We’re just a few weeks away from the premiere of Jill & Jessa: Counting On, the 19 Kids and Counting spinoff series that both TLC and the Duggars are hoping will mark the start of a comeback for the embattled reality TV family.
Obviously, the whole Duggar clan is hoping to put Josh Duggar’s sex scandals behind them, but insiders say patriarch Jim Bob is especially eager to rebuild his empire, and he sees Counting On as the first, crucial step.
“Jim Bob is desperate to stay relevant and reclaim the Duggar name,” an insider tells Life & Style. “The family fortune has taken massive hit and he’s fighting back.”
Jim Bob is reportedly happy with the opportunity to prove that the Duggars are still a major draw, but some insiders say he’s upset that the new series will focus on Jill and Jessa, instead of featuring the entire family.
As such, Jim Bob is planning to cameo on the series along with wife Michelle, and sources say his end game is to eventually get a series featuring the whole Duggar brood back on the air.
“He absolutely want to be back on TV and was never thrilled about the show suddenly shifting focus,” says one insider.
It’s not surprising that Jim Bob would be so fixated on regaining his fame, as 19 Kids was his primary source of income, and finances have reportedly been a major source of drama for the family lately.
Insiders have claimed that Jessa Duggar is “furious” at Jim Bob for buying Josh and Anna Duggar a house in order to encourage them to stay married despite Josh’s philandering.
Jessa is said to be expecting a house of her own, but apparently, that’s just not feasible in the family’s current economic situation.
Fortunately, Counting On offers Jessa the opportunity to do some earning of her own. Unfortunately, Jim Bob and company will be expecting her to share the wealth.
