A&E Welcomes Phil Robertson Back to 'Duck Dynasty'

[ErikJ]

Source: Hollywood Reporter

Less than two weeks after his anti-gay remarks prompted an "indefinite hiatus" for the reality patriarch, and a strong fan backlash, the network says he will remain on the series.
2:07 PM PST 12/27/2013
A&E
Phil Robertson, "Duck Dynasty"
Phil Robertson, the patriarch of A&E's Duck Dynasty clan who was suspended from his hit reality series on Dec. 18 following some incendiary comments about gay people, won't be put on hiatus after all.

The network and the Robertson family announced Friday that Phil will still be part of the series -- and since he didn't miss any filming, his temporary suspension will have no effect on the upcoming fifth season.

An A&E statement to The Hollywood Reporter [6] [6]read:

As a global media content company, A+E Networks’ core values are centered around creativity, inclusion and mutual respect. We believe it is a privilege for our brands to be invited into people’s home and we operate with a strong sense of integrity and deep commitment to these principals.

That is why we reacted so quickly and strongly to a recent interview with Phil Robertson. While Phil’s comments made in the interview reflect his personal views based on his own beliefs, and his own personal journey, he and his family have publicly stated they regret the “coarse language” he used and the mis-interpretation of his core beliefs based only on the article. He also made it clear he would “never incite or encourage hate.” We at A+E Networks expressed our disappointment with his statements in the article, and reiterate that they are not views we hold.

But Duck Dynasty is not a show about one man's views. It resonates with a large audience because it is a show about family… a family that America has come to love. As you might have seen in many episodes, they come together to reflect and pray for unity, tolerance and forgiveness. These are three values that we at A+E Networks also feel strongly about.

So after discussions with the Robertson family, as well as consulting with numerous advocacy groups, A&E has decided to resume filming Duck Dynasty later this spring with the entire Robertson family.

We will also use this moment to launch a national public service campaign (PSA) promoting unity, tolerance and acceptance among all people, a message that supports our core values as a company, and the values found in Duck Dynasty. These PSAs will air across our entire portfolio.

In addition, an A&E source says the family and the network are going to work together to promote tolerance moving forward.

Robertson's comments in GQ [7] magazine, which included the 67-year-old likening homosexuality to "bestiality," prompted an almost immediate announcement from A&E.

Read more: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/a-e-welcomes-phil-robertson-667647

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LOLGOP ‏@LOLGOP 9m
THIS ISN'T JUST A VICTORY FOR PEOPLE WHO USE RELIGION TO BASH GAY PEOPLE. IT'S A REBUKE TO THOSE WHO THINK BLACKS DIDN'T ENJOY SEGREGATION!

[Blanket Statements]

1. That didn't take long

[blkmusclmachine]

18. Damn lib'rul media!

[tonybgood]

26. We have a new definition for "indefinite"!

Two weeks is now the official definition of indefinite!

[warrant46]

64. They rose up again to act like imbeciles for the Sheep

Why?

Because shit floats

[louis-t]

2. "mis-interpretation" my ass.

[blkmusclmachine]

19. In other words: sorry if you were offended, but...

[Scairp]

59. I'm getting abused on Facebook

I barely ever go on there, but for this situation I did, and some wingers have taken exception to my opinion that that person is a misogynistic, racist homophobe. It's also apparently ok with them that he has advocated that men marry girls no older than 16 because by the time they are 20 they do nothing but "pick your wallet".

[George II]

3. If there's any consolation for all of this, these idiots (the Duck nuts) have been exposed....

...and hopefully millions of potential viewers will run from the stupid show.

[heaven05]

29. I hope you are correct

yet I feel the rest of the 47% of the voters for romshit will tune in.

[zeemike]

43. Are you kidding?

I can predict that they will see a surge in viewership, and his products will fly off the shelves as every racist and bigot tunes in and buys his shit...that is why he did it....and our outrage helped him a lot...probably made him millions.

[MFM008]

4. cowards

why does everyone cave to right wing assholes yet we lose everytime. Keith, Cenk,Martin, everyone. Say one wrong word as a progressive you gone in 60 seconds. Be some sort of back wash, back water grit garggling, toilet water drinking, shit stained,squirrel eating, neanderthal, racist, bigot, inbred, wanna be hillbilly and spew hate and stir up the bottom of the barrel gun ,sucking morons and you are fine....no problem...... A&E you SUCK.

[Tx4obama]

7. I'm sure lots of folks will disagree with me but I think he and his family are not racists

Phil has a bi-racial grandson.
Willie and his wife adopted him as a baby at one month old over a decade ago.
And Willie and his wife also have an adopted daughter from Taiwan.

[MFM008]

9. how come

many african americans think he is racist? Hes still everything else I said plus a money hungry plague rat, oh, as is all his family, no I meant 80% below the Mason Dixon line, and I was born in Virginia sadly.... Now safe in WA.

[Leontius]

28. We don't miss you. Better safe than fight to fix the problem I guess.

[EC]

24. So many church people

adopt kids from other countries and then treat them like servants. It's their good deed.

[sweetapogee]

48. you should

write a research paper on this subject. Expose them bastards.

