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Tag: A&E

  • Netflix Officially Revives ‘Longmire’

    Netflix Officially Revives ‘Longmire’

    Last week, we learned that Netflix was in talks to produce a new season of Longmire, which was canceled by A&E. The company has now made it official.

    This is one thing Netflix is making a habit out of. It’s bringing back canceled shows and giving them new life, or at least proper conclusions, as in the case with The Killing.

    A ten-episode fourth season of Longmire will make its debut on the streaming service next year in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where Netflix just announced plans to launch in March.

    “When Warner Horizon Television came to us with the idea for a new season of Longmire, we were intrigued because the series is so unique, and consistently great. We are thrilled to help continue Walt Longmire’s story for his large and passionate following,” said Cindy Holland, Vice President of Original Content at Netflix.

    In a joint statement, the Longmire executive producers said: “We’re excited and honored to have the opportunity to bring this show that we love so much, and all its devoted fans, to Netflix.”

    Here’s what Netflix says about the upcoming season:

    Season four of Longmire picks up moments after season three’s exciting finale. Walt Longmire (series star Robert Taylor), having found out who was behind the murder of his wife, succumbs to his darker impulses and takes off in pursuit of the killer with murder on his mind. Meanwhile, Branch Connally (Bailey Chase), the deputy who Walt fired for erratic, violent behavior, believes he has already figured out who the real culprit is. But during his confrontation with this suspected killer, a gun goes off. Now the audience will finally learn what happened, and whether Walt can be stopped before he makes a fatal choice.

    The first two seasons of Longmire are currently available for streaming on Netflix in the U.S. Presumably, the third season will be available eventually.

    Image via YouTube

  • ‘Longmire’ Season 4 Could Land on Netflix

    ‘Longmire’ Season 4 Could Land on Netflix

    Shortly after A&E canceled Longmire, the series based on Craig Johnson’s mystery novels about a Wyoming sheriff, the show’s producers were reportedly trying desperately to find it a new home.

    Well, they might have found one – Netflix.

    Netflix, which is no stranger to reviving dead shows, is apparently in talks to produce a new season of Longmire, which could start shooting as early as March of 2015. Deadline has the scoop:

    Sources caution that negotiations between Netflix and Longmire producer Warner Horizon have been tricky, and there is a chance that a final agreement may not be reached, though there is a will on both sides and insiders are hopeful. If a deal closes, Season 4 of Longmire eyes a tentative March production start date.

    Netflix would be a good fit to continue the series, as the company already has a deal with Warner Bros. for exclusive streaming rights to the first three seasons.

    So, what led to this? Why did A&E cancel the well-reviewed Longmire in the first place? Didn’t it have a pretty loyal fan base?

    Yes, it did does. But that fan base is old – at least older than with most cable dramas. Apparently, the median age of Longmire viewers was 60 years old. And in a medium (cable television) that’s beholden to that coveted 18-49 demographic, this older fan base was a real problem.

    Could Netflix step in and be the white knight? Could they say screw the demographics?

    Of course they could – Netflix doesn’t have to deal with advertisers. Netflix churns on subscriptions. And what better way to target a hard-to-reach demographic (50+) than to pick up a new season of one of its most-beloved, but sadly canceled shows?

    What do you think? Is Longmire a good fit for Netflix? If you don’t already pay for Netflix, would you if they produced a new season of Longmire?

    Image via Warner Bros, YouTube screenshot

  • Jenny McCarthy and Donnie Wahlberg Star in a Reality Show

    Jenny McCarthy and Donnie Wahlberg are bringing their love to the small screen.

    Wahlberg and McCarthy tied the knot in August outside of Chicago. 90 guests attended the 20 minute ceremony. McCarthy was escorted down the aisle by her son Evan. Wahlberg shared with Us Weekly that he “won the lottery” by marrying McCarthy. She added that, “We are ready to live happily ever after.”

    It looks like their fairytale includes a reality show.

    The happy newlyweds now want to share their marriage with the world. Wahlberg and McCarthy recently signed a deal with A&E to produce a reality show about their relationship. Donnie Loves Jenny will be a 10-episode series. The first episode, an hour long special, will document their wedding. The remaining nine episodes will be 30 minutes and highlight the ups and downs since they said I do.

    Donnie Loves Jenny premieres early next year. In a statement, Wahlberg and McCarthy had this to say about their upcoming series:

    Not only have we found a new home together, we have found the perfect place for our exciting new projects to live with A&E Network. We’re so excited about this deal and look forward to a long and successful relationship creating entertaining and provocative unscripted programming with our partners at A&E. Our feeling is, who better to make our first show for the network about than about us? We love working together and with our crazy schedules, this gives us the chance to both work and play together.

