‘Duck Dynasty’ Season 6 Premiere Ratings Off Significantly

Season 6 of the A&E reality hit premiered Wednesday night, drawing significantly fewer viewers than the Season 5 premiere in January.However, the show still remains the number one cable show on Wednesday night.

Wednesday's “Duck Dynasty” premiere drew 4.6 million total viewers — nearly 4 million less than the 8.5 million who tuned in for the Season 5 premiere.

The slide continues a sharp downward trajectory for the show. The 8.5 million who tuned in for the Season 5 premiere was itself a dramatic drop from the 11.8 million total viewers who tuned in for the Season 4 premiere in August 2013. Granted, the Season 4 premiere set a record for the series, but still — those are pretty big back-to-back declines.

Wednesday night's numbers are also a drop from the Season 5 finale in March, which had 6 million total viewers.

Wednesday night's premiere featured a special guest appearance by Louisiana Gov .Bobby Jindal, who awarded Willie Robertson the inaugural Governor's Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence for his success in making the Duck Commander family business a multi-million dollar company.

"It was really neat to have the governor on our show," Willie Robertson told The Daily Advertiser. "His family loves watching the show, and they all came up to West Monroe to participate."

Jindal's guest appearance evidently did not do much to help the show salvage its declining ratings. Although many media outlets are blaming the drop in ratings over controversial statements Phil Robertson made to GQ Magazine last December, others argue that "Duck Dynasty" is simply following the usual, short lifespan of docusoaps.

"Critics and ratings-gazers will be quick to attribute Duck Dynasty's fall from grace to any number of factors -- one of them obviously being star Phil Robertson's controversial persona in the wake of anti-gay comments made in a GQ profile -- but the fact of the matter remains that docusoaps have a short lifespan. And A&E has already milked more out of Duck Dynasty than anybody could have imagined," wrote Michael O'Connor for The Hollywood Reporter.

Some Networks upset with A&E for 'caving' on Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson's Comments

A&E was quick to reinstate Phil Robertson on "Duck Dynasty" following last month’s controversy over comments he made to GQ magazine about homosexuality. Now an insider tells Fox News there is still heat on the network for their about face.

According to a well-placed source, higher-ups at several networks – including executives at both ABC and CBS – remain hopping mad with A&E for “caving” to the backlash from "Duck Dynasty" fans.

"Several high-ranking executives have expressed upset over the way this all played out. The network execs think that in allowing Phil to come back so quickly and seamlessly, without apology, sets a bad standard,” the source told Fox News. “The standard being that talent can say whatever offensive thing they want about gay people or other groups and get away with it. No consequences.”

Fox News was also told that power players at both ABC and CBS are annoyed – and were quite frankly “shocked” – that the Robertson family patriarch was suspended for just a week and welcomed back so warmly.

"It's all about money. I guess many feel that A&E should have taken a stronger stand,” added the source. “Where do moral standards go from here? Does this now mean stars can say whatever offensive things they want under the guise of freedom of speech, without repercussion?”

One industry pro says things could have been far worse for the cable channel if A&E had not backed down and brought Robertson back.

“At the end of the day, entertainment is big business and clearly A&E decided that ‘this too shall pass.’ Sometimes avoiding the major news as would have occurred has they fired him would have been more damaging to their brand then simply having Robertson continue on,” noted Ronn Torossian, CEO of 5WPR. “Not all press is good press.”

'Duck Dynasty' Book Sales Rise Following Phil Robertson Controversy; A&E Removes Suspension

In spite of the recent controversy surrounding "Duck Dynasty's" Phil Robertson, books written by four members of the Robertson family have continued to rise in sales during the holiday season.

A book poll from USA Today finds that Phil Robertson's memoir Happy Happy Happy jumped from No. 56 to No. 46 last week, making its way into the media outlet's "Top 50" bestselling titles of the week ending on Dec. 22. Additionally, "Duck Dynasty" co-star Miss Kay's cookbook, Miss Kay's Duck Commander Kitchen, jumped from No. 30 to No. 19, while Pastor Alan Robertson's The Duck Commander Devotional now sits at No. 23, up from No. 35. Lastly, Si-cology, written by the reality show's zany uncle Si Robertson, is at No. 28 from No. 33.

