Phil Alexander Robertson, the patriarch of the Robertson family on Duck Dynasty and often called “Mr. Robertson,” stirred national controversy in 2013.
He made provoking comments about homosexuality in an interview with GQ Magazine.
He also talked about race, suggesting that African Americans were doing okay in the Jim Crow era.
This sparked further outrage, prompting LGBTQ+ advocates, civil rights groups, and many viewers to call for Duck Dynasty’s cancellation.
A&E response to backlash
Given the backlash A&E faced after the interview, the producers suspended Phil Robertson from appearing on the show.
The decision to suspend Mr Robertson was made to distance the network from the negative attention the interview generated.
However, the suspension was lifted days after an uproar from loyal show fans and the larger Robertson family’s decision to stand by their patriarch.
More than 250,000 people signed a petition for Robertson’s reinstatement.
Phil Robertson’s return
Massive rallying from fans played a huge role in pressuring A&E to lift Mr Robertson’s suspension.
Fans of the show, particularly those who supported Robertson’s Christian beliefs, rallied behind him. They accused A&E of censoring his freedom of speech and religious expression.
The producers sat down with the family and other parties to find a compromise. Ultimately, Phil was set to return, but his remarks had already damaged the show’s ratings.
The End of Duck Dynasty
Despite the controversy, the Duck Dynasty continued for several seasons, but its viewership slowly declined. The show ultimately ended in 2017 after 11 successful seasons.
While the scandal certainly shaped the show’s later years, it wasn’t the sole reason for its cancellation, as reality TV shows typically decline over time.
Where is Mr Robertson now
Following the end of the reality show, Phil Robertson retreated into his earlier life of duck hunting.
Based on his experience with cancel culture during the 2013 controversy, Phil Robertson wrote a book about it.
The book “Uncanceled: Finding Meaning and Peace in a Culture of Accusations, Shame, and Condemnation” conveys his message about fighting the cancel culture through faith in Jesus Christ.
The book has a generous sprinkling of Bible quotations per his Christian beliefs.
Phil also had a film, The Blind, released in 2023, that tells the story of his life and how he was redeemed after living in sin.