    Wahlberg and his family currently star in another reality show on A&E: Wahlburgers. The reality series follows the Wahlberg family as they try to run a restaurant business. McCarthy has guest starred on the series. The Executive Vice President of A&E David McKillop said that he was thrilled to join the couple through their next chapter. He also added, “Viewers have enjoyed following their relationship on the Wahlburgers and we look forward to sharing the next part of their journey.


    The Wahlburgers production company 44 Blue Productions, along with D&J Productions, will produce Donnie Loves Jenny.

  • Duck Dynasty’s Jep Robertson Almost Dies

    Duck Dynasty star Jep Robertson suffered a seizure while hunting last week and almost died … well at least that’s what Jep says.

    “Well, I about died this past Sunday…I’m doing much better now. Thanks for all the prayers! #seizuresuck #gladtobealive,” Jep, the youngest son of the family patriarch Phil Robertson and his wife Kay Robertson, tweeted on Saturday, October 25.

    “Earlier this week while deer hunting, Jep suffered from a seizure,” the family said in a statement to E! News. “Thankfully, he was in the stand with friends, and [brother] Willie was at the hunting camp when it occurred so he was by his side in a matter of minutes.”

    Luckily, Jep was hunting with his brother Willie, who was able to get him to a local hospital for treatment. The cause of the seizure has not been determined.

    “He is doing well now, but is still in the hospital for additional tests and observation and he is being treated with antibiotics to cover a range of possible infections believed to have caused the seizure,” the statement added.

    “Our family would like to thank everyone for their love and support and ask that you keep Jep, Jessica and their children in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” the family continued.

    Thankfully, the 36-year-old father of four is on the mend and is expected to make a full recovery.

    Season seven of Duck Dynasty is set to premiere on A&E on November 19.

  • Phil Robertson Says STDs Are A Penalty For Gays

    Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson is not one to tone down his opinions or issue politically correct statements.  Robertson was in a phone interview on Tony Perkins’ Christian-themed radio show on Tuesday and he didn’t hold back.

    With no apparent concern over how he might offend the LGBT community or anyone suffering from debilitating diseases, the 68-year-old boldly attributed sexually transmitted diseases to immoral acts.

    “God says, ‘One woman, one man,’ and everyone says, ‘Oh, that’s old hat, that’s that old Bible stuff,’” Robertson said. “But I’m thinking, well let’s see now. A clean guy — a disease-free guy and a disease-free woman — they marry and they keep their sex between the two of them. They’re not going to get chlamydia, and gonorrhea, and syphilis, and AIDS. It’s safe.”

    “To me, either it’s the wildest coincidence ever that horrible diseases follow immoral conduct, or, it’s God saying, ‘There’s a penalty for that kind of conduct,’” he added. “I’m leaning towards there’s a penalty toward it.”

    Last December, the Louisiana native caused outrage with his take on homosexuality in an interview with GQ.  “Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men… Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers – they won’t inherit the kingdom of God.” GQ quoted Robertson.

    He was also criticized for grouping homosexuals with terrorists: “We never, ever judge someone on who’s going to heaven, hell. That’s the Almighty’s job. We just love ’em, give ’em the good news about Jesus – whether they’re homosexuals, drunks, terrorists. We let God sort ’em out later, you see what I’m saying?”

    A&E suspended Robertson from the TV series briefly due to these “offensive” statements, but was re-instated soon after, following petitions from his fans.

    In his new book, unPHILtered, Robertson wrote about how his interview response was merely a Bible quote on sin in general. “…If he had asked me whether stealing is a sin, I’d have given him the same text. Same for slandering. We don’t say it’s worse than other ones,” and ended by saying he wasn’t passing judgment.

  • Duck Dynasty and Phil Robertson are Here to Stay, At Least Through 2015

    For a while there, the future of A&E’s Duck Dynasty might have been in question, but apparently not for very long.

    After Phil Robertson stirred up a hornet’s nest of trouble by spouting off in a GQ interview about his opinions on gays and sin in general, the media widely reported that the Dynasty was finished.

    But it turns out that the overhead and expectations of an A&E reality show are low enough to weather that storm. Fans rallied to bring Phil Robertson back from a short A&E-imposed exile, and the Duck Commander train kept right on a-rolling.

    Now there is word from Alan Robertson — the one without a beard — that A&E has contracted with the Robertson clan for more episodes of camo and clean living.