In addition to heightened book sales, Billboard reported last week that Robertson family's Christmas album, "Duck the Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas," was on track to sell 125,000 copies in the week ending on Dec. 22. The album, which features cameos from famous country musicians like George Strait, has sold a total of 575,000 copies since it was released in late October.

Chris Stone, founder of Faith Driven Consumer, an organization that connects Christian consumers with faith-compatible companies, told The Hollywood Reporter that the recent controversy surrounding Phil Robertson and his comments on homosexuality could actually result in a rise in sales for the "Duck Dynasty" brand.

"In this case those that like Phil or like Duck Dynasty specifically would be more inclined to engage with the brand because they identify with it," Stone told the media outlet. Faith Driven Consumer led a popular online petition, "I Stand with Phil," to show their solidarity and support for Phil Robertson.

Stone compared Robertson's current controversy to the previous controversy involving fast food chain restaurant Chick-fil-A, which was boycotted by thousands of Americans in August 2012 after the chain's President Dan Cathy answered a question posed to him on same-sex marriage by giving a biblical opinion that marriage was the union between one man and one woman.

"There was a tremendous outpouring of support for [Chick-fil-A]," Stone said, adding, "if a brand is aligned with them or compatible with them, they certainly would increase their shopping."

However, despite the backlash Robertson received from gay activist groups, that criticism was dwarfed by the immense amount of support from politicians, religious leaders, Christian leaders and free speech advocates. Hundreds of thousands signed online petitions calling for Phil to be reinstated, with many saying they would boycott A&E altogether in protest at the network's actions.

The Robertson family also issued a statement saying that although some of the comments Phil made were "coarse," they ultimately stood behind the family patriarch's comments that homosexuality was a sin, and they questioned whether the other family members could proceed with the show without Phil by their side.

"Duck Dynasty" has proven to be a major ratings booster for the A&E network, wrangling over 10 million viewers in some episodes.

Companies that carry the "Duck Dynasty" and Duck Commander brands, including WalMart, Under Armour, and Target, have remained relatively silent on the recent Robertson controversy and have continued to sell the show's merchandise. The restaurant chain Cracker Barrel temporarily pulled some "Duck Dynasty" merchandise from the shelves of its stores, only to quickly apologize and restore the goods after a mass backlash from customers at the move.

The A&E network also caved in, and just nine days after "indefinitely suspending" Phil Robertson, the network announced on Dec. 27 that it would be reinstating him to the "Duck Dynasty" reality show when filming resumes in spring. The statement read, in part: "[...] 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."

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Phil Robertson Suspended From Duck Dynasty Over Christian Beliefs

Phil Robertson has lost his place at the head of the Duck Dynasty table for the forseeable future.

The Robertson family patriarch has been suspended from their hit reality show in light of remarks he made in an interview with GQ, released yesterday, in which he grouped homosexuality in with bestiality as deviant behavior.

"We are 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.  His personal views in no way reflect those of A+E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community. The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely," A+E Networks said in a statement.

"Everything is blurred on what's right and what's wrong," Phil told GQ. "Sin becomes fine."

"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," he continued, going on to paraphrase Corinthians, from the New Testament.

Phil's son Jep Robertson also told the men's mag: "We're not quite as outspoken as my dad, but I'm definitely in line. If somebody asks, I tell 'em what the Bible says."

GLAAD issued a response to the article, saying, "Phil's lies about an entire community fly in the face of what true Christians believe."

Pre-suspension, but in response to the backlash over his remarks, Phil issued the following statement:

"I myself am a product of the '60s; I centered my life around sex, drugs and rock and roll until I hit rock bottom and accepted Jesus as my Savior. My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together. However, I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other."

 The Robertson clan, which includes Phil's brother, Si, and sons, Willie, Jase and Jep, has been enjoying the spotlight since the unlikely success of the A&E reality series about their duck call business.

Though much of the appeal of the show — which drew a network record 11.8 million viewers for its fourth season premiere — surrounds their goofy antics, the Robertsons have been up front about using their fame as a soapbox for their religious beliefs and political conservatism.

The family hit the Christian speaking circuit over the summer. Evangelist Rick Warren's church even hosted a "Ducky Dynasty" day in July. Willie Robertson also revealed on Fox News a month later that GOP leaders had been courting him for a political run, based on the clan's emphasis on family values.

