The Duggar Family

"19 Kids and Counting" may survive the Josh Duggar molestation scandal, but Josh might not.

Connected industry sources tell TMZ, TLC is considering a number of options, weighing the pros and cons. One is to cancel the show outright, the other is to just go full steam ahead, but there is real talk about continuing without Josh.

Our sources say there's a strong sense axing Josh would not materially hurt the show. We're told TLC has done research and it shows the daughters have become the driving force. The weddings of Jill and Jessa were ratings successes, as was the birth of Jill's baby.

It wouldn't be hard to remove Josh. He's moved away from Arkansas to D.C. where he's focused on lobbying Congress. But that could change because he just resigned from the Family Research Council.

As for cancelling the show, our sources say there is significant concern that big advertisers will bail. TMZ broke the story, General Mills has already pulled the plug.

On the other hand, we're told TLC believes the show has a strong, loyal evangelical base and so far support has not wavered.

But removing Josh could be a good middle ground for TLC.

Josh Duggar has pulled the plug on a conference he was scheduled to attend in the most ironic of places ... Sandusky, Ohio.

Josh was supposed to speak at a home schooling convention next week, but in the wake of his public sexual molestation admission, we've learned he's cancelled the appearance.

We're told Josh told the organizers he would be too much of a distraction and didn't want the focus of the conference blurred.

TLC has just pulled all airings of "19 Kids and Counting" from its lineup ... TMZ has learned.

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ, the fate of the show is uncertain, but there's now so much heat in the wake of Josh Duggar's molestation confession ... the network had to make the decision.

We're told they absolutely have not made a long-term decision, but it's clearly a bad sign for the show.

And there's this ... a rep for General Mills tells TMZ, they have already blacklisted the show and removed it from their company's current advertising schedule.

As we reported, TLC ran a Duggar marathon Thursday, prominently featuring Josh. There was big backlash, not the least of which came from Mama June, who felt TLC was giving the Duggars a pass for far worse conduct than hers, which caused TLC to pull the plug on 'Honey Boo Boo.'

Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee is coming out swinging for Josh Duggar ... saying he should be forgiven for his sins, because the alleged molestation happened when he was a minor with poor judgment.

The former Arkansas Governor is famously tight with the whole Duggar family, and made it clear ... he's standing by them now that the molestation investigation has come to light. Huckabee says, "Josh’s actions when he was an underage teen are as he described them himself, 'inexcusable,' but that doesn’t mean 'unforgivable.' He and his family dealt with it and were honest and open about it with the victims and the authorities."

Huckabee also believes the 2006 investigation should never have become public. He says the law protects disclosure of many actions by minors because "being a minor means that one's judgment is not mature."

He adds ... Josh has gone on to live a very responsible and Christian life as an adult, and says, "Janet and I want to show up and stand up for our friends."

Huckabee just posted his staunch defense on Facebook -- an incredibly bold move considering he's in the middle of seeking the Republican nomination for president.

The Duggars frequently campaign for Huckabee.

Mama June is so angry TLC has not cancelled "19 Kids and Counting" she's prepared to sue TLC, claiming the Duggar family is way worse than hers, yet they still have a show.

June tells TMZ there is no way TLC can justify keeping the Duggar family on the air yet yanking 'Honey Boo Boo.' June notes within hours of TMZ posting the pic of her cavorting with convicted child molester Mark McDaniel, TLC pulled the plug on her show.

June says she never molested anyone and McDaniel wasn't ever on her show, yet Josh Duggar is a central figure on the TLC show and admitted to molesting some of his sisters, who are also on the show. What's more, she believes Jim Bob and Michelle covered up their son's misdeeds.

With that backdrop, June says she's out hundreds of thousands of dollars because of the abrupt cancellation of her show, and if the Duggar family stays on the air, she wants to sue the network for what she believes is blatantly unfair and inconsistent treatment.

And June adds, "I read that the Duggar family said, this happening with their son brought them closer to God and each other. So they're saying it's ok to have family touch time? Hell no."

Oprah Winfrey took swift action when her production company got a tip that Josh Duggar had molested young girls, including some of his sisters, refusing to go through with a scheduled appearance on her talk show.

As we reported, the first tip about Josh Duggar was sent to a staffer at Harpo. The email was received on December 7, 2006 at 6:30 AM. The email not only refers to the molestation, the author also claims Jim Bob and Michelle covered it up.

Oprah's people sent the email to a child abuse hotline.

The Duggars were already in Chicago for the taping, which was scheduled within a day of the email. Oprah's staff jumped so quickly, we've learned at 1:17 PM the same day, an Arkansas State Police officer contacted Michelle, telling her she needed to bring Josh back home immediately for an interview.

Turns out there was no conflict, because Oprah's people immediately cancelled the taping and sent the family home.

TLC seems undaunted by Josh Duggar's admission he molested young girls -- including some of his sisters -- when he was a teenager, because the network ran a Josh-centric marathon last night.

TLC's been radio silent about the revelations, but it seems all systems are still go, because Josh was right there, front and center, with one of the episodes focusing on the gender of their unborn child, and another featuring Josh playing with his kids.

Josh Duggar has resigned as Executive Director of the Family Research Council, acknowledging he sexually molested underage girls including some of his sisters, calling his conduct inexcusable.

Josh says, "Twelve years ago, as a young teenager. I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret." He continues, "We spoke with authorities where I confessed my wrongdoing, and my parents arranged for me and those affected by my actions to receive counseling."

The molestations occurred in 2002 and 2003, when he was 14. He fondled the genitals and breasts of the girls, some of whom were sleeping.

