not sure why to be honest. I don't know if it's because I was raised so similar to them (although, I have nothing but horrible memories about my childhood so even I find it weird that I would want to watch something that reminds me of it) I am by no means a leg humper, but I will admit, back when Jill got married I felt like my little sister got married & as much as I hate to admit this, when I saw that Joy had her baby, again, I felt like my little sister had just given birth. I know that's so messed up and I honestly honestly am not a leg humper AT ALL! I think that family is EXTREMELY judgemental and they stand for everything that I was raised to be. I've been out of the cult for 3 years now & it's a constant emotional battle. That way of life REALLY messed me up so again, I'm not real sure why I enjoy watching it.  I really feel for  Jana. I always hear people make comments about how she could leave if she wanted to but in all honesty, it's not that easy. First of all, you are brainwashed into thinking that if you leave, God will take His hand of blessing off of your life and when you are in that culture, that is terrifying. Second, you can pretty much bet that once you leave that "umbrella of protection" you will lose your family and everyone that you have known and loved your whole life. I know because it happened to me 3 years ago. It was terrifying, but I'm SO SO SO glad I left. It has been difficult getting used to living in society when you've been so sheltered but it is also VERY freeing!!! Anyway, I kind of went off the path here, sorry lol but I will say, I have NO respect AT ALL for Jslob or Michelle. They know better yet chose to subject their children to that. 

On 3/3/2018 at 12:20 AM, ChickenettiLuvr said:

They ALL need to figure out how to work hard at real jobs, earning their own real money, in obscurity. They've become quite entitled. 

I agree a million percent with this. Well said!!!

[Snarkasarus Rex]

On 3/3/2018 at 3:26 PM, melon said:

I have heard that maybe because of JimBob's commercial rental property and maybe some investments ,that JImBob is worth millions.I have not seen his bank account or check book...lol.Maybe another Duggar rumor?

Not sure if I want it cancelled or not.I have mixed feelings.If it is cancelled,I feel certain it could be resurrected.Like other TLC shows."Mackyzie Duggar gets married" etc. etc etc.

Boob does have a significant amount in real estate and probably investments as well.  The $3.5M is a guess, but it's probably in the ballpark.  The problem is, these do not generate the kind of cash flow that a family of nearly 30 needs to support itself.  Hence, you have the family 'ministry' to supplement the income from those assets. 

Once the show is gone, you'll probably see specials for a while, like they started out with.  But after a while, even the hardcore fans are going to tire of Blessing #4 and onward from the girls.  Boobchelle could have 20 grandkids 5 years from now...how do fans keep track?  And there are a lot of boys to marry off before they get to Hannie.  That's when things are going to get really interesting...how do umpteen young adults with no real education or marketable skills support themselves?  More reality shows and books? How many J. Duggarlings can the fundie lecture circuit absorb?  

I think it will be fascinating.  

[victoriasponge]

@mollysmom oh this show is still my guilty pleasure! It’s not on the sky channels I have so I watch on YouTube when it gets put up (whoops). Completely ignore my post, I still love laughing at them all. Especially the love struck looks. It’s why deep down I wouldn’t want it to be cancelled. 

@snickers34 unfortunately I think you’re right. Their desire to spread the love of having children and being a broodmare seems to trump their hatred for actually, well, having a TV show. When Joy said in the honeymoon ep that she wanted as many kids as the Lord would give because he wouldn’t give more than you could handle I did want to stab my eyes out, but that’s the crux of what the show is to them. It’s why it’s essential to just have it be about babies and courtship. Fucking courtship. I GET IT YOU SET PERSONAL BOUNDARIES TO SAVE YOURSELF FOR YOUR SPOUSE please never tell me again.