    “We know we’re locked in for at least another full year — through 2015. Beyond that, we really don’t know,” Alan Robertson said recently. “We have recommitted this year–both our family and the network production crew–to putting out some really good stories from our family that we can all enjoy.”

    “One of the best additions is they’re starting to put me on the air more. For a while, I joked that they only brought me on when they wanted the big ratings. To this day the highest rated show is the wedding, so I want to thank all of America for making my debut so meaningful,” Alan Robertson said.

    The Reverend also hinted at some of the content to come in the upcoming season.

    “We were filming the premier for the next season. We have a big event show coming up,” Alan Robertson said. “I got tickled cause it was just like when Phil was in Hawaii last year. He gets trapped. He says ‘it’s like Yuppieville on steroids.’ That’s his deal.”

  • ‘Duck Dynasty:’ A&E Signs Robertson Family Through 2015

    Duck Dynasty has seen its ratings wane since patriarch Phil Robertson spoke his mind about homosexuality to GQ magazine. Despite that decline, however, A&E has signed the Duck Commander clan on to their network lineup–all the way through 2015.

    Fans were reportedly starting to worry that the famous family that makes duck calls might be leaving the small screen. Apparently that’s not the case–at least for the foreseeable future.

    Alan Robertson is Phil Robertson’s oldest son, and is sometimes known as the ‘first beardless’ member of the Duck Dynasty clan. He had the following to say about the future of the show.

    “We know we’re locked in for at least another full year — through 2015. Beyond that, we really don’t know,” he said during a recent interview. “We have recommitted this year–both our family and the network production crew–to putting out some really good stories from our family that we can all enjoy.”

    Oh, and was it mentioned that Alan Robertson is a pastor? And that Miss Kay admitted in a previous episode that he was–gasp–born out of wedlock?

    “One of the best additions is they’re starting to put me on the air more. For awhile, I joked that they only brought me on when they wanted the big ratings. To this day the highest rated show is the wedding, so I want to thank all of America for making my debut so meaningful,” Alan Robertson said of future episodes.

    Duck Dynasty has averaged a respectable 4.3 million viewers per episode during season six. And while that doesn’t even begin to measure up to the 12 million viewers that watched their ‘Til Duck Do Us Part famous episode, it’s still not bad–especially when compared to other reality shows.

    Are you among the many diehard Duck Dynasty fans who are no doubt thrilled to learn that Phil Robertson, Uncle Si, Miss Kay, and even Rev. Robertson will all be returning to A&E for the next year or so?

  • Phil Robertson, Duck Dynasty Not Going Without Fight

    The Duck Dynasty business started with a humble line of duck calls. Since then, they’ve become the number one reality television show of all time. They sell headbands, t-shirts, and even a chia pet version of Uncle Si.

    So what if ratings on their hit television show have been down from its peak? There is still plenty of money to be made from this thing before packing it in.

    “We are continuously blown away at the overwhelming response from our fans,” Willie Robertson said. “And as long as they continue to enjoy the show and its message, we’ll bring them more to watch.”

    Some say that the reason the show’s ratings have dropped is due to Phil Robertson’s outspoken views on homosexuals and same-sex marriage. Robertson spoke out in a GQ interview about the topic, and it tended up costing him a very brief suspension from the show. But fan outcry brought him back.

    The Robertsons are aware that their show is slowing down, but they are not so sure that the controversy has anything to do with it. Executive David McKillop said, “I don’t think there’s any definitive proof that the controversy itself had any impact on the ratings. These things tend to burn very, very bright and then begin to settle into a plateau. These kinds of reality shows based on unique or unusual people don’t usually have great staying power. Duck Dynasty has already beaten the odds by getting into Season 6.”

    Duck Dynasty has been so unexpectedly successful for A&E, in fact, the network is looking at a spin-off of the show.

    The slowdown and ratings dip have certainly not stopped the licensing opportunities for Duck Dynasty and its brand Duck Commander. In fact, the brand is now launching a line of truck tires available in all terrain and mud terrain styles. The Duck Commander name and logo will be on all these.

    Image via YouTube

  • Phil Robertson: Killed Duck Dynasty’s Golden Goose?

    Duck Dynasty was on top of the heap. Of all the reality shows about millionaire duck hunting families, it was the king. It was the Number One reality TV show in cable history.

    Then Phil Robertson did an interview in GQ Magazine. The piece is old news now, but just take a moment and remember where you were when you first heard that the long-bearded patriarch of the Duck Dynasty clan had done an interview in GQ.

