15 Years of Duggar TV

Duggar siblings in Washington DC

March 2019

 

Last month, the Duggars hit an exciting milestone. September 9th was the 15-year anniversary of the premiere of their first reality TV special, 14 Children and Pregnant Again. Can you believe that the Duggar family has been on television that long? They started with five specials, which gave way to the start of their weekly series 17 Kids and Counting on September 29th, 2008 (just over 11 years ago).

The series became 18 Kids and Counting in January 2009 and then ran for two seasons before being renamed to 19 Kids and Counting. After six additional seasons, the family was off the air for several months in 2015 before the premiere of Counting On in December. Counting On is currently in its 10th season, although the seasons are significantly shorter than those of the previous series.

The Duggars started filming for their first special around the beginning of 2004, just a few months before Jackson was born. Did you see 14 Children and Pregnant Again when it first aired on TV?

Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com

Duggars Fall Into Fall

 Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar

The Duggars have had a busy fall. In the past few weeks alone, they have celebrated two birthdays (Johannah's and Mackynzie's), attended the Demolition Derby, and cheered on the Razorbacks at a University of Arkansas football game.

The Dillards have spent several days in Washington D.C., while other members of the family are down in East Texas at the week-long International ALERT Academy Family Camp.

 Josiah Duggar and John-David Duggar at family camp

And here's a new photo of Spurgeon Seewald and Henry Seewald, shopping at ALDI with Jessa. 

Henry Seewald and Spurgeon Seewald

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com, theseewaldfamily.com

Dillards in D.C.

This week, Jill and Derick Dillard are on a tour of Washington D.C. with the Cross Church School of Ministry, the group under which Derick is completing a one-year residential ministry experience. The Dillards were even able to go inside the White House.

 Jill and Derick with the Cross Church School of Ministry

U.S. Capitol

Dillards in front of the Supeme Court

Photos courtesy dillardfamily.com

Seewalds Plan a Home Birth

 Jessa Seewald at 34 weeks, 2 days

Jessa Seewald, who is 35 weeks pregnant with her first child, told us that she and Ben are hoping to have a home birth. They currently reside in the two bedroom house where Josh and Anna Duggar lived for nearly four years--before moving to Washington DC--and delivered their first two children, Mackynzie and Michael.

Our plan is to have a home birth. We have lots of relatives and friends who have had wonderful experiences with giving birth at home, and we are excited and hopeful that our experience will be the same. But we also realize that sometimes (as in Jill’s case) a transfer to the hospital may be necessary, and our birth plan definitely includes a plan B.  

-Jessa Seewald


Photo courtesy of duggarfamily.com

Recap: "Jill's Having A..." and "Birthing Class & Teamwork"

19 Kids and Counting "Jill's Having A..."

• Jill and Derick are about to find out the gender of their baby. If it's a boy, they will name him Israel, which means "God will prevail," and if it's a girl, they will name her Selah, which mean "pause and reflect."
• Jill's buddy team (Joy, James, and Jennifer) is accompanying her and Derick to their ultrasound appointment. Joy says that she and James and Jennifer are still really close to Jill and that they have "added Derick to the team."
• "I feel very honored to be part of this big milestone in Jill and Derick's life," says Joy.
• Everyone is thrilled to hear the baby's heartbeat. "This is our kid," says Jill. "We're going to know what we're having. This is crazy."
• The ultrasound technician shares the exciting news: It's a boy! Now it's time to prepare for a gender reveal party.
• After the appointment, everyone heads back to Jill and Derick's house to set up for a gender reveal party. The Duggars arrive, and the fun begins.
• Derick's mom, Cathy, is away in Omaha having cancer treatment, so she is unable to attend the party. (Update: Cathy is doing great!)
• The Dillards bring out a piñata in the shape of a question mark. Starting with Josie, each family member takes three whacks at the piñata. Everyone is thrilled when blue paper and candies come falling out of the piñata.
• Derick's brother, Dan, surprises their mom at the hospital in Omaha with blue flowers and a blue balloon. Later, Jill, Derick, Jim Bob, and Michelle video chat with Cathy and Dan.

