Entertainment
Turns Out A&E Is Ok With Phil Robertson’s Homophobic Comments
Phil Robertson
Friday it was announced that Phil Robertson will be back on the air in his rightful spot as family patriarch in the A&E reality television series Duck Dynasty. Robertson was suspended after making coarse comments in a GQ interview regarding homosexuality.
A&E reacted quickly to suspend Robertson from the show stating that his viewpoints are not ones that the television network supports. However, just a few weeks later after the decision led to praise and outcry from both sides of the debate, the cable network has decided to allow Robertson back on the air ending his suspension.
They wrote in a statement that A&E values inclusion, mutual respect, and creativity and that Duck Dynasty is not about the views of just one man but instead about a family that does pray for tolerance, forgiveness, and unity as can be reflected in most broadcasts. Robertson also stated that he was saddened that his remarks were taken this way and that while they were coarse, he does believe in respect and humanity.
The reversal means that Robertson will not be affected at all by the short term suspension since the show was in-between filming. Supports of Robertson are cheered that his Christian beliefs were upheld while others are stating that the network ‘caved.’