    In said interview, Robertson said some things that alienated, offended, and disgusted many people.

    “It seems like, to me, a vagina—as a man—would be more desirable than a man’s anus. That’s just me. I’m just thinking: There’s more there! She’s got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I’m saying? But hey, sin: It’s not logical, my man. It’s just not logical.”

    Perhaps Phil thought he could be just as comfortable speaking his mind with a GQ writer as he was in front of the cameras for his own show, forgetting that there was no editing team, forgetting that GQ readers are, by and large, not his tribe. It is highly unlikely that those offended were die hard members of his fan base. But the hammer came down nonetheless.

    After a highly-publicized bit of blowback, Robertson was suspended from his own show. Then his fans rallied the troops, and he was asked back after only nine days suspension. It looked like the gravy train was back on track for Robertson and family. After that outpouring of fan support, things were likely better than ever. Or so most thought.

    The numbers tell a different tale. Last year, the folks at Nielsen said that Duck Dynasty had about 12 million viewers. Now, seven months after the GQ kerfluffle, they have only about one-third of that audience. Even the season premiere was way down.

    Where did everyone go? One theory is that it is no longer popular in mixed company to say you watch Duck Dynasty. Sure, the guys sporting ZZ Top beards and wearing camo to walk around the mall aren’t going anywhere. But folks who may have been watching the show at its peak, but don’t want their friends to think they are homophobes, they’re long gone.

    Of course, there is still the merchandise licensing. All those Duck Dynasty t-shirts, ball caps, beef jerky, and other such paraphernalia that netted the Dynasty team $400 million last year are still there. There is the possibility that they may lose some if they get the losing end of a lawsuit over one of their catchphrases. But there’s still a lot of money coming.

    A&E says they already have the next season of Duck Dynasty in the can. And they are considering spinoffs, which is where many reality shows come from.

    Maybe Phil killed the goose/duck that laid the golden eggs, but they piled up a lot of eggs before he did.

    Image via YouTube

  • Duck Dynasty Sued by Camo Company

    Down is up and up is down. Who would have ever believed that any manufacturer or seller of camouflage clothing in the world would ever sue A&E and their cash cow, Duck Dynasty? But that is exactly what is happening.

    It all started when one of the stars of the hit A&E series, uncle Si Robertson, once said, “My favorite color is camo.” Sounds innocent enough. The phrase took off. And A&E, which already licenses camo materials with the show’s name and logo, began to license camo wear emblazoned with the phrase.

    But hold up. It turns out there is already a company that has claim to that phrase as a camo sales gimmick. The company is called Hajn, and they are based in Florida. And this is not just a case of a smaller company beating A&E to the punch after that episode aired. Hajn says it registered the phrase as a trademark and put it on shirts, pants, hoodies, hats, magnets, stickers and bumper stickers in 2011, which is a year before Duck Dynasty started up on A&E.

    So, the lawsuits cranked up.

    “A&E’s conduct constitutes clear acts of unfair competition that risks considerable consumer confusion in that customers purchasing apparel from A&E believe that these goods are affiliated, sponsored, endorsed or related to Hajn,” the suit said. “Alternatively, A&E’s conduct constitutes reverse palming off, in that consumers believe that Hajn is selling Duck Dynasty related apparel.”

    Hajn says they sent A&E a cease and desist letter, which they ignored. Hajn says they are entitled to a piece of the action.

    “A&E generated $400 million in revenues from sales of Duck Dynasty branded merchandise at Wal-Mart in 2013 alone,” the suit said.

    “Our client is a hardworking and enterprising small-business owner who took the time and effort to trademark his intellectual property,” Hajn attorney Greg Weiss wrote. “We had no choice but to pursue his rights though this lawsuit after our warning went unheeded.”

    A&E’s lawyers have not commented, saying, “We don’t comment on pending litigation.”

    Image via MyFavoriteColorIsCamo.Com

  • Kay Robertson Admits Son Born Out of Wedlock

    Kay Robertson, the matriarch of the Robertson family who shares her strong Christian values on their reality show, A&E’s Duck Dynasty, recently revealed to US Weekly that her oldest son Alan Robertson was born before she and her husband Phil Robertson were officially married.

    “Well, this is the first time I’ve shared this, aside from giving my testimony [in church],” Kay said. “When I made a vow to God and to [Phil], it was March 22, 1964. … It wasn’t legal.”

    “That’s the truth,” she added. “We didn’t do the legal papers until April 11, 1968, after Alan, my oldest, was born. Alan says, ‘Yeah, I would be the B [bastard] in the family.’”