[840high]

52. So many don't. They love them.

[Psephos]

61. +10000

[Ranchemp.]

68. Which doesn't seem to be the case with the Robertson family.

[840high]

69. Show me proof.

[Ranchemp.]

70. Show me proof that they are treating little Will like a slave.

[philosslayer]

71. Mitt Romney's son did the same thing

i posted what you posted and got excoriated for it. Some people just can't see the truth.

[840high]

51. I didn't know that.

[Marie Marie]

54. Who knows, maybe you are right Tx4obama BUT

I have an acquaintance who is a born again right winger who adopted a black child and he is one of the biggest racists I know. Somehow, he sees through a filter that his child is OK but the rest of those blacks - well they are just lazy, shiftless, welfare cheats.
He vehemently defended George Zimmerman and remained completely oblivious to the fact that a hate crime could have just as easily been committed against his son. This man just boggles my mind...

[iandhr]

12. Because we don't react the way they do.

[MFM008]

21. only blacks think hes a racist?

hes a racist and im 55 yr old white female.

[Chakab]

47. Damn straight. You know us nutty blacks, always overreacting to people perpetuating

insane revisionist history about things not being bad so during Jim Crow and insinuating that the continued existence of structural racism is myth.

Here's the thing about how you people react to stuff like this: unless there's proof that somebody burned a cross like five minutes ago, it's never appropriate to call out racism and we should all just shut the fuck up about it so nobody (who matters) feels uncomfortable.

[iandhr]

49. Thats not what I mean at all.

A poster talked about how progressives in the media get fired for saying less then what the racist asshole Phil Robertson said. "why does everyone cave to right wing assholes yet we lose everytime. Keith, Cenk,Martin, everyone. Say one wrong word as a progressive you gone in 60 seconds. Be some sort of back wash, back water grit garggling, toilet water drinking, shit stained,squirrel eating, neanderthal, racist, bigot, inbred, wanna be hillbilly and spew hate and stir up the bottom of the barrel gun ,sucking morons and you are fine....no problem...... A&E you SUCK."

My point was the racist bigots go nuts and progressives don't.

This is the problem with the internet sometimes it's easy to misunderstand what someone means.

[drynberg]

5. A&E ARE JUST CHASING $$ PLUS RESPONDING TO SHOW'S FOLLOWERS (MORE $$)

So, to the average American, does an indefinite hiatus mean about two weeks. I don't think so, not unless they factor in the adding machines clicking away profits from hatred. Shame on their greedy asses. Boycott the SOBs. Not for two weeks, forever.

[mimi85]

45. That's exactly right!

Well, A&E have lost these two viewers, that's for sure. Shame on them is right, it always boils down to the dinero.

[healthnut7]

6. Just what the world needs!!

Are idiots like this!! So sad, no wonder the world is the way it is....

[blkmusclmachine]

23. So, A&E takes a hard-right turn, and becomes another rightwing wanna-be.

So disappointing.

[AtheistCrusader]

8. Of course they did.

And their ratings are through the roof.

[brett_jv]

30. Exactly ...

I've thought this was a publicity stunt from day 1.

Anyone who didn't see through this whole fiasco ... clearly didn't spend much time actually 'thinking'.

[AtheistCrusader]

33. Yep, A&E has an allergy that is plain for all to see.

They are allergic to truckloads of money not arriving at their door.
This was the cheapest advertising campaign ever. And likely one of the farthest reaching, Especially for the money. Couldn't ask for a better deal.


Pretty disgusting.

[armed_and_liberal]

10. Does this mean Sarah Palin will STFU for a few days?

It was bad enough seeing that racist/homophobe Robertson allover the media, "Caribou Barbie" only made it 10 times worse.

[groundloop]

14. Sadly, no. Caribou Barbie will never be quite.

I WISH she'd give it a rest, but any time she has the slightest chance to get in front of a camera she's all over it.

As far as A&E and DuckMan, I still contend that this entire episode was a publicity stunt to get more support from the right wing crazies.

[iandhr]

11. When the story broke.

Was I the only one who thought "who the hell is Phil Robertson?"

[irisblue]

15. no, I'd never heard of him either

and what is a duck dynasty? Were they the ducks from the Hotel Peabody in Memphis?

[mimi85]

46. No you definitely weren't! nt

[treestar]

67. No I had never heard of him or that show

Now I do. Mission accomplished. He may not even really have the opinions he stated to GQ.

[colbertforpresident]

13. Marketing

that was an incredibly effective publicity stunt.

[Blue_Tires]

16. +1

and now their ratings will double...

[blkmusclmachine]

20. Publicity stunt? May have been!

[brett_jv]

31. Said so since day one ...

Not here, but to all my FB friends.

Never 'bought' the 'suspension' for one damn second.

To me it was obvious exactly what they were doing.

[blkmusclmachine]

17. Was there ever any real doubt he'd be back in good graces at A&E?!?! Too much money to be made from

the bigots and racists who lap up shows like DD, to just let it all go.

[heaven05]

32. no doubt at all

there is money and huge profit in homophobia and racism in amerikkka.

