17 Kids and Counting premiers TONIGHT not October 1st
It’s official: The Duggars are a true pop culture phenomenon. With their regular appearances on national talk shows, their countless press clippings and their enormous online following, this 19-member family from Arkansas has all of America talking. However, while millions of people know of the Duggars, few are familiar with the individual personalities and unique experiences that make the family who they are.
Audiences will get the definitive view into this one-of-a-kind world on Monday, September 29, at 10 and 10:30 PM (ET/PT) when TLC presents the all-new series, 17 KIDS AND COUNTING.
The patriarch and matriarch of this large—and still growing—group are former high school sweethearts, Jim Bob and Michelle. With values rooted in their strong personal faith, Jim Bob and Michelle firmly believe that every child is a gift to be cherished. After more than 20 years of marriage, the couple has received 17 gifts—ten boys, seven girls—with number 18 on the way. With only two sets of twins among the 17 children, Michelle has been pregnant for nearly 12 of her life. Another vital piece of Duggar trivia is that each child’s name begins with a “J”—Joshua, Jana, John-David, Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy-Anna, Jeremiah, Jedidiah, Jason, James, Justin, Jackson, Johannah and baby Jennifer.
17 kids. Can you even imagine!? I only have 2, and I swear with their personalities it feels like I have 17 kids at times.
At this point, the babies must just drop out around 9 months. I can’t imagine her business is holding up well these days.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
that is not okay, stop at 2, your kids are just gonna take up space in the world, dumb mormons
September 30th, 2008 at 2:39 am
anonymous: so what? if you think people need to stop having space to save the world why don’t you kill yourself so other people can have some space? 19 kids is too much but I am sick of people saying that we should not have more than 2 kids just because some selfich ones might need some space. kill yourself then
October 3rd, 2008 at 2:29 am
dude do you even go into labor after that many ? i’ve had ONE- ONE! and my baby was on the smaller size, i didnt tear or anything, but my vag feels a little different, and i did the kigles! so what the hell does it feel like after 18 kids? what does it look like? actually i don’t want to know. i hope jim doesnt cheat on michelle, who know’s what will happen if he felt a normal vag again.
October 7th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
poor kids are brainwashed that they cant even kiss before marriage
October 8th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
What do you mean “stupid Mormons?”. Shows you how much you know, “Anonymous”. Get your facts straight. The Duggars are BAPTISTS. But then, ANY chance to bash anyone with whom you don’t agree, right? And the stupid belief that we are running out of space in the world is assinine. Arkansas is certainly not suffering from overpopulation, and look at all the areas of the world that aren’t even populated yet. All I can say is we are lucky people like Anonymous choose not to have more than two children. Think how much better the world is without 17 children being raised by THAT kind of parent. The Duggars are heroes.
October 15th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
The duggars are heros because they are super-fertile? As long as they dont go on public assistance and no one in my family marries one of the kids, I dont care what they do. But having kids and not using birth control does NOT make one a hero. It what our bodies are designed to do. Are you a hero cause you breathe?
October 20th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
THESE PEOPLE ARENT NORMAL!!!!!!!
October 20th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
WHAT ARE THEY TRYING TO PROVE ARE THEY MAKING A CULT OR SOMETHING??????
I THINK THEY ARE SICK!!
October 20th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
THOSE POOR KIDS WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT IT WILL BE LIKE TO BE FUN FILLED REAL TEENAGERS DONT THEY EVEN HAVE ANY FRIENDS ???? , I AGREE WITH JAYE THEY ARE BRAINWASHED.. THEY ARE JUST LOOKING FOR ATTENTION.. SO SAD!
GIVE ME JON & KATE THEY ARE THE REAL DEAL NORMAL FAMILY!!
HOW DARE THEY CALL THEMSELVES THE ALL AMERICAN FAMILY!! JON AND KATE ARE THE ALL AMERICAN FAMILY..
October 25th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
The mother should be fixed!!! With all the kids in the world who need parents this family just keeps breeding, yes they are as bad as rabbits!!!! 17 and counting, how many more does this woman plan on having????? What a strain on world resources for a family of 19 soon 20. This is not normal but this family, the parents act as if this is what God wants for them. This is an outrage and so completely irresponsible. They should be ashamed of the burden they have created. Shame on them….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 25th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
What a joke, the kids can’t watch TV but they are allowed to go on the internet in monitored segments lol I guess BIlly Bob or whatever the hell his name is doesn’t get it that the internet is 1000 times more dangerous than watching TV. Maybe if they watched TV they would get a clue and figure that out.
