14 DAY TRIAL // Phil Robertson's ban from the hugely popular reality show Duck Dynasty has been lifted by the producing TV network A&E. Robertson had been previously suspended from the show following some controversial anti-gay comments in an interview with GQ Magazine.
A statement from the network released late on Friday evening said that “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 misinterpretation of his core beliefs based only on the article.”
The show thus sees its cast reunited and is set to start a new season of filming. A&E based its decision to overlook Phil's controversial statements on the fact that “‘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.”
The recent suspension, which came less than a week ago, left many fans of the series in outrage, feeling that it violated his free speech right. On the other side, gay activists were appalled at this openly anti-gay position and condemned his actions.
A&E had a difficult decision to make, but it seems that, in the end, money remains king. Duck Dynasty enjoys the largest audience of any reality show on American cable, which means that the network was looking at huge losses, especially since the Robertson family stayed firmly together claiming they wouldn't do the show without Phil, their “patriarch.”
While gay groups and activists are shocked by the decision, many Duck Dynasty fans will be happy that their show is returning come spring. The network had already completed filming on nine of the ten episodes of the series.