DD and TV

[SuzySunshine]

Ok, let's hash this out - I can't do it on fb because my friends run the gamut and I don't want someone killing someone else before Christmas.

This was A&E's response:

"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," the network said in a statement Wednesday. "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."

I can't even find his original quote now because there are pages upon pages of stories about this but he said negative things about homosexuality but then went on (supposedly) to say it wasn't his place to judge, it was God's.

Of course you have to buy the magazine to get the whole interview, this is all that is on GQ's site:
http://www.gq.com/entertainment/tele...phil-robertson

Ok, first off - his opinions are his opinions, I don't watch his show, the only reason I even know who he is is because I come from a hunting family. My dad says their duck calls are the best, which says a lot, and my sister (and her family) watch his show religiously (pun maybe or not intended).

So my question is that if TV companies are going to try to control EVERYTHING a reality star says, on and off camera, WHY bother even putting these people on TV? Of course I think most "reality" shows are crap.

I think this is part of what is wrong with the news now world we live in, fb has been blowing up about this, this "Christian" family is being supported by some for free speech, skewered by others for not being Christian/forgiving/non-judging/etc. Let him say whatever the hell he wants but if you don't thoroughly vet your subjects before you put them on TV good luck controlling them.

[GrayMatterWife]

I thought this thread would be about your daughter ("DD") and TV--the eternal issue of how much television kids should be allowed to watch!

Re: this Duck show…

I loved Camila Paglia's response (she is one of my favorite social commentators): she basically wrote: this is fascism of political correctness. You don't agree with a position? Make sure it is never voiced and shame anyone for allowing the words to be spoken. Intolerance in the name of tolerance. An anti-intellectual response when criticizing someone's lack of intellect. Irony.

Gay rights folks have every right to raise their voice and criticize this Duck guy's comments. The Duck guy has every right to make his comments, which were not part of the show but were offered during a magazine interview. I am not particularly impressed with either. However, I find A&E's reaction to be completely ridiculous. They act as though they were shocked or otherwise surprised that Duck guy felt this way (or had the gumption to say his thoughts--hard to discern which they found more offensive). A&E has been THRILLED to make a mint off this show…which--let's face it--attracted an audience due to one of two things: its hillbilli-ness (which, in pop culture, is assumed to include fundamentalism), which brought in people who just wanted to stare (like that HoneyBoo kid), or because people could genuine relate to the family's sense of humor and values. And part of that was the family's religious fundamentalism and all the stuff that goes along with that. For A&E to now go running from the very thing that made the show popular is so disingenuous. How about this: just issue a statement "We realize that Mr. Duck (whatever his name is) recently made certain comments in Vogue (or whatever mag) that have caused distress or disappointment to some. A&E does not endorse those comments, but does understand that this country has a diverse population with many different religious and moral views. Such discussion is not appropriate fare for the Duck program, and it will not be part of the show. The Duck Show is aimed for a family audience. A&E and several of its sister cable stations often offer programming addressing issues of sexuality and moral culture, and we would commend these programs, with more adult content, to our viewers who wish to delve into these topics."

[diggitydot]

I would be shocked if there wasn't some sort of clause in their contract covering behavior or speech by the on-screen talent that could negatively impact the channel or production company. It's my understanding that those are pretty common in the industry, so A&E producers deciding to suspend the show doesn't seem all that odd to me.

[Sheherezade]

Paula Dean. Off camera comments have repercussions with advertisers - and it happens swiftly. A & E has a right to protect their hit show. He has a right to say what he wants off screen.

Angie


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[SuzySunshine]

A & E has a right to protect their hit show. He has a right to say what he wants off screen.

Angie


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I agree with this, they can both do what they want! It just kills me that this becomes such a thing and the sides to this kill me.

[corn poffi]

I'm with Angie and Cheri. He can say whatever the heck he wants, but they can decide to boot him if they think that sponsors/advertisers start to pull out.

Tangent: Reality TV can disappear now.

[spotty_dog]

It took me forever to figure out why my brother "liked" a page from Bristol Palin's Facebook that showed a picture of an old bearded guy and the caption "I support Phil". I still don't know what Duck Dynasty is about, except maybe it has something to do with documenting redneck behavior?

The quote I found from PR was very explicit about sexual acts, and compared homosexuality with bestiality. Pretty bad form even if, as I gather, this is not unprecedented language or behavior from this particular character. I agree about the Paula Deen effect. He can "prefer vaginas to anuses" because a "woman's got more there", and A&E can distance itself from him to protect its branding. That's just how these things work.

[WolfpackWife]

I agree with many of the above - he can say what he wants and A & E can respond as necessary.

That said, I'm just tired of people like him, though I understand his right to say what he wants. The thought process behind his statements and his feeling that he'll be saved and gays won't just pisses me the fuck off. I know that's a fine line between "so, you're saying freedom of speech only applies when you agree with what someone's saying", and that's not what I mean. Sure, he can say it. I'm just sick of people like him. I see too many of them on FB every time gay marriage comes up in the news.

[houseelf]

Relevant to the OP but slightly off topic: Holy Moly, FB was CRAZY yesterday with ranty-rants with everything from the mail service to pro-DD/anti-DD to running injuries. It must be the happ-happ-happiest time of the year. Merry effing CHRISTMAS! We're mad at everyone and everything! And we're NOT afraid to post it on FB!

[Thirteen]

I just don't care, you know?
This is not a new form of bigotry, and the backlash isn't some shocking behavior, either.
There is nothing new under the sun.

The real shock would be if there was NO reaction, on either side, and everyone just went on with their day.

Isn't someone dying from war/poverty/disease right now, and can we please focus on how to possible help or change THAT?


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[GreyhoundsRUs]

I just don't care, you know?
This is not a new form of bigotry, and the backlash isn't some shocking behavior, either.
There is nothing new under the sun.

The real shock would be if there was NO reaction, on either side, and everyone just went on with their day.

Isn't someone dying from war/poverty/disease right now, and can we please focus on how to possible help or change THAT?


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100%

I've been appalled with the news (not a new thing, but it's reaching silly proportions). Paul Walker dies. Sad, yes. But, CNN top story about autopsy results being released - ummmm, maybe poly-trauma consistent with a MVC and burns... I have seen more Paul Walker tributes, etc. than for Nelson Mandela...

I'm very much in the "who gives a crap" camp.

[BonBon]

100%
I'm very much in the "who gives a crap" camp.

+1
I'm so over all these non-stories when there is real crap happening everywhere.

ETA: I completely thought that this was going to be a post about SS's DD, that perhaps she had developed an awful TV addiction.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

So did I. Then I got more confused because why is A following the news about the Duck people :wine:

[moonlight]

I'm sure he has langue in his contract that he can't go there on the show or in interviews. I guess I'm not shocked he believes the way he does except for the part where he talked about black americans. I haven't heard someone (that seems mentally all there) say blacks were happier before the civil rights act. That just shocked me. I guess I can imagine his thought process if you look at the social problems that portion of our society still faces, but gezzzz man. The way he phrased it seemed like we should just take away americans' right and all would be good again. Good for who duck guy??

[SoonerTexan]

You can put me in the "we're surprised that a self-proclaimed redneck reality star old dude said vulgar things?" camp. Never seen the show. Not my thing.

But...I was wondering, how do you put a star on filming hiatus when:

1. It's reality TV. If it's documenting family life, how do they "hiatus" his life? Like, if they film Christmas, what are they gonna do, tell him he cant participate?

2. Episodes are filmed way in advance. In "reality" (haha) he'll just be missing from episodes that will be aired way after anyone cares about this anymore