    Phil and Kay are also parents to Willie, Jase, and Jep, all of which are featured on Duck Dynasty.

    Although the papers weren’t officially signed until four years later, Kay says her union she made to God and Phil was sincere from day one. “But I want to tell you something,” Kay said. “My heart and my vow to God was true from the first day.”

    Kay said that the date of their wedding is just a technicality and occasionally an inside joke between her and the family. “Now, the family laughs about it,” she said. “People ask, ‘When was your mama’s wedding?’ and the boys say, ‘Which, the pioneer wedding or the regular wedding?’”

    In December, Phil finally gave his bride a wedding ring after more than 50 years of marriage.

    Image via Twitter

  • ‘Duck Dynasty:’ Is There a Wedding in Store?

    Will Duck Dynasty feature the wedding of non-family cast member Justin Martin during either season six or season seven? The employee at the Duck Commander headquarters proposed to girlfriend Brittany Brugman recently and now fans are wondering if their nuptials will take place on the A&E hit show.

    “I dropped on one knee, did it, and she said yes. Now we’re in the stages of planning a wedding and by ‘we,’ I mean her,” Martin told Fox News at a Homes of Hope benefit recently.

    Martin says the notion of his and Brittany’s wedding taking place on the show is presently “up in the air.”

    “My preference would be small in the country — just like you see us on TV. Get us down on the bank of a river somewhere. Let’s do this, get it over with and start the next chapter,” he says.

    Season six of Duck Dynasty premiered on June 11th, and according to Justin Martin it’s not “all about the ducks” this year.

    “Season six is really good,” he said. “We get back on the beavers in this one. Touch back to some frog catching again.”

    Uncle Si firmly believes that God has his hand in helping the show achieve even more success.

    “We was doing a film one day about hunting for the beaver dam, and I said, I laughed at the director, said ‘you actually think you’re directing this thing? The Lord God Mighty is directing Duck Dynasty,” he explained.

    Justin Martin says this new season once again focuses on family.

    “You can still be busy, you can still run a huge corporation, but you still make time for family. And that’s the message we’re trying to get back to the people of America.”

    So will the Duck Commander employee get married on national TV? It would probably help Duck Dynasty ratings which, according to some reports, hasn’t fared too well in recent months. It would also mean Justin and Brittany would likely get married for free–with either A&E or the Robertson family footing the bill for the ceremony and the southern spread that would likely follow.

    Image via Twitter

  • Duck Dynasty Ratings: Do The Robertsons Care?

    Duck Dynasty, A&E’s ratings giant for years, has continued to watch it’s ratings drop drastically from the show’s former astronomical success. While the show is still cable’s reality show giant, the viewers have been draining away.

    The shrinkage could have something to do with last year’s controversy surrounding patriarch Phil Robertson’s remarks about homosexuality. Phil made such colorful remarks like, “It seems like, to me, a vagina — as a man — would be more desirable than a man’s anus. That’s just me. I’m just thinking: There’s more there! She’s got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I’m saying? But hey, sin: It’s not logical, my man. It’s just not logical.”

    This remark and others that followed caused a national outcry from gay and lesbian communities, national media, and people wishing to ride the outcry for no other reason than to make a political statement.

    Phil Robertson was unapologetic, however, and contended that his faith comes first. Even before the prosperity of his family. When A&E threatened to suspend Phil Robertson from the show, the family’s colors showed as they stood together and declared A&E could have all or none of the Robertsons.

    Yes, the ratings are low, and yes, sales of merchandise are dropping off, but are the Robertsons concerned? I would think not.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52IyDfNC0c4

    During last year’s scandal, the family banded together in support of Phil. They said they will be ok if the show gets booted entirely. Even the youngest star, Sadie Robertson said, “If we start to think of ourselves too highly, we remember that we were happy before the show and we will be happy after the show.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt3DY1Fp3IA

    Clearly fame and fortune are not the focus of this family. What do you think? Will the Robertsons survive, should they have to, without A&E? More importantly, can A&E survive without Duck Dynasty?

    Image via YouTube

  • Duck Dynasty Star Delivers Anti-Gay Sermon in New Video

    Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson waded into the culture wars once again this week after video of his Easter sermon hit the web. The video, released on Thursday by TMZ, shows that the reality TV star is sticking by his anti-gay views despite criticism and a short suspension from his family’s hit show.

