Duck Dynasty Phil Robertson fired over GQ interview.

[scootro]

money solves problems! lol..

[Pokulski-Blatz]

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

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.

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 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 magazine, which included the 67-year-old likening homosexuality to "bestiality," prompted an almost immediate announcement from A&E.

"We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson's comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series Duck Dynasty," read a network statement at the time. "His personal views in no way reflect those of A+E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community. The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely."

A&E's swift reaction to the comments, praised by some, prompted objections from many fans of the show. Prior to his reinstatement, a petition started by Christian fans gathered north of 200,000 signatures demanding he be put back on the series. Robertson and the rest of his family have stood by the controversial comments that prompted the media furor, putting the future of A&E's top-rated series in question.

On Sunday, Robertson delivered a sermon at his West Monroe, La., church. "I will not give or back off from my path," he told the crowd -- though he did seem to soften a bit, adding "I love all men and women. I am a lover of humanity, not a hater."

The political fallout has also been significant. Following initial calls to action from GLAAD, people from both side of the political spectrum have weighed in on Robertson's comments and suspension. It's been a popular topic of debate on Fox News, and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal was among the first to come to Robertson's defense.

The Robertsons' somewhat vague initial reaction to Phil's removal -- "we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm" -- prompted many to suggest that the cast would not continue filming. But the Robertsons also recently re-signed to stay onboard A&E's top-rated series.

After settling a months-long salary standoff in August, A&E signed the entire Robertson clan to a multiyear deal worth more than $200,000 per episode.
For its part, A&E did little else in the wake of Robertson's comments than the initial suspension. Encores of the series have continued to air, including a marathon on Christmas Day, and canceling or delaying the Jan. 15 season five premiere never seemed to be on the table.

Duck Dynasty is a huge asset for A&E. In addition to being the top-rated reality program on cable, second across all of cable to only The Walking Dead with an average 13.4 million viewers and 7.6 million adults 18-49 in live-plus-7 ratings, Duck Dynasty has multiple brand tie-ins. Duck Dynasty gear is available across in retailers across the U.S., including Walmart, Sears and Cracker Barrel restaurants.

The entire Robertson family has been on hiatus for duck hunting season, a contractual stipulation, which continues through Jan. 26 in their native Louisiana.

[petyweestraw]

That's cus you want to sound cool. But we all know the truth.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk 2

[bjtheman1]

I still can't understand how anyone likes this show! I watched about 5 min of an episode and couldn't take anymore.

[SS Junk]

You have to give old Jesse some credit. He's managed to raise 6 kids, one out of wedlock without ever actually having to work for a living. Most public figures would be ruined financially and disgraced by the media, he ended up being more popular as a result.

He knows when to hold and fold his race cards.

[BP]

You have to give old Jesse some credit. He's managed to raise 6 kids, one out of wedlock without ever actually having to work for a living. Most public figures would be ruined financially and disgraced by the media, he ended up being more popular as a result.

[Gtracer]

Published December 26, 2013

'Duck Dynasty' Clan: “We Cannot Imagine The Show Going Forward Without Our Patriarch”'Duck Dynasty' Debacle Has TV Industry Abuzz As A&E Charts New TerritoryUPDATE: A&E Grapples With Death Threats And Clan Ultimatum On 'Duck Dynasty' Star Suspension
Jesse Jackson decided to share his thoughts on Phil Robertson, weighing in on the controversy that's been heavily debated by "Duck Dynasty" fans and critics alike.

In a statement to ABC News, Jackson opened up about Robertson's comments in a GQ interview, during which the A&E star made negative, graphic statements about homosexual sex and the lack of racism in pre-Civil Rights South.

Jackson charged that the Robertson family patriarch, who was suspended indefinitely from his reality show, is worse than the driver who told Rosa Parks to give up her seat.

“These statements uttered by Robertson are more offensive than the bus driver in Montgomery, Alabama, more than 59 years ago,” Jackson said in a statement. “At least the bus driver, who ordered Rosa Parks to surrender her seat to a white person, was following state law. Robertson’s statements were uttered freely and openly without cover of the law, within a context of what he seemed to believe was ‘white privilege.’” WTH
When the "Duck" dad was speaking with the magazine, he opened up about growing up in pre-Civil Rights era Louisiana.

