Duck Dynasty - "Robertsons 'Can't Imagine' Dynasty without Phil" - CBN News

Robertsons 'Can't Imagine' Dynasty without Phil

Phil Robertson - Duck Dynasty

By Caitlin Burke

CBN News Friday, December 20, 2013

The decision by A&E to take "Duck Dynasty's" Phil Robertson off the air for comments he made on homosexuality and his faith has sparked a nationwide debate.

Meanwhile, the Robertson family is standing behind their patriarch, which means duck season could soon be coming to an end for A&E.

"While some of Phil's unfiltered comments to the reporter were coarse, his beliefs are grounded in the teachings of the Bible," the family said in a statement released late Thursday night. "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."

The reality TV show featuring the Robertson family's redneck charm and duck calls is one of the most popular in cable history, averaging 14 million viewers per episode - and its viewers aren't abandoning the Robertsons now.

More than a 100,000 people have signed a petition on I-Stand-With-Phil.com. And on Facebook, more than a million fans have signed on to a page boycotting A&E until Phil Robertson is returned to the show.

The social media site is coming under fire as well. The administrator for one of the pages supporting "Duck Dynasty" says Facebook locked him out for eight hours before telling him it was just an "accident."

"He was basing his comments... on biblical verse... and these are views that a lot of people hold." Matthew Belloni, executive editor of Hollywood Reporter, said.

Meanwhile, Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, told CNN that Robertson did what any Christian should do.

"All throughout that article -- and by the way, the GQ article was very clear on this -- his concern was to help people to know their need for Christ, and to believe in Christ and to find salvation in Christ," Mohler said.

"And when he was talking about that list of sins he wasn't comparing one thing to another," he continued. "He was doing what the Bible does repeatedly, and that was put out a list of sins that includes all of us so that we know of our need for Christ."

Even Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal weighed in, saying, "The left is tolerant of every viewpoint except those who disagree with them."

Season five of "Duck Dynasty" is set to debut Jan. 15. Filming has already finished, and Phil Robertson is featured in all 10 episodes. It's still unclear how A&E will proceed.

Video to watch: CBN News Report on Phil

Editor's Note: I added this link below. I signed it. Steve Martin



Click here: I Stand With Phil

Why All the Hype? Duck Dynasty a Cable Ratings Hit

By Jennifer Wishon

CBN News White House Correspondent

WEST MONROE, La. -- Across America people are getting ready Wednesday to tune into one of the most popular shows on TV, "Duck Dynasty."

Last week's season premiere on the Arts and Entertainment Network made cable ratings history.

CBN News recently traveled to Duck Commander Headquarters in West Monroe, La., to find out what all the hype is about.

Unlikely Stars

Some days people wait hours just to take a picture in front of the Duck Commander sign.

It's an unlikely recipe for TV: the long haired, bearded Robertson men, who are sometimes mistaken as homeless despite their fame.

Their beautiful wives, combined with hunting and faith in God, is a concoction many Americans can't get enough of.

"They promote family," one woman said. "They promote Christian beliefs and it's funny. It's entertaining. It's just an all-around family-oriented show."

Another fan agreed, saying, "It's extremely funny. I mean I watched it the other night and I'm like crying I'm laughing so hard."

Three generations of one family made Duck Commander a stop on their vacation.

"It's just a good family show with good family qualities so it's just fun to watch and it makes you feel good," one family member said.

When the show started gaining traction, the Robertsons say folks would show up at Duck Commander and just hang out. So over the past year, the family has worked hard to make their fans feel more at home.

Now, along with duck calls, the Robertsons stock merchandise about them that their fans gobble up.

"It's so awesome," another Duck Dynasty fan said. "I mean you see all this on TV and then you're here and it's just surreal."

Viewers say the show is so appealing because it's wholesome, a refreshing escape from a world that often forgets what's really important.

"I think they're good role models for the family," one fan said. "And things are so fast paced it seems like when you watch that show it kind of just puts things back into perspective and just puts a smile on your face."

Watch the CBN News video: Duck Dynasty A Hit