Duck Dynasty Star Makes Anti-Gay Comments, GLAAD, A&E Respond (PLUS BONUS RACISM!) (Plus A&E Puts Robertson on Hiatus)

UPDATE: Si Robertson tweets. He also needs a civics lesson

 UPDATE: A&E is putting Phil Robertson on “indefinite hiatus”

“We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson’s comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series Duck Dynasty,” A&E said in a statement. “His personal views in no way reflect those of A+E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community. The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely.”

VIA THR

UPDATE: OMG. Here’s what Phil Robertson has to say about the Civil Rights Movement

Phil On Growing Up in Pre-Civil-Rights-Era Louisiana
“I never, with my eyes, saw the mistreatment of any black person. Not once. Where we lived was all farmers. The blacks worked for the farmers. I hoed cotton with them. I’m with the blacks, because we’re white trash. We’re going across the field…. They’re singing and happy. I never heard one of them, one black person, say, ‘I tell you what: These doggone white people’—not a word!… Pre-entitlement, pre-welfare, you say: Were they happy? They were godly; they were happy; no one was singing the blues.”

Is he kidding perpetuating the “happy darky” myth?  This guy may be a smart businessman, but he’s willfully ignorant and clueless. You can read the entire interview at GQ HERE. Dude is a total blowhard.

The stars of Duck Dynasty have been a big topic of conversation in our daily chart posts, as fans have watched the Battle of the Holiday albums between the Robertson family and our girl, Kelly Clarkson. Of course we’re all rooting for Kelly! Because she’s awesome. But if you need another reason to root for Original Flavah Idol, (as if you would) here’s a good one. And if you’re like me, here’s one more reason to NOT begin watching this popular show.

The Robertsons not only run a successful duck call business, but they are also super-devout evangelical Christians, and in an interview with GQ, family patriarch, Phil Robertson, laid out his bible based opinions on the LGBT. As you can imagine, he’s pretty sure gay people are going to hell. From Entertainment Weekly:

“Everything is blurred on what’s right and what’s wrong… Sin becomes fine. Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men.” Robertson then paraphrased Corinthians from the Bible: “Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers—they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.”

And if that wasn’t explicit enough, the “Duck Commander” added: “It seems like, to me, a vagina—as a man—would be more desirable than a man’s anus. That’s just me. I’m just thinking: There’s more there! She’s got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I’m saying? But hey, sin: It’s not logical, my man. It’s just not logical.”

Well. That’s pretty ignorant! Son Jep, wasn’t as straighforward, but you get the feeling he agrees when he said, “We’re not quite as outspoken as my dad, but I’m definitely in line. If somebody asks, I tell ’em what the Bible says.” ARGH.

Glaad jumped on this one pretty quickly. Here is the organization’s statement:

“Phil and his family claim to be Christian, but Phil’s lies about an entire community fly in the face of what true Christians believe,” said spokesperson Wilson Cruz. “He clearly knows nothing about gay people or the majority of Louisianans – and Americans – who support legal recognition for loving and committed gay and lesbian couples. Phil’s decision to push vile and extreme stereotypes is a stain on A&E and his sponsors who now need to reexamine their ties to someone with such public disdain for LGBT people and families.”

Aw. Remember Wilson as the gay best friend on My So Called Life? In any case, I co-sign what he says.

A&E, the cable network that airs Duck Dynasty, released a statement from Phil Robertson:

“I myself am a product of the 60s; I centered my life around sex, drugs and rock and roll until I hit rock bottom and accepted Jesus as my Savior. My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together. However, I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other.”

Your typical “hate the sin love the sinner” excuse. Bottom line, how can you love someone while condemning who they are, essentially, to their very core? He believes homosexuality is a “behavior,” I’m sure. But that belief is part and parcel of his ignorance.

At any rate, everyone involved with the controversy will keep their heads down until things blow over. The Robertsons won’t suffer the same fate as Paula Deen. Their show is too popular and making too much money for the network to cancel. Paula was an already fading commodity for the Food network. Her legal problems and perceived racism were an excuse to get rid of her. Ditto Alex Baldwin when MSNBC decided to cancel his low-rated show after he hurled homophobic slurs at a paparazzi.

I also expect the controversy won’t hurt the ratings one bit. There are plenty of people who at least sympathise with papa Robertson’s views on some level. I imagine they are watching the show. Folks like me, are not.

Via Entertainment Weekly

About mj santilli 34841 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!