Duck Dynasty
Duck Dynasty is an American reality television series that aired on A&E from 2012 to 2017. The series portrays the lives of the Robertson family, who became successful from their family-operated business, Duck Commander. The West Monroe, Louisiana business makes products for duck hunters, primarily a duck call called Duck Commander. The episodes are structured in a sitcom story format, unlike other reality television series, which has allowed it to have continued success in syndication.[4] The bearded Robertsons – brothers Phil and Si, and Phil's sons Jase, Willie, and Jep – are the poster characters for the show, though the main cast consists of family and friends of the Robertsons such as their wives – Miss Kay, Korie, Missy Robertson, and Jessica Robertson – as well as coworkers Martin and Godwin, beardless brother Alan, radio host Mountain Man, and the Robertson kids – Sadie, John Luke, Bella, Willie Jr, Mia, Reed, and others.[5] The family was previously featured on the Duckmen series, and Outdoor Channel's Benelli Presents Duck Commander and its Buck Commander spin-off.[6]
Duck Dynasty
Willie Robertson
"Sharp Dressed Man" by ZZ Top
Tony Pasko (2012-2017)
Aaron Kaplan (2015-2017)
John Carta (2012-2014
Eric Allaman (2012-2015)
Jonathan Krimstock (2012-2014)
Eric Hester (2012-2016)
Michael Lord (2012-2014)
United States
English
11
131 (list of episodes)
- Deirdre Gurney
- Scott Gurney
- Elaine Frontain Bryant
- Lily Neumeyer
- Laurie Sharpe
22–30 minutes
Gurney Productions
March 21, 2012 –
April 5, 2017
The 2013 fourth-season premiere "Till Duck Do Us Part" drew 11.8 million viewers; the most-watched nonfiction cable series in history, and with a 5.0 rating it is the highest rated telecast for A&E.[7][8] The show earned $80 million in advertising sales for the first nine months of 2013, and merchandise has generated another $400 million in revenue.[9][10][11] After 11 seasons, the series concluded on March 29, 2017, with the hour-long finale "End of an Era", the episode concluded with Si Robertson performing the show's theme song "Sharp Dressed Man" alongside ZZ Top.[12]
Duck Dynasty has launched several spin-off series since its release, including Jep & Jessica: Growing the Dynasty and Going Si-Ral during the show's success on A&E.[13] Following the show's conclusion, Blaze Media produced the 2017-2021 show In the Woods with Phil, and starting in 2022 Fox Entertainment created a streaming and broadcast syndication series called Duck Family Treasure.[14] Like past shows, many Robertson family members, co-workers, and friends appear in these spin-offs. Various on-going podcasts continue to prominently feature the Robertsons as well: Phil, Jase, and Alan host Unashamed;[15] Sadie hosts WHOA That's Good Podcast;[16] and Duck Commander produces Duck Call Room with Si, Martin, and Godwin.[17] Outdoor Channel acquired rerun rights to Duck Dynasty in 2016.[18] In 2020 Fox Nation acquired the streaming rights to the show for the year,[19] after that deal concluded Hulu began streaming the series in 2023.[20]
Concerns[edit]
Phil Robertson stated on Sports Spectrum, a Christian sports publication, that he confronted producers about editors of the show telling them not to say Jesus's name while praying at the end of episodes, and that they added intermittent bleep censors over random portions of the cast's unscripted dialogue although there was no profanity being spoken.[85][86] Robertson cited the issues as part of what is often called "spiritual warfare", that there was no swearing that needed to be edited out, and the prayers were being censored to avoid offending non-Christian religious people. A&E did not comment on the claims.[87]
A&E suspended Phil Robertson over remarks he made during an interview with Drew Magary for GQ Magazine which had attracted outside criticism.[88] During the interview for a featured article in GQ's January 2014 issue, titled What the Duck?, Magary asked Robertson: "What, in your mind, is sinful?"[89] Robertson replied: "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."[90] A&E stated they were "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". He said he is a "product of the '60s" but has since lived his life on Biblical principles. He added: "I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me."[91] The Robertson family released a statement about A&E's decision, refusing to do the show without him and supporting Phil by saying that while some of his comments were "coarse," his beliefs are "grounded in the teachings of the Bible."[92] In the first public interview since the GQ interview, Robertson stood by his words and said: "Jesus will take sins away. If you're a homosexual, He'll take it away. If you're an adulterer, if you're a liar, what's the difference?"[93][94] Robertson's remarks were reported in the media, with reactions split. Many social conservatives, including his corporate sponsors, some religious groups, and some Republican politicians including Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal and Mike Huckabee, supported his right to such opinions.[95] Robertson faced significant opposition from individuals viewing his comments as anti-gay and bigoted.[96] A&E reversed Robertson's suspension. The network cited Phil and the family's regret for the use of "coarse language" in discussing body parts,[97] and stated that A&E would launch a public service announcement across the channel's "entire portfolio" that would promote "tolerance and acceptance among all people."[98][99] A Human Rights Campaign representative saw the reinstatement and message as a positive step, and "the real harm that such anti-gay and racist comments can cause" and the governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal remarked on "tolerance of religious views".[99]