“I never, with my eyes, saw the mistreatment of any black person... The blacks worked for the farmers. I hoed cotton with them," Robertson said. "I’m with the blacks, because we’re white trash. We’re going across the field.... They’re singing and happy. I never heard one of them, one black person, say, ‘I tell you what: These doggone white people’—not a word!”

According to ABC News, Jackson and his Rainbow PUSH coalition are demanding to meet with A&E about the future of the show.

Robertson also discussed homosexual sex, using graphic descriptions that outraged many, including the group GLAAD, who demanded that A&E take action to silence the star.

He was swiftly suspended from the series, and his family has since stated that they "cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm."

A&E has not released any further information about the fate of their No. 1 show. "Duck Dynasty's" fifth season is set to premiere on Jan. 15.

Ol' Jesse is at it again

[Pokulski-Blatz]

[Tx Redneck]

[IMG]i.imgur.com/tIYxRfU.jpg[/IMG]

[Sgt Beavis]

I think this is the section they are saying is racist.


The media takes it as him saying that blacks were never mistreated ever anywhere before the civil rights movement. And all he was talking about was what he saw with his own eyes back then.

This was actually the only part of the interview that concerned me a bit. There is a long history of racism in Northeast Louisiana. Maybe he never did witness it, but I just find it hard to swallow in its entirety. Even in the '80's I saw two cross burnings in the Bawcomville area on West Monroe's south border.

But, he did grow up in a different time, so I won't just call him a liar. I just find it hard to totally believe him..

[stevo]

Here is a question, why wouldn't his suspension be illegal under worker discrimination? The EEOC states-

Religious discrimination involves treating a person (an applicant or employee) unfavorably because of his or her religious beliefs. The law protects not only people who belong to traditional, organized religions, such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism, but also others who have sincerely held religious, ethical or moral beliefs.

Religious discrimination can also involve treating someone differently because that person is married to (or associated with) an individual of a particular religion or because of his or her connection with a religious organization or group.
Religious Discrimination & Work Situations

The law forbids discrimination when it comes to any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, and any other term or condition of employment.

Stevo

[71chevellejohn]

Agreed. I see it. I'm reading some articles in the liberal MSM saying his "homophobic and racially charged". Racial!? What's racial about what he said?? ARGH! Butt hurt is right. I don't see AA members (drunkards) getting all in an uproar. Well...maybe the slanderous liberal MSM is now that I think about it.


http://www.gq.com/entertainment/tele...?currentPage=2

I think this is the section they are saying is racist.

Phil On Growing Up in Pre-Civil-Rights-Era Louisiana
“I never, with my eyes, saw the mistreatment of any black person. Not once. Where we lived was all farmers. The blacks worked for the farmers. I hoed cotton with them. I’m with the blacks, because we’re white trash. We’re going across the field.... They’re singing and happy. I never heard one of them, one black person, say, ‘I tell you what: These doggone white people’—not a word!... Pre-entitlement, pre-welfare, you say: Were they happy? They were godly; they were happy; no one was singing the blues.”

The media takes it as him saying that blacks were never mistreated ever anywhere before the civil rights movement. And all he was talking about was what he saw with his own eyes back then.

[petyweestraw]

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk 2

[GhostTX]

this isn't about how badass phil is or how awesome DD is. Its the simple fact that someone spoke there mind and the "look at me look at me" gay crowd got butt cut about it. They couldn't just be like the rest of us and just accepted it, instead they run to a&e and raise hell. A lot of u apparently don't see that. It isn't nesessarily about DD or phil. Its the fact that a man spoke his mind in a nonchalant way. he wasn't hateful at ALL about it. But liberal media put it to the fire. Its sickening really... But I digress.. I respect phil and the Robertson family for there views and opinions. They have great morals and a decent show on cable. Not many of those today.

Agreed. I see it. I'm reading some articles in the liberal MSM saying his "homophobic and racially charged". Racial!? What's racial about what he said?? ARGH! Butt hurt is right. I don't see AA members (drunkards) getting all in an uproar. Well...maybe the slanderous liberal MSM is now that I think about it.

What, in your mind, is sinful?

“Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men,” he says. Then he paraphrases Corinthians: “Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers—they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.”

http://www.gq.com/entertainment/television/201401/duck-dynasty-phil-robertson?currentPage=2

[BradM]

Gays are angry because non-gays are not bending over forwards for them.

Stevo

Fixed