Popular show "Duck Dynasty" suspended after Phil Robertson expresses his views

[Eugene of Savoy]

Apparently, Duck Dynasty was cancelled after Phil Robertson (Main Character) expressed his views on various subjects, especially gay rights. Now GLAAD and GLBT weren't very happy about this and people got pissed off, then A&E (Only TV channel that aired the show) suspended the show.

Do you agree with this? Do you disagree with this?

Forgive my lack of info and lack of understanding, I don't watch the show. If anyone has information to add, be my guest

For more info, I would recommend looking at the sources, but be warned, he talks about some stuff I wouldn't think the youngsters should read

Source/s:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/18/showbi...ty-suspension/

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment...homosexuality/

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertai...-gay-comments/

[The Glorious Moldovan]

He has the right to express his views, and the company has the right to fire him in case he damages their profits

But the media just likes to nose in because there's drama involved and people know its a sensible subject, etc etc

No big deal, only LGBT or Anti-LGBT would care

[Stavroforos]

I've never seen this show, but aren't they a bunch of hicks? If so, what's surprising about the fact that they hold these views?

In any case, quite an unimportant issue, both for the world at large and for the Mudpit.

[King_Porus]

Apparently, Duck Dynasty was cancelled after Phil Robertson (Main Character) expressed his views on various subjects, especially gay rights. Now GLAAD and GLBT weren't very happy about this and people got pissed off, then A&E (Only TV channel that aired the show) suspended the show.

The show wasn't cancelled, Phil was just "suspended" from the show (they'll probably bring him back if he makes a phony apology, but he's already a millionaire so he may choose to hold hid ground). He expressed his right to free speech and A&E expressed their right to fire him for what they felt was damaging to their brand. I don't see anything wrong here.

I've never seen this show, but aren't they a bunch of hicks? If so, what's surprising about the fact that they hold these views?

It's not the fact that he has these views that is surprising people, it's the fact that he was fired for expressing them that has all the Americans on Reddit squabbling and quoting lines from the bloody constitution. People don't understand that "right to free speech" does not mean "right to say anything without consequences", it just means that the government can't censor you outright.

[Eugene of Savoy]

The show wasn't cancelled, Phil was just "suspended" from the show (they'll probably bring him back if he makes a phony apology, but he's already a millionaire so he may choose to hold hid ground). He expressed his right to free speech and A&E expressed their right to fire him for what they felt was damaging to their brand. I don't see anything wrong here.

Yeah, I looked into it and your right, not cancelled, Phil just got suspended. Thanks for the info guy, I'll edit the OP.

The controversy is if it was right for them to suspend him. Many people think it was wrong. While I am by no means for gay rights (quite the opposite), I see nothing wrong with firing him. He said some gruesome things that no company/channel would want someone in it to say. It's the equivalent of a sports star talking crap and his coach suspending him.

It's not the fact that he has these views that is surprising people, it's the fact that he was fired for expressing them that has all the Americans on Reddit squabbling and quoting lines from the bloody constitution. People don't understand that "right to free speech" does not mean "right to say anything without consequences", it just means that the government can't censor you outright.

Good points, I agree.

that duck dynasty will rot your brains, very happy to hear its cancelled

Sorry buddy, Porus is right, not cancelled, Phil is just suspended.

[Himster]

He's a real person? I thought he was like a Borat character, when I say "like" I just mean a slightly different accent.

[King_Porus]

He's a real person? I thought he was like a Borat character, when I say "like" I just mean a slightly different accent.

No, they're an actual family of rednecks who struck it rich with their hunting merchandise. Obviously they play up the whole backwoods redneck thing for the cameras, but they're definitely still hill billies

[Fluttershy]

HUZZAH!

that duck dynasty will rot your brains, very happy to hear its cancelled

[Sir Winston Churchill]

He has a right to use views, but the company who pays him has a right to say "Nuh huh, we're taking you off". After all they make money because people watch the show, and if people stop watching the show for whatever reason, they have a right to try and alter that to maximize profit.

Blame Capitalism.

[DarthShizNit]

This move is unlikely to maximize profit, have you seen the crowd who watches this show lol? If anything taking him off will drastically reduce profits. This just seems to be A&E saying we're not going to be affiliated with statements like that.

[Sir Winston Churchill]

This move is unlikely to maximize profit, have you seen the crowd who watches this show lol? If anything taking him off will drastically reduce profits. This just seems to be A&E saying we're not going to be affiliated with statements like that.

