Talk about Friday news dumps!
Yup, bigots will be, as Phil says, "happy, happy, happy" with A+Es announcement.
The A&E channel said it's reversing its decision to drop "Duck Dynasty" patriarch Phil Robertson from the show for his remarks about gays.
In a statement Friday, A&E said it decided to bring Robertson back after discussions with the Robertson family and "numerous advocacy groups."
His suspension didn't even last 2 weeks.
I'm looking for more information including the statement from A+E.
I am NOT happy, happy, happy. I will stand in solidarity with our LGBT brothers and sisters as well as our African brothers and sisters who were insulted by the statements made by this bigot.
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Here's A + Es statement found in the Hollywood Reporter:
As a global media content company, A+E Networks' core values are centered around creativity, inclusion and mutual respect. We believe it is a privilege for our brands to be invited into people’s home and we operate with a strong sense of integrity and deep commitment to these principals.
That is why we reacted so quickly and strongly to a recent interview with Phil Robertson. While Phil’s comments made in the interview reflect his personal views based on his own beliefs, and his own personal journey, he and his family have publicly stated they regret the “coarse language” he used and the mis-interpretation of his core beliefs based only on the article. He also made it clear he would “never incite or encourage hate.” 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.
We will also use this moment to launch a national public service campaign (PSA) promoting unity, tolerance and acceptance among all people, a message that supports our core values as a company, and the values found in Duck Dynasty. These PSAs will air across our entire portfolio.
I wonder what "numerous advocacy groups" backed this reversal? And it wasn't "course language" that that caused the problem - it was those words displaying the serious bigotry of the person who spoke them.
Of course, this is why he's really back:
Duck Dynasty is a huge asset for A&E. In addition to being the top-rated reality program on cable, second across all of cable to only The Walking Dead with an average 13.4 million viewers and 7.6 million adults 18-49 in live-plus-7 ratings, Duck Dynasty has multiple brand tie-ins. Duck Dynasty gear is available in retailers across the U.S., including Walmart, Sears and Cracker Barrel restaurants.
(emphasis mine)
Yes, they were intently listening to the opinion of the Almighty Dollar. The Dollar won.
Fox News is tickled pink.
At least 1 news article(Chicago Tribune) finds the timing of the announcement interesting.
A&E may face another backlash for the decision to cave on the suspension -- but it tried to minimize it by dropping the news on the slow Friday evening between Christmas and New Year's.
(emphasis mine)
That's right, A+E. keep it classy by using a late Friday news dump in between Christmas and New Years. Then either people won't know it happened or won't pester you about it.
Yuck. Just yuck.
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