    According to TMZ, the video depicts Robertson’s Easter Sunday address to his Louisiana church. During the speech Robertson referred to homosexuality as a sin and criticized the news media for what he perceived as a lack of biblical knowledge.

    “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God?” said Robertson. “Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor the idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexual offenders, nor thieves, nor greedy, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”

    Robertson’s Easter comments echoed the opinions he put forth in a GQ interview late last year. In that interview Robertson said that he would prefer a vagina to a man’s anus and compared homosexuality to bestiality. He also characterized homosexuality an illogical sin.

    Those comments caused an uproar in the U.S., with many Americans calling for A&E to pull Duck Dynasty off the air. The cable channel did suspend Robertson briefly, leading his family to release a statement doubling-down on their Christian beliefs and asserting that Robertson “would never incite or encourage hate.” Robertson himself also said that he is “not a hater” and said that he would not back down from his views.

    The suspension was lifted just days later, with Robertson returning to his place on the reality show. Robertson’s return was heavily criticized by GLAAD and other gay-rights organizations. Duck Dynasty has seen record-low ratings in the months following the controversy.

    Image via A&E

  • Phil Robertson Won’t Stop Putting His Foot In It

    A&E put Phil Robertson back on the air after his last homophobic rant. And after ratings slid, it seems that perhaps the Robertson clan is hoping another round of stupid will get people talking again.

    At least that must be the logic behind these latest shenanigans.

    Rather than apologize for likening gay individuals to people who have sex with animals (or telling us all how much happier black Americans were when they were picking cotton), Robertson continues to amaze with his inability to stop putting his foot in it.

    By “it”, I mean his mouth.

    In a video filmed at Whites Ferry Road Church, a church in his hometown of West Monroe, La., Robertson condemned the media for the attack on his opinion.

    He insists that many were angry because instead of “acknowledging their sin” like he insisted the congregation do, the offended “railed against” him “for giving them the truth about their sins.” He warned, “Don’t deceive yourselves.”

    And then, he quoted the following Biblical passage:

    Neither the sexually immoral, nor the idolators, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexual offenders, nor thieves, nor greedy, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

    Well, let’s look a couple of those.

    Slander can be defined as, “a malicious, false, and defamatory statement.”

    Saying that a person who never had sex with animals is pretty much guilty of bestiality could be construed as malicious and defamatory in some instances. Telling the world that black people were better off in cotton fields, during a time when they had fewer rights and job options in addition to dealing with overt bigotry, is certainly false.

    How about greedy?

    This video was released mere weeks ahead of the sixth season preview. Sounds like dollars are the motive more so than the word of God. But then, I’m the cynical type.

    You know what’s funny?

    For people who claim to believe in a Christian God, it seems that the individuals talking the loudest about other people’s “sins” often forget that there are many ways they can land in Hell themselves.

    Especially if they’re wealthy.

    Christ himself said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

    Perhaps the Robertson clan can step away from the homophobia just long enough to get to work squeezing through. Otherwise they might end up beating “the sinful gays” to the pits of Hell.

    Image via YouTube

  • ‘Duck Dynasty:’ Willie Robertson Addresses Manufacturer & Business Association’s 109th Annual Event

    Duck Dynasty’s own Willie Robertson addressed the annual meeting of the Manufacturer & Business Associations 109th annual event in Erie, Pennsylvania on Saturday, and noted how his family business was a successful one even before Duck Dynasty became an A&E hit show.

    “I can’t think of a more true American success story than my family. We had nothing. We came from nothing,” he said to the crowd.

    Willie went on to explain how he remembered watching Dukes of Hazzard on TV while making the duck calls that made his family so famous. He recalled taking orders over the phone (a land line, of course) and then writing down those orders on the back of a paper plate.

    Robertson said he learned how to work hard by “sweeping floors, folding boxes and testing duck calls,” and that his sales and marketing skills were perfected during his two-hour school bus ride each day when he sold candy and gum to his classmates. The school’s principal eventually shut that operation down, he noted, because it was cutting in to the haul at the school concession stand. These components fueled Willie Robertson’s longing for success.

    Today Robertson defines success a bit differently, citing a prayer at the dinner table with his family.

    “That’s success,” he said.

    Willie told the gathering about the day he approached his dad, the Duck Dynasty patriarch and rather controversial Phil Robertson, and asked to run the family duck call business.

    “I told Dad, ‘I’m going to take the business to the next level,’” he said. “I didn’t know what the next level was.”

