Variety, the venerable entertainment industry publication, is siding with the A&E network for its decision to suspend Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson indefinitely for his comments about the gay lifestyle.
The publication calls the suspension a swift victory for progressive values.
While sticking to its own corporate values is important to A&E and contributed to the net suspending Phil Robertson, what has become increasingly important to a network is aligning with the progressive views of a nation that expects its entertainment now to steer clear of prejudicial thinking and remarks, such as those from Robertson, which compared homosexuality to bestiality.
In other words: when it comes to entertainment, low tolerance is turning into no tolerance.
With that in mind, A&E no doubt played its cards right. Because the show has such a strong ensemble cast, A&E is likely comfortable in cutting Phil Robertson loose, knowing that the remaining members of the Robertson clan can support the comedic docuseries’ narrative in future episodes of the program….
Either way, the network has been able to establish its progressive corporate values, maintain its relationship with advertisers, and not collapse an entire reality show in the process.
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