[COBOL2Java]

A&E thought they'd broadcast DD thinking that the audience would be effeminate leftists poking fun at them, not realizing that the majority of viewers would come from the heartland. Now the Robertsons dared expressed their beliefs and A&E is panicking over what to do with them.

Just so. I think the geniuses [sic] at A&E originally envisioned DD would be a show where people would gawk and laugh at the nouveau riche rednecks.

Surprisingly, the show was an enormous success, which brought A&E incredible revenue. However, it was successful, not because of the original concept, but because Americans identified with the Robertsons.

A&E was stuck. They loved the money, but hated what the Robertsons represented.

[thecodont]

Just so. I think the geniuses [sic] at A&E originally envisioned DD would be a show where people would gawk and laugh at the nouveau riche rednecks.

This has been said of Norman Lear when he introduced Americans to Archie Bunker (UK's "Till Death Us Do Part"): He expected Americans to ridicule Archie. Instead, they identified with him and agreed with his views.