October 25th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Are they stupid or what? What are they trying to prove?
They don’t give a good example. What if another couple gets as many children? and them? don’t go on t.v. all the time, to collect a cheque.
All the perks they get…nobody can afford raising such a big family and travel the way they do, with all of them.
Some people are so stupid! What if they follow the example of the Duggar? and don’t have any money to feed them.
I don’t believe them when they say they shop at at a thrift shop. If it’s true? how can they find outfits ( for the boys especially ) outfits that pretty much match? all beige pants…similar sweaters?
And the boy who is engaged? will he count on t.v. programs to support his family?
October 26th, 2008 at 6:49 am
If I remember well….Michelle and Jim Bob married when they were 16 and 19 ? What kind of education do they have to be able to teach their children at home?
You look at the children , and they don’t seem to have their own personality.
Pearl.
October 26th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
The mom has long hair…the girls have long hair…how i wish could cut their hair!
The dad loves long hair, so all the girls have long hair. Ridiculous!
Jane.
November 6th, 2008 at 6:37 am
I believe they are a form of Pentecostal denomination.. think about it.. long hair, the girls only wear dresses, most of the girls do not wear jewelry. I live in the south, in a town that has a camp grounds and a bible college for the Pentecostal “meetings.” Last night while watching I couldn’t believe that their oldest son hugged the girl after proposing. Why didn’t he just shake her hand? He seemed so young and in experienced to enter into such a commitment..I worry about their education too…Did you see the one while they were at the creation museum? .
November 7th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Yes abbie, I saw the one at the creation museum. Imagine! those children, walking through the museum, and it’s like the most exciting thing in their life…sad.
I also saw the one where they visit Michelle’s family. I saw the clothes the kids were going to swim in.Michelle said: even the boys have to be modest when going swimming.
November 7th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
What are they trying to prove? by having so many children?
November 10th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I prefer Jon and Kate. The Duggars kind of scare me- they can’t even kiss before marriage? And they have to have chaperones all the time? Reminds me of my very reclusive, lock and key childhood. My family had those same ideals, and I often wish I grew up like a regular teenager- my upbringing still causes self-esteem and relationship problems even now. At least I had the good fortune to be educated about something other than Creationism.
November 15th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
So there is this show on TLC called 17 kids and counting. It is so ridiculous! They have 17 kids and are still reproducing. WTF I would first like to say this is so selfish. If everyone had families like this our planet would be destroyed by February. The kids are not allowed to date, have boyfriends even kiss. Now on to how they look. All of the girls look the same they all have there hair the same exact way because there dad likes long hair……fucking strange. All of the girls do the house work, setting them up to be stay at home moms. Why don’t they show their daughters that they could be so much more then baby makers???? The mom should be shot
November 16th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Have you ever watched : kids by the dozen? pretty much discouraging also.
The Duggar and the other families with so many children. They all have that same kind of expression in their face. Blah!
The Duggars are giving a bad example to other couples who would want a big family also, thinking that a lot of kids brings happiness? Not everybody can be on t.v. and make money out of it. What happens to the ones who don’t have a show on t.v.?
They don’t mention that not all children are being born healthy. If it is the case of the ones who are on t.v? good for them. But what about other families?
Why having so many children? I will never understand it!
Jane
November 20th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
I think the Duggars are an awesome family. Just think if all parents were so concerned about their children’s hearts. The world would be a better place. I tried for many years to conceive and finally we were blessed with three. Children are a gift from God and the fruit of the womb is His reward…
December 10th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Though the Duggars seem like a nice family, doesnt Michele realize that having sooooo many children can be dangerous to her health later on in life? Maybe she should read some medical books about how certain cancers (like cervical and uteran cancer), are linked to women having tooooo many darn children regardless of what the Bible says!!! I think Jim Bob should leave his poor wife alone for awhile!
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:06 am
These people make me sick. Overpopulation is one of the biggest problems in the world. And now we have 18 more of these weirdos. Disgusting.
December 23rd, 2008 at 6:11 pm
The parents disgust me. This family should have adopted children who actually needed families… When all 18 of their kids grow up they’re going to be more psychotic than the parents.
December 24th, 2008 at 9:41 am
This family is ridiculous. So you’re an insane reproducing machine. Congratulations. I almost feel that they have kids just to show off.
