Phil Robertson Suspended from ‘Duck Dynasty’ Following Magazine Interview
OutdoorHub Reporters 12.19.13
The television network A&E announced on Wednesday the suspension of Phil Robertson from the popular show Duck Dynasty. As the patriarch of the Robertson family and one of the show’s most recognizable figures, the network remains silent on when, or if, Phil Robertson will return to the show. The suspension comes after several highly controversial comments Robertson made in an interview with GQ’s Drew Magary for the magazine’s January edition. In the article Robertson takes Magary on a tour through the Louisiana backwoods he loves, making several remarks on religion and society. His comments about homosexuality have drawn outrage from gay and lesbian advocacy groups.
When asked by Magary about what is sinful, Robertson replied:
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. 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.
CNN reported that other groups such as the NAACP and Human Rights Campaign have also criticized Robertson’s remarks for what they perceive to be racist and uninformed. Robertson told Magary that he did not recall any mistreatment of African-Americans in Louisiana before the Civil Rights movement.
“Mr. Robertson claims that, from what he saw, African Americans were happier under Jim Crow. What he didn’t see were lynching and beatings of black men and women for attempting to vote or simply walking down the street,” a letter from the NAACP and the Human Rights Campaign stated.
A&E released a statement on Wednesday explaining Robertson’s suspension:
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. 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.
The show’s Facebook and other social media properties were quickly swamped by both fans and critics alike. On the show’s most recent Facebook post, which is not related to the suspension, fans lodged nearly 10,000 comments expressing their outrage over the Robertson patriarch’s ouster. Popular figures such as Sarah Palin and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal also weighed in on the discussion through their social media accounts.
“Free speech is an endangered species,” Palin wrote on facebook. “Those ‘intolerants’ hatin’ and taking on the Duck Dynasty patriarch for voicing his personal opinion are taking on all of us.”
Fox News reported that Jindal likewise supports Robertson, stating he remembered a time when television networks “believed in the First Amendment.”
Robertson himself released a statement in which he explained that in the 1960s, he had been caught in the influence of “sex, drugs and rock and roll” until he found religion.
“I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me,” he said. “We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity.”
The Washington Post reported that Duck Dynasty will premiere its fifth season on January 15 on A&E. Previously-recorded scenes with Phil Robertson will still be aired. Over 12 million viewers tuned in for the first episode of the show’s fourth season, making the premiere the most watched non-fiction telecast ever in cable history.
Update 12-20-2013: The Robertson family is supporting Phil in the spat over his comments to GQ, and has released a statement on duckcommander.com:
We want to thank all of you for your prayers and support. The family has spent much time in prayer since learning of A&E’s decision. We want you to know that first and foremost we are a family rooted in our faith in God and our belief that the Bible is His word. While some of Phil’s unfiltered comments to the reporter were coarse, his beliefs are grounded in the teachings of the Bible. Phil is a Godly man who follows what the Bible says are the greatest commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Phil would never incite or encourage hate.We are disappointed that Phil has been placed on hiatus for expressing his faith, which is his constitutionally protected right.We have had a successful working relationship with A&E but, as a family, we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm. We are in discussions with A&E to see what that means for the future of Duck Dynasty. Again, thank you for your continued support of our family.
