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The Duggars' Fox News interview: four lingering questions The Duggars' Fox News interview: four lingering questions
(about 1 hour later)
On Friday night, Fox will air the second half of its two-part interview with the Duggar family – stars of the TLC reality series 19 Kids and Counting – about eldest son Josh’s alleged sexual misconduct.On Friday night, Fox will air the second half of its two-part interview with the Duggar family – stars of the TLC reality series 19 Kids and Counting – about eldest son Josh’s alleged sexual misconduct.
On Wednesday night, Fox News host Megyn Kelly aired the first interview with the devout Independent Baptist family since Josh Duggar, now 27, apologized for unspecified bad behavior two weeks ago and resigned as a lobbyist for the Family Research Council, a conservative Christian group.On Wednesday night, Fox News host Megyn Kelly aired the first interview with the devout Independent Baptist family since Josh Duggar, now 27, apologized for unspecified bad behavior two weeks ago and resigned as a lobbyist for the Family Research Council, a conservative Christian group.
The story was broken by American tabloid InTouch magazine, which posted a redacted copy of the police report on their website.The story was broken by American tabloid InTouch magazine, which posted a redacted copy of the police report on their website.
Parents Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar told Kelly their son had confessed to fondling four of his sisters, saying: “He’s very sorry.”Parents Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar told Kelly their son had confessed to fondling four of his sisters, saying: “He’s very sorry.”
Kelly asked the Duggars pointed questions, but she also gave them lots of leeway to complain about “anti-Christian bias” and argue that the real victim of the situation was Josh, who, they say, had his privacy violated by the leaked report.Kelly asked the Duggars pointed questions, but she also gave them lots of leeway to complain about “anti-Christian bias” and argue that the real victim of the situation was Josh, who, they say, had his privacy violated by the leaked report.
The network has distributed quotes from unaired segments in which at least two of the sisters self-identify as his victims.The network has distributed quotes from unaired segments in which at least two of the sisters self-identify as his victims.
In the meantime, there are lingering questions about the ongoing Duggar scandal:In the meantime, there are lingering questions about the ongoing Duggar scandal:
1. Where is Josh?1. Where is Josh?
Although the entire controversy is centered on Josh’s actions, the eldest Duggar child – who is married and has three children, with a fourth due soon – has virtually disappeared since the news broke. He resigned from his job as executive director of FRC Action, part of the conservative lobbying group the Family Research Council, but otherwise has not been heard from.Although the entire controversy is centered on Josh’s actions, the eldest Duggar child – who is married and has three children, with a fourth due soon – has virtually disappeared since the news broke. He resigned from his job as executive director of FRC Action, part of the conservative lobbying group the Family Research Council, but otherwise has not been heard from.
2. Why did Fox not show footage of the Duggar sisters?2. Why did Fox not show footage of the Duggar sisters?
Initially, the Duggar interview was scheduled to be just one show. Then news broke late on Wednesday that his sisters had also agreed to talk to Kelly for a second segment to air Friday. The network released quotes from two of the sisters as part of its promotion of Wednesday’s interview, but did not air their segment.Initially, the Duggar interview was scheduled to be just one show. Then news broke late on Wednesday that his sisters had also agreed to talk to Kelly for a second segment to air Friday. The network released quotes from two of the sisters as part of its promotion of Wednesday’s interview, but did not air their segment.
In a very brief preview clip, sisters Jill Dillard and Jessa Seewald said they were molested by their brother and told Kelly: “We’re victims.”In a very brief preview clip, sisters Jill Dillard and Jessa Seewald said they were molested by their brother and told Kelly: “We’re victims.”
“The system that has set up to protect kids – both those who make stupid mistakes or have problems like this in their life – and the ones that are affected by those choices, it’s just … it’s greatly failed,” Seewald said.“The system that has set up to protect kids – both those who make stupid mistakes or have problems like this in their life – and the ones that are affected by those choices, it’s just … it’s greatly failed,” Seewald said.
3. Will the show keep going?3. Will the show keep going?
Kelly asked Jim Bob and Michelle a question that many fans had also asked: will 19 Kids and Counting be cancelled? TLC, which airs the series, is keeping mum – they have pulled episodes from their TV schedule and off their website, but there has been no official comment on the future of the show. The Duggars were evasive, possibly waiting to see how the public reacted to the interview before taking their next steps.Kelly asked Jim Bob and Michelle a question that many fans had also asked: will 19 Kids and Counting be cancelled? TLC, which airs the series, is keeping mum – they have pulled episodes from their TV schedule and off their website, but there has been no official comment on the future of the show. The Duggars were evasive, possibly waiting to see how the public reacted to the interview before taking their next steps.
But there is more to the Duggar empire than just the TV show; they have several book deals and make money on the Christian speaking circuit. If the rumors of a TV spin-off turn out to be true, Friday night’s interview may give a sense of what to expect from it. But there is more to the Duggar empire than just the TV show; they have several book deals and make money on the Christian speaking circuit. If the rumors of a TV spin-off series for the two oldest daughters turn out to be true, Friday night’s interview may give a sense of what to expect from it.
4. What about the Huckabee connection?4. What about the Huckabee connection?
One of the Duggars’ most ardent public defenders has been Republican presidential candidate and onetime Fox News host Mike Huckabee. As the former governor of the Duggars’ home state, Arkansas, he has long been close to the family. Jim Bob is a former state representative, and Huckabee reportedly helped Josh land his FRC Action job. The family stumped for Huckabee the last time he ran for president, in 2008.One of the Duggars’ most ardent public defenders has been Republican presidential candidate and onetime Fox News host Mike Huckabee. As the former governor of the Duggars’ home state, Arkansas, he has long been close to the family. Jim Bob is a former state representative, and Huckabee reportedly helped Josh land his FRC Action job. The family stumped for Huckabee the last time he ran for president, in 2008.
Although there was a casual reference to Huckabee’s defense of Josh on last night’s interview, their once-vocal supporter has started to step back. Endorsement quotes from the Duggars were scrubbed from Huckabee’s website, which could be a sign that he is realizing his relationship with the family may not help his 2016 run. Will the Duggars still claim Huckabee as a friend and ally, or is it over between them?Although there was a casual reference to Huckabee’s defense of Josh on last night’s interview, their once-vocal supporter has started to step back. Endorsement quotes from the Duggars were scrubbed from Huckabee’s website, which could be a sign that he is realizing his relationship with the family may not help his 2016 run. Will the Duggars still claim Huckabee as a friend and ally, or is it over between them?