# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/21 "2013-09-13T14:33:22Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > I see one flaw in this plan: cows don’t have gonads. > > 😃 > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I see one flaw in your post. > > Yes they do. > mmm :smack: I see you are right. Time to retake high school biology I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/22 "2013-09-14T00:22:46Z")
Re the religiosity of the Robertsons: I have read that producers wanted to cut the saying of grace after a few episodes, worried that it wouldn’t go over well. The Robertsons said “no prayer, no show”. To me, this indicates that they have a tremendous amount of integrity about who they are. For the record, I am decidedly non-religious, but I would gladly attend one of their public appearances because I think I would be thoroughly entertained. Oh, I love the show and watch it religiously. 😉 Jase’s deadpan delivery slays me. ---
**Author:** ![Zago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecccb3/32.png) [@Zago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zago)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/23 "2013-12-12T06:38:39Z")
Just watched the Christmas special. I’m a liberal and I love this show. They’re serious about their religion (live-saving for a few of them) but don’t force it down your throat. It’s also miles away from most reality shows where the cast members regularly throw one another under the bus. This is one my few ‘must see’ programs - I’m surprised as anyone that I’d watch this. ---
**Author:** ![jrsone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jrsone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jrsone)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/24 "2013-12-12T15:02:37Z")
> [@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. > > 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. This pretty much sums it up for me. In most other situations, this kind of show would have no appeal but these guys are just likeable. ---
**Author:** ![phreesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@phreesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phreesh)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/25 "2013-12-12T15:32:08Z")
I agree with most of the above, but I’ve stopped watching because it’s become so scripted. Each episode is now focused on some artificially imposed event rather than a diary of their day-to-day life. I’m just not seeing the ‘reality’ part of their lives anymore. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/26 "2013-12-12T16:06:15Z")
I used to buy the Duck Commander DVDs years ago and met Phil a few times at the Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoors Festivals almost 10 years ago. I’m absolutely gobsmacked now when I see Si and Jase and the rest on everything from T-Shirts to greeting cards now. I’m happy for their success, but is there anything they won’t put their name on? ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/27 "2013-12-12T16:24:50Z")
> [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](#): > > Jase’s deadpan delivery slays me. I’ve only seen a handful of episodes-- Is Jase the one who in the talking head bits will spout something totally ridiculous, almost crack a smile for about half a second, and then pull it back to a totally straight face? I like him, mostly because he reminds me of a large portion of my family. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/28 "2013-12-12T18:09:53Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > 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? Oh, God, this idea is comedy _gold_, if they do it right. I can see Porky Pig (in his Friar Tuck robes from ) as Varys, Gossamer/Rudolph as Gregor Clegane, and maybe Bugs as Tyrion Lanister. “The Throne is MINE. I’m a rich and wealthy th-th-th-overeign! Ouch! That’th sharp!” ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/29 "2013-12-12T21:27:48Z")
I think it is just about the most unreal reality show on. It is obviously scripted (or outlined and ad-libbed). But the main guys are likable and naturally funny. I don’t seek the show out but when I’m clicking through I watch sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/30 "2013-12-12T21:32:57Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > 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? Kinda. They don’t make their living from hunting. The patriarch invented a duck caller in the 70s and managed to build a very lucrative company from that. He is genuinely a back woods type who turned down a pro football contract and quit football because it interfered with duck season. But the company is for real and the family was rich long before the show. Which is the point. It a fish out of water show with rednecks running a multi-million dollar corporation. ---
**Author:** ![medstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2013, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/31 "2013-12-13T04:57:05Z")
> [@August\_West](#): > > I used to buy the Duck Commander DVDs years ago and met Phil a few times at the Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoors Festivals almost 10 years ago. > > I’m absolutely gobsmacked now when I see Si and Jase and the rest on everything from T-Shirts to greeting cards now. I’m happy for their success, but is there anything they won’t put their name on? There are Willie and Si Chia pets available now. I saw an ad on TV a couple of weeks ago. I’m waiting for Duck Dynasty feminine hygiene products to show up soon.😃 ---