[EC]

22. I haven't watched A & E since "Spencer for Hire"

was on it...I likely never will go back to the station now.

[K lib]

25. maybe people will stfu now

i am tired of this story. Maybe people can focus on something important, highly unlikely.

[babylonsister]

39. This is now important b/c A&E is now

endorsing racism and bigotry, despite how they're trying to portray their reversal. Yes, it's about money, but this won't be going away any time soon, I don't think.

[K lib]

40. True

But this is distracting from important issues like unemployment benefits, the debt ceiling, etc. I did not watch a&e duck dynasty before i will not now. While racism and bigotry is still a big issue in this country this one family and one network, we cant lose of sight of the bigger fight in this which is rectifying inequalities in gay rights and african american rights in our countries laws. Hopefully it will play itself out and a&e will lose viewership and advertisements. We lost this battle but we can not get sidetracked on the bigger picture.

[840high]

53. I hope it does go away.

[babylonsister]

66. Why? Why

should racism and bigotry get a pass unchallenged?

[championofreason]

27. It was going to hurt their profits

I think the money men decided that since this is the most successful cable show they better put him back on or else they may lose their precious profits.

[Android3.14]

34. Shit like this is no accident

Outrage, homophobia, LGBT advocacy, racism, white power, constitutional offense, are the exact goals some marketing firm was seeking.
Whether you hate Duck Dynasty, or you love Duck Dynasty, at least you are part of the 99% of the country that now knows about some obscure stupid show, and it's all because a marketing firm manipulated you.
And me.

[brett_jv]

38. Abso-fricking-lutely ...

I have to wonder if the morons on the right will EVER get tired of being manipulated like a bunch of dancing marionettes on the strings of the 1% and the Multi-national Corporations. I'm thinking NOT, I'm thinking they LOVE IT. They're wired that way, in fact. Bunch of little sheep who like to imagine they're 'free'.

[Indyfan53]

35. Well, boycott A&E and their sponsors.

Their channels is anything BUT Arts and Entertainment these days.

[workinclasszero]

36. Duck Dynasty is the new KKK

Phil the fake good ole boy yuppie is the Grand Dragon

He is just like the nazi sympathizers who deny that the Holocaust happened.

A&E network is now a racist org and should be boycotted, shamed and opposed at every turn by the left and all people who don't think MLK and the civil rights movement were a waste of time.

Oh and hes a gay hater and an american taliban heretic to boot.

[jsr]

37. Corporatese bullshit

[47of74]

41. Since what passes for entertainment these days on most of our TV stations is a veritable shithole...

...I'm thinking of going the route my brother and sister did. Cut the satellite back to bare minimum and rely on the internets (namely Hulu or Netflix) to deliver my entertainment.

[sorefeet]

42. Phil Robertson is what

the bible calls a false prophet. And his religious flock are blind to it. The fucker is filthy rich and a liar, racist, homophobe then how in the fuck is he going to get into his promised land??? Arrogant fuck will probably ride up to the pearly gates on a camel.

[crim son]

44. All we can do now is spread the word to boycott the F**K out of A&E.

Sigh.

[sir pball]

73. Why are you watching them in the first place? They haven't been an intellectual network in YEARS.

Here's some their current lineup:
Duck Dynasty
American Hoggers
Shipping Wars
Storage Wars: Texas
Rodeo Girls
Beyond Scared Straight
Crazy Hearts (some Nashville-themed Real Life Series)
The First 48

Not much of that appeals to me, and I'd wager your tastes are closer to mine than not.

Anyway...if you had known about Duck Dynasty beforehand, would you really have expected any of them to think anything else about the Gays And Negroes? I can honestly say I couldn't have been LESS surprised at what came out of Phil's mouth.

[Cryptoad]

50. I guess they sold all those

DD Xmas Junk....... now back to Biz as usual !

[awoke_in_2003]

55. Mission accomplished...

drive up ratings by creating a controversy, then create another controversy when they bring him back to keep ratings up.

[Notafraidtoo]

57. I think it was just a stunt to sale trinkets.

They know who their audience is, they tried the new chick fila strategy of increased market share. if Fox news has advertising than there isn't a threat that A&E will lose enough for it to matter vs the increased sale in trinkets.

[Niceguy1]

58. it wouldn't surprise me

Either way it is eqsy to just not watch it and ignore them

[Phlem]

60. Well isn't he special.

....

[Packerowner740]

62. I knew this would happen, been saying it all along, the money always wins out.

[maddiemom]

65. A&E! Years ago it was so great to have it, when we first got a satellite dish, before

our neighborhood had cable. What a disappointing change as the years have gone by . A decade ago you would understand that "Queer Eye..." (remember on Bravo) might have been a little too non-serious for them. Then they went to "Duck Dynasty." What more can you say?

[yurbud]

72. I'm conflicted about chasing guys like this off the air...

on the one hand, his comments are wrong and hurtful.

On the other, could there be a more perfect redneck stereotype to spout this stuff?

The only way he could be better would be if he was barefoot, had a corncob pipe, and his front teeth missing; or maybe a Klan sheet.

That guy makes the cast of HEE HAW look like hipsters.

[Pterodactyl]

74. Not surprising.