Duck Dynasty vs. Modern Family: 50 Maps of the U.S. Cultural Divide
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/26/upshot/duck-dynasty-vs-modern-family-television-maps.html?smid=tw-share&mtrref=www.thewrap.com&gwh=52FBD5F6241B828B1B49CC90467D0A85&gwt=pay&_r=0"In the 1960s and ’70s, even if you didn’t watch a show, you at least probably would have heard of it. Now television, once the great unifier, amplifies our divisions.
This reflects the business of television as much as it does a fracturing national culture. In the past, notes James Poniewozik, the chief television critic for The New York Times, big network shows like “The Beverly Hillbillies” “reflected a business where sheer audience numbers were more important.” Now, advertising money is driven less by volume and more by demographics. You make more ad money, Mr. Poniewozik explains, by appealing to younger, more affluent, urban viewers.
Still, there are shows that find broader appeal. We’ve created a fandom map for each of the top 50 shows, ranked in order of the difference between their highest and lowest fan percentages. As you get deeper in the page, you’ll find the shows with more consistent popularity — points of unity in a splintering culture."
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viewers.
I think it's basically a fantasy for people wanting a "fresh start" in the world. The main protagonists weren't particularly successful prior to the zombie apocalypse, but now it's simpler to understand! Hit some slow zombies in the head, loot stores and kill some small game. Most of the people with fancy book learnin' were killed or turned into zombies! The biggest threats are the people outside your little group. They're "outsiders" and they're almost always dangerous!
Where is it most popular? Appalachia! 
The most popular character? The one who looks like people they know.
EDIT: The black males anyway.
The character of Morgan has been there since the very first episode. He's been one of the strongest moral compasses in the series. He's definitely not dependent or subservient to the main character.
I've sort of seen it as one of those back-door appeal with subtle progressive points of view.
A lot of the typical stereotypes for this genre are broken. Look at the Carol story line. Carol was an abused housewife. She's become independent, and a strong woman. Michone, and Sasha are definitely not wall flowers just waiting to be zombie food. There's also 2 very effective gay characters in Aaron, and "Jesus".
No argument that it has a very.. base.. level of appeal, But I do give it some props for diversity, inclusion, and breaking down of traditional stereotypes normally found in this genre.
It's a show that I kind of enjoy hate-watching sometimes, trying to figure out why it gets such high cable ratings. 
It also strikes me as a soap opera with zombies in it. The only coma was Rick at the beginning, though.
I should live around Denver CO according to all of the maps.
