WaPo | “Duck Dynasty” patriarch Phil Robertson will return to work on
A&E’s reality show despite his comments about gay immorality, the
channel said Friday, reversing its decision to suspend him after facing a
backlash and threatened boycott.
In a statement Friday, A&E said it was bringing Robertson
back after discussions with his Louisiana family featured in the reality
series and “numerous advocacy groups.”
Last week, the channel had put Robertson on what it called an
indefinite “hiatus” because of his comments in a GQ magazine article
that the Bible views gays as sinners akin to adulterers, prostitutes and
swindlers.
A&E said it decided to drop Robertson from the
show about a wealthy family that makes duck calls because it is part of a
company whose core values are “centered around creativity, inclusion
and mutual respect.”
Robertson’s remarks were quickly slammed by
groups including GLAAD, the gay rights watchdog organization. But
A&E’s move against Robertson provoked a flood of support from those
who share his views and others who defended his freedom of speech.
A petition calling for A&E to bring him back reached 250,000 signatures and counting in about a week.
Robertson’s
well-known supporters included former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who
complained that his free-speech rights were being trampled. Bobby
Jindal, governor of the state of Louisiana, complained that Miley Cyrus
got a pass for twerking on TV while Phil got shown the door.
While
reiterating that Robertson’s views are not those of the channel,
A&E noted Friday that he has publicly said he would “never incite or
encourage hate.” The show itself is more than one man’s views, it
added.
“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,” A&E said.