"We're Bible-thumpers who just happened to end up on television," Phil Robertson told GQ.

Palin came to Robertson's defense Wednesday, posting a photo of herself with the 'Duck Dynasty' crew on Facebook.

"Free speech is an endangered species," Palin captioned the picture. "Those 'intolerants' hatin’ and taking on the Duck Dynasty patriarch for voicing his personal opinion are taking on all of us."

Duck Dynasty's fifth season is currently set to premiere on Jan. 15.

Time has a good article.

‘Duck Dynasty’ Stars: ‘It Ain’t Gun Control We Need, It’s Sin Control’

One “Duck Dynasty” star made his stance on gun control known in an interview with Men’s Journal.
“It ain’t gun control we need, it’s sin control,” Si Robertson said.

In a wide-ranging interview with Men’s Journal, the man known as Uncle Si described how he used to be a “sinner” during his younger days when he was drafted into the Army and heading off to Vietnam.

Robertson said he was worried about the pedestal the family has been put on since the reality show took off.

“Look, I worry that people put us on a pedestal now,” he told Men’s Journal. “We’re human beings. We make mistakes just like everybody else.”

The article also features Phil Robertson, Si's brother and the patriarch, who adds, "We're trying to infuse a little good into a culture in which gentleness, patience, kindness, self-control, love, joy, and peace have become abnormal."

Si is sitting next to him, sipping tea from the blue Tupperware cup his mother sent him while he was serving in Vietnam and that has since become nearly as famous as he has. "Sad," he says, shaking his head.

"Very sad," says Phil. "I go out into America and I am literally navigating a minefield. Godliness has become abnormal. I just left California, where I spoke to 40,000 altogether. I told them I was a Bible man. I told them I believe that in the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth. 'What's he trying to say? That I can't sleep with anybody I want? Is this guy crazy?' Then they see a little family structure on TV – us – and the show goes ballistic. Thousands and thousands of people have thanked us. Isn't that right, Si?"

Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson Still Has the #1 Book in the Country

Duck Dynasty's Robertson family has two books currently on the New York Times best-seller list, including Phil’s memoir (co-written by Mark Schlabach), which has been No. 1 for six weeks.

(Phil, however, admits he hasn’t read it. “I dictated it, why should I read about it? I’m sick of hearing those stories,” he says.)

The clan has three more books coming out this year — Si’s memoir, “Si-cology,” in September, “Dynasty Devotional” in October and a cookbook by Kay in November.

But things are just getting started. Phil says he’s been offered a lucrative deal for another book called “Phil-osophy,” and Alan and Lisa are already writing a book about marriage before they even make their TV debut. Alan is the oldest Robertson son and a minister.  Lisa, 47, also says some of the family members have received offers for spinoff shows.

And yet she is still hesitant about stepping into the limelight.

“I’m just worried about coming in and not being able to perform on the spot,” the soft-spoken blonde says. “Everyone else has three years of experience filming.”

Si, sitting next to her, says he was camera-shy when they filmed the pilot. “In the beginning, when we went duck hunting, they would have to hide the camera because every time I’d see it, I’d just freeze up!” he says.

“I guess you’ve come out of your shell now, son!” Phil cracks back.

“When Si messes up it becomes a slogan on a T-shirt,” Alan adds, laughing. In fact, Bass Pro Shops makes a shirt with Si’s picture and his quote, “Hey, hey, all of my stories are 95 percent true, Jack.”

Family dinners are a big part of the show, and at the end of each episode, the Robertson family prays before the meal — a tradition they insisted on continuing when A&E began filming.

“From Day 1, Dad held up his Bible and said, ‘This is part of our lives, is this going to be in?’ ” Alan says. “And they were like, ‘That’s in, that’s part of who you are.’ ”

And he thinks viewers will see more of the family’s faith now that he’s signed on. During Sunday’s sermon, titled “The Family of Cultural Warriors,” he assures his congregation he will continue the work he started at White’s Ferry Road, the church his father has been attending since he was 28.

“All those years we preached sermons about ‘Grow where you’re planted,’ ” Alan says, as he steps behind the pulpit. “And God has planted us all over the place.”

Unbearded Son Joins Hit Show Duck Dynasty

You may not know who Alan Robertson is, but come August 14 when “Duck Dynasty” returns for its fourth season on A&E, he’ll be a household name.