December 29th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
I have several questions? Does Dad (Jim Bob)work? What happens when they are no longer on TV? Does Mom (Michelle) and Dad (Jim Bob) also wear used clothing and shoes? Mom (Michelle) has had 17 kids and when she has her ultra sound she had her stomach covered, why even have the kids and the cameras in the room then? I read what the kids want to be when they grow up, do their parents even encourage them to go to college? And if they are debt free (congrats to them)
how did they pay for all the property they seem to have in such a short time? Would they even help any of the kids pay for college?
January 19th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Jack,
January 25th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
The Duggars are doing a great job with the children. There no BAPTISTS thats for sure. GOD BLESS and IN THE END THE REST WILL KNOW. ACTS 2:38
January 26th, 2009 at 1:09 am
great going people. why are any of us giving these ego hungry conservatives any energy. It isn’t so much a consumption of “space” as it is a problem of resources. Networks that glorify humans reproducing as much as possible are very much to blame. This family has values from the dark ages. They simply haven’t evolved.
January 29th, 2009 at 9:05 am
How sad to be so judgemental! They are not stupid or freaks. They are devoted Christians. They are debt-free and don’t ask for welfare or any other assistance. They have several businesses that pay their bills. Being on TV is not their main source of income. Yes, they have a lot of kids but that doesn’t make them deserving of such hateful comments. They are raising 18 respectful, loving, hard-working kids. That’s more than most people can say about raising just 1 kid!!
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:34 pm
I do watch the show and have many questions.They do appear to be very wholesome if not too good to be true. I take exception to the children not watching tv even though they probably make a lot of money from their tv shows! What is the nonsense about Michele’s silly hair style. The girls look pretty but Mom is a bit too old to have a “do” like that. Wish she would spend some money on a hair stylist and maybe a clothing makeover. Even her mother- in- law looks better than Michelle, Mom -in -law has a great hair style and lovely outfits. I would like to see the daughtersw in some stylish clothing – doesn’t have to be like the rock stars but maybe like the current Nancy Drew! (Emma Roberts) But I guess it wouldn’t be an intersting show if they were smart, stylish, had a lot of friends and once in a while misbehaved, you know something like the cousin who recently showed up on the show, (Amy)
February 7th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
What a joke. Why glorify a family who don’t have the class and good sense to figure out birth control. What is Discovery thinking? What a disgrace.
February 9th, 2009 at 9:13 am
Everyone who has voiced a negative opinion onth e show has made no comment of substance all anyone has said was that they dress werid, have weird values and need to learn birth control. They don’t believe in birth control. It’s not as though this family is relying on the governement or the tax payers to pay they way. They are not on welfare, they are completely financially independent. Just because they have different value systems or values at all from what some of the people’s comments have said it sounds like you should take a lesson or head to a church. This is what their family believes. People are curious, people want to know what it is like to live in a family like that. I know I am. I think it’s interesting and I respect the family for the values that they have and the way the choose to live their lives. They are not placing a burden on any of your lives. They are not hurting any of your families. Just because some people are different, they behave differently or believe in different things doesn’t make them horrible people it makes them unique. I think all of the people who are making negative comments need to take a look at their own lives. Look at this lady calling herself “mom of 4″ what kind of home is she bringing her poor kids up in if she can’t even look past the fact that not everyone lives like her. Her kids are going to grow up to be narrow minded and judgemental…just what we need in this world. Most likely people who don’t make anything out of their own lives but make themselves feel better by putting others down. People need to learn to accept differences in others. The family is not stupid and they are not freaks. They support themselves and don’t rely on others to do it for them which is also probably more then half the bloggers on this page can say.
February 20th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Okay…this is completely unfair for the other kids! they are taking care of these kids more than the parents are. These poor kids don’t seem to have any social life! they are taking care of their parents kids. if they wanted kids themselves im sure that they would go out and make their own babies. i mean think about it, the oldest boy is getting married but have you really seen these kids doing things that they want to do for fun? I mean going for a tour of a hospital is not really my idea of a good time! I know that they are mormons and have different ways and thinking then most of us do but jesus take care of your kids and let them have a life! i would be furious if my mother when i was younger had more children and decided to have me do all the work. I mean they are more busy getting it on to make more kids then they are taking care of the kids they have now! And for the people talking about financial issues, yes maybe they can afford their bills but its not all about money. You can financially support kids but emotionally? i think they are lacking this! mothers work so hard raising their kids and these people are making a mockery of it. Its hard enough raising one you wonder how good of parents they are rasing 18 of them. Its disgusting! you people dont think!!!
