TLC cancels its 'Honey Boo Boo' series


              FILE - In this Monday, Sept. 10, 2012, file photo, beauty pageant regular and reality show star Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson speaks during an interview as her mother, June Shannon, looks on in her home in McIntyre, Ga. On Friday, Oct. 24, 2014, the TLC network canceled the “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” series, following published reports that Shannon was in a relationship with a man who had a criminal past. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
FILE - In this Monday, Sept. 10, 2012, file photo, beauty pageant regular and reality show star Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson speaks during an interview as her mother, June Shannon, looks on in her home in McIntyre, Ga. On Friday, Oct. 24, 2014, the TLC network canceled the “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” series, following published reports that Shannon was in a relationship with a man who had a criminal past. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

NEW YORK (AP) - The TLC network on Friday canceled its colorful series about child beauty pageant contestant Honey Boo Boo and her Georgia family.

The network had already completed filming of another season of "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" and was set to begin airing it at the end of this year.

TLC wouldn't publicly cite a reason for the cancellation, but said in a statement that "supporting the health and welfare of these remarkable children is our only priority. TLC is faithfully committed to the childrens' ongoing comfort and well-being."

The series' star was Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson, one of four daughters of June Shannon from rural McIntyre, Georgia. "Honey Boo Boo" earned her own series after attracting attention in the TLC show "Toddlers & Tiaras," and is known for coining catchphrases like "a dolla makes me holla." She's 9 years old.

"Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" was such a fast hit for TLC that two years ago, the network ordered Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas specials surrounding the family. Viewership has fallen off sharply since then, but it still averaged 1.5 million viewers for its most recent season this summer and remains one of TLC's most popular shows.

TLC is discussing ways to support the children following the cancellation, such as providing tutoring or counseling, said an executive at the network who spoke on condition of anonymity because the network didn't want to publicly discuss those plans.

The cancellation came after published reports that June Shannon was dating a man with a criminal past.

Upcoming Events