21st Century Wire says…
Phil Robertson is back on Duck Dynasty…
IMAGE: The Robertson family of the A&E hit series Duck Dynasty
Phil Robertson, patriarch of the multi-million viewer hit show Duck Dynasty is back, according to A+ E Networks:
“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.”
A&E has reversed its suspension of the Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson over comments he made in a hit-piece interview conducted by GQ magazine.
This story created a firestorm after ‘politically correct’ mobs accused Robertson of hate speech as many others believed it to be an individual rights issue.
A petition to get Robertson back on the show has reached well over 250,000 signatures in the week since Robertson’s comments.
In the end, most likely money talked, as studio executives made a business decision to bring Robertson back on, no doubt fearing the cast would walk from their contract.
Read A + E Networks response below…
A&E Welcomes Phil Robertson Back to ‘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 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 homes, and we operate with a strong sense of integrity and deep commitment to these principles.
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 misinterpretation 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.
SEE MORE POLITICAL CORRECTNESS NEWS AT: 21st Century Wire PC Files
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