March 1st, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I am guilty! I have never even given this program a chance. I figure something must be terribly wrong with these people, what the heck are they thinking? But, as a 37 year old widow raising 2 boys ages 3 and 11, and it ain’t all pretty, I must admit that I am thinking they’ve got to be doing a whole lot right. And though I love my kids more than life itself, I am struggling to keep my sanity half the time. I know plenty of people who having 2 kids, for them, was 1 or 2 too many. Who is to say how many is too many anyway? I will watch the next episode, maybe some of thier wisdom will be passed on to me through it. I hope so. I am a little embarassed to have even READ most of this! All of the negative comments on this page are totally ego-driven, holier-than-thou crap. Jealousy rears it’s ugly head once again. THAT is what there is too much of in this world! God bless ALL parents!
March 1st, 2009 at 10:46 pm
@Crystal Morgan: You are right that people should try to be less judgmental. However, it isn’t wrong to be a little critical of the Duggars. The Duggars aren’t being self-reliant by having that many children. If the Duggars were a parliament of barn owls, they would be heading for inevitable extinction.
March 9th, 2009 at 10:41 am
After hearing about this show for a while, I finally got to watch an episode. I wish I could be as loving and patient with my kids as she is with hers. She is a saint. Having children changes us for the better. It makes us less selfish, more giving and loving. I love the feeling that I get that their family has. We have six kids and when people question us about that I tell them there is no better way to raise kids that are hard workers and value what really matters, and that is not clothes or hair styles. We do some things differently then the Duggers, my husband helps a lot and education is very important to me. However, tv is a total waste of time and is watched very sparingly here, mostly just PBS. Why waste your time on something like “The Bachelor”? Now there is a show worthy of shock and dismay.
March 16th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
I just think its unfair to have that many children when others strive just to make ends meet. Also we’re paying so much taxes too just to help people whom are not responsible for their actions that is a burden to society for sure, I just do not agree in all these tv shows that encourage low income families to have so many children and need public donations. In this economy its just ridiculous. Have children only if you can afford and be responsible for them medical is very expense without insurance in US.
March 17th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
This show , and all the other multiple sibling/freak show shows on TLC has gone a bit overboard! What happened to Junkyard Wars? Now TLC has a fascination with putting train wrecks on TV? John and Satan + 8? 18 Kids and Counting? Table for 12? When will it end? I guess TLC is trying for a Guinness world record of Video taping the family with the biggest family/weirdest disease/worst relationship! I actually like the Little People Big World, but this stuff has gotten out of control
March 17th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
In response to “Rebecca”: No Arkansas is not running out resources to support the population of Arkansas. But What about the rest of the world? Why does China have restrictions about the amount of children a family can have? Because they cannot support them all. I do not agree with China and all of their laws/restrictions, but they understand more than Rebecca does! Why doesn’t China export kids to Arkansas? Because the world is getting full. Remember the barge of garbage from NY that floated all the way to New Orleans to find a place to dump it’s “trash”? How soon do we forget how the recycling BOOM started!
August 12th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
i can’t believe all the people bashing the dugger family. are people jealous that there’s a genuine, loving family? poeple talk about other counries that re poor but here we vave 18 kids that will likely (and a large majority of them already have) who have a geuine sincerity to go to those countries to help. then you can take 9 other couples who have what someone said shouold be the limit of 2 children each and they are the “all american family” (like jon and kate… whoever wrote that possibly didn’t perceive what a bad example they would turn out to be). so you take 18 kids from 2 parents… that’s a total of 36 people who will be a drag on society compared to the 20 memeber dugger family whose kids are being raised to go out and serve. peopel who think the dugger family and families like that are sick— WAKE UP!!! THOSE ARE THE KIND OF PEOPLE THIS WORLD NEEDS!!! and yeah, people who have a sincere love for their future spouse not to even kiss another person except for the person they marry. that’s unselfish love. how people find that type behavior sick is beyond me.
August 12th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
if i could only watch one show a week it would be “18 kids and counting”. i enjoy watching the genuine love, respect, and family closeness. it’s refreshing compared to the shallow comments and attitudes of most of the posters who have given their opinions. if the dugger family is what society finds “sick” as some poeple have posted, then i’d preffer “sick” any day over what the posters on this blog have to give.