The cancellation of TLC's hit reality show, "19 Kids and Counting," broke the hearts of millions of fans and followers - even prompting a number of the family's supporters to initiate online petitions to bring back the TV series. While the Duggar clan appeared to have accepted their fate, new reports now claim that the family was in fact "heartbroken" over the network's decision and is aiming to have the show back on air.
"The Duggars want to return to TV because they truly believe it was part of God's plan for them to spread the word about their faith," disclosed an unnamed source to PEOPLE Magazine, adding that the family members are distraught over the loss of such platform where they were able to share their lives with the public. The source further said, "I think Jim Bob and Michelle honestly did expect people to just move on from this." The insider shared, "Their thinking is, they put this behind them ages ago, so why wouldn't the rest of the world?"
Despite devastating news, the network actually still offered a form of redemption for the Duggars as reports of either a spinoff series or a documentary featuring Jill Duggar Dillard and Jessa Duggar Seewald are surfacing regularly. While this seems to be a promising venture for the family, another report from PEOPLE Magazine revealed that one person in the Duggar clan is opposed to the plans - Jim Bob Duggar.
"He absolutely wanted to be back on TV and was never thrilled about the show suddenly shifting focus," a source told PEOPLE Magazine, referring to the alleged rejection made by the 50-year-old Duggar family patriarch of the potential spin-off series about his two elder daughters. Prior to the cancellation of the show, both Jill and Jessa were revealed to be two of the victims identified in the scandal involving their brother, Josh Duggar.
Apart from the alleged objection of Jim Bob to the spin-off show, reports are also pointing out yet another hurdle for the Duggar family to overcome if they truly intend to go on with the project. According to The Inquistr, both Jill and her husband, Derick Dillard, along with the couple's first born son, baby Israel David Dillard, are currently in El Salvador in Central America and are involved in a Christian mission in the area.
The same news was confirmed by the couple themselves in the Dillard family blog where their post, titled "Dillard Family Ministry Update," disclosed details of their trip and the journey ahead of them. They wrote, "We are so excited to announce that we have safely arrived on the mission field and we can now tell you that we are in Central America!"
