[BuckeyeTexan]

The biggest hypocrisy in this whole saga is that an A&E representative was present at the GQ interview with Phil. A&E wasn’t “surprised to learn” about Phil’s comments. They knew in advance exactly what he said. They waited for the article to go public and then used GLAAD’s “righteous indignation” to attempt to dial down the Robertson family’s display and expression of their Christian values on the show. This was calculated manipulation!

[slouper]

I think you’re spot on. This was a false flag operation designed to diminish the popularity of DD, pure & simple. This franchise was becoming too popular in a direction they didn’t count on. Time to tone things down. We can’t have people enjoying normal, regular, downhome family values too much.

[arthurus]

Perhaps it was insidious in the other direction. They used the interview to cause a big brouhaha to ultimately get the audience even higher. If they recant and accede to their viewers' wishes and bring him back soon then they might hơpe to double an already very large audience and get their ad rates way way up there.