After incendiary anti-gay comments in a magazine interview sparked outrage and led A&E to suspend Phil Robertson from “Duck Dynasty’, the network has announced it has reversed that decision and is officially welcoming the Robertson family patriarch back to the redneck reality hit.
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, A&E declared it was backing down from its decision — made less than two weeks ago — to suspend Phil from the show, insisting that Phil will remain a part of the series. Because the majority of the upcoming season has already been shot, the temporary suspension won’t affect the show’s fifth season, set to debut in a few weeks.
The statement reads: “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.”;
A&E’s statement continues: “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.”;
However, adds A&E, “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.”;
In addition, A&E will also be launching “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.”;
A&E’s about-face on Phil’s suspension follows a significant backlash from the show’s devoted fans, who insist the suspension violates Phil’s Constitutional rights to free speech. Meanwhile, a petition to reinstate him has already gathered more than a quarter-million signatures.
The fifth season of Duck Dynasty will premiere as planned on Jan. 15.