# Have never watched "Duck Dynasty". Why is it so huge? Worth watching? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 12, 2013, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624 "2013-09-12T01:27:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/1 "2013-09-12T01:27:10Z")
People seem to have some serious love for this show. Is it worth getting involved with? ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/2 "2013-09-12T01:34:00Z")
Depends. It’s light, fluffy entertainment with a strong country vibe. Lowbrow humor. Wacky characters, especially Uncle Si. Every episode ends with the extended family gathered around a dinner table, and someone, usually Phil, asks the blessing before they eat. I enjoy it, the Druidess doesn’t–in part because they do show animals–mostly ducks and squirrels–being shot sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/3 "2013-09-12T01:51:16Z")
it quacks me up. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/4 "2013-09-12T01:59:48Z")
The show doesn’t do anything for me. But, I think it’s like TV in general: all it takes is one or two characters to grab your attention and you’re hooked. My boss talks about the show all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/5 "2013-09-12T11:30:49Z")
I’ve seen it maybe twice. It doesn’t really appeal to me. From what I saw it was, like most “reality” shows, at least partially scripted. ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/6 "2013-09-12T11:39:54Z")
From what little I’ve seen of it, the participants in the show are more nice, familial, and friendly than those in other reality shows. It was a nice change of pace from the usual freak shows put on the air, especially those that focus on dysfunctional rural families and groups. Wacky, but not degrading. Beyond that, not my cup of tea, but it might be worth checking out if you tend to like reality shows in general. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/7 "2013-09-12T12:16:21Z")
There’s a few shows I don’t miss, namely NOVA, Frontline, Chasing Classic Cars and Duck Dynasty. It may be in part because I’m a hunter and identify with the woodsy, outdoors psyche but mainly these guys just make me laugh and remind me a lot of similar friends I’ve had over the years. In fact the DD crew has hunted with some of our Colorado crew and I’m sure will keep doing so as long as birds take to wing. Just like most any show it probably enhances your enjoyment when you get a sense of each person’s nuances and how they fit into the overall group dynamic. With DD that means an appreciation of character and traditional family values. You’ve got your patriarch and his homemaker wife, the crazy uncle, the competitive sons each with a different level of drive, the wives that have to put up with all the nutty crap, ‘backwoodsey’ employees, etc. We’re three shows into the new season now. I watched last night and couldn’t stop laughing out loud several times, it was one of the funnier ones yet. People wonder sometimes if it’s scripted. Undoubtably they’ve created some scenario that lends itself to humor but I guarantee the dialogue is just these guys being themselves. ---
**Author:** ![phreesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@phreesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phreesh)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/8 "2013-09-12T14:23:20Z")
It has a right-wing appeal with its strong family values, prayer and pro-gun stance, which would generally turn me off, but they’re such nice guys and aren’t a dick about anything that you can’t help but like them. So, it appeals to the great middle of America where people are reasonable and like to watch some slightly wacky folks have fun. It’s a refreshing change from the more typical reality show that exploits its stars and makes you feel kind of bad about yourself after you’ve watched. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/9 "2013-09-12T14:27:11Z")
I honestly assumed it was an animated Disney thing until I recently saw a cast photo ad. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/10 "2013-09-12T14:44:39Z")
> [@phreesh](#): > > It has a right-wing appeal with its strong family values, prayer and pro-gun stance, which would generally turn me off, but they’re such nice guys and aren’t a dick about anything that you can’t help but like them. Yeah same here. I got no love for hunting or guns or being overly jesus-y but I got nothing against this show. I eagerly await it every week! I’ve read that the producers are pretty heavy handed about keeping the Christian stuff to a minimum, which the Robertsons don’t love but they roll with it. Conversely, most of their public appearances seem to be very church-based. I think it’s a great compromise. My mom wasn’t into the show until I told her that the beards were just for show. They’re actually all college-educated and very religious, and a total hoot. Somehow with that pretense, she was able to give it a chance and now she loves it. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/11 "2013-09-12T14:58:31Z")
Yeah, my wife and daughter love it too. In fact DD is a huge hit, a frequent topic of discussion and provides popular clothing for she and her Jr. High girlfriends. Go figure. So here we have a show that a dad and teenage daughter can spend quality time watching and identifying with and laughing at together? Man, I’m all over a show like that! ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/12 "2013-09-12T16:02:12Z")
It’s a gentle glimpse into a lifestyle you’re probably unfamiliar with. There’s much worse programming on the tube nowadays. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/13 "2013-09-12T16:08:55Z")
I think a lot of it is that it’s reality TV about a mildly kooky family, but a lot of the humor is kind of a wink & nudge style, and it’s not actually making fun of them or their lifestyle, like so many lesser reality shows. In other words, the point isn’t to watch the show and laugh at how ignorant, ugly or redneck the Robertsons and their workers are; it’s more of a show about them and their lives and the antics they get up to. The wordplay and commentary are really some of the funniest parts, and it’s usually pretty smart stuff. In other words, it’s about a very successful business and the family that owns it, and they HAPPEN to be rednecks from N. Louisiana. It’s not a show about some benighted rednecks in N. Louisiana who happen to have a business. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/14 "2013-09-12T16:43:14Z")
Haven’t seen the show, but I see them every time I visit Walmart. ---
**Author:** ![Tully\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ab992/32.png) [@Tully\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tully_Mars)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/15 "2013-09-12T17:25:52Z")
After last night’s episode, I have a new retirement plan. If Si doesn’t corner the market first. Tully Mars’ Gonad Emporium. Maybe I’ve finally found a way to make a living raising cows. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/16 "2013-09-12T17:34:42Z")
_“I’m trying to look away but I can’t help myself.”_ ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/17 "2013-09-12T20:06:12Z")
> [@Tully\_Mars](#): > > After last night’s episode, I have a new retirement plan. If Si doesn’t corner the market first. Tully Mars’ Gonad Emporium. Maybe I’ve finally found a way to make a living raising cows. I see one flaw in this plan: cows don’t have gonads. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/18 "2013-09-13T01:33:19Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > I see one flaw in this plan: cows don’t have gonads. > > 😃 I see one flaw in your post. Yes they do. mmm ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/19 "2013-09-13T02:08:46Z")
Previous thread on the Duck Commanders; > **[Duck Dynasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=687102)** > > For any number of reasons I’d held off on checking this one out at first. It seems all too often with ‘reality’ style shows, whether it be about cars, motorcycles or whatever, the Silly Hillbilly angle is played to the extreme, coupled with lots of... ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/20 "2013-09-13T06:50:29Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > I honestly assumed it was an animated Disney thing until I recently saw a cast photo ad. I was expecting Daffy Duck in a Game of Thrones parody from the title. Am I to assume it’s something akin to …what’s that 'gator hunting one, Swamp People? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624.md?page=2)