Josh's wife Anna says he confessed his "past teenage mistakes" to her 2 years before he asked her to marry him.

The incidents were not reported to police until 2006, and the statute of limitations has now long since passed. But Josh says he believes God has shown him mercy and given him redemption.

Police are about to destroy all the names and details surrounding "19 Kids and Counting" star Josh Duggar's molestation case ... after one of his alleged victims asked a judge to protect her identity.

The alleged victim -- only referred to as "Jane Doe" in the docs -- was worried an unredacted copy of the police report might see the light of day. She argued the court had a duty to destroy the report, and the judge agreed ... signing the order Thursday afternoon.

As we previously reported ... Duggar was the subject of a police investigation in 2006 for allegedly sexually molesting five girls, some of whom are his sisters.

He was never prosecuted and the statute of limitations ran out.

Josh Duggar, one of the members of the family that stars in TLC's "19 Kids and Counting" ... was the subject of a police investigation for allegedly sexually molesting 5 girls, some of whom are his sisters.

The story was broken by In Touch Weekly, but TMZ has confirmed with law enforcement that Josh Duggar -- who was around 14 at the time -- was the alleged molester against 5 girls starting in 2002.

According to the police report, Josh fondled the genitals and breasts of the girls, some of whom were sleeping, but sometimes they were interacting with him ... in one case reading a book.

There was another reported incident 9 months later. According to the police report, the police were not immediately contacted. Instead, Jim Bob, the dad, met with church elders and agreed Josh should be put in a treatment program. The police report says Josh's mom, Michelle, said it wasn't really a treatment center ... they simply sent Josh to a guy who was remodeling a building to do manual labor.

In 2006, the family was scheduled to appear on "Oprah," and before the show someone sent an email to Harpo warning that Josh had molested girls. Harpo forwarded the email to a hotline, which triggered a police investigation.

Cops wanted to question Josh, but Jim Bob lawyered him up and Josh declined the invitation.

Josh, who is now 27, apparently cannot be charged because the statute of limitations has run.

As for the Duggars, one of the family members told investigators, "this entire incident had brought the family closer to God" ... this according to the police report.

Michelle Duggar is convinced ... child predators are aiming to use the cover of being a transgender to hurt children ... and she's determined to stop them in their tracks.

The "19 Kids and Counting" star is on the warpath against a proposed Arkansas law that would allow transgender people to use either the men's or women's bathroom -- whichever they feel suits them best.

Duggar thinks convicted male child molesters will have a field day if the law passes ... simply dressing up like a woman and perving out in girls restrooms.

It costs a FORTUNE to feed 23 mouths ... just ask TLC reality star Jim Bob Duggar who took his enormous family out for burgers in NYC yesterday -- and we know exactly how much they spent.

Jim Bob -- along with his wife Michelle and 21 other family members -- hit up Bill's Bar & Burger in Manhattan ... splurging on burgers, shakes, fries, onion rings, you name it.

FYI -- Burgers start at $7.95 and could double in price if you want cheese and/or another burger patty. Shakes run in the $6 range ... $4 for fries ... $8 for nachos ... $2 per soda.

Buuuuut ... the "19 Kids & Counting" fam did get a nice discount ... 6 of the children qualified for the kids menu -- $7.95 per meal.

So, what was the final bill??? We'll give you THREE options -- click on the image for the answer!

The family from TLC's "19 Kids & Counting" chose a unique way to commemorate the life of their 20th child, who passed away this week in a miscarriage -- they took an artsy picture of the fetal corpse ... and distributed it at the memorial.

Jubilee Shalom Duggar was due in April ... but Michelle Duggar suffered a miscarriage on Sunday in her 2nd trimester.

The Duggars held a memorial today at their church in Arkansas, where they distributed the above photographs -- containing messages like, "There is no foot too small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world."

The photos were first posted on Twitter by a family member -- and then surfaced on a fan site.

Just when you thought your family Thanksgiving was hectic -- TMZ has learned, the family from "19 Kids and Counting" is spending the holiday with another massive cohort ... totaling over 50 hungry mouths to feed.

Sources close to the Duggar family tell TMZ, they've invited the Vanderhoffs over for Thanksgiving festivities -- a nearby family of 23 that's also guest starring on an upcoming episode of "19 Kids."

Altogether, over 50 people are expected to chow down at Chez Duggar -- and the menu is suitably massive ... including two regular turkeys, two smoked turkeys, four turkey breasts, plus all the trimmings.

Meanwhile, dessert includes a total of 16 pies -- 10 pumpkin and 6 assorted ... pecan, apple, chocolate fudge ... we can go on.

She had reportedly fallen gravely ill during a trip to Israel with her family last week -- but baby Josie from TLC's "19 Kids and Counting" made a speedy recovery ... and TMZ has obtained video proof.

Reports are circulating ... Josie was rushed to a medical facility after her "oxygen levels had spiraled down" -- but sources close to the family tell TMZ, the reports were blown way out of proportion.

We're told 21-month-old Josie was merely experiencing some cold symptoms -- and was taken to a doctor's office to get them checked out.

The adorable religious zealots on "19 Kids and Counting" were right on the money yesterday in D.C. -- when the family stormed the Lincoln Memorial to fight spiritual bankruptcy ... with GIANT $100 bills.

Patriarch Jim Bob Duggar tells TMZ, he and his family felt like the country could use a pep talk during these hard financial times ... so they handed out over-sized fake Benjamins, inscribed with uplifting spiritual messages.

Jim Bob -- who was vacationing in the capital with his family -- adds, "Our hope in passing them out today was to encourage people to reflect on the things that are most important and to re-evaluate their relationship with God."