    That’s how he came to be CEO of Duck Commander, which is still based in West Monroe, Louisiana, where the reality show is filmed. Robertson assured the crowd that what they see on TV isn’t fiction. He says the family does work together in their effort to fill orders. He admits it’s not entirely the whole truth either, however. Since his father made him promise, upon taking over the business, that he would never fire a family member, Willie Robertson says there are about 100 employees who work off camera. They don’t get time off to go hunting frogs.

    Before closing the Duck Dynasty star also made mention of Phil Robertson’s recent interview with GQ magazine, during which he made his infamous controversial statements about gays.

    “He speaks his mind,” Robertson said of his father. “He made Christmas interesting for me.”

    Willie Robertson no doubt made this year’s gathering of the Manufacturer & Business Association’s event very interesting, too. He wore his signature bandana and some folks in the audience mimicked his–or other Duck Dynasty star’s–trademark looks.

    In previous years the gathering has been addressed by Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It seems Willie Robertson is definitely playing in the big leagues now.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Duck Dynasty: Si Robertson Releases Country Album

    Watch out fellow country music superstars …Si Robertson is releasing a new country album!

    Robertson, who is most well-known as Uncle Si on A&E’s reality show Duck Dynasty, recently showed off his singing skills on the Duck Dynasty Christmas album Duck the Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas, but now he is going solo and has released a brand new album called Me and My Smoking Hot Honey on iTunes.

    The album features six songs, one of which Si collaborated with Kix Brooks on, called Can’t Take the Swamp Outta the Man.

    The duo debuted the song at Si’s vow renewal ceremony last month as a surprise for Si’s wife of 43 years Christine Robertson. “[Christine] loves Kix Brooks!” Si told Fox News, so you can imagine her surprise as Si and Kix sang the song as she made her way down the aisle.

    Apparently, Si had a blast working on this album and has even mentioned making a career change; leaving the duck calls behind and doing music full time. “I’m gonna make this my new career choice,” he said. “I had a blast!”

    Below is a list of the songs that are included on Si’s album:
    1. Can’t Take the Swamp Outta the Man – Si Robertson and Kix Brooks
    2. How Much I Love You – Jessica Andrews
    3. Would You Marry Me Again – Marsha Robertson & Jay Nelson
    4. His and Hers – Ally Moore, Macy Jae & Kolby Koloff
    5. Faith, Hope, And Love – Zach Harris
    6. If You Can’t Dig That – Si Robertson & The Mauldin Brothers

    To be one of the first people to purchase Si’s new album, click here.

    The new season of Ducky Dynasty will premiere in June.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Mark Wahlberg: Micro-Brewery Reality Show Features MIT Students

    Mark Wahlberg and A&E have reached a deal for an upcoming reality TV show. Called The Big Brew Theory, Wahlberg will serve as producer. The show will follow four MIT graduate students who join an MIT undergrad and work on creating a micro-brewery. The show will be based in Boston.

    Wahlberg is already one of the producers of the reality show about his family’s restaurant business. Called Wahlburgers, the show and the restaurants share the same name. A&E must be pleased with Wahlburgers, with Mark Wahlberg, or possibly both for them to hand him the reins to another reality show. This makes the fourth show he has produced for the network.

    The Big Brew Theory (where do you suppose they got the name for this show?) features the aforementioned MIT students as they (the grad students) pool their life savings in an effort to create the micro-brewery of their dreams. They bring in the undergrad, who just happens to be female and sexy, to assist in their endeavors.

    The city of Boston must love Mark Wahlberg. The Big Brew Theory will provide yet another positive view of the city via reality TV. Wahlberg clearly loves Boston, too. He and his brothers grew up in Dorchester.

    Mark Wahlberg has achieved success as a producer in other facets of entertainment besides reality TV. He is one of the producers of The Fighter, Entourage, Boardwalk Empire, Prisoners, and Lone Survivor, among other film and TV productions. He will appear on the big screen in what is expected to be a summer blockbuster, too. Transformers: Age of Extinction premieres in U.S. theaters on June 27th.

    Will you be tuning in to The Big Brew Theory? Do you expect it to be more about the micro-brewery process or more about the young hot female undergrad?

    Image via Twitter

  • Mark Wahlberg To Produce “The Big Brew Theory”

    Mark Wahlberg is on fire. In addition to being a producer for the successful A&E reality show Wahlburgers, about the family’s burger business, the cable channel has now greenlit another Mark Wahlberg, Boston-based reality show called The Big Brew Theory. The title is an obvious take off of the hit comedy The Big Bang Theory.