I wouldn't be so sure. I know a lot of people who are big fans of the show who are far-left. I don't get it.

[chilon]

This move is unlikely to maximize profit, have you seen the crowd who watches this show lol? If anything taking him off will drastically reduce profits. This just seems to be A&E saying we're not going to be affiliated with statements like that.

This poses a good question. Are the majority of people who watch Duck Dynasty actual rednecks who share those views or is Duck Dynasty the show Manhattan/San Fran liberals watch after their recorded Daily Show and Colbert Report episodes so they can make fun of the rednecks?

I don't think the decision was so much about maximizing profits or viewship of Duck Dynasty but more about protecting the image of the A&E brand.

BTW the thread is moot anyway as it looks like Phil is not going to be suspended anyway:

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.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/liv...bertson-667647

[Col. Tartleton]

Nice - Sherman was one hard core looking dude I wonder if just hated pictures he always seems to look angry

He was in his own words crazy... So I'm going to guess he was just pissed off constantly.

Fact of the matter is entertainment has always been this way. From the beginning of time. You had Shakespeare's insanely intelligent plays. And at the same time you had performers on the streets making idiots of themselves for tips. Guess which one Duck Dynasty is analogous to.

And that's almost ignoring how low brow Shakespeare's sense of humor was, even if he wrapped it up in his elaborate archaic word play.

[Ulyaoth]

People will now stop watching because without him it'll be boring, and then they'll go see he offended peoples oh noes! Either way show over.

[Celsius]

Being a person who lives in the same state as these people, they are loved. I mean LOVED. I personally don't care for the show at all, but I know many who are fanatical about it and since this all happened it is all I have heard. Boycott A&E, Persecution of Christians, ect. Many people are buying more Duck Dynasty items and stuff from stores to show support! (Even though "Duck Dynasty" is A&E trademarked = A&E Profit whereas "Duck Commander" is Robertson owned = Robertson Profit). I don't agree with what he said, but when GQ asked a Southern man who is a former preacher what his views on homosexuality are, did they think he was going to be in favor of it? It was almost like it was a set up, but it's whatever. I'll just be glad when something else happens in a week or two so I can stop hearing about it.

[the_mango55]

I like the show, although I don't really care that much about Phil.

Si, Willie, and Jase are the stars.

[Adar]

I think I'm going with George Takei on this issue

George Takei

för 7 timmar sedan

Many fans asked for my thoughts on the "Duck Dynasty" controversy. They pressed and pressed, but I refused to quack.

But I can't duck this issue forever. I don't really care feather someone on a reality show said something about gays that didn't fit the bill. He's entitled to his opinion, even if it's for the birds. But the network also is worried about flocking with its base, so if it feels it should drake him over the coals for making his fowl comments, so be it.

So that's migrate opinion.

[removeduser_487563287433]

Apparently, Duck Dynasty was cancelled after Phil Robertson (Main Character) expressed his views on various subjects, especially gay rights. Now GLAAD and GLBT weren't very happy about this and people got pissed off, then A&E (Only TV channel that aired the show) suspended the show.

Way I see it, Mr Robertson has every right to express his views. Nobody stopped him or is stopping him.

A&E has every right to express their views too, if that means suspending the show, that's their prerogative.

That's it really.

[Earl Dibbles Jr]

I love the liberal philosophy that it's hate speech whenever your view contradicts what they think. They can go around spouting their views about Christians being terrible, soldiers sucking, etc. and that isn't hate speech? This is just another example of someone expressing his views in a fairly polite manner (It's not like he's saying " those faggots").

As much as I hate the show and hate hillbillies/rednecks in general, this is a bit too far.

[Adar]

I love the liberal philosophy that it's hate speech whenever your view contradicts what they think. They can go around spouting their views about Christians being terrible, soldiers sucking, etc. and that isn't hate speech? This is just another example of someone expressing his views in a fairly polite manner (It's not like he's saying " those faggots").

As much as I hate the show and hate hillbillies/rednecks in general, this is a bit too far.

I've become jaded enough to accept that Americans suffer from a systematic failure to properly define "a liberal" but at least do not get Liberal philosophy confused with LGBT activism.

The overlap between being LGBT friendly and being liberal is fairly large as liberalism is based on the idea of personal freedom. But in this case it's a completely financial question as the network seek maximum exposure (ie the media outrage will increase viewer ratings) and at the same time cater to fringe LGBT acitivists who hang around on Twitter.