**Author:** ![llcoolbj77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/eb9ed0/32.png) [@llcoolbj77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/llcoolbj77)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2013, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/32 "2013-12-13T15:02:09Z")
> [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](#): > > Re the religiosity of the Robertsons: I have read that producers wanted to cut the saying of grace after a few episodes, worried that it wouldn’t go over well. The Robertsons said “no prayer, no show”. > > To me, this indicates that they have a tremendous amount of integrity about who they are. > > For the record, I am decidedly non-religious, but I would gladly attend one of their public appearances because I think I would be thoroughly entertained. > > Oh, I love the show and watch it religiously. 😉 Jase’s deadpan delivery slays me. Agreed. Between the Robertsons, and Pope Francis… religion is making a comeback. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2013, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/33 "2013-12-13T15:48:53Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I think it is just about the most unreal reality show on. It is obviously scripted (or outlined and ad-libbed). You got a cite for this? ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2013, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/34 "2013-12-13T19:19:51Z")
> [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](#): > > You got a cite for this? Well site or not, it’s fairly obvious that the situations are scripted. The dialogue may be free form but it’s not hard to tell that each episode has an opening, a prominent situation, a few twists and a conclusion to the situation. I like to think that the situations are based on their experiences and that these people are playing a character of themselves that closely matches their true selves. Scripted or not the Robinsons and their associates do a great job of entertaining. And they do it in such a way as to not poke fun at rednecks but more to display the funny quirks within each individual’s personality. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2013, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/35 "2013-12-13T20:38:06Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > :smack: > > I see you are right. Time to retake high school biology I guess. Out of curiosity, what did you think gonads were? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2013, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/36 "2013-12-13T21:57:12Z")
> [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](#): > > You got a cite for this? Well since it was clearly stated as my opinion I will have to say that my opinion is my cite. And I can guarantee with 98.6% accuracy that it is my opinion. > [@BubbaDog](#): > > Well site or not, it’s fairly obvious that the situations are scripted. The dialogue may be free form but it’s not hard to tell that each episode has an opening, a prominent situation, a few twists and a conclusion to the situation. > > I like to think that the situations are based on their experiences and that these people are playing a character of themselves that closely matches their true selves. > > Scripted or not the Robinsons and their associates do a great job of entertaining. And they do it in such a way as to not poke fun at rednecks but more to display the funny quirks within each individual’s personality. Exactly what I mean. It is obvious and well documented that this genre of reality shows fall under the category of assisted reality. It is scripted in that the situations are determined beforehand. I am acquainted with a series regular on a current reality show. They are scripted. There is little dialogue written for them but the situations are laid out, the emotions they want shown and the conclusion are all preconceived. The Robinsons are naturals in front of the camera and it makes for an entertaining show. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2013, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/37 "2013-12-13T22:36:22Z")
One of the cast members has recently [spilled](http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2013/10/duck-dynasty-fake-phil-robertson-reality-tv/) on some of the production shenanigans that go on in this “reality” show. My favorite: They put in bleeps where no swearing is taking place to create the illusion of a grittier show. And that’s just what is being publicly admitted. ---
**Author:** ![Zago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecccb3/32.png) [@Zago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zago)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2013, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/38 "2013-12-13T23:22:19Z")
> [@llcoolbj77](#): > > Agreed. Between the Robertsons, and Pope Francis… religion is making a comeback. I’m not religious but in these two cases religion has an up side. Pope Francis seems to be challenging Catholics, all Christians about what it means to be Christian. He’s asking people to be kind, compassionate, charitable. It seems like Phil Robertson and his son Jeb literally turned their lives around for the better due to their belief in Jesus, they sound like pretty miserable humans prior to their conversion. If their belief in Jesus is responsible for their re-making their lives into something better then I have no beef with that - as long as they don’t force it down my throat, which they don’t. Scripted? Definitely, but I get the sense that there’s a lot of improvisation going on which captures their essence. I’m capable of suspending disbelief long enough to be entertained by this show. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/39 "2013-12-14T00:49:26Z")
Plus there’s the wives. Jeps wife Jessica has a butt that won’t quit! > [@Zago](#): > > It seems like Phil Robertson and his son Jeb literally turned their lives around for the better due to their belief in Jesus, they sound like pretty miserable humans prior to their conversion. Interesting, I wouldn’t have thought it. Could you point me to a place to read more? ---
**Author:** ![Zago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecccb3/32.png) [@Zago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zago)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624/40 "2013-12-14T00:57:23Z")
> [@White SIFL](#): > > Plus there’s the wives. Jeps wife Jessica has a butt that won’t quit! > > Interesting, I wouldn’t have thought it. Could you point me to a place to read more? Here’s one link but you can read more by googling ‘duck dynasty alcohol’ or similar. [http://cnsnews.com/mrctv-blog/matt-vespa/duck-dynastys-dark-side-five-family-revelations](http://cnsnews.com/mrctv-blog/matt-vespa/duck-dynastys-dark-side-five-family-revelations) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-never-watched-duck-dynasty-why-is-it-so-huge-worth-watching/668624.md?page=3)