Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty
Hollywood Reporter:
‘Duck Dynasty’s’ Phil Robertson on Indefinite Hiatus Following Anti-Gay Remarks
A&E has placed Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson on indefinite hiatus following anti-gay remarks he made in a recent profile in GQ.
“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,” A&E said in a statement. “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 news comes after Robertson compared homosexuality to bestiality in an interview with the magazine. He’ll likely appear in season four, which bows Jan. 15, since production is largely wrapped.
“It seems like, to me, a vagina — as a man — would be more desirable than a man’s anus,” Robertson says in the January issue of the men’s magazine. “That’s just me. I’m just thinking: There’s more there! She’s got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I’m saying? But hey, sin: It’s not logical, my man. It’s just not logical.”
During a discussion about repentance and God, Robertson is asked what he finds sinful.
“Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there,” he says. “Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men.”
He goes on to paraphrase Corinthians: “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.”
GLAAD on Wednesday condemned his remarks as “some of the vilest and most extreme statements uttered against LGBT people in a mainstream publication” and said “his quote was littered with outdated stereotypes and blatant misinformation.”
“Phil and his family claim to be Christian, but Phil’s lies about an entire community fly in the face of what true Christians believe,” GLAAD spokesperson Wilson Cruz said. “He clearly knows nothing about gay people or the majority of Louisianans — and Americans — who support legal recognition for loving and committed gay and lesbian couples. Phil’s decision to push vile and extreme stereotypes is a stain on A&E and his sponsors, who now need to re-examine their ties to someone with such public disdain for LGBT people and families.”
GLAAD responded to A&E’s suspension, commending the network for its swift decision. “What’s clear is that such hateful anti-gay comments are unacceptable to fans, viewers, and networks alike,” GLAAD’s Cruz said late Wednesday. “By taking quick action and removing Robertson from future filming, A&E has sent a strong message that discrimination is neither a Christian nor an American value.”
Robertson released his own statement in response to the flap early Wednesday: “I myself am a product of the ’60s; I centered my life around sex, drugs and rock and roll until I hit rock bottom and accepted Jesus as my Savior. My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the Bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together. However, I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other.”
First of all let me state that I have never watched more than a few minutes of Duck Dynasty. I heard the buzz about the show and decided to check it out, and then quickly decided it was not my cup of tea. I’m not knocking the show, I’m jut saying it’s not for me. YMMV.
Secondly, let me state that I am a life-long heterosexual (retired) who was raised in a fundamentalist Christian church but I went over the wall in my teens and I am currently not particularly religious. I guess you could classify me as a theist.
In other words, I don’t have a dog in this fight.
What this whole kerfluffle is all about is a conflict in values. There really is no “right” answer to this problem. People are just gonna have to agree to disagree.
Phil Robertson is entitled to his opinion. He is also entitled to practice his religion. He believes that homosexuality is a sin. Not only is he entitled to believe that, he is entitled to express his views.
GLAAD and others are entitled to disagree with Robertson. They are entitled to feel offended. They are entitled to express their opinions. Last but not least, they are entitled to be completely hypocritical. (See: Baldwin, Alec) But they are NOT entitled to shut down opposing points of view.
A&E Network is also entitled to an opinion. But even if they have no opinion (or don’t want to admit to one) they have a monetary interest in this conflict. A&E is a corporation that is jointly owned by Hearst and Disney-ABC. They have an fiduciary duty to their stockholders to protect that monetary interest.
The First Amendment does not apply to this case because there is no government action involved. Robertson can shoot off his mouth, A&E can fire him, and if there are any contractual breaches then they can settle it in court for money.
But one thing that Robertson cannot do is force A&E to put him on the air.
The rest of us have rights too. We have a right to agree or disagree with either or both sides. We can refuse to watch Duck Dynasty or purchase any of their related merchandise that is widely available at Walmart and other retailers. Or we can boycott A&E for suspending Robertson. Either way we can express our opinions and intentions to the world.
Personally, I agree with Robertson about the anus vs. vagina stuff (I am pro-vagina) but I do not agree with him about homosexuality being a sin. I support same-sex marriage and LGBT rights but I think that sometimes the gay advocacy groups get carried away (transgendered bathrooms?).
Strategically I think this was a bad move by A&E – Duck Dynasty is really their only hit show, and compared to other cable programs it is a monster hit. I checked last night’s A&E schedule and during prime time they had three solid hours of Duck Dynasty. If they lose that show it will cost them millions.
On the other hand, maybe they are more interested in principles than money. {{LAUGHTER}}
Tomorrow and probably for the next few days there will be a lot of hot air and pixels employed by both sides in this argument. But in the end I doubt if any opinions will have changed.
