Posted on 12/23/2013 6:05:34 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Amid the turmoil caused by the suspension of “Duck Dynasty’s” Phil Robertson in relation to an interview he gave with GQ, an outpouring of support has emerged from those defending the bearded A&E star.
Which only prompts one to wonder whether these people really know whom exactly it is they’re defending.
However real and natural it might appear, “Duck Dynasty” is a sitcom. Not all the dialogue is written, but as even the Robertsons freely admitted on the “Today” show, “They come up with ideas and we just get to be ourselves in the situation.”
So while Robertson can be taken at his word that he’s a man of faith, the character that people know from TV is just that: A character.
Other websites, some with way too much time on their hands, have meticulously detailed the staging that goes into the show. But suffice it to say that the Robertsons have thrived in part because they and their producers have been adept at making themselves seem authentic. As one reality TV producer suggested when discussing the show, even if the situations are all phony, you couldn’t create those guys.
Still, the full-throated defense on behalf of the Robertsons primarily reflects two things: The very effective tactic of making Christians feel like they are disrespected and persecuted by the mainstream media; and most germane to this discussion, the sorry lack of media literacy in the U.S., where people might insist they’re in on the gag, but if they’re seeing something on TV, they tend to assume it’s true.
At this point, the “Duck Dynasty” story has taken on a life of its own, propelled by the political aspects of the standoff – pitting anti-gay-rights conservatives against “liberal Hollywood” – and the good (or bad) fortune of happening right before Christmas, when everyone’s starved for something to talk and write about.
Yet while many of those who watch “Duck Dynasty” no doubt feel like they know the Robertsons, these characters are shaped – through editing and writing – in virtually the same way “The Big Bang Theory” or “Modern Family” is. So the guy you see, as colorful as he is, isn’t necessarily the real-life version.
And guess what? There’s no Tooth Fairy, either.
Duh.
All you need to do is watch to to see it’s scripted.
I suppose we’re too dumb to notice.
Lighten up Brian. Just because your side is taking a big hit on this, you don’t need to get all arrogant and uppity about it. It’s tough being a loser, isn’t it Brian.
Sounds like they’re getting pretty desperate.
But the Kardashians, Fear Factor, Temptation Island, Jersey Shore, Basketball Wives....those are all based on a true story, Emmy-award winning dramas, I tell ya.
All “reality” TV is fake
Yeah its a reality show but that doesn’t make them fake people. They happen to be playing themselves but what people like about the show is 100% pure.
And here I thought Jase, Si, Jep and Godwyn generated hundreds of millions of dollars making the occasional duck call out back.
Not a whom, but what. The freedom to have and express an opinion without the whole left side of the country stomping them into the ground in the name of "tolerance"
Stop it.
I have to believe that everything I see on TV is real.
TV is just like a window right?
Or a telescope.
And my DVR can speed up or reverse time.
And Santa Claus is real too.
Interesting. I guess no one has ever met any of the Robertsons in real life or heard them speak in church or spent time with them. Terry Bradshaw is a good one to ask about how authentic is the real Phil Robertson.
I can’t believe after listening to his preaching etc. that Phil is playing us. If he is we will find out about it and DD is toast. Do you think he would risk everything for some sort of contrived controversy.
DD is really getting under their skin, isn’t it?
You can bet your bottom dollar that the dinner prayer at the end of the show is 100% Phil Robertson and not a word has been written for him. He would do this prayer whether the cameras were on him or not. The man is authentic. With him, what you see is what you get. Ask Terry Bradshaw. He knows him well.
The author is an egotistical, condescending idiot. I don't know a single intelligent adult who doesn't realize reality shows are fake.
That is not the point. The point is that A&E said that someone was being suspended from their job for saying religion is good and homosexuality is unnatural. He didn't ask for anyone to be fired. I'm certain there are plenty of gays involved one way or another in the production and distribution of the show.
We are constantly told by the MSM and the government that homosexuals are good and Christians are bad. I for one am tired of it.
Oh, come on. Next he’s going to try and tell us all those wrestling shows are fake.
Comrade Lowry abhors rugged individualism. Dear leader and the state must instruct everyone how to think and what to do in life. Rugged individualism is quite contrary to their ideology.
What about Dog the Bounty Hunter?
Us iggorant homophobic crackahs is shore dumm, ain’t we Brain?
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