19 Kids and Counting "Birthing Class and Teamwork"

• Now that Jill and Jessa are out of the house and there are no weddings to plan (yet), Michelle is trying to get the kids back to a normal schedule.
• Michelle and the younger kids take their dog Bubba to have a professional dog bath. The Duggars put on waterproof smocks and help hose the dog down. "Bubba doesn't stink anymore," says Josie.
• Jill and Derick attend a Bradley class on childbirth. "Derick has really shown that he is an awesome coach," says Jill. Michelle encourages her daughter to say calm during labor.
• In Washington D.C., Anna and the kids are sewing a curtain to cover the front door window of Jessa and Ben's house. Josh and Anna lived in that house for almost five years, and they used Josh's bathrobe to cover the window because they never got around to installing a curtain.
• Mackynzie and Michael each take a turn sitting on Anna's lap as she sews. Michael has a few close calls with the needle, but no one ends up in the emergency room.
• Back in Arkansas, Joy-Anna updates the jurisdiction list (ie chore list). While the older kids aren't too enthusiastic about their jurisdictions, Josie is thrilled to be in charge of gathering the laundry. Michelle runs behind her as she pushes the cart around the house and picks up loose clothing.  

Easter with the Duggars

Josh and Anna Duggar and their three kiddos (Mackynzie, Michael, and Marcus) joined the rest of the clan in Arkansas to celebrate Easter. Anna is expecting their fourth child--a girl--in just three months. You can bet Josh and Anna are hoping Jill delivers Baby Dilly before they return to Washington D.C.

Justin Duggar and Marcus Duggar

Recap: "Invites & Ride-Alongs" and "Wedding Prep & Pies"

19 Kids and Counting "Invites and Ride-Alongs"

• Michelle spends quality time with John-David and learns how to operate an excavator and a dump truck. "John-David is very patient, and he is a good instructor," says the mom of 19, who makes a point to spend one-on-one time with each of her kids.
• Jinger says John is steady, quiet, and easy-going. Michelle calls him tenderhearted.
• Jessa and Ben ask Josh, who does graphic design as a hobby, to design their wedding invitations. Josh agrees. While he works, Mackynzie and Michael design their own invitations using construction paper and colored Popsicle sticks. Josh sends a few options to the future Mr. and Mrs. Seewald, and they select their favorite.
• Jill prepares dessert and a care package for Derick's mom, Cathy, who is going to Omaha, Nebraska, for five weeks of treatment that will hopefully prevent her cancer from returning. (Update: Cathy is doing very well, and her doctors say her healing is nothing short of a miracle.)
• Constable John-David takes Jim Bob on a ride-along in his police car. "We'll see if my dad follows the rules," says John. In case you are wondering, a constable is a police officer with less authority and a smaller jurisdiction than a sheriff. John-David was sworn in as constable in January 2013.
• John-David stops to help an officer who has pulled someone over in a gas station parking lot. He instructs Jim Bob to stay in the car, but the Duggar dad slips out and buys food at the convenience store.  
• "It looks like you got out of the car," says John, jokingly. "We've got to keep our strength up," responds Jim Bob, holding a package of donuts and two bottles of Gatorade.
• The ride-along turns out to be uneventful, but Jim Bob enjoys spending time with his son.

19 Kids and Counting "Wedding Prep and Pies"

• Michelle helps Jason and James make pies (also called casseroles) that they hope receive Jessa and Ben's stamp of approval for the rehearsal dinner.  "Jason and James, their cooking style is more for survival," says Michelle. "It's not for appearance of the food..."
• "The pies that Jason and James made were amazing," says Jessa.
• In Washington D.C., Josh prepares egg sandwiches for his family. Then, the Duggar dad takes Mackynzie and Michael to a nearby music store for their first music lessons.
• Mackynzie is thrilled to learn to play her tiny violin, and Michael smiles as he has his first piano lesson. Afterwards, the kids enjoy trying out a drum set.
• Ben is designing a wedding band for Jessa that he will surprise her with on their wedding day. He takes the sketches to White's Jewelry, and Jinger brings Jessa's engagement ring. "When it's all finished, I can't wait to see her face when I slide it on her finger," says Ben.
• Later, the Duggar girls head to Flowerama, a local flower shop. Jessa admits she doesn't know much about flowers. "Jessa doesn't really have a plan just yet for her flowers," says Jana.
• The employees at Flowerama show the Duggars how to make bouquets. "Our parents have encouraged us to gain as many life skills as we can," says Jessa.
• The little girls especially enjoy blowing into the flowers to make them open up.
• "These last moments together as sisters are kind of bittersweet," says Jana. "We are definitely cherishing these moments and just enjoying making these memories together before Jessa gets married."

