Duck Dynasty Star Suspended

[Cynical Ninja]

True but you have to be damn savvy to build a fortune that size.

Tycoon Alan Sugar, star of The Apprentice, admitted in interview he's as thick as fuck flunked out of high school. He said he built his fortune with a mixture of hard graft and blind luck.

[Cynical Ninja]

Jon Stewart has an opinion about this story.

Brilliant!

No one highlights right wing retardation better than Jon Stewart.

[Duchess]

He's awesome & I enjoy the hell out of him. He thinks like I do!

[HairOfTheDog]

These people have a half a BILLION dollar company, they don't need A&E...A&E needs them.

A&E have screwed themselves royally.

Looks like the execs at A&E reached that same conclusion and have changed gears.

Of course, it did require an apology from Robertson, but he only apologized for his coarse language, not his views.



I don't share his views, not by a long shot. But, I respect that he didn't do the insincere public suck face that some celebrities do when words reflecting their true beliefs are met with controversy.

Anyway, A&E released a statement yesterday saying filming on "Duck Dynasty" will resume in the spring, with the entire Robertson family on board.

A&E press release:

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.

[HairOfTheDog]

EVERYBODY'S TALKING AT ME: Reactions and Rear-View Analysis on the Controversy and Reinstatement of Phil Robertson


1. Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Talks:
"Phil Robertson should look African American and gay people in the eyes and hear about the hurtful impact of praising Jim Crow laws and comparing gay people to terrorists. If dialogue with Phil is not part of next steps then A&E has chosen profits over African American and gay people — especially its employees and viewers."



2. Jesse Jackson, Civil Rights Activist, Talks:
"Mr. Robertson's language was hurtful and painful to many people … [and] he's been unrepentant. When people make mistakes, and people do make mistakes, you should be repentant and contrite and then seek forgiveness."



3. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Conservative Republican Politician, Talks:
"I am glad to hear that the folks at A&E came to their senses and recognized that tolerance of religious views is more important than political correctness. Today is a good day for the freedoms of speech and religious liberty." (His sentiments were similar to those expressed by other conservatives and Tea Partyers like Sarah Palin.)



4. Christian Consumers Talk:
A group called Faith Driven Consumers collected more than 250,000 signatures in an online petition that demanded that A&E reinstate Robertson; they obviously feel victorious and embrace the reinstatement.


AND, AT THE END OF THE DAY - OF COURSE - $$$$$$$$ REALLY TALKS:
"Duck Dynasty" is a pivotal piece in the A&E business machine. The launch of the fourth season attracted almost 12 million viewers, according to Nielsen, making it the most-watched nonfiction broadcast ever on cable TV. The A&E channel, which is in 99 million homes, is expected to generate nearly $885 million in total revenue this year, according to consulting firm SNL Kagan.

Sources:
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/...z2osRjSOA5
http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/roberts.../id/544129

[Duchess]

I always think it's ridiculous when people let the words of someone they don't know or care about get to them.

[HairOfTheDog]

I hear you. None of it bothers me, personally. It's interesting.

You've got those who think that people in the public domain have an inherent responsibility to monitor their words in a way that implies no negativity or discrimination against any social groups or causes.

Then, you've got those who support freedom of speech all the way and don't like to see anyone penalized for being honest (though many find it foolish to be completely honest about one's personal views while in that public domain and not foresee the predictable backlash).

I find media-driven controversy pretty interesting - not always the subject matter, but the platform that it offers to so many different individuals/groups and how they use it to promote their own agendas to a much wider audience than they'd normally attract.

P.s. I am starting to wonder if maybe Maggot was right in his opinion that A&E possibly had this planned all along. They may not have expected such a large backlash, but they had to know there'd be some and they had to know the potential financial impacts in advance. I doubt that A&E execs would take such a risk knowingly and with such incredible ratings already scored by the show, but you never know. Interested to see if the ratings soar even higher.

[Cynical Ninja]

The “values” of A&E!? Of which there are none! As the lack of any action taken against
Phil conclusively proves once and for all.

The “values” of A&E can be summed up by a Wu Tang Clan lyric - “cash moves everything around me, cream, get the money, dollar dollar bill y'all!”

[Cynical Ninja]

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.

Unless you are gay, then its a case of “fuck you queer I disagree with your sexuality and you are going straight to hell”

[Duchess]

Unless you are gay, then its a case of “fuck you queer I disagree with your sexuality and you are going straight to hell”

Do you think he has the right to voice his personal opinion?

Like many have said before me, I may not agree with an opinion but I will always defend someone's right to say it because I want that right for myself.

[Cynical Ninja]

Do you think he has the right to voice his personal opinion?

Depends on context and circumstance.

Tact and diplomacy seem to be dirty words these days.

I'm not offended by what he said I'm not gay, I just find his stupidity annoying.

[HairOfTheDog]

So, Duck Dynasty did get a ratings boost from this controversy. And, the season finale broke AMC's "Breaking Bad" record.


BUT..............ALERT: MORE OF PHIL'S QUACKINGS HIT THE FAN.............

There’s a new controversy surrounding "Duck Dynasty" star Phil Robertson as a video made four years ago surfaced showing the show’s patriarch talking about the merits of marrying teenage girls.

In the video, Robertson says “Look, you wait till they get to be 20 years old - the only picking that’s gonna take place is your pocket. You gotta marry these girls when they’re about 15 or 16.”

This comes on the heels of A&E Network’s decision to drop plans to suspend Robertson for his comments about gays and African-Americans. The network’s handling of the situation has garnered much criticism.

Full story:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/is-ae-walkin...robertson/

[Cynical Ninja]

So he's against homosexuality but for marrying 15 year old girls?

He's a stupid hypocritical redneck motherfucker.

[SIXFOOTERsez]

LOL, OMG, A Redneck said something that offended someone, I can not see how that is allowed!
He must be punished immediately.

[Maggot]

Whoa!!! lowest legal marrying age state.

New Hampshire

Applicants who has reached the age of 18 can marry without parental consent.

A female between the age of 13 and 17 years and a male between the age of 14 and 17 years can be married only with the permission of their parent (guardian) and a waiver (See Waiver).


A female below the age of 13 and a male below the age of 14 are not allowed to marry under any conditions.


The above regulations on age apply to New Hampshire residents or to a non-resident who desires to marry a resident. If both parties are non-residents and are below the age of 18 they cannot be married in N.H. under any conditions