TLC has seen its fair share of changes over the years, with some shows standing the test of time and others fading after just a few seasons. One of the relatively new and successful shows is 7 Little Johnstons, which has been on air for nearly a decade. Interestingly, some fans believe that the infamous Duggar family, particularly Josh Duggar, played a role in the Johnstons’ rise to fame. But how exactly did this happen, and what is the connection between these two families?
The Rise of 7 Little Johnstons
7 Little Johnstons has become a beloved show on TLC, chronicling the lives of the Johnston family, who all have achondroplasia dwarfism. Over nine years, the show has captured viewers’ hearts with the family’s resilience and spirit:
- Milestones:
Recently, Amber Johnston shared a post celebrating the filming of their 100th episode, highlighting their journey and the challenges they’ve overcome. - Viewer Appeal:
The show’s popularity stems from the Johnstons’ fun personalities and their unyielding determination to tackle life’s obstacles, providing an engaging and inspiring narrative for audiences.
The Duggar Connection
The connection between the Johnstons’ success and Josh Duggar is rooted in timing and viewer migration:
- Josh Duggar’s Scandal:
Josh Duggar, a member of the Duggar family from 19 Kids and Counting, was imprisoned for possessing child pornography and had earlier faced allegations of molesting five minors, four of whom were his sisters. These serious allegations led TLC to cancel 19 Kids and Counting in 2015. - Viewer Shift:
Coincidentally, 2015 was also the year 7 Little Johnstons premiered. At its peak, 19 Kids and Counting had an average of 2.3 million viewers per episode. With the show’s cancellation, many fans believe that a significant portion of this audience migrated to 7 Little Johnstons, searching for a new family-oriented reality show to watch.
Conclusion
The success of 7 Little Johnstons can be attributed to the Johnston family’s compelling story and endearing personalities. However, the timing of their rise to popularity coinciding with the downfall of 19 Kids and Counting has led some fans to speculate that Josh Duggar’s scandal inadvertently boosted the Johnstons’ viewership. As the Johnstons continue to share their lives with the world, their unique charm and resilience remain the primary factors behind their enduring success on TLC.