Duggars and Bates March for Life

Josh and Anna Duggar and their kids had a few visitors join them for the National March for Life today in Washington D.C.

 Lawson Bates, Josie Bates, Jinger Duggar, Josh Duggar, Jana Duggar, Trace Bates

 Mackynzie Duggar

 Josie Bates, Jinger Duggar, Josh Duggar, Jana Duggar, Trace Bates

Josh and Anna Duggar pose in front of the Family Research Council Banner

Duggar Christmas Day

Hope you are having a blessed Christmas! The Duggars kicked off Christmas Day by opening gifts. Josh and Anna Duggar and their three (soon to be four) kiddos are visiting from Washington D.C., and Jill and Derick Dillard and Jessa and Ben Seewald are over, as well. You thought you had a lot of wrapping paper to clean up this morning, but can you imagine doing Christmas morning with 19 kids, 3 young grandchildren, and 3 in-laws?

How are the Duggars spending the rest of the day? They are enjoying fellowship, playing group games, putting together the younger kids' Christmas gifts, and eating a big meal!

 Christmas at the Duggar house

 Michael and Mackynzie Duggar

Click here to view a Christmas video filmed by the Duggar boys. In the video, Michelle Duggar explains why her family has chosen not to have a Christmas tree.

How are you celebrating Christmas?

Duggars Meet Duck Dynasty

Any Duck Dynasty fans out there? This evening at the Values Voter Summit in Washington D.C., the Duggars met Alan Robertson, oldest son of Phil and Kay Robertson, and his wife, Lisa,

Watch the Duggars LIVE Tonight

The Duggars spent the week making their way to Washington D.C., with stops to visit the Creation Museum in Kentucky and Michelle's family in Ohio. Between 7:30 PM ET/6:30 PM CT and 9:20 PM ET/8:20 PM CT tonight, the Duggars will speak and share music at the 2014 Values Voter Summit. Watch the action on the live YouTube feed below:

Recap: "Duggar Dirty Jobs" and "Duggars Decorate & Diet"

Tonight on TLC...

19 Kids and Counting "Duggar Dirty Jobs"

• Jill and Derick, accompanied by chaperone Michelle, purchase wedding bands at White's Jewelry, the same jeweler Jim Bob and Michelle visited 30 years ago while preparing for their wedding.
• Ben Seewald recently became the first single, non-Duggar male to live on the Duggars' property. He and Jessa have purposed never to be alone together. "...Ben realizes the responsibility before God and before Jessa's daddy to not make any mistakes" says Michelle. 
• According to Jessa, one downside of living so close to Ben is that she always has to look her best.
• "If you want to marry a Duggar girl, you can't be afraid to get your hands dirty," says Jim Bob, who sends Ben out to work with John-David. Their first task is to fix a fence, but after determining that they don't have the right supplies to complete the job, John and Ben decide to grab a box of donuts.
• Next, the men install windows. "I haven't done a whole lot of carpentry work before," says Ben. "Measuring tapes and Ben, well, we aren't the best of friends.
• When Jessa says it would be nice to have a handy husband, Ben responds that that is not an "absolute necessity" and that "some guys just might have strengths in other areas."
• The last item on Ben's to-do list is to bathroom cleaning. John says part of the reason his dad invited Ben to move onto the family's property is because he wants to prepare Jessa's boyfriend to support a wife and family.
• Meanwhile, Grandma, Michelle, and Joy take the younger kids to Imagine Studios to paint pottery as wedding gifts for Jill and Derick. 
• "I'm excited for Jill and Derick to get married..." says Jackson. "...cause they've never gotten married before," adds Johannah.
• Joy says it's bittersweet to watch Jill prepare to move out, since the two sisters were buddies and slept in the same bed for many years.

