Duck, Duck, Goose: A&E Shows It Has No Standards
I remember when A&E stood for “Arts & Entertainment.” Now it’s “Asshats & Egos.” The modern day Beverly Hillbillies have won a staring match with the cable network. I had never seen “Duck Dynasty” until this scandal and the marathon showing of it that followed. If you’re dumb enough to watch this thing, you deserve whatever they say. On the other hand, who’s fooling who? These people are living high. I suspect the beards and bandanas come off when the cameras are finished. Here’s A&E’s statement:
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.
I know A & E is looking at all the viewers (and therefore money) they would have lost as a result of Phil’s firing but those viewers are , by and large, short term and will be off to the next “crusade” quickly. But they really have lost long term viewers like me with this spineless display of greed. Hope it’s worth it to them.
A&E is hypocritical and money-grubbing. Along with Dog the Bounty Hunter, they now have two avowed bigots on the network. I, for one, will not be tuning in that network every again for any reason and I hope many others will do the same and make sure they communicate that to whatever company is putting that network on their screens.
Yes, he’s an idiot. And so is the celebrated Eminem!
So, the owners of A&E have decided to make the racist homophobe Phil Robertson and his family even richer. The Robertson’s are laughing all the way to the bank as they grind their feet into oppressed members of the American society.
Jessie Jackson was right. This is a classic case of white privilege.
I would never watch Duck Dynasty either but to simply state that anyone who watches it is dumb is pretty elitist on your part, Rog. Not to mention intolerant