The full-time Louisiana pastor is leaving the pulpit to join his family as the newest cast member of the hit reality series. Alan will manage public relations and speaking engagements for his parents, Phil and Kay Robertson, his Uncle Si and the rest of the family.

Alan told the New York Post he decided to sign up for his family’s reality show so he could spread his religious beliefs to a larger audience.

“What I do for our church — you see, it’s a pretty good-sized church — impacts a lot of people, but because of my association with the show, I’ll get to minister to a lot more people,” Alan told The Post.

And he noted that one thing that separates him from the other male members of his family is his clean shaven face.

“The beards are so iconic,” Alan told The Post. “All this time I’ve been flying under the radar; I can go to Starbucks and get Mama coffee.”

“That is about to change,” Phil added of his eldest son.

The Robertson family has gained fame, and lots of attention, since “Dynasty” began airing, something Alan admitted he may not be fully prepared for.

“My children are grown, but all of my brothers’ children are teenagers now, so how is this crazy world going to impact them?” Alan told the newspaper. “We think about John Luke and Sadie, who are such a big part of the show and they’re teenagers, you know? They need to be just normal teenagers. We pray about that.”

Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson to Release Book

Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the Robertson family whose Duck Commander business is the backdrop for A&E's hit program "Duck Dynasty" will release a new book on May 7 titled, Happy, Happy, Happy, in which he shares his faith in Jesus Christ, his knowledge about the founding fathers, and how he's grown Duck Commander into a multimillion dollar business.

The hour-long season finale of Duck Dynasty was the most-watched program on television Wednesday night, beating out American Idol with 9.6 million viewers, which is a record for A&E.

Robertson credits all of his family's success to their faith in Jesus Christ and their devotion to living a Christian lifestyle. He told Christian Post that his family has managed to stay humble, amid all of the fame, because they know that all blessings come from God; and in the end, everyone's going to the same place: a six-foot hole.

"Fame is rather fleeting, as you know, or should know," Robertson said. "Money can come and go, and fame comes and goes. Peace of mind and a relationship with God is far more important, so this is the precedent that we've set in our lives. The bottom line is, we all die, so Jesus is the answer. Many have told me through the years: 'I think I'll take my chances without Jesus.' And I always come back and say, 'so what chance is that?'"

Robertson told Christian Post that his book, Happy, Happy, Happy, is an extended version of the speeches he's been giving across the country for the past 25 years.

"Basically, the book is about my life story," he said. "I've been speaking all over the United States about duck calling, the founders of the country, and the Gospel. Once I started doing that, people started asking me: 'How can I get a copy of what I just heard, why don't you write a book?' The book is just about that: ducks, founding fathers, and my faith in God. And the rest of the story is about how it all turned out – went from rags to riches, as they say."

Robertson also attributes his wife, Miss Kay, for the success of Duck Commander, and for being a Christian example to their four sons who are married and raising families of their own.

"I told Miss Kay we need to make sure our children don't turn out like I turned out," he said. "So they were raised up around biblical instruction. That mixed with discipline – the discipline code, I call it. They just had a lifestyle of seeing their parents do good things. I think maybe me loving their mother and me loving my neighbors around me had a profound impact on them. And what came out of that was four sons who are all married to their original wives. And they're acting godly and I think Miss Kay and I had a hand in that."

"So basically, I would recommend that to all parents. You have to discipline your children, or they won't respect you, law enforcement or God, or anyone else. But I would say, overarching, I made sure they knew that we loved them, their mother and myself. … They were loved, they were given biblical instruction, they were seeing their dad and mom reach out to their neighbors around them, helping them, whether it be financial or marriage problems."

Part of the Christian lifestyle is the Christian work ethic, and Robertson achieved his dream of getting his duck call on the market by setting goals, maintaining his focus, and holding fast to his unwavering faith in God.

"I worked hard," Robertson said about his job as a commercial fisherman, catching catfish and buffalo while he worked to get his small business off the ground. "The first year, my gross sales totaled $8,000 in the duck call business. The second year was like $13,000, and the third year was $22,000. Simply put, I set a goal, stayed the course, and trusted in the Almighty. I did what was right, and the result is for everyone to see now."

Si Robertson and Miss Kay will also release new books this fall, along with a Duck Commander Devotional.

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