'Preachers of L.A.' Stars Blast TLC for Exploiting, Abandoning Duggars Amid Molestation Scandal
Stars of Oxygen's "Preachers of L.A." reality series recently blasted TLC for exploiting then abandoning the Duggar family who star in the network's "19 Kids and Counting" reality series amid the molestation scandal that has rocked the family in recent weeks.
The Duggar family rose to fame on TLC's "19 Kids and Counting," but on Tuesday, the future for the embattled Christian family's television series remains in limbo after allegations arose that the eldest Duggar son, Josh, molested five girls when he was 14.
Discussing the resulting firestorm of criticism against the conservative Christian family, pastors Deitrick Haddon, Jay Haizlip and Wayne Chaney from "Preachers of L.A." appeared on Extra TV where they said TLC should have supported the family.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"You have a responsibility to stand with the family that you have exploited," said Haddon, referring to TLC. "You've given them that platform, so you can't be that quick to walk away from them. I don't agree with that. That's not cool, that's not loyal."
"19 Kids and Counting" premiered on TLC in 2008 and the series is one of the network's top-rated programs. Some media reports have speculated that the series has been canceled but TLC has remained silent on the show's future.
Also sharing his opinion about TLC's reaction to the Duggar scandal, Chaney said: "If it is reality [television], you want to cover not only the flaws and the mistakes, you want to cover also the road to redemption."
The "Preachers of L.A." stars were careful not to defend Josh Duggar, who did admit to wrongdoing in an apology, but Haizlip said that the whole situation "saddened" him.
"When the story broke, it saddened me … for everybody … mostly for the people who were the victims in this situation," he explained.
All three pastors also voiced the belief in second chances for those who are deserving.
"We definitely do not want to be the group of people who send the message that if you have a past or have made mistakes in your past, particularly in your early teens, that you're labeled or stigmatized for the rest of your life," said Chaney. "If there's true remorse and healing that's taking place with all parties … you do have a future, there's still hope, even with a past."
Haizlip went on to note that Duggar is not "shifting blame," but instead, the "19 Kids and Counting" star has "taken responsibility for his actions."
"There's nothing, from then 'til now, that I'm aware of, that would say he is what he did," continued Haizlip. "I believe that if people have changed … they deserve a second chance. People are hurt, but there's always hope."
"Absolutely," Haddon agreed.
Meanwhile, Josh Duggar was accused of the "forcible fondling" of five unnamed girls in a police report from 2006 that was recently made public. Following the media reports of molestation, Duggar, his wife, Anna, and parents Jim Bob and Michelle all issued responses, including Josh's apology for behaving "inexcusably."
