Money trumps liberal outrage. That's the lesson. We're a capitalist society, and people (even liberals) like cash. A&E may hate the right-wing Frankenstein it's created, but the bottom line is the bottom line. If you were hoping that A&E would "teach Christians a lesson" by permanently firing Phil Robertson, you were sorely mistaken. That was never going to happen. Duck Dynasty is the number one nonfiction show on cable TV, and A&E - however much it might want to - was never going to slaughter its cash cow by dumping the star.
As they always do, liberal prerogatives have succumbed to reality.
TV networks exist to make money and A&E is no different. So Phil Robertson has been "welcomed back" with open arms.
As reported by the Hollywood Reporter, A&E has released a statement announcing their cease-fire.
As a global media content company, A+E Networks’ core values are centered around creativity, inclusion and mutual respect. We believe it is a privilege for our brands to be invited into people’s home and we operate with a strong sense of integrity and deep commitment to these principals.
That is why we reacted so quickly and strongly to a recent interview with Phil Robertson. 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 mis-interpretation of his core beliefs based only on the article. He also made it clear he would “never incite or encourage hate.” We at A+E Networks expressed our disappointment with his statements in the article, and reiterate that they are not views we hold.
But 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. These are three values that we at A+E Networks also feel strongly about.
So after discussions with the Robertson family, as well as consulting with numerous advocacy groups, A&E has decided to resume filming Duck Dynasty later this spring with the entire Robertson family.
We will also use this moment to launch a national public service campaign (PSA) promoting unity, tolerance and acceptance among all people, a message that supports our core values as a company, and the values found in Duck Dynasty. These PSAs will air across our entire portfolio.
The bottom line here is that while Phil Robertson doesn't need A&E, A&E desperately needs Phil Robertson. The Robertsons generate way, way, way, too much money for A&E to simply ditch them by the side of the ideological road. Behind closed doors network execs may despise the "rednecks and hillbillies" that populate their most watched show, but they'll be damned if they're not going to continue absorbing all that filthy lucre.
They’ll smile, shake hands, and pretend to love the Robertsons until the day people stop watching – that’s liberal reality.
They may never issue an apology or admit that they are ideologically outgunned by the masses but it's telling that they've reversed course in order to get the show back in production. It may not be the resolution some would like to see, but it does mean one thing: As usual, the "deeply held beliefs" of the leftist intelligentsia extend only as far as the pocket book.
A&E has been forced to recognize that political correctness carries a steep cost - both in terms of free speech and in terms of quantifiable dollars. If you thought this would end any other way, congratulations. You're a left-wing progressive.
