March 28, 2024

BY COLE FROUDEFroudeColepromo

TV is one of the greatest inventions of our time. It can tell us compelling stories, create likeable and relatable characters we care for and tell us stuff we need to know.  But there are shows that just don’t belong on the airwaves – shows that aim for the lowest common denominator and just keep scraping the bottom of the barrel but still rake in tons of viewers each week.

Duck Dynasty, a show that airs on A&E, is about the Robertson family in Louisiana who got rich by creating their own family-operated business called Duck Commander. It is the most-watched non-fiction show in history. People actually tune in week-to-week and are amused watching these bearded men’s wackiness? I feel this is an affront to good television because so many people, such as writers, producers, directors and actors, work 14-hour days to provide viewers with good material. Duck Dynasty and everyone involved with the Robertson family is filthy rich and don’t have to work a day in their lives so basically this reality show is laughing in your face for having a job and working for a living. Imagine having a roommate who doesn’t do anything and likes to fool around and have fun while you go out and work then come back and watch him have fun for an hour. That’s about the equivalent of an episode that these money-hungry homophobes put out. Homophobia shouldn’t be tolerated in this world. But, in a GQ magazine interview Phil Robertson, one of the main stars of the show, was asked, “What in your mind, is sinful?”

Robertson said, “Start with homosexual behaviour and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men.”
You are allowed to say what you want thanks to freedom of speech, but if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all.

It’s a sad world that Duck Dynasty is succeeding in the ratings but shows like NBC’s Hannibal, a far better, emotionally charged, character-driven drama, is struggling.

Another show that can be classified as disgusting and morally wrong is Toddlers and Tiaras. I really can’t put the show into words without saying something derogatory about the creators so here’s TLC’s description of the show from their website:

“On any given weekend, on stages across the country, little girls and boys parade around wearing makeup, false eyelashes, spray tans and fake hair to be judged on their beauty, personality and costumes.”

I wonder how many pedophiles and sex offenders watch this show religiously. It’s disgusting and wrong to treat children like this. The show has been running for six years now and keeps bringing in the viewers. I cannot fathom how anyone can pass this off as entertainment and not feel something is morally wrong?  It’s not cute, it’s not funny, it’s plain wrong.

If you watch Toddlers and Tiaras or Duck Dynasty you are part of the problem because studios don’t make stuff people  don’t watch. Do the right thing raise the IQ a bit and change the channel.

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