19 Kids and Counting "Duggars Decorate & Diet"

• Michelle, Jessa, and Joy take on the task of reupholstering stools. The Duggar mom says she doesn't think it's likely that any of her kids will have more than 19 children but that it isn't entirely impossible.
• While enjoying a homemade, Southern breakfast of biscuits and gravy, bacon, eggs, and sausage at their home in Washington D.C., Josh and Anna are shocked to welcome an unexpected visitor...former professional football player Steve Conley! About a year ago, Steve put Jim Bob and Josh through an intense physical training regimen.
• "The good think about this breakfast is that it's so full of preservatives that it will keep you around for a long time" jokes Anna, who says she usually prepares healthier foods.
• "I think with moving, I've kind of slacked back into my old ways," says Josh.
• When Steve looks through Josh and Anna's pantry and fridge and discovers a lack of healthy options, he takes them to a local farmer's market to stock up on fresh fruits and veggies.
• At the market, Steve turns shopping into a game for Mackynzie and Michael, as he sends them to find foods that match certain descriptions.
• Back in Arkansas, Jinger snaps engagement photos of Jill and Derick. Jessa comes along as the wardrobe coordinator and photographer's assistant.
• Jill and Derick say that saving the physical side of their relationship for marriage gives them incentive to have a short engagement.
• Jim Bob supervises the younger and middle-aged kids while they paint the soap box derby cars they built during last week's show.

Duggar Season Premiere in 18 Days!

New episodes of 19 Kids and Counting return to TLC in less than three weeks. Tune in at 9PM ET PT/8PM CT on Tuesday, September 2nd, to see what your favorite super-sized family has been up to.

Following Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard's exciting engagement finale on 19 Kids and Counting this spring, the new season picks up with the happy couple planning for their big day. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar start the emotional journey of giving away their first daughter in marriage, as Jill and Derick plan their rapidly approaching nuptials. From dress shopping to cake tasting, it's all hands on deck as the engaged pair prepare to say their "I dos" in front of more than 1,000 of their closest friends and family. But this happy occasion is bittersweet as the family starts to realize what giving away Jill will mean for their close-knit clan.

Also this season, Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald continue to grow closer, as their courtship takes an unexpected turn when Ben makes a move to live closer to Jessa. Jim Bob and Michelle celebrate 30 years of marriage as Jill and Derick prepare their new home together with the help of the family. The newly engaged couple also tends to Derick's mom, Cathy, as she bravely battles cancer. And after their first year in Washington, D.C., Josh and Anna Duggar and their three kids decide it may be time to make a few changes in their own growing family.

Leading up to the premiere, catch the Duggars reacting to encore airings of their favorite 19 Kids and Counting episodes as part of TLC's "Dishing with the Duggars." Beginning Monday, August 25, and airing weekdays from 1-3 PM ET PT/12-2 PM CT for three weeks, viewers can go back in time with one of America's largest families as they laugh together and reminisce about some of their favorite moments, from births and holidays to clothing choices and family vacations.

Change is in the Air

New episodes of 19 Kids and Counting return to TLC on September 2nd, and as always, there are a lot of changes in store for the Duggar family. Watch the clan prepare for Jill and Derick's wedding, and see how Jessa Duggar's relationship with Ben Seewald is affected when Ben moves closer to the Duggars. In Washington D.C., Josh and Anna Duggar decide it's time to make changes to their growing family.

What are your predictions for the upcoming season?

Josh and Anna Duggar

Marcus Duggar, Michael Duggar, and Mackynzie Duggar

Georgetown Cupcake for Jim Bob's Birthday

To celebrate Jim Bob Duggar's 49th birthday yesterday, Josh and Anna Duggar and their kiddos, as well as Jana Duggar, who is visiting her brother and sister-in-law in Washington D.C., and a few friends enjoyed dessert from Georgetown Cupcake. Although Jim Bob (also know as "Pops") wasn't with them, the group wanted to do something to honor the Duggar dad on his 49th birthday. 