    Wahlberg will serve as executive producer for the reality show which centers upon four MIT grad students, who are described as “quirky and highly intelligent.” They have each put their life savings into their dream of starting a hometown micro-brewery. They bring in a hot female MIT undergrad to help. The show documents the trials and tribulations of attempting to achieve their version of the American Dream.

    The Big Brew Theory will be also be produced by frequent Wahlberg partners: Stephen Levinson, Stephanie Drachkovitch, and Bill Thompson. This is the 42-year-old actor’s fourth reality show pilot with A&E. All the projects are set in Wahlberg’s home city of Boston.

    The former teen pop idol turned successful Hollywood A-List actor has carved out an extremely prolific career as a producer in both television and film. Wahlberg has also received producer’s credit for: Entourage, Boardwalk Empire, Lone Survivor, Prisoners, and The Fighter (to name just a few).

    The Oscar-nominated actor will be making several appearances on the big screen soon as well. He currently has five films in post-production, including Transformers: Age of Extinction, which is expected to be a summer blockbuster hit. Its release date is June 27.

    Image via Mark Wahlberg, Twitter

  • Bates Motel Renewed For Third Season On A&E

    The number one drama series of all-time [within the 18-49 demographic] on A&E has been renewed for a third season.

    A&E announced on Monday that they would be renewing Bates Motel for a ten-episode season three. The second season is currently airing, and the season premiere, which aired on March 3, brought in 4.6 million viewers. Producers revealed that they will start filming the third season this fall.

    “The incredible writing team and talented Bates Motel cast has made this series one of the most compelling original dramas on television,” A&E Network’s executive vice president and general manager David McKillop said. “The brilliant twists and turns of the past two seasons keep its loyal fan base coming back for more. We are so proud of the show.”

    The series stars Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore as Norma and Norman Bates, the mother and son duo from Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho . According to A&E, Bates Motel serves as a prequel to Psycho, and shows Norman’s life throughout his teenage years.

    Bates Motel is a contemporary prequel to the genre-defining film “Psycho,” and gives a portrayal of how Norman Bates’ (Freddie Highmore) psyche unravels through his teenage years. Fans discover the dark, twisted backstory of Norman Bates and how intricate his relationship with his mother (Vera Farmiga) truly is.

    Bates Motel airs on Mondays at 10:00 pm on A&E. The season two finale will air on May 5.

    Bates Motel has been officially renewed for a season three. Who's excited?!

    — Norman Bates (@NormannBatess) April 8, 2014

    #RT IF YOU'RE ALREADY LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONDAY!! #BATESMOTEL

    — Norman Bates (@MrNormanBates_) April 8, 2014

    Bates Motel renewed for season three!!! Awesome news!!!!!!! Can't get enough of Norman Bates!!! @InsideBates

    — Amanda Clellan(@TheDixonsChick) April 8, 2014

    Image via Twitter

  • ‘Bates Motel’ Renewed for a Third Season

    According to A&E Network executive vice president and general manager David McKillop, the original drama-thriller series Bates Motel has been renewed for a third season. Production of ten new episodes, which are produced by Universal Television, will commence in the fall.

    Bates Motel stars Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore, and is described as being a “contemporary prequel” to Alfred Hitchcock’s classic 1960 film Psycho, and details the life of Norman Bates and his mother Norma prior to the events depicted in Hitchcock’s film. The series takes place in a modern day setting, in a different fictional town – Bates Motel takes place in “White Pine Bay, Oregon (with its main industry being marijuana production), as opposed to Pyscho’s setting of “Fairvale, California).

    McKillop said in a statement on Monday, “The incredible writing team and talented Bates Motel cast has made this series one of the most compelling original dramas on television. The brilliant twists and turns of the past two seasons keep its loyal fanbase coming back for more. We are so proud of the show.”

    Here is the trailer for the series:

    Bates Motel, which is produced by Carlton Cuse of ABC’s Lost and Kerry Ehrin, is A&E’s top dramatic series of all time among adults 18-49. When season 2 premiered on March 3, 4.6 million viewers tuned in, including 2.6 million adults 18-49 and 2.2 million adults 25-54.

    Cuse has cited David Lynch’s cult classic Twin Peaks as being a primary model for Bates Motel, and commented, “We pretty much ripped off Twin Peaks. If you wanted to get that confession, the answer is yes. I loved that show. They only did 30 episodes. Kerry (Ehrin) and I thought we’d do the 70 that are missing.”

    Bates Motel has garnered generally favorable reviews, scoring 67% on Metacritic. Rotten Tomatoes has rated the series as being 86% “fresh.”

    Image via YouTube