EXCLUSIVE - 'Hung out to dry': Duck Dynasty star and family hit out at A&E (truncated title)

dailymail.uk ^ | 12/21/13 | GeorgiaDawg32

[GeorgiaDawg32]

Full Title: EXCLUSIVE - 'Hung out to dry': Duck Dynasty star and family hit out at A&E for letting his controversial interview go public and for suspending him for homophobic comments

Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson and his family believe they have been ‘hung out to dry’ by TV network A&E after he was suspended for homophobic comments made in a magazine interview, MailOnline can reveal.

Sources within the close-knit Louisiana clan say they are convinced A&E are manipulating the controversial situation to bring them – and particularly Robertson – back into line after Television executives grew tired of the family pushing their deeply-held, Christian beliefs.

They also think the network could have done something to stop the controversial GQ article being made public, because an A&E representative was present during the interview with patriarch, Roberston, 67.

[who knows what evil?]

Quick show of hands of people who have cancelled their cable or satellite teevee service because of this thing everyone is pretending to be outraged about...? No one...? Yeah, that’s what I thought. But hey, keep being the abused, mousy housewives and keep handing them your money every month. Fake reality teevee and wall to wall football and golf are way more important than the silly principles people pretend to care about.

Word.

[golux]

There was only one Man who ever lived a sinless life on this planet and, well, come to think of it, he was treated even harsher than Phil.

Yes indeed. The Mainstream media's incessant attacks on Obama are utterly disgusting. Here we have the greatest President the USA has known being lynched by the tea party for a slightly malfunctioning website. A WEBSITE! The guy wins at least one Nobel Prize, drastically improves climate change to the point we're actually having a cool winter this year - and they crucify him for a website!

[Washi]

I’m not feeling quite as outraged about A&E’s actions if this is the case.

Where does the left find you guys?

[GeorgiaDawg32]

That’s exactly correct. Most of America identifies with their close family and their faith in God. Let’s call them the silent majority.

But, I fear GLAAD has awakened a sleeping giant (Yammamoto)

[Pollster1]

Sources within the close-knit Louisiana clan say they are convinced A&E are manipulating the controversial situation to bring them – and particularly Robertson – back into line after Television executives grew tired of the family pushing their deeply-held, Christian beliefs.

Only a liberal would believe that a show that succeeds because the stars openly embrace deeply-held, Christian beliefs will continue to succeed if those beliefs are stifled.

[Tax-chick]

*snicker*

Merry Christmas to the Kinder, Gentler version!

[Texas Eagle]

Ha haaaa!!! Too long for a tweet but I’m spreading that one around.

[Uncle Chip]

The Crux of the article is right here:

Sources within the close-knit Louisiana clan say they are convinced A&E are manipulating the controversial situation to bring them – and particularly Robertson – back into line after Television executives grew tired of the family pushing their deeply-held, Christian beliefs.

They also think the network could have done something to stop the controversial GQ article being made public, because an A&E representative was present during the interview with patriarch, Roberston, 67.

Phil Robertson and his family feel that A & E should never have publicized the controversial interview

A source close to the family, who asked not to be named, told MailOnline: ‘You have to ask yourself, why this interview happened and why it ever became public. Someone from A&E was there and was aware of the kind of answers Phil was giving.

‘But despite that, they didn’t ever try to stop it or control it. Instead, they let it hit the headlines and then released a statement condemning it.

‘It is our belief that they knew what was going to happen and then used the situation to exercise control over Phil.

‘It is our understanding that when the TV executives came up with the concept for the show they wanted it to be a case of people laughing at a bunch of backward rednecks.

‘But when it didn’t turn out like that and people actually started identifying with the way the family behaved and were laughing with them, not at them, they became uncomfortable.

It did not sit will with the New York TV types.

[Jack Hydrazine]

A Lefty from the pit wanting some attention, eh?

[Fuzz]

If A&E had stopped Phil from talking to GQ, should that also have been construed as stifling his free speech?

[who knows what evil?]

I’m not about to cancel cable when I can easily delete A&E from the list of selections.

That has NO EFFECT on A&E's bottom line.

[Tax-chick]

A source close to the family, who asked not to be named ...

A motor-mouthed gossip whose credibility is zero.

[trebb]

I heard on Fox & Friends this morning that Phil had been warned about making such comments when their show went on the air. If he agreed to such an arrangement, then he shouldn’t have spoken out so forcefully in the interview. All he had to do was say as a Christian he believes homosexuality to be a sin. I’m not feeling quite as outraged about A&E’s actions if this is the case.

He gave an honest answer to an honest question. Supposing that he had signed away his freedom of speech, without actually knowing, and using it as an excuse as to why being railroaded for enjoying the Constitutional protections of free speech might get you an interview if A&E ever needs to hire new help.

[Orangedog]

This is really where the rubber meets the road and why what passes for conservatives these days are mocked and scoffed at...and rightfully so. If people want to willingly pay money to those that deride their God, their faith and what they claim are their values each and every month, then they deserve all the persecution they get. 24/7 Sports and entertainment are waaaay more important.

[DaveyB]

I’m not feeling quite as outraged...

But if there was a morals clause, Phil must say moral things like he did!

[Orangedog]

And a hypocrite defends his obsession with pop entertainment over his so called values.

[DJ MacWoW]

Except that he’s right. We complain about TV then pay them to offend , lie and defame America and Americans.

[ReaganÜberAlles]

I don’t need a scold in my life

[GeorgiaDawg32]

If very few people watch, their advertising revenue falls. Falling revenue means something to television executives. Beyond that, I have no other means to show my displeasure.

[Jack Hydrazine]

Of course. Americans need bread and circuses, too!