Flashback! The Duggars visited Georgetown Cupcake as a family in 2010, three years before Josh and Anna relocated to the area (video below).

"19 Kids and Counting" Will Return

When will new episodes of 19 Kids and Counting return to TLC? Rest assured, the Duggars will be back this fall. The network has been filming throughout the spring and summer, as well as at Jill and Derick's wedding. The premiere date has not be finalized, but we will let you know when it is.

In addition to following Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, the 17 Duggar kids still living at home, and newlyweds Derick and Jill Dillard, the crew has also been keeping tabs on Josh and Anna Duggar in Washington D.C. 

 Josh Duggar and Mr. Jim the sound man

Can you believe that Michael Duggar just turned three and that Mackynzie Duggar will be five in October?

Grand-Duggars Mackynzie and Michael

Duggars 'Eat Mor Chickin'

In celebration of Cow Appreciation Day, anyone who wore a cow costume to Chick-fil-A yesterday received a free meal. The Duggars were eager to participate...

In Washington D.C., Josh and Anna Duggar took Cow Day seriously.

The Duggar herd donned their homemade cow costumes and headed to the nearest Chick-fil-A.

In Northwest Arkansas, newlyweds Jill and Derick Dillard also participated.

Life in Washington D.C.

Josh Duggar talks about his family's new life in Washington D.C. Although they miss the rest of the Duggar clan, Josh and Anna are enjoying living in the nation's capital. "Moving away is not easy," says Josh. "But you adjust, and you are able to appreciate, I think a lot more, what you have at home."

Video no longer available

Season 8 Continues

This week on Tuesday's new episode of 19 Kids and Counting, watch Jim Bob and Jill Duggar travel to Nepal to meet Derick Dillard, the man that Jill is now engaged to.

Here are a few photos from last week's episode, "Duggars Reunited":

Grandma Duggar and Joy-Anna Duggar help Anna Duggar in the kitchen

Josie Duggar

Joy-Anna Duggar and Marcus Duggar

Jana Duggar, Josiah Duggar, and Jinger Duggar

The Duggars share a family meal at Josh and Anna's home in Washington D.C.

Jason Duggar takes a bite out of his turkey drumstick 

while Jeremiah and Marcus watch

Mackynzie Duggar

Josie Duggar

Michelle Duggar and Anna Duggar take the five youngest Duggar girls

to a candy shop to celebrate Jordyn, Mackynzie, and Josie's birthdays

Josie Duggar, born at 25 weeks, is now a healthy four-year-old

Anna Duggar and Mackynzie Duggar enjoy a slice of birthday cake

Recap: "Graduation & A Surprise"

On tonight's new episode of 19 Kids and Counting, "Graduation & A Surprise"...

• The Duggars are preparing to celebrate Josiah's high school graduation...with 400 guests. "He is such a people person," says Michelle, who admits she is not surprised by the number of friends and family members who are coming to help celebrate. Josiah sent out 300 invitations. According to Jim Bob, it will be the biggest Duggar party ever.
• At age 17, Josiah is the 8th Duggar to graduate from high school.
• What does the rest of the Duggar clan have to say about Josiah?  "He has a really giving spirit," says Jason.
• "I like Josiah because he gives me lots of candy," says James. Jessa agrees. And if you have been a longtime viewer, you know that Josiah is a practical joker.
• In Washington D.C., Anna and the kids head to the grocery store to purchase ingredients for a holiday meal for the entire Duggar family. She is able to feed everyone for under $4 a person.
• When Josh gets home, Anna asks for his help preparing for the family's visit. She hopes to have the basement bedroom cleared out and painted for Josh's parents. Then Anna gets a call from Jim Bob, who says they drove through the night to avoid bad weather and will be arriving in five hours, a day earlier than expected.
• Josh and a friend are hard at work fixing up the basement bedroom, while Anna is scrambling to get the food ready on time. "I can rarely remember my family being early to anything," says Josh, but he admits it usually involves food.
• As the family rings the doorbell, smoke is pouring out of the oven, and the smoke detector is screeching. Watch next week's episode to find out how it all turns out!