TLC network's general manager Nancy Daniels spearheaded a panel discussion today after presenting the company's upcoming reality TV dating series "Single Dad Seeking," Variety reported. But instead of answering questions about the show's premise, Daniels found herself fielding questions from reporters who grilled the executive about the network's applicant screening process. The questions centered on scandals surrounding the Duggar and Shannon families, which ultimately led to the cancellation of "19 Kids and Counting" and "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo."
While the three male cast members were sitting onstage, prepared to discuss their involvement in "Single Dad Seeking," reporters grilled Daniels about what, if any, changes the network has made to its vetting process when seeking applicants for its reality TV shows.
"Our first priority is making sure that there's a health and well being of our families first and foremost. We feature stories of different families with real people and real things happen," Daniels responded, as reported by Deadline Hollywood.
TLC was forced to cancel two of its reality TV series last year due to scandals. TLC cancelled "19 Kids and Counting" after Josh Duggar, the oldest son of the Duggar family who starred in the series, admitted to molesting at least five young girls, as previously reported by HNGN. Among Josh's victims were two of his sisters, Jill and Jessa.
The network also pulled "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" after news broke that the Shannon family matriarch Mama June had been romantically linked to a convicted sex offender who allegedly molested her own daughter, Anna Cardwell.
Daniels defended the network's affiliation with the Duggar family after Josh's molestation scandal and said the network reached out to RAINN and Darkness to Light for guidance on how to raise awareness on childhood sexual abuse for "Breaking the Silence" and "Jill and Jessa: Counting On," two specials that focused on Jill and Jessa's journeys in the wake of their family's scandal. But Daniels did not comment on whether the network will feature the Duggar girls in any of its upcoming programming.
"The audience clearly cares about these girls," she said, according to the Hollywood Reporter. "We're still talking